IMPACT OF SHORT TERM TRAINING OF ANULOM VILOM PRANAYAM ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND PULSE RATE IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

In present scenario, Yoga is becoming most popular science due to its posit ive effect on health . To achieve preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of health, Yoga draws the attention of large group of people. Prana (energy) and Ayam (to expand or control) form the word Pranayam. Pranayam is a technique to control or expand the ener gy in body. Practice of Pranayam has been known to modulate cardiac autonomic status with an improvement in cardio - respiratory functions. Keeping this in view, the present study designed to determine whether Anulom - Vilom Pranayam followed by Shawasan has immediate effect on pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thirty normal healthy subjects aged between 17 - 20 years, volunteered for this study. All the selected physiological parameters were measured before and after performing ‘Anulom – Vilom Pranayama’ followed by Shawasan for four weeks. Experimental group sh owed a significant decline in Systolic Blood Pressure (p<0.021). On other hand there was no significant change in Diastolic Blood Pressure and pulse rate, though it showed slight decreas e. Our study indicates that, short - term training of ‘Anulom - Vilom Pranayam ‘shows significant decrease in Systolic Blood Pressure. Control of breathing process to make it deep and prolo ng by doing alternate nostril breathing with slow and rhythmic manner brings about balance in autonomous nervous system. In addition, practice of Anulom Vilom pranayama for short - term duration could get better parasymp athetic control over the heart.