Breathing techniques: Single medicine for most diseases

[Guest guest]

The power of spiritual practice in obtaining health has been hinted

at in Message 4830. Though modern medicine has been criticizing herbs

on grounds of "heavy metals" etc, here is an area where modern

medicine has started researching why there is cure without medicine?

 

"You need not take any medicine or surgery and you can happily live

with even Cancer", if this is told by an alternative practitioner

you may believe but same thing when a modern medicine doctor starts

telling, you wonder. Changing winds have influenced modern medicine

practitioners too, they too are seeking ways to mend the damage done

by drug industry.

 

The summary of lecture by Prof Kochupillai (Message 4830) is produced

here, since most of us could not attend this lecture.

-----------------

 

Science of Breath

 

1. Effects of Stress on thoughts and emotions

"Stress" in the modern world is a common phenomenon. Stress

introduces negative responses in the form of restlessness, anxiety,

irritability, aggressive behaviour, panicky states and in the extreme

cases addiction to tobacco and alcohol.

Negative emotions surface in the form of hatred/dislike for others,

feeling of jealousy, greed, possessiveness, lust, arrogance, anger

and a kind of vicious cycle sets in where our relationships start

getting sour, our productivity decreases, concentration is lost,

efficiency decreases and memory weakens. We start blaming and

complaining about people around us, who in turn blame us and further

stresses are added on.

 

2. Processes to counter stress:

Over a period of centuries, many techniquies have been introduced by

sages and rishis to prevent or alter our reaction to stresses. Yoga,

Meditation and Pranayama (P) are well known. More recently, Sudarshan

Kriya Yoga (SKY) has been introduced by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi

Shankar Ji.

Pranayam is an ancient knowledge. It directs or regulates

the "prana", subtle life force energy. Regular practice of pranayama

activates and harmonizes many body and mind rhythms including that of

brain, heartbeat, enzymes and also mental and emotional rhythms.

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is a rhythmic breathing process where

three rhythms are followed in a cyclic fashion. This technique is

communicated to participants through "Art of Living" workshops: 22-24

hours programme spread over 6 days.

According to H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, (discoverer of Sudarshan

Kriya), an intimate link exists between our thoughts, emotions and

pattern of our breath. Short breath indicates emotions like anger,

excitement and fear, while long, deep and steady breath happens when

mind is calm and intuitive. Feelings produce sensations in the body,

which in turn are linked to pattern of breath. Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji

states. "Breath is one of the mystery of existence and the deeper

mystery of our consciousness."

 

3. Effects of SKY&P on body, mind and emotions:

Pertinent issue is whether practices of SKY & P and other yogic and

meditative states bring about changes in the functioning of the

brain, in our attitudes, thinking, emotions and in our body

physiology and/or pathology.

 

There are suggestions that even though broad outlines of neural

connections are genetically determined, synaptic transmissions and

neurotransmitter profile of human brain is subject to change. This

phenomenon, called as neural plasticity, is utilized by yogic

practices, breathing processes and meditative states, to bring about

changes in the structure and function of the brain.

 

4. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Dr Manveer Bhatia of the Neurology Department of AIIMS analysed

computer based data of EEG done during SKY&P among regular

practitioners, as also their resting EEG. She demonstrated changes in

alpha, beta and theta activity and increase in Galvanic Skin

Resistance (GSR). Changes observed suggested, increased connectivity

and greater information processing. The central midline theta

activity and increased beta activity along with increase in GSR

suggested activation and increased alpha suggested relaxation. Thus

there was a combination of relaxation and activation during SKY. Part

of this work is published in Indian Journal of Physiology and

Pharmacology: 47(2), 157-163, 2000.

 

5. Relaxing effects of SKY&P

Achievement of state of relaxation was further demonstrated by lower

blood cortisol (stress hormone) in long term practitioners of SKY and

further fall during SKY as also the fall in blood lactate levels

after SKY among police trainees at New Delhi.

Age, sex and living conditions in police training college were

similar. For the lactate study, 24 subjects were chosen (10 amongst

experimental group and 14 controls). Experimental group had practiced

SKY&P for 5 months while control group was not exposed to it.

Basal blood lactate level was lower to begin with in those practicing

SKY&P compared to control and there was a further fall during SKY&P

(p=0.0006)

 

6. Antioxidant defence.

Antioxidant enzymes were also studied simultaneously in this very

group. In our day-to-day living we are exposed to free radicals. Free

radicals mediated oxidation (oxidative stress) may contribute to

patho-physiology of atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and

other chronic diseases including cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis. To

counter this oxidative stress, body has antioxidant defence in the

form of glutathion and anti-oxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase

(SOD), catalase and glutathion peroxidase. These antioxidants were

measured in 10 subjects (experimental group) and 14 controls

undergoing police training. Experimental group had practiced SKY&P

for 5 months, while controls had not. Basal values for all these

enzymes including glutathione, catalase and SOD were higher in SKY&P

practitioners compared to controls and there was further increase

during Kriya. The work mentioned above, related to fall in blood

lactate and increase in anti-oxidant enzymes has already been

published in Biological Psychology (Int. Journal), 63(3), 281-291,

2003

 

7. Prevention of disease including Coronary heart disease(CHD):

Though longitudinal studies would be required to confirm, the above

observation is consistent with the possibility that the regular

practice of SKY&P mya reduce the incidence of CHD and other age

related disorders. That prevention of CHD following SKY&P being a

real possibility is further substantiated by demonstration of fall in

Serum Cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein through stuidies done

by Dr Geetha, Prof. Of Biochemistry at Bangalore Medical College.

