The Three Brains: Head, Heart & Gut – How Yoga Awakens Your Inner Wisdom
Did you know you have not just one brain, but three intelligent centres within your body? Yes, that’s right—your head, heart, and gut each contain their own form of intelligence. These "three brains" are constantly communicating, guiding your choices, moods, and wellbeing. And when they’re in harmony, you feel clear, connected, and calm. When they’re out of sync, life can feel chaotic and overwhelming.
Let’s explore the wisdom of your three brains, and how yoga, meditation and breathwork can bring them into beautiful balance.
1. The Head Brain (Cephalic Brain)
Your head is home to the brain we all know and talk about—the one responsible for logic, thoughts, memory, language and reasoning. It’s the command center of everyday life. But here’s the thing: while the head is smart, it’s not always wise. Without the input of your heart and gut, your head can overthink, worry, and spiral into stress.
Yoga and Meditation help quiet the mental chatter. Through asana, your focus shifts from doing to being. Meditation creates space between your thoughts, allowing clarity and insight to rise. And when your mind is quiet, your inner knowing speaks louder.
2. The Heart Brain (Cardiac Brain)
Science now confirms what yogis have always known—the heart has its own neural network. It can sense, feel, learn, and remember. In fact, your heart sends more signals to your brain than your brain sends to your heart.
The heart governs compassion, intuition, connection, and truth. When you’re aligned with your heart, decisions feel natural and relationships flow. But when you ignore your heart’s wisdom, you may feel anxious, disconnected, or emotionally drained.
Breathwork and Heart-Opening Poses (like Camel or Cobra) help regulate the nervous system and release emotional tension. Conscious breathing (especially deep, rhythmic inhales and exhales) soothes the heart and invites in feelings of love, peace, and unity.
3. The Gut Brain (Enteric Brain)
Ever had a "gut feeling"? That’s not just a figure of speech. Your gut has over 500 million neurons and produces more than 90% of your serotonin (the feel-good chemical). It literally thinks and feels, and it plays a huge role in your emotional and mental health.
Your gut is the center of instinct, boundaries, and personal power. It tells you when something feels off, or when to say no. But when you’re out of tune with your gut, you might feel sluggish, unmotivated, or overwhelmed.
Core-strengthening yoga and twists stimulate your digestive fire and awaken your gut intelligence. Breathwork like Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) helps clear stagnation and builds internal strength.
🕉 The Adi Mantra & the Three Brains
In Kundalini Yoga, we begin each class with the Adi Mantra:
"Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo"
It means: I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the teacher within.
But here’s the magic: each sound of the mantra activates a different brain:
Ong – resonates in the head and activates higher consciousness
Namo – vibrates through the heart, awakening love and reverence
Guru Dev Namo – grounds into the gut, anchoring trust in your inner guidance
Chanting this mantra helps align all three brains. You begin to act from a place of inner truth, rather than fear or confusion. You become more you.
How Yoga Brings the Three Brains into Harmony
Yoga isn’t just exercise—it’s a system for integrating body, mind, and soul. Each time you step onto your mat:
You calm the mind (head)
You open the heart
You strengthen the core (gut)
Over time, your inner world shifts. You feel more focused, more loving, and more confident in your decisions. You trust yourself more. You sleep better. You move through life with ease.
Ready to Align Your Three Brains?
Whether you’re brand new to yoga or returning to your practice, it’s never too late to reconnect with your inner wisdom. At [Kula Springs Yoga], we offer:
Live and on-demand classes to suit every schedule
Morning sessions to kickstart your day with clarity
Breathwork and meditation videos to soothe the nervous system
A supportive, friendly community (we’re real, not rigid!)
Join us and feel the difference—not just in your body, but in your whole life.
Final Thoughts
When your head, heart, and gut are aligned, you become unstoppable. You make better decisions. You handle stress with grace. You live with purpose.
Yoga is more than a practice—it’s a return to wholeness. So roll out your mat, take a deep breath, and let your three brains lead the way.
