Positive response to stress & anxiety

Article: SUDARSHAN KRIYA

"Stress" in the modern world is a common phenomenon. Stress induces negative responses in the form of restlessness, anxiety, irritability, aggressive behaviour, panicky states and in 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 and 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.

Processes to counter stress:

Over a period of centuries, many techniques have been introduced by sages and rishis to prevent or alter our reaction to stresses. Yoga, meditation and pranayam (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 Pranayam 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 cyclical fashion. This technique is communicated to participants through Art of Living workshops: 22-24 hours programme spread over 6 days.

According to His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji (discoverer of Sudarshan Kriya), an intimate link exists between our thoughts, emotions and pattern of 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 Ravi Shankar Ji states - "Breath is one of the mystery of existence and the deeper mystery of our consciousness."

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.

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 an increase in GSR suggested activation and the increased alpha suggested relaxation. Thus there was a combination of relaxation and activation during SKY. Part of this work has been accepted for publication in Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology.

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

Basal blood lactate level was lower to begin with in those practising SKY & P compared to control and there was a further fall during Kriya (p = 0.0006).

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 radical mediated oxidation (oxidative stress) may contribute to pathophysiology 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 antioxidant 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 practised 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 antioxidant enzymes has already been accepted for publication in Biological Psychology (An International Journal).

Prevention of disease including Coronary heart disease:

Though longitudinal studies would be required to confirm, the above observation is consistent with the possibility that the regular practice of SKY & P may reduce the incidence of CHD and other age related disorders. That prevention of CHD following SKY & P is a real possibility is further substantiated by demonstration of fall in Serum cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein through studies done by Dr. Geetha, Prof. Of Biochemistry at Bangalore Medical College.

SKY & P for depressive states :

There is a possibility, suggests Sharon Sageman, Assistant 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 been published related to this.

• Jankiramaiah et al. A Therapeutic Efficacy Of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) In Dysthymic Disorders. NIMHANS Journal 1 7; 21-28,1 998

• Naga Venkatesha et al. P300 Amplitude And Antidepressant Response To Sudarsha Kriya Yoga. Journal Affective Disorders 50; 45-48,1 998.

• Jankiramaiah et al. Antidepressant Efficacy Of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) In Melancholia. Journal Affective Disorders 57; 255-59, 2000.

Conclusions

With regular practice of SK & P, one experiences flow of positive emotions, replacing anger, frustration and jealousy. The body feels younger and healthier and the mind feels calmer. EEC, blood cortisol and blood lactate levels reflect a state of relaxation, yet alertness. Increase in NK cells and antioxidant 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 benefitted in 70% of cases. 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: 011-26589821 Email: vinodkochupillai@yahoo.com

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