Pushkarmuni Abhinandan Granth

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

Page 1146

Research in Yoga by the Methods of Modern Natural Sciences
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than to find their therapeutical application or to study and understand the strange and abnormal feats performed by some yoga adherents.
Another such attempt recently started is of Udupa, Singh and their coworkers from the Institute of Medical Sciences, B.H.U., Varanasi. In their studies on Yoga sädhakas practising Asanas, Prānāyāma and a few Mudräs, Bandhas etc. for 6 months or so they have noted similar beneficial effects. Their findings are :
(1) Reduction of (over ?) body weight.
(2) Improvement in pattern of respiratory functions viz., reduction of respiratory rate, increased expansion of chest, increase in vital capacity and in breath-holding time.
(3) Increased resistance to physical stress evidenced by stabilisation of respiratory functions.
(4) Increase in adreno-cortical activity, which will prepare the subjects to withstand stress in a better manner.
(5) Reduction of serum cholesterol, helpful in reducing tendencies for arterio- and atherosclerosis.
(6) Reduced fasting blood sugar suggestive of increased insulin activity leading to sugar and protein sparing.
(7) Restoration of serum protein levels to optimum.
(8) Electroencephalographic studies revealed a lowering of neurohumoral activity. On the whole the alpha index and mean voltage were increased. This appears to indicate diminution of the feeling of anxiety and production of relaxed wakeful state.
(9) Psychological assessement made by them led to similar conclusions as above. (a) M.P.I. test showed decreased neuroticism index after yogic training. (b) Mental Fatiguability index was also lowered. (c) C.M.I. showed lowering of subjective complaints. (d) Performance Quotient was increased. (e) Memory Quotient was improved.
Another group working for similar fundamental understanding and evaluation of yogic practices with regard to their psycho-physiological effects on human organism is of Drs. O.P. Bhatnagar, K. S. Gopal and colleagues from JIPMER. Pondicherry.
They have studied the anatomical changes and effects of various Hathayogic Bandhas on the inner organs specially in the Prānāyāma viz. prevention of undue pressure on heart and big thoracic vessels, acceleration of veinous drainage from the head, strengthening of respiratory muscles as well as abdominal and pelvic accessory muscles, avoidance of ill-effects of Prānāyāmic practice on persons having hernia, piles etc.
The polygraphic studies carried out by them including ECG and EMG recordings gave similar results as noted with such studies by other workers. They have found that in well trained Yoga practitioners muscles electrical activity is very low, so also heart rate and respiratory rate are low, while peripheral blood flow respiratory amplitude are more in weil trained subjects practising Asanas.
Improvement in muscle tone and efficient cardiorespiratory adjustments after the practice of yogasanas have been observed by these workers.
Reduction and stabilisation of blood pressure, decrease in pulse rate and betterment in respiratory function as a result of practice of yogasanas and Pränyāmas have been reported by them.
In biochemical studies also their results are in agreement to those reported above.
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a technique which is developed and propagated by Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and organisations sponsored by him. This seems to be an adaptation of Mantra and Laya yoga techniques, modified to suit modern conditions and specially the Westerners. It has, therefore, become very popular specially in U.S. A. and other Western