Heart Rate Dynamics during Shambhavi Mahamudra- A Practice of Isha Yoga

Nandakumar Selvaraj, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
Nandeeshwara B. Shivplara, Department of Neurophysiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110 060, India
Manvir Bhatia, Department of Neurophysiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110 060, India
Jayashree Santhosh, Computer Services Centre, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
Kishore Kumar Deepak, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110608, India
Sneh Anand, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India

Abstract

This study was designed to quantify and compare the instantaneous changes of heart rate variability (HRV) during Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice of Isha yoga. It includes major stages viz. Sukha pranayam, 'AUM' chanting, rapid breathing, and relaxed sitting. The standard lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were acquired from eight healthy, yoga practitioners while performing various stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra. The short-term HRV were extracted from ECG, and analyzed using time, frequency-domain and Poincaré plot methods. The results showed a combination of increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone during Sukha pranayam, an increased sympathetic tone during `AUM' chanting, and withdrawal of vagal tone during rapid breathing. The HRV descriptors were not significantly different during relaxed sitting.

Submitted: February 25, 2008 · Accepted: May 19, 2008 · Published: September 9, 2008

Recommended Citation

Selvaraj, Nandakumar; Shivplara, Nandeeshwara B.; Bhatia, Manvir; Santhosh, Jayashree; Deepak, Kishore Kumar; and Anand, Sneh (2008) "Heart Rate Dynamics during Shambhavi Mahamudra- A Practice of Isha Yoga," Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1, Article 22.
DOI: 10.2202/1553-3840.1137
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol5/iss1/22

 
 
 
 

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