Traditional practices and recent advances in Nadi Pariksha: A comprehensive review

The significance of Nadi Pariksha is well understood and effectively used by Ayurveda practioners forassessing Tridoshas and various physiological and psychological states of the patient. The traditional textsSarangadhara Samhita, Yoga Ratnakara, Basavarajeeyam and Bhavaprakasha have discussed the details ofNadi Pariksha in succinct set of slokas. Ayurveda has thousands of years of rich experience in Nadi Pariksha with strong literature support but is subjective in nature and the need for studying nadi with ascientific approach is well understood. Recently, pulse wave velocity has gained significant researchinterest as it is considered to be a strong indicator of cardiovascular disease; however, the relevance ofpulse wave analysis to Nadi Pariksha has not been studied. In this review, traditional methods of NadiPariksha as defined in Ayurveda classics and the recent advances in pulse wave analysis are discussed. Asper classical texts, qualities or properties of pulse such as pulse movement (gati), speed of the pulse(vega), stability of the pulse (sthiratva) and hardness of the artery (kathinya) play major role in NadiPariksha and in the current review these properties were analyzed and compared with the modern pulseparameters namely pulse wave velocity, pulse rate variability and arterial stiffness. The significance ofpulse wave velocity in cardiovascular studies is discussed and the need for extending these studies toAyurveda is highlighted.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Scientific Study of Soma and Its Use in Rituals of Somayagna: A Review.

A performance of sacrifi cial rituals is harmonious to all living beings of the cosmos. Th ere is a negative impact on man, society and atmosphere due to the ecological imbalance; global warming is creating a more heat and pressure on the earth. Somayaga is performed for rain formation and to balance the six seasons. Th e ingredient and rituals of the yaga appear to be a promising, scientifi c, cost-eff ective, eco-friendly method to counter the ever-increasing deadly pollution of the environment, and purify and enrich the environment. A review of various sections of Vedic literature was performed with regard to Somayaga. Th e scientifi c interpretation and researches on the sacrifi cial rituals can build a more faith and deeper understanding of such customs. Th e rituals of yaga have been observed in infl uencing the collective consciousness fi elds of the people participating in the yaga as measured by REG. Hence, for the survival of the Vedic culture, welfare of the creation and mankind Somayaga must be performed. Th e present paper is aimed to briefl y compile and bring out the studies, information, and researches on Soma as a plant, drink and its use in the rituals of Somayaga.

Development and initial standardization of Ayurveda child personality inventory.

Background: Ayurveda inventories for prakriti (constitution) have been developed and validated for adults. Children, however, require different categories of quarter and questions, for example, to assess the intelligence, the questions can be related to their scholastic performances. Objective: To develop and standardize an inventory to assess the prakriti of the children, and to compare with Child Personality Questionnaire (CPQ). Materials and Methods: A 135‑item Ayurveda child personality inventory (ACPI) scale was developed on the basis of translation of Sanskrit verses describing vataja (A), pittaja (B), and kaphaja prakriti (C) characteristics and by taking the opinions of experts (ten Ayurveda experts and three psychologists). Study was carried out in Maxwell public school, Bangalore. The scale was administered on parents of children of the age group 6-12 years. CPQ was administered on children of the age group 8-12 years. Results: The ACPI was associated with excellent internal consistency. The Cronbach’s alpha for A, B, and C scales were 0.77, 0.55, and 0.84, respectively, and the Split‑half reliability scores were 0.66.0.39 and 0.84, respectively. Factor validity coefficient scores on each items was above 0.5. Scores on vataja, pittaja and kaphaja scales were inversely correlated. Items of V, P, and K scales showed significant correlation (values ranging from 0.39 to 0.84) with subscales of CPQ, which indicates that Eastern and Western psychology concept have good correspondence. Conclusions: The prakrti of the children can be measured consistently by this instrument. Scores on V and P scale showed good correlation with the anxiety primary scale of CPQ.

Effects of yoga on brain wave coherence in executives.

Aim of this study was to assess the effect of Self Management of Excessive Tension (SMET), a yoga based stress management program on brain wave coherence. Brain wave recordings were taken with Brain Master 2 Channel EEG (version-2.0). The subjects for the study were 72 corporate executives, 48.75±3.86 years of mean age referred from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited. EEG data was recorded on the first and sixth day of 5 days SMET program. A complete statistical and spectral analysis showed 19.31% increase (p=0.03) in delta, 5.04% increase (p=0.65) in theta, 15.40% increase (p=0.09) in alpha, 1.67% decrease (p=0.54) in beta and 18.68% increase (p=0.07) in gamma wave coherence between pre and post intervention measurements. Taken together, these results suggest that participation in a SMET program was associated with improvement in emotional stability and may have implications for ‘Executive Efficiency’. Because before and after designs limit inferences about intervention effects, further research is warranted to explore the effects of SMET program for stress management using a larger, randomized controlled trial.

Integrated approach to yoga therapy and autism spectrum disorders.

