Balance Muse

See and influence the balance of your brain hemispheres.

Requires Muse (TM) EEG Headband from InteraXon http://www.choosemuse.com/

This small App allows you to compare the changes at the beginning and at the end of your session. First it takes a snapshot of your brain state. During the session it displays relative offset for the common waking state brainwaves in real time.

Our brain hemispheres are having different specialisations. A variety of practices on changing their activation is widely explored from ancient times on. Many practices in yoga aim at controlling and balancing activity of central and autonomic nervous systems.

With the help of this Neurofeedback App you can establish the effect your yoga breathing or meditation practice has on left to right ratio of your brain activity. You can see it changing in real time according to your actions and thoughts.

*** How to use the App: ***

1. Connect to your Muse:
Switch bluetooth on - on your Muse headband and on your device
Type “Refresh” Button
Type “Connect” Button after selecting your Muse.

2. Wait about a minute to collect statistics for your current state. The left/right ratio for the particular band, you can see under the band bar on the left.

3. Choose "Start Session" to see in real time how Left/Right Ratio changes.

Now you can try alternative nostril breathing to see its effect on your brain activity. See the example exercises. Or do some other practice on your choice to try change balance in the EEG activity in your brain. The only important condition is to keep Muse device correctly on your head. You can see the quality of the signals on the simple horseshoe indicator showing the signals from the four electrodes.

4. At the end you can compare the session mean Left/Right Ratio shown on the right under the slide with the starting measurement.

*** Example exercises: ***

Exercise 1. Use your right hand to inhale through your right nostril and exhale through your left. Repeat this breathing for couple of minutes. This should increase the activity in your left brain hemisphere.
Exercise 2. Restart the app. Try the reverse practice. Inhale through the left and exhale through the right. This should cause the opposite effect than the first exercise (activates the right hemisphere).
Exercise 3. Try alternative breathing.
Exercise 4. Try to paint or draw after practicing exercise 2.

*** Technical and other notes: ***
The App assumes you can put on and connect your Muse.
The App uses 4 electrodes to calculate mean for the particular band.
The scales for the change of L/R ratio are relative to the starting state and are logarithmic.

Please write me with comments, questions and wishes
Requires Muse (TM) Headband http://www.choosemuse.com/