The Yo-Yo Effect: Physical and Emotional

“Physical feelings are what arise as soon as the brain interprets emotions." - Antonio Damasio

As each of us perform daily activities to keep up with our busy lives, we experience emotions and physical feelings. These sensations often occur simultaneously. For example, when experiencing sadness, there is often a tension felt in the chest. And when we’re happy, we can sometimes feel lighter. Perhaps the physiological and the psychological are more linked than we believe?

Beliefs and traditions seem to point towards an arbitrary distinction between the mind and body. So much so, that most of us feel as though we are an operator of our body, rather than the body itself. Ultimately, the sensations we feel, whether by thought, or from external force, are impossible to categorize as exclusive to our body or psyche.

The Yo-Yo Effect

The mind-body relationship can be illustrated by the "Yo-Yo Effect." Antonio Damasio, a well known neurologist, explains that once there is a physical stimuli, the brain quickly interprets emotion in order to respond to that stimuli. The emotional response from a physical stimuli (and vice versa) is similar to a yo-yo returning to its starting point after being let go. The two sensations are a unified process. Damasio refers to our body’s response to fear. He states, “When we are afraid of something, our hearts begin to race, our mouth becomes dry, our skin turns pale, and our muscles contract”.

Mind-Body Exercise

Understanding the link between mind and body can change the way we live. Some activities can activate our mind and body at once. Most of us are already reaping the benefits of this to one extent or another. Think about the feeling of psychological relief after a physical exercise.

Ideally, workouts should strengthen both mind and body. The key is to introduce complex variety into exercise routines. By discovering new ways to challenge our body, the brain can form new pathways. Stability workouts are a great example of this. Stability control requires constant focus. The Core Flyte makes possible thousands of stability exercise varieties that challenge balance and movement. They also can be used as a secondary element of instability to your workout. For example, using a punching bag with one foot on a Core Flyte.

We love seeing new and creative workout methods that challenge the brain and body! Check us out on Facebook or Instagram for daily updates and workout ideas!

Be Flyte Fit,

Taylor Hahn
Contributing Writer, Flyte Fitness
Certified Group Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

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