Pushkarmuni Abhinandan Granth

Author(s): Devendramuni, A D Batra, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Rajasthankesari Adhyatmayogi Upadhyay Shree Pushkar Muni Abhinandan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 1144

Research in Yoga by the Methods of Modern Natural Sciences
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It was also demonstrated that Dhautis regulate the nastric acid secretion in judicious manner and thus they can be useful in setting right both hypo- and hyper-acidity conditions.
Swallowing of air in the stomach is a part of Plavini Prānāyāma. It was found that gastric acid secretion is largely inhibited in subjects who swallowed air in this way or also in whose stomach it was pumped in through a tube and a pumping syringe. This measure thus could help hyper-acidity patients.
Yogic training in Asanas (22), Prānāyāmas (2) and Kriyas (2) caused a reduction in the fibrinolytic activity of blood indicating that these yoga practices, specially Asanas, are not to be equated to the physical exercises which increase the fibrinolytic activity.
Apparently similar practices, both in designations and manipulations, e. g., Uddiyāna, Uddivāna Bandha in Prānāyāma, Uddiyana Mudrå, Tadagi and Tadagi Mudră could be differentiated precisely with respect to the differences in the chest and abdominal manipulations and their possible effects, by graphically recording in details the abdominal and chest movements in these practices. This is a good instance of the modern instrumental research helping clarification of yoga techniques.
A subject trying to cut the under-attachments of the tongue to set it free, so that it could go up far into the upper nasopharyngeal cavity below the skull, which is traditionally done in Khechari Mudrā, it was seen that when he had progressed fairly, so that his tongue could go well in the upper naso-pharynx, his oxygen consumption in basal condition (B.M.R.) was 25% below the normal, which was quite normal prior to his taking to this practice. But further examinations at intervals showed no further reduction and the BMR become stabilised at this new level.
One subject able to enter into a deep absorption state through a Laya Yoga practice, which could be designated as "Laya Samadhi", showed 20% less oxygen requirement during sitting in meditation than his normal oxygen requirement in basal state in lying down rest. This no doubt was made up slowly in post meditative state. E.E.G. records of this subject in such meditational state showed spread of "alpha" wave activity over practically all brain areas in the early stage, a phenomenon very often observed in meditation by many other workers and interpreted as an indication of alert relaxedness. But later when the subject entered into still deeper state, as adjudged from no physical response and no EEG change with external stimuli (even very painful), many channels showed at interval of a few seconds a marked flattening of the graph--often completely a straight line, indicative of complete silence of parts of brain-a finding very perplexing. Unfortunately these findings could not be rechecked and confirmed due to certain difficulties.
The concept of Ida-Pirgala respiratory channels and the claims of Svarayoga were examined. It was seen that even persons in good health do not breathe equally through both nostrils all the time. In 85.5% persons the breathing through one nostril was more than the other, without any apparent cause. Use of a small crutch or of hot or cold pads or pressure under the arm-pit opened the nostril on the opposite side. About 10% subjects responded in an opposite manner, and few did not show any response even after 14 hrs. stimulus application. By a long practice a few subjects could induce the change of nostril breathing flow merely by willing without using the crutch etc. It was also demonstrated that characteristic electrical changes were produced in the inner regions of the nostril which were partly influenced by the respiratory activity of the nostril and partly by the mental activity and psychological state of the subject. This new study-branch has been designated as 'Electronasography'-ENG, for short.
Electromyographic investigation of activity of various muscles during different Asanas proved that with proper training even difficult Hathayogic Asanas could be done with great relaxation (Prayatnaśaithilya) as recommended in Patanjala Yoga Sutra II, 47. This only could give