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    Effect On Blood Lactate: EEG-beta Wave Measures, Indicating Increased Alertness

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    Bashu Poudel
    1) Research has found that the practice of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SK&P) is associated with increased mental alertness and focus as indicated by EEG measurements in practitioners compared to other professionals. 2) Studies show SK&P is associated with reduced stress levels as seen by decreased cortisol and lactate levels, enhanced immune function as seen by increased natural killer cells, lowered cholesterol, and relief from depression for 68-73% of participants. 3) Regular practice of SK&P is linked to increased antioxidant enzymes suggesting improved defense against disease, and overall benefits to health, well-being, and peace of mind.

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    Effect On Blood Lactate: EEG-beta Wave Measures, Indicating Increased Alertness

    Uploaded by

    Bashu Poudel
    36 views3 pages
    1) Research has found that the practice of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SK&P) is associated with increased mental alertness and focus as indicated by EEG measurements in practitioners compared to other professionals. 2) Studies show SK&P is associated with reduced stress levels as seen by decreased cortisol and lactate levels, enhanced immune function as seen by increased natural killer cells, lowered cholesterol, and relief from depression for 68-73% of participants. 3) Regular practice of SK&P is linked to increased antioxidant enzymes suggesting improved defense against disease, and overall benefits to health, well-being, and peace of mind.

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    Breath Science

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    Breath Science

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    1) Research has found that the practice of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SK&P) is associated with increased mental alertness and focus as indicated by EEG measurements in practitioners compared to other professionals. 2) Studies show SK&P is associated with reduced stress levels as seen by decreased cortisol and lactate levels, enhanced immune function as seen by increased natural killer cells, lowered cholesterol, and relief from depression for 68-73% of participants. 3) Regular practice of SK&P is linked to increased antioxidant enzymes suggesting improved defense against disease, and overall benefits to health, well-being, and peace of mind.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    36 views3 pages

    Effect On Blood Lactate: EEG-beta Wave Measures, Indicating Increased Alertness

    Uploaded by

    Bashu Poudel
    1) Research has found that the practice of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SK&P) is associated with increased mental alertness and focus as indicated by EEG measurements in practitioners compared to other professionals. 2) Studies show SK&P is associated with reduced stress levels as seen by decreased cortisol and lactate levels, enhanced immune function as seen by increased natural killer cells, lowered cholesterol, and relief from depression for 68-73% of participants. 3) Regular practice of SK&P is linked to increased antioxidant enzymes suggesting improved defense against disease, and overall benefits to health, well-being, and peace of mind.

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    (p<0.05).

    These results are interpreted


    by neurologists as indicative of increased
    mental focus/heightened awareness in
    SK&P practitioners. It is striking to note that
    SK&P practitioners displayed significantly
    greater mental alertness (beta activity) than
    the control group of physicians and medical
    researchers, whose profession requires
    development and daily use of these very
    skills.
    EEG-beta wave measures, indicating increased alertness
    BETA 1
    (12,5-18Hz)

    Effect on Blood Lactate


    Blood lactate is another biochemical
    measure of stress. Participants in police
    training constitute a highly stressed group.
    They undergo intense physical and emotional
    training daily. Blood lactate was measured
    in 10 such individuals, both before learning
    SK&P and after the first session. There

    BETA 2
    (18,5-30Hz)

    Control Group

    listening to classical music (Group 3). Among


    beginners, the fall in cortisol levels was
    significantly greater during SK&P than when
    listening to classical music, suggesting that
    SK&P produces a better relaxation response.
    Regular SK&P practitioners had significantly
    lower blood cortisol levels at baseline than
    beginning practitioners, indicating that they
    experienced less physiological stress under
    the demands of daily living. The significant
    further fall in serum cortisol levels, during
    and following SK&P, among beginning and
    regular practitioners, suggests that regular
    practice of SK&P progressively develops
    greater levels of both relaxation and
    resilience to stress.

    SK&P Practitioners

    Effect on Cortisol, the Stress Hormone


    Several studies have demonstrated significant
    falls in cortisol levels. In one study, blood
    cortisol, known as the stress hormone,
    was measured in 21 individuals, 3550
    years of age. Regular SK&P practitioners
    (Group 1) were compared with beginning
    practitioners (Group 2) during their SK&P
    sessions. The beginning practitioners were
    also measured before learning SK&P, while
    2

    Lactate mmoles/mg protein

    EEG activity was also studied during the


    practice of SK&P in five females of similar Decreased Lactate (an indicator of tension and stress)
    age, socioeconomic, and educational
    backgrounds. This study found an increase
    in EEG alpha activity, with interspersed
    persistence of beta activity. This indicates a
    state of relaxation co-existing with heightened
    alertness.

    was a significant fall in lactate levels after


    SK&P, suggesting that it induces a state of
    relaxation.
    Effect on Immune Function
    The immune system protects us from disease.

    Natural killer (NK) cells are the surveillance


    cells of the immune system and are capable
    of destroying tumor cells as well as infected
    cells. NK cells were counted in the peripheral
    blood of three groups: SK&P practitioners,
    normal individuals not practicing SK&P,
    and cancer patients in remission. NK cells
    were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the
    SK&P group than in either non-practicing
    individuals or in cancer patients in remission.
    The cancer patients then learned SK&P. After
    36 months of regular practice, there was a
    significant increase in the cancer patients NK
    cell count. This is particularly encouraging,
    since cancer survivors have abnormally low
    levels of NK cells, and NK cells are believed
    to be important in the bodys defense against
    new and recurring cancers.

    antioxidant enzymes. A study was conducted


    to assess the effect of SK&P on antioxidant
    enzymes. Levels of three major antioxidant
    enzymessuperoxide dismutase (SOD),
    catalase, and glutathionewere all found to
    be significantly higher in SK&P practitioners
    than in the matched control group. These
    data suggest that people who practice SK&P
    have an improved antioxidant status and an
    enhanced defense against oxidant damage.

