The International Association
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Medical Hypotheses (2006) 67, 566-571

Physiology of long pranayamic Breathing:

Neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how
slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system

Ravinder Jerath, John W. Edry, Vernon A. Barnes, Vandna Jerath
Augusta Women's Center,
Augusta, GA 30904

Excerpts:

"Pranayamic breathing, by reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, has shown that it is not only therapeutic but also preventative.

"…Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, [taught on the Warrior Breath Workshop] which includes pranayama, has been used as a public health intervention for treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, depression, stress related medical illnesses, substance abuse, and rehabilitation of criminal offenders for its ability to enhance well being, mood, attention, mental focus, and stress tolerance."

"In conjunction with other yogic techniques, pranayama has been shown to decrease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome by enhancing parasympathetic activity of gastrointestinal tract and by reducing effects of stress.

…Pranayamic breathing has been shown to be a beneficial clinical application in the treatment of psychological disorders as well as physiological diseases.

"Research has revealed pranayamic breathing to be a low risk, cost effective adjunct treatment that can be potentially applied to improve symptoms associated with cardiovascular disorders, autonomic disorders, and psychological disorders including those involving stress."
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