A specially designed Integrated Approach to Yoga Therapy module was applied to Autism Spectrum Disorders over a period of two academic years. Despite low numbers (six in each arm), consistency and magnitude of effects make the findings significant. Parental participation, allowing firm guidance to be given to each child, resulted in significant improvements in imitation and other skills, and in behavior at home and family relationships. We hypothesize that guided imitation of therapist body positions stimulated mirror neuron activation, resulting in improved sense of self.

Effect of a one-month yoga training program on performance in a mirror-tracing task.

The performance in a mirror star tracing task was assessed in two groups of volunteers (yoga and control) with 26 people in each group, and age range between 18 and 45 years. The star to be traced was six pointed and the outline was made up of 60 circles (4 mm in diameter). At the end of one month the yoga group showed a significant improvement in terms of an increase in the number of circles crossed (P<0.001, Wilcoxon paired signed ranks test) for both hands and a decrease in the number of circles left out for the right hand (P<0.05). The control group showed a significant increase in number of circles crossed for the left hand alone (P<0.05) at the end of a month attributed to re-test. The study suggests that one month of yoga improved reversal ability, eye-hand co-ordination, speed and accuracy which are necessary for mirror star tracing.

Efficacy of yoga in pregnant women with abnormal Doppler study of umbilical and uterine arteries.

To study the efficacy of yoga on the outcome of complicated pregnancy, 121 women attending antenatal clinic at Gunasheela Surgical and Maternity Hospital (GSMH) in Bangalore, India, were enrolled between 18-20 weeks of pregnancy in a prospective, matched, observational study. Sixty-eight women were in the yoga group and 53 women in the control group. Women were matched for age, gravida and Doppler velocimetry scores of umbilical and uterine arteries. Yoga practices including physical postures, breathing and meditation were practised by the yoga group, one hour daily, from the date of entry into the study until delivery. The control group walked half an hour twice a day during the study period. Compliance in both the groups was ensured. In babies the birth-weight is significantly higher (P < 0.018) in the Yoga group (2.78 +/- 0.52 kg), compared to the control group (2.55 +/- 0.52 kg). Occurrence of complications of pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation, pre-term delivery) shows lower trends in yoga group.

Effect of two selected yogic breathing techniques of heart rate variability.

The heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of the cardiac autonomic control. Two spectral components are usually recorded, viz. high frequency (0.15-0.50 Hz), which is due to vagal efferent activity and a low frequency component (0.05-0.15 Hz), due to sympathetic activity. The present study was conducted to study the HRV in two yoga practices which have been previously reported to have opposite effects, viz, sympathetic stimulation (kapalabhati, breathing at high frequency, i.e., 2.0 Hz) and reduced sympathetic activity (nadisuddhi, alternate nostril breathing). Twelve male volunteers (age range, 21 to 33 years) were assessed before and after each practice on separate days. The electrocardiogram (lead I) was digitized on-line and off-line analysis was done. The results showed a significant increase in low frequency (LF) power and LF/HF ratio while high frequency (HF) power was significantly lower following kapalabhati. There were no significant changes following nadisuddhi. The results suggest that kapalabhati modifies the autonomic status by increasing sympathetic activity with reduced vagal activity. The study also suggests that HRV is a more useful psychophysiological measure than heart rate alone.

Autonomic changes while mentally repeating two syllables--one meaningful and the other neutral.

Autonomic and respiratory variables were recorded in 12 volunteers in three types of sessions (1). Before, during and after a test period of mentally repeating a meaningful syllable 'OM' (MOM session) (2). A similar session except that the test period was spent mentally repeating a neutral work, 'one' (COM session) (3). A session with non-targeted thinking (NT session). The subjects were familiar with both syllables, and had been meditating on 'OM' for 20 days. During the test periods of both MOM and COM sessions the rate of respiration (RR) and heart rate (HR) decreased significantly [(two factor ANOVA (RR), paired t test (RR. HR)]. Compared to the pre period. Mental repetition of 'OM' (but not 'one') caused a significant decrease in skin resistance level (SRL) (paired t test). This was taken to mean that the subject recognized the significance of the syllable. No significant change occurred during NT sessions.

A combination of focusing and defocusing through yoga reduces optical illusion more than focusing alone.

The degree of optical illusion was assessed using standard Muller-Lyer lines in two groups (yoga and control) of thirty subjects each. All subjects were between eighteen and forty two years of age. The difference between the reading at which the lines were actually equal and the reading at which the subject felt them to be equal, was noted as the degree of illusion ("di"). Each subject was assessed at the beginning and end of a month. During the month the yoga group received training in yoga, while the control group carried on with their usual routine. At the end of the month the yoga group showed a significant (two factor ANOVA, Tukey test, P < .001) decrease in the "di" (86%), whereas the control group showed no change. The improvement following yoga could be attributed to the combination of focusing and defocusing involved in yoga practice, as these factors are known to influence the "di". Previous results which mentioned a 79% decrease in "di" with focusing alone, provided a comparison.

Pranayama increases grip strength without lateralized effects.

The present study was conducted to determine whether breathing through a particular nostril has a lateralized effect on hand grip strength. 130 right hand dominant, school children between 11 and 18 yrs of age were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Each group had a specific yoga practice in addition to the regular program for a 10 day yoga camp. The practices were: (1) right-, (2) left-, (3) alternate- nostril breathing (4), breath awareness and (5) practice of mudras. Hand grip strength of both hands was assessed initially and at the end of 10 days for all 5 groups. The right-, left- and alternate-nostril breathing groups had a significant increase in grip strength of both hands, ranging from 4.1% to 6.5%, at the end of the camp though without any lateralization effect. The breath awareness and mudra groups showed no change. Hence the present results suggest that yoga breathing through a particular nostril, or through alternate nostrils increases hand grip strength of both hands without lateralization.

Progressive increase in critical flicker fusion frequency following yoga training.

The critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) is the frequency at which a flickering stimulus is perceived to be steady, with higher values suggesting greater perceptual accuracy. The CFF was measured in two age-matched groups of healthy male volunteers whose ages ranged from 25 to 39 years, with 18 subjects in each group. After baseline assessments one group (yoga group) received yoga training, while the other group (control group) carried on with their routine activities. Yoga practices included asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, meditation, devotional sessions and lectures on the theory of yoga. After 10 days neither group showed a change in CFF. However, at 20 and at 30 days the yoga group showed significant increases in CFF by 11.1% and 14.9%, respectively (two factor ANOVA, Tukey multiple comparison test). The control group showed no change at the day 20 and day 30 followup.

Autonomic changes during "OM" meditation.

The autonomic and respiratory variables were studied in seven experienced meditators (with experience ranging from 5 to 20 years). Each subject was studied in two types of sessions--meditation (with a period of mental chanting of "OM") and control (with a period of non-targetted thinking). The meditators showed a statistically significant reduction in heart rate during meditation compared to the control period (paired 't' test). During both types of sessions there was a comparable increase in the cutaneous peripheral vascular resistance. Keeping in mind similar results of other authors, this was interpreted as a sign of increased mental alertness, even while being physiologically relaxed (as shown by the reduced heart rate).

Breathing through a particular nostril can alter metabolism and autonomic activities.

There is increasing interest in the fact that breathing exclusively through one nostril may alter the autonomic functions. The present study aimed at checking whether such changes actually do occur, and whether breathing is consciously regulated. 48 male subjects, with ages ranging from 25 to 48 years were randomly assigned to different groups. Each group was asked to practice one out of three pranayamas (viz. right nostril breathing, left nostril breathing or alternate nostril breathing). These practices were carried out as 27 respiratory cycles, repeated 4 times a day for one month. Parameters were assessed at the beginning and end of the month, but not during the practice. The 'right nostril pranayama' group showed a significant increase, of 37% in baseline oxygen consumption. The 'alternate nostril' pranayama group showed an 18% increase, and the left nostril pranayama group also showed an increase, of 24%. This increase in metabolism could be due to increased sympathetic discharge to the adrenal medulla. The 'left nostril Pranayama' group showed an increase in volar galvanic skin resistance, interpreted as a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity supplying the sweat glands. These results suggest that breathing selectively through either nostril could have a marked activating effect or a relaxing effect on the sympathetic nervous system. The therapeutic implications of being able to alter metabolism by changing the breathing pattern have been mentioned.

Plasticity of motor control systems demonstrated by yoga training.

The static motor performance was tested in two groups with 20 subjects in each (age range 17 to 22 years, and 5 females in each group). Tests were carried out at the beginning and end of a 10 day period. The test required being able to insert and hold a metal stylus within holes of varying sizes for 15 sec. Accidental contacts between the stylus and the sides of the holes, were registered on a counter as errors. During the 10 days one group (the yoga group) practised asanas (physical postures), pranayama (voluntary regulation of breathing), meditation, devotional sessions, and tratakas (visual focussing exercises). The control group followed their usual routine. At the end of 10 days the yoga group showed a significant reduction in number of errors (Wilcoxon paired signed ranks test), while the control group did not change. Our earlier study showed a similar improvement in children (9-13 years). It was interesting to note the same degree of plasticity in motor control systems in young adults. The implications for rehabilitation programmes have been discussed.

Physiological changes in sports teachers following 3 months of training in Yoga.

1. This report shows that in a group of 40 physical education teachers who already had an average of 8.9 years physical training, 3 months of yogic training produced significant improvement in general health (in terms of body weight and BP reduction and improved lung functions). 2. There was also evidence of decreased autonomic arousal and more of psychophysiological relaxation (heart rate and respiratory rate reduction), and improved somatic steadiness (decreased errors in the steadiness test). 3. The changes at the end of 3 months in volar GSR in different directions (increase/decrease/no change), depending on the initial values, suggests that practising yoga may help to bring about a balance in different autonomic functions, so that functioning is optimised.