Pranayama: The power of breath

Abstract

Pranayama, the regulation of inhalation and exhala tion, is accomplished by eliminating the pause betw een inhalation and exhalation or expending it by retention. Pranayama regulates the motion of the lungs, resulting into c ontrol of heart and vagus nerve. The science of pranayama is thus intimately connect ed with the autonomic nervous system and brings its functions under conscious control via breathing patterns and movements of the diaphragm and lungs. The nasal tissue is erectile similar to sex organs in men and women, which is very sensitive to breath. Contr ol of breath constitutes an obvious starting point toward attainment of control of autonomic nervous system, which appears to have beneficial effects on the functions of omental adipocy tes, brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidney functions. The left nostril, diaphragm, and stomach are supplied by the vagus nerve, which may influence pituitary function, hypothalamus, pineal gland and suprachias matic nucleus. Studies conducted in Italy have show n that verbalization of mantras (i.e., om-mani-padme-om ) can decrease the breathing rate, due to increased vagal activity, resulting into increased nitric oxide release when the breathing rate is brought do wn to less than six breaths per minute. We have obs erved in 101 patients of chronic bronchitis or asthma, the role of breathing patterns in their treatment. Common methods for pr anayama are discussed. Further studies are necessary to establish the role of pran ayama in the management of diseases.