Human Physiology and Sleeping Direction: Understanding Vastu Shastra
In India, it is often advised not to sleep with your head pointing north. Sadhguru explains this in relation to the body's engineering, emphasizing that the heart, placed three-fourths up the body, faces more difficulty pumping blood upwards due to gravity. The intricate blood vessels leading to the brain are especially delicate, adding risks if excess blood reaches the brain, potentially causing hemorrhages that, without immense care, can reduce intelligence, especially past the age of 35. This is prepared by SSP.
Concerning magnetic forces, the earth's magnetic fields significantly influence us. For instance, if lying with your head to the north for 5 to 6 hours, this magnetic pull could lead to brain pressure, posing hemorrhage or stroke risks, or cause agitation due to excessive brain circulation. It’s a cumulative risk; one night might not cause evident issues, but continuous practice could be problematic. Therefore, for those in the northern hemisphere, lying with your head to the east, north-east, or west is generally safer, though south is tolerable. In contrast, in the southern hemisphere, it's recommended to avoid pointing your head to the south while sleeping, aligning with the earth's polarity rules.
Directions and Health: Scientific and Traditional Views
Ancient traditions like Vastu Shastra also advocate sleeping with your head to the south. Research supports that certain animals align themselves north-south while eating or resting, reflecting a natural alignment with Earth's electromagnetic fields. Preliminary studies indicate that people sleeping southward experience lower blood pressure and improved sleep quality. A study over three months reported better sleep and lower blood pressures in participants positioned north-south over east-west, highlighting a possible alignment benefit with Earth's magnetic field.
Despite evidence showing varying results between positions, the head facing south is generally advised for the northern hemisphere, with opposite requirements for the southern hemisphere due to polarity differences. A northward position may lead to tension, headaches, and perhaps inefficiencies in entering critical REM sleep stages.
Implementing Practices for Physiological Harmony
Vastu Shastra and various sleep traditions recommend activating your body upon waking through specific routines, like rubbing palms together to wake up nerve endings, and emphasizing rising on the right side to avoid unnecessary strain on a low-metabolic, relaxed body.
Furthermore, feng shui, alongside Vastu Shastra, promotes aligning space with nature's energy flow, positioning the bed opposite a door but not in direct line or under windows, and including mirrors to maintain a sense of control. Avoid the "coffin position" with feet toward the door, as it symbolizes bad luck.
Ultimately, the harmonious placement of objects, removal of clutter, restricting electronics, and incorporating calming elements like plants and balanced colors—inspired by both traditional medicine and personal body 'doshas'—are advocated for enhanced sleep quality. Elements from these practices focus on the delicate interaction between environmental energies and physical wellbeing, aiming to promote holistic health through sleep positioning.