Bhramari Pranayama – A simple lifestyle intervention to reduce heart rate, enhance the lung function and immunity

Trivedi, Gