What Is the A Nerve
Japanese pharmacologist Kosuke Oki has written extensively about the relationship between brain activity and stimulation received though the soles of the feet: "The activity of the A-10 nerve is worth noting, particularly in connection to healthy brain functioning and learning ability. The reason for this is that human creativity occurs at times of the A-10 nerve's overactivity. Creativity evolves by means of the A-10 nerve, through an excess of awareness and pleasurable sensations. Creativity and pleasurable sensations act in concert and are inseparable. I think that activating the A-10 nerve is an extremely effective form of brain training. In order to activate this nerve, you need to train yourself physically, so that your body becomes ready, whenever necessary, to secrete important hormones such as proopiomelanocortin (POMC), which is a crucial resource of vital energy and stamina ... Walking and running are both good forms of training for the health of the brain. The strongest stimulation of the sensory nerves throughout the body is that received through the muscles of the feet. Stimulation received through the feet invigorates the sensory A and B nerves, which in turn stimulates the brain.
The effects of qigong training are deeply linked to brain functioning, and so in order to clarify why qigong is so important, I would like to take a moment to explain the functioning of the brain in a bit more detail.
The effect of qigong originates in the brain. The A-10 nerve originates at the midbrain of the brain stem (Figure 15-1). It runs to the hypothalamus, which generates primitive feelings of "desire," and stretches to the limbic system, or the animal brain, whose origins are ancient even in comparison to other parts of the cerebrum, and which controls the production of emotions. From there, the A-10 nerve enters a part of the neocortex—which is the seat of intelligence and higher learning. The A-10 nerve also branches out to the hippocampus that is involved in memory and learning, and further connects to the nucleus accumbens of the limbic system which is said to play a role in the vital functions and in the instinct for self-preservation. Finally, it extends to the frontal association area of the neocortex that controls powers of creativity.
Figure 15-1
Simple diagram of the anatomy of the brain.
Cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex
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