 

8. Effect on Immune system:

Consistent with the new view of having common language between brain

and immune system, DR Satyam N. Das, Asso. Prof. Of Biotechnology,

AIIMS and his team demonstrated changes in immune parameters. Natural

killer (NK) cells (Surveillance cells of immune system that directly

destroy tumor cells) were significantly higher (p<0.001) among

practitioners of SKY&P as compared to controls and those after having

been treated for cancer.

 

9. Tobacco cessation with SKY&P

On eof the major factors for occurance of cancer as also CHD and

respiratory diseases is addiction to tobacco. Most individuals, even

if they wish to quit tobacco habit, find it difficult to do so

because of the addictive nature of tobacco. Preliminary studies have

indicated those practicing SKY&P regularly loose the urge to smoke

and hence can give up this habit much easier. The study related to

effects of SKY&P on tobacco cessation is ongoing and is likely to be

completed soon.

 

10. Studies done at NIMHANS Bangalore

Dr Vedamurthachar from NIMHANS Bangalore studied 60 alcohol dependent

patients (30 undergoing standard therapy only and 30 undergoing SKY&P

along with standard therapy over 15 day period). Both groups

demonstrated a significant fall in serum cholesterol and ACTH and

significant increase in Prolactin. However, changes were more marked

in those practicing SKY&P along with standard drug therapy.

(p<0.0001).

 

11. AOL Prison smart program:

Eight-six violent youths in Los Angeles (age range 13-18 years), 7-7

offenders of violent crimes with deadly weapons, murder, rape, armed

robbery and terrorist threat against others undertook the art of

living prison smart program (SKY&P is a part of this program). Att

the end of 3-4 months of the study Verna Suarez, Psychologist from

LA, reported significant reduction in anxiety levels (p=0.004). There

was a reduction in fights amongst inmates by 38%.

 

12. SKY&P for depressive states:

There is a possibility, suggests Sharon Sageman, Asst. Prof. Of

Psychiatry at Columbia University, New York that SKY&P might offer

solace to those suffering from post traumatic stress disorders.

Indeed extensive studies carried out at NIMHANS, Bangalore have

documented the benefits of SKY&P in treating depressive states. Many

papers have been published related to this.

 

Janakiramaiah et al. A Therapeutic Effuicasy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga

(SKY) in Dysthymic Disorders. NIMHANS Journal, 17, 21-28, 1998

 

Naga Venkatesha et al. P300 Amplitude and Antidepressant Response To

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga., Journal Affective Disorders, 50; 45-48, 1998

 

Janakiramaiah et al., Antidepressant Efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga

(SKY) in Melancholia, Jornal Affective Disorders, 57, 255-59, 2000.

 

13. Effects of SKY on Visual System

A study conducted in South Africa revealed that phenomenon of stress

and relaxation could affect even the visual system. Subjects under

stress had to be moved closer to see an object, while those

practicing SKY&P regularly (relaxed group) could see a similar object

from a distance. Investigators opined that regular practice of

relaxation techniques such as SKY&P might influence the visual system.

 

14. Hypothesis about effects of SKY&P

Dr Richard P. Brown, Asso. Prof. Of Psychiatry at Columbia

University, New York has offered possibility as to how SKY&P might be

influencing the thought processes and emotional states.

According to him, feeling of calmness following Ujjayi pranayam may

be due to the parasympathetic dominance through vagal simulation.

Bhastrika seems to be excitatory with activation of parieto-temporo-

occipital cortical area. The subjective experience is one of

excitation during the breathing, followed by emotional calming along

with mental activation and alertness. The "Om" chanting that follows,

probably balances and enhances the sympathetic and parasympathetic

vagal outflow which might be responsible for improved heart rate

variability and baroreflex sensitivity.

 

Sudarshan Kriya according to Dr. Brown might activate thalamus

and hypothalamus via vagal input. In addition, it might rebalance

relationship between the areas of brain such as right and left

cerebral hemisphere, anterior and posterior and top and bottom. These

might be responsible for increased attention and vigilance along with

feeling of satiety and pleasure.

Actiation/enhancement of Limbic pathways might be responsible for the

release of pituitary hormone, prolactin, vasopressin and oxytocin,

which might in turn, be responsible for the feeling of bonding

amongst each other. Activation of Amygdala might lead to balance of

emotions and memories.

 

15. Conclusions:

With regular practice of SKY&P, one experiences flow of positive

emotions, replacing anger, frustration and jealousy. The body feels

younger, healthier and mind feels calmer. EEG, blood cortisol and

blood lactate levels reflect a state of relaxation, yet alertness.

Increase in NK cells and anti-oxidant enzymes suggest that regular

practice might prevent many diseases including infections and

possibly even cancer. Fall in cholesterol may prevent cardiac

diseases and depression is a Thus, even though further studies are

needed, available data so far serves to validate the subjective

claims of a healthier body, calmer mind and balanced emotions.

 

By

Dr Vinod Kochupillai

Chief, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029

Tel: +91-11-2658982

Email: vinodkochupillai

 

ayurveda, "ranga ratan kumar"

<rangaphy9> wrote:

>

>

> For last one year, when i am very much stressed, depressed and with

anger on one person. for somedays i continuously in anger state.and

at that time i have severe constipation.

>

> I am aware that mind is related to body.

>

> Can you suggest me some way out?