Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. The statement of ‘‘sensory and emotional experience’’ means pain not only has sensory-discriminative (physical pain), but also psychological-discriminative, including emotional-affective, cognitive-evaluative, and spiritual dimensions (psychological pain). Both types of pain involve neural bases, such as the insula and central nervous system, and its activities are modulated by the autonomic nervous system, which is one of the peripheral nervous systems, and enkephalin and oxytocin, which are endogenous opioids or hormones. Individuals with physical and psychological pain have increased sympathetic activity and decreased enkephalin and oxytocin levels. Although yoga is an effective intervention for physical and psychological pain, little is known about its regulatory mechanisms. In this article, I focus on the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and pelvis during asana and explain the role of the asana in driving them from neurological and biological perspectives. I then discuss the effects of yoga breathing techniques on the autonomic nervous system and hormones. Existing evidence suggests that the insula, the autonomic nervous system, enkephalin, and oxytocin are related to the recovery mechanisms of yoga for pain. From a psychological perspective, the insula, autonomic nervous system, enkephalin, and oxytocin are related to awareness of one’s inner experiences (metacognition). This is similar to picking the ice surface with something that does not have a non-slip device. Yoga causes changes to the body’s internal environment. This is similar to picking up an uneven surface with a non-slipping object. Basic and clinical studies based on this article should be conducted in the future. In conclusion, interventions with yoga based on this research will help people suffering from physical and mental illnesses.
Yoga; insula; autonomic nervous system; enkephalin; oxytocin.