Sudarshan Kriya research
Stress is a non-specific response of a body to any demand made upon it. It can be related to social, physical, psychological, economical and cultural demand, researchers found an immune-neuroendocrine axis of its function in the body.
Stress can affects cellular and immune functions of the body which can lead to chronic systemic diseases of the body. Smoking and drug abuse is also related to stress. It has been evaluated in different research studies that Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing yoga practice, can help in reducing stress and also modulate the immune system of the body.
Sudarshan Kriya yoga exercise also works in reducing stress of the chronic diseases. In a research study on cancer patients with standard therapy it was indicated that with the Sudarshan Kriya breathing exercises there was a significant increase in the natural killer cells. Data was collected at different stages of the Sudarshan Kriya exercise. The levels were significantly increased from baseline at 12 and then more at 24 weeks of the yoga therapy.
It was stated in the research report that there were no effects seen on T-cells subsets after exercising this Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Research shown that this Sudarshan Kriya yoga must be practiced in combination with Pranayam Yoga. It was also shown in the research that Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayam Yoga , rhythmic breathing exercise for 6 months, helped in controlling the smoking habit in almost 21 % of the subjects. It has been evaluated from this study that both of these rhythmic breathing exercises were inexpensive to practice but quite helpful in managing stress in chronic diseases and also help in combating the smoking habit. For confirmation of this research another randomized study on large scale was conducted. It concluded the matter that Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayam Yoga might help in reducing the progression of malignant disease.
Oxidative changes in the body due to stress are major cause of many degenerative diseases. In a comparative study conducted in the All India Institute of Medical Science,it was evaluated that Sudarshan Kriya exercises helps in reducing stress due to any cause. Sudarshan Kriys practice effects on superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase and lactate concentration in the blood. The researchers measure the difference in 24 subject including both practitioners and non practitioners of the Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Blood samples were collected with any formal stress management technique. Results of the groups and subgroups were compared by t-test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare variables. It was noted that there was a significant decrease in blood lactate(p=3.118e-10) in the subjects practicing Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Blood levels of Superoxide dismutase (P=0.0001415), catalase(P = 0.001565) and glutathione(p=2.038e-06) were increased due to Sudarshan Kriya yoga. It had been concluded from that study that a better antioxidant status with Sudarshan Kriya yoga helps in reducing the risk of degenerative diseases.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12853172
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16387692
Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq