The flow phenomenon, achieving a heightened state of concentration, is characterized by an autotelic experience, which may reduce the perception of physical exertion during sports activities. It has been extensively documented in sports and is associated with exceptional performance. However, despite comprehensive descriptions of the autotelic experience in flow, the physiological mechanisms...
To gain insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in Zen meditation, we evaluated the effects of focused attention (FA) on breathing movements in the lower abdomen (Tanden) in novices. We investigated hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an attention-related brain region, using 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy during a 20-minute session of FA on Tanden...