Abstract

IMPACT OF PRANAYAMA ON PULMONARY FUNCTION: A PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEW

Dr. Hemant Semalti* and Dr. Vipin Kumar Pandey

ABSTRACT

Life has become very busy the changed life style pattern is not allowing people take a deep breath also, which is further leading to rapid progress of different respiratory disease. Thousands of years ago yoga original in India, and in present day and age, an alarming awareness was observed in health and natural remedies among people by yoga and pranayama which has been proven an effective method for improving health and prevention and management of diseases. Yoga an ancient science is very much helpful to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the individual. Maharshi Patanjali comprise the eight branches of Yoga as Yama, Niyama (Ethical practices), Asana (Posture), Pranayama (Breathing practices), Pratyahara (control over senses), Dharana, Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi of which Pranayama is the fourth branch. Pranayama is an art of controlling the life force of breath. It produces many systemic psychophysical effects in the body, besides its specific effects on the respiratory functions. Yogic breathing would form a very good exercise in one’s daily routine, if one does not find much time to be devoted to physical exercise. Respiratory rate, rhythm of respiration, lung volume and capacities, breath holding time will get significantly and positively influenced with practice of pranayama. Certain pranayama exercise like Anulom-Vilom (alternate nostril breathing technique), Bhastrika (Bellows Breath), kapalbhati (frontal lobe cleansing technique), and Ujjayi (Hissing Breath), Shitali Pranayama (cooling breath) are carried out for good results. it cat improves respiratory system. The purpose of this article to present a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the impact of Pranayama to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the individual & Pranayama has been shown to have immediate physiological and psychological beneficial effect of body.

Keywords: Pranayama, Shitali, Yoga, Anulom-Vilom.