    Glutathione mmoles/mg protein

    Effect on Blood Cholesterol


    Psychosocial stress is a major contributor to
    hypertension and coronary heart disease
    (CHD). In CHD, deposits of LDL cholesterol,
    fat, and other substances on the arterial
    walls slow or block the flow of blood,
    resulting in heart malfunction. A study was
    conducted to assess the cholesterol levels of
    Effect on Antioxidant Enzymes
    individuals before they learned SK&P, as well
    The body is repeatedly exposed to as after 7 and 45 days of regular practice.
    environmental pollutants, and its cells Significant drops in total cholesterol and LDL
    continuously produce normal metabolic by- (harmful) cholesterol, as well as increases in
    products. Both of these factors can result in HDL (beneficial) cholesterol were observed.
    These findings suggest that SK&P improves
    Increased Glutathione (antioxidant self-defense)
    the blood cholesterol profile, and that
    regular practice may therefore prove to be
    an effective tool in preventing and arresting
    hypertension and CHD.
    Effect on Depression
    SK&P has been shown to have a 68%73%
    success rate in the treatment of depression,
    regardless of severity. Relief from depression,
    determined by psychiatric evaluation
    and standard psychiatric measures (Beck
    the formation of free radicals. These react Depression Inventory, Hamilton Rating
    with oxygen and cause oxidant damage, Scale for Depression, and others), was
    contributing to many diseases, including experienced within three weeks. At the threecancer and such cardiovascular diseases as month follow-ups, patients remained stable
    and in remission. Published studies further
    heart disease and stroke.
    suggest that SK&P normalizes patients brainTo counteract these free radicals, the human wave patterns, increases serum prolactin (a
    body has a defense system in the form of well-being hormone), and is as effective as
    3

    Relief from depression, as indicated by standard psychiatric


    measures.

    BAER, and P300 study. Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol, 47, 157-163.

    Depression inventory score

    Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, BN., Naga Venkatesha Murthy,


    P.J., Harish, M.G., Subbakrishna, D.K.,Vedamurthachar A. (2000).
    Antidepressant efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in melancholia:
    a randomized comparison with Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and
    Imipramine. Journal of Affective Disorders, 57(1-3):255-9.
    Naga Venkatesha Murthy, P.J., Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, B.N.,
    Subbakrishna, D.K. (1998). P300 amplitude and antidepressant
    response to Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY). Journal of Affective
    Disorders, 50(1):45-8.
    Naga Venkatesha Murthy, P.J., Gangadhar, B.N., Janakiramaiah,
    N., Subbakrishna, D.K. (1997). Normalization of P300 Amplitude
    following Treatment in Dysthymia. Biological Psychiatry, 42, 740743.
    Find more studies and information at www.artofliving.org/research.

    standard anti-depressant drug regimens. Yet


    it is safe, free of unwanted side-effects, costeffective, and self-empowering.
    Independent research has shown that Sudarshan Kriya

    Conclusions
    and accompanying practices significantly:
    The subjective reports of in- Reduce levels of stress (reduces
    creased health, vitality, well- cortisolthe stress hormone)
    the immune system
    being, and peace of mind by Benefit
    Reduce cholesterol
    thousands of SK&P practitioners Relieve anxiety & depression
    are consistent with research (mild, moderate & severe)
    normal sleep patterns
    findings to date, which sug- Restore
    Enhance brain function
    gest an overall strengthening (increases mental focus, calmness
    of the mind/body system. EEG, & recovery from stressful stimuli)
    Enhance health, well-being &
    blood cortisol, and lactate lev- peace
    of mind
    els reflect a state of relaxation,
    yet alertness. Significant increases in NK
    The Art of Living Foundation, founded by Sri
    cells and antioxidant enzymes suggest that
    Sri Ravi Shankar, is a non-profit educational
    and humanitarian organization, and a Nonregular practice may help prevent many seriGovernmental Organization of the United Nations
    ous diseases. Decreases in cholesterol may
    in special consultative status with the UNs Economic
    and Social Council.
    prevent cardiac disease, and depression is
    The Art of Living Foundations International Research
    quickly alleviated in a high percentage of
    and Health Promotion Center (IRHPC) welcomes
    scholarly research on its programs from all interested
    individuals. Thus, even though further studies
    parties. If you would like to conduct or collaborate
    are needed, these findings point to the powon research, or would like more information about
    our research and health-promotion programs,
    erful health restoration and promotion effects
    please contact the IRHPC, at
    of these time-honored practices.
    European Centre: research@aoluniversity.org
    North American Centre: research@artofliving.org

    Selected References

    Sharma, H., Sen, S., Singh, N.K. Bhardwaj, V. Kochupillai, N. Singh


    (2003). Sudarshan Kriya practitioners exhibit better antioxidant status
    and lower blood lactate levels. Biological Psychology, 63:281-291.
    Bhatia, M., Kumar, A., Kumar, N., Pandey, R.M., and Kochupillai, V.
    (2003). Electrophysiologic evaluation of Sudarshan Kriya: an EEG,

    Or visit www.artofliving.org/research.

    Art of Living Foundation


    Bad Antogast 1
    77728 - Oppenau, Germany
    www.artofliving.org

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