Key result
Shambhavi Mahamudra practice is linked to altered HRV and increased sympathetic tone versus relaxed sitting.
Why the study?
The instantaneous changes of heart rate variability during different stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice of Isha yoga, were not quantified and compared.
Does Shambhavi Mahamudra alter heart rate variability in healthy yoga practitioners?
Observational (n=8)
Does Shambhavi Mahamudra alter heart rate variability in healthy yoga practitioners?
Different stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra practice elicit distinct autonomic nervous system responses, characterized by varying degrees of sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal.
This study was designed to quantify and compare the instantaneous changes of heart rate variability (HRV) during Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice of Isha yoga. It includes major stages viz. Sukha pranayam, 'AUM' chanting, rapid breathing, and relaxed sitting. The standard lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were acquired from eight healthy, yoga practitioners while performing various stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra. The short-term HRV were extracted from ECG, and analyzed using time, frequency-domain and Poincaré plot methods. The results showed a combination of increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone during Sukha pranayam, an increased sympathetic tone during `AUM' chanting, and withdrawal of vagal tone during rapid breathing. The HRV descriptors were not significantly different during relaxed sitting.
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Selvaraj et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=8). Shambhavi Mahamudra vs. Relaxed sitting was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV). Shambhavi Mahamudra practice altered heart rate variability, demonstrating increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone during active stages compared to relaxed sitting.
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