The Association of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga with Happiness: A Case-Control Observational Study from Singapore.

Happiness is a complex subjective experience that is essential to societal progress. This study investigated the association between Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) and subjective happiness in Singapore. Subjective happiness data were collected from a convenience sample (N = 733) comprised of 2 groups: SKY (n = 385) and non-SKY (n = 348) practitioners. SKY was categorized into non-, monthly, weekly, and daily practitioners and happiness was categorized into lower, middle and higher tertile groups. Confounding variables included age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education level, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption and self-reported health. Daily SKY participation was positively associated with a 2-fold higher likelihood of being happier in a multivariate regression analysis. The trend analysis showed that as SKY frequency increases, the odds of being happier increases. These findings help generate the hypothesis that yogic breathing may promote happiness. Further experimental and prospective investigations are warranted.

Association Between Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and Healthy Lifestyle Practices Among Working Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from Singapore.

Objectives: There is a paucity of research on the association between yogic breathing and healthy lifestyle factors in working adults. Also, there is very little information about the frequency of yogic breathing practice and its benefits. The authors investigated the relationship between Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) frequency and the likelihood of leading a healthier lifestyle among practitioners and nonpractitioners. Design: Cross-sectional investigation on non-SKY and SKY practitioners, SKY was categorized into non-, monthly, weekly, and daily practitioners. Confounding variables included age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and education level. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to compare practice frequencies with the odds of having a healthier lifestyle. Settings: Community centers, community events, workplaces, and universities throughout Singapore Subjects: Of the 531 working adults (54.8% female), 50.1% had a healthier lifestyle ≥ 4 healthy lifestyle factors). Outcome Measure: Having a healthier lifestyle was defined as having ≥ 4 healthy lifestyle factors out of seven (smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and weight). Results: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that those who practiced SKY ≥ 4 days/week had significantly higher odds of having a healthier lifestyle (odds ratio = 3.62; 95% confidence interval = 2.10-6.23). The p for trend analysis demonstrated that as the frequency of practice increased the likelihood of having a healthier lifestyle also increased ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: The practice of yogic breathing may promote a healthier lifestyle in working adults. Further experimental and longitudinal investigations are warranted.

The association of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga frequency with sleep quality: a cross-sectional study from Singapore.

PURPOSE: There is a dearth of evidence for the relationship between yogic breathing and sleep quality. Even less is known about practice frequency and benefit. We investigated the association of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga frequency with sleep quality amongst adult practitioners. METHODS: In a cross-sectional investigation on adult practitioners of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga in Singapore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Sleep quality was examined across three categories of practice frequency (monthly, weekly, daily). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine association. RESULTS: Of 385 adults (241 women), the mean age (SD) was 42.5 (9.9) years. In total, 32% of the sample (n = 124) was identified as having poor SQ. After adjusting for study covariates, independent analyses revealed an inverse association for higher frequency of practice and lower odds of poor SQ (OR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.28-0.94). The p for trend was 0.03. CONCLUSION: The practice of yogic breathing may benefit sleep quality. Further experimental investigations are warranted.

The translational aspect of complementary and alternative medicine for cancer with particular emphasis on Kampo.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including Japanese Kampo is known to have anticancer potential. An increasing number of cancer survivors are using CAM for disease prevention, immune system enhancement, and symptom control. Although there have been abundant previous clinical reports regarding CAM, scientific investigations aimed at acquiring quantifiable results in clinical trials, as well as basic research regarding CAM, have only recently been undertaken. Recent studies suggest that CAM enhancement of immune function is related to cytokines. This review provides a translational aspect of CAM, particularly Hozai in Kampo from both scientific and clinical points of view for further development of CAM for cancer treatment.