EFFECTS OF SPECIFIC YOGA BREATHING PRACTICES (PRANAYAMAS)
AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

RAGHURAJ P., B.N.Y.S., Ph.D.
Vice-Principal, J.S.S. Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ootcamund, India

Breathing is an indicator of 'life' in all living entities. It has been mentioned in an ancient Yoga text (i.e., Siva Svarodaya) that it is man's sole companion. However this process is generally ignored as it co-exists as long as a man is alive. It has an underlying significance and subtle importance therefore it is more than a simple physical action. The breathing practices in yoga involve regulation and manipulation of breath. Some yoga techniques require breathing through both nostrils (such as ujjayi and bhastrika) and their physiological effects have been studied earlier. Conversely some yoga breathing techniques require manipulating either or both nostrils voluntarily. These techniques are right nostril yoga breathing (suryanuloma viloma), left nostril yoga breathing (chandrauloma viloma), and alternate nostril yoga breathing (nadisuddhi). Recently studies are being conducted to understand the diverse physiological effects of these yoga breathing practices as they seem to influence autonomic functions and cerebral activity (electrophysiological and cognitive functions) differently. Also it is interesting to note that these techniques are being used in treating ailments affecting autonomic status and certain mood disorders (e.g., Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). In the present paper the physiological effects of these specific nostril yoga breathing practices and their potential use in therapy will be discussed.

CHANGES OF HEART RATE, RESPIRATORY RATE, BODY TEMPERATURE,
PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE
DURING SIRSASANA (HEAD STAND) PRACTICE

SAMIRAN MONDAL, Ph.D.
Yoga, Exercise & Sport Science Lab., Department of Physical Education,
Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, India.

Many researchers reported effect of asanas (group of asanas), but very few researchers investigated the effect of single asana (during or after some stipulated time of practice) on different physiological parameters. The study was to collect information for preparing exercise schedule/prescription for general and therapeutic uses, and to observe the changes of different physiological parameters during the practice of sirsasana. Two healthy male students from the final year Master in Physical Education with Yoga specialization, Dept. of Physical Education, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, India volunteered in this study. Their mean age, body weight, standing height, body mass index were 26yrs, 69kg, 1.73m and 22.95 kg/m2 respectively. Heart rate (pulse), respiratory rate, body temperature (oral), peak expiratory flow rate and blood pressure (systolic & diastolic, mean pressure, pulse pressure, rate pressure product, double product) were chosen as parameters to observe in this research. Sirsasana was adopted from 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha' book (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, India) and performed in the afternoon (between 4.30 to 5.30 pm). From savasana to final posture of sirsasana six steps and then after releasing again six steps: total twelve steps, all the parameters were measured in each step. Three trials were taken in each day, for three days and average was calculated for each step. Heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were increased in each step up to the final sirsasana posture and then decreased in each step in the time of releasing asana. But in body temperature and peak expiratory flow rate no such prominent changes were recorded. Some researchers reported that after two minutes of sirsasana practice sympathetic activation was higher (increased vasomotor & sudomotor tone). In our findings, we observed different results, after releasing sirsasana heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure were decreased and within three/four minutes all three parameters came down to its initial level. In future, yoga scientists will have to take more trials in different groups and try to prepare a model for sirsasana practice (other asanas too) protocol! schedule/prescription for general and therapeutic purposes.