Research

HEALTH BENEFITS | SCIENCE OF BREATH | RELIEVING TRAUMA

Harvard University Health Publication Yoga for anxiety and depression download here

Health Benefits

The Breath is the link between the body, mind and spirit. When the mind is free of fear, guilt and anger, and is more centered, then it can heal the system of any ailment."
~ H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The breath is the key link between the mind, body, and emotions. Attention to the rhythms of the breath and their effect on health was part of the ancient knowledge of the art of living.

The breath is an effective tool to remove stress and impurities from the system and bring clarity and focus to the mind. It plays an essential role in how we feel physically and emotionally.

Over 80% of emotional and physical impurities in the body are eliminated through the breath, yet most people use less than 35% of their lung capacity.
In a fast paced age where stress and depression are widespread, the toll of stress on physical and mental health can be extremely high. Stress, anxiety and depression are known to be significant factors in the onset and progression of a wide spectrum of illnesses ranging from cancer and HIV-1 infection, to asthma and cardiovascular disease.

The breath is the link between the mind and body. Like other rhythms throughout nature, our breath also moves in specific patterns at particular times. Have you ever observed your breath when you felt anxious, angry, relaxed or happy? Every emotion is instantly reflected in the rhythm of the breath.

Through the rhythmic breath pattern of the Sudarshan Kriya® , that is the core of the Art of Living workshops, the rhythms of the body, mind and emotions are brought in sync with the rhythms of nature. Healing of the body, mind and heart takes place leading individuals to discover the vast reservoirs of inner peace and joy.

Su means proper, darshan means vision and kriya means purifying practice and the Sudarshan Kriya is exactly that - a purifying practice.
Through the Art of Living courses, millions of people across the world irrespective of age, race, religion and gender, in over 150 countries and across 5 continents, have experienced the benefits of inner peace, good health and a stress-free mind.

Science of Breath

"We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In sleep we get rid of fatigue, but deeper the stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer..."
~ H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The yogic science of breath is a precise 5,000+ year-old science of health promotion. It is one of the first sciences to recognize the impact of mind and emotions on creating and restoring optimal health.

One of the most comprehensive breathing techniques derived from this science and taught by the Art of Living Foundation is Sudarshan Kriya®.

Sudarshan Kriya and its accompanying practices, are understood to use specific rhythms of breath to eliminate stress, support the various organs and systems within the body, transform overpowering emotions and restore peace of mind.
These time-honored stress management and health promotion techniques produce many health benefits which are now being validated by modern medical science.

Relieving Trauma

How AOL courses help relieve trauma, anxiety and distress
The Art of Living Course has been used to help trauma victims move beyond the trauma and regain their center. We have worked with trauma victims of the recent earthquake in Gujarat India, and in the war torn Balkans. The Art of Living Foundation ís programs have been taught to over one million people in more than 150 nations. The Foundation is a United Nations-chartered NGO in special consultative status with ECOSOC, and sits on both the U.N. NGO Mental Health and Health Committees.

The Art of Living Course teaches Sudarshan Kriya® and other simple, yet highly effective breathing techniques. Their potential effectiveness in relieving emotional trauma and distress can in part be understood by recognizing the link between the emotions and the breath. Every emotion creates a specific rhythm or pattern in the breath. Notice, for example how fast and shallow the breath becomes when afraid, how light it becomes when content, how heavy when depressed. Rather than allowing the emotions to alter the breath (and cause physiological changes which may prove unhealthy), one can skillfully use the breath to transform one is emotional state.

The precise breathing techniques taught during the Art of Living Course have been investigated by modern medical science and documented to produce beneficial biological changes, while remaining free of unwanted side effects. Independent published studies have demonstrated that Sudarshan Kriya and it's related breathing practices (SK&p) produce the following results, which have direct relevance to coping with tragedy and trauma.

1. Relief from stress/faster recovery from stressful stimuli
Research Conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) of India, the premiere institute for the study of neuroscience and mental health in India, has documented SK&p is efficacy as a stress management tool. Levels of cortisol, known as the "stress hormone", decreased significantly in subjects who practiced SK&p within 21 days. NIMHANS research has also documented accelerated neuronal processing of, and recovery from stressful stimuli. This means the brain more quickly returns to normal after receiving stressful stimuli.

2. Restoration of normal sleep patterns
SK&p has also been shown to rapidly normalize sleep disturbances (measured in depressed populations), improving both the length and quality of sleep. Several EEG studies conducted at NIMHANS have documented improved REM, NREM and Stage 4 sleep architecture. Nurse's observations and subject's reports also corroborate this improvement in sleep.

3. Significant reductions in anxiety
A pilot study of persons with chronic illness-M.S.- conducted by the Institute for Rehabilitation of the Republic of Slovenia documented significant reductions in anxiety levels (as measured by the widely used STAI) within five days of learning SK&p.

4. Relief from Depression
Numerous studies conducted at NIMHANS have documented the rapid, highly effective success of SK&p (a 68-73% success rate) in alleviating even the severest forms of depression. A comparison study demonstrated that SK&p is as effective as current standard pharmacological treatments for depression, while being free of unwanted side effects. The researchers speculate that it may be even more effective than standard treatments in relapse prevention.

5. Increased calm and well-being
Significant increases in alpha activity among SK&p practioners was documented in a study conducted at the All India Medical Sciences College. (AIMS). This suggests that practioners of SK&p experience a state of increased calm and relaxation, even outside the practice of SK&p. In addition, NIMHANS research documents significant increases in plasma prolactin, which also is believed to produce feelings of wellbeing.

6. Improved concentration and mental focus
Research conducted at (AIMS) documented significantly greater beta (high frequency EEG) activity, which is indicative of greater concentration and mental focus in practioners of SK&p, even outside of their daily practice. It is fascinating that SK&p practitioners, who were simply laymen, displayed significantly more coherent brain states and mental focus than physicians and medical researchers (the control group) whose profession requires development and daily use of just these traits. Quite strikingly, the increased beta activity in this study suggests that the SK practioners simultaneously experience increased calm and better concentration and mental focus. Assisting individuals to remain more calm and simultaneously more focused, allows one to conceive of creative solutions to the challenges at hand.

References
• Electrophysiological Evaluation Of Sudarshan Kriya; An EEG, BAER, P-300 Study.
M. Bhatia, A. Kumar, N Bharadwaj, R.M. Pandey, V. Kochupillai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-29, India, 2001.
• Antidepressant Efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in Melancholia: A Randomized Comparison With ECT and Imipramine.
N Janakiramaiah, B.N.Gangadhar, P.J.N.Venkatesha Murthy, et al, Journal of Affective Disorders, 2000, Vol. 57, Issues 1-3, pp 255-259.
• Stress-related biochemical effects of sudarshan kriya yoga in depressed patients.
B.N.Gangadhar, N.Janakiramaiah, B.Sudarshan, K.T.Shety National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 1999.
• The Art of Living Course for the Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: First Results.
D. Kovacic, an unpublished report to the Institute for Rehabilitation of the Republic of Slovenia, 1999.
• Therapeutic Efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in Dysthymic Disorder.
N Janakiramaiah, B.N.Gangadhar et al, NIMHANS Journal, January 1998 pp 21-28
• P300 amplitude and antidepressant response to Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY).
P.J. Naga Venkatesha Murthy, N. Janakiramaiah, et. al. Journal of Affective Disorders, 1998, pp.45-48.
• Normalization of P300 Amplitude following Treatment in Dysthymia.
P.J. Naga Venkatesha Murthy, B.N. Gangadhar, N. Janakiramaiah, and D.K. Subhakrishna. Biological Psychiatry, 1997: Vol. 42, pp. 740-743 .
• Treatment effects of sleep pattern abnormalities in melancholic depression.
M.G. Harish Unpublished dissertation submitted to National Board of Examinations (Psychiatry), New Delhi, 1997
• Sudarshan Kriya and Heart Rate Variability.
N.Janakaramaiah, NIMHANS Department of Psychiatry and Neurophysiology, 1996.
• Effects of Sudarshan Kriya in Dysthymic Disorders.
B.L. Meti, T.R. Raju, N Janakaramaiah, N Venkatesh, P.J Murthy, B.N. Gangadhar, Departments of Neurophysiology and Psychiatry, NIMHANS 1996.
• Effects of Sudarshan Kriya Practice on Auditory Middle Latency Responses.
B.L. Meti, NIMHANS Department of Neurophysiology, 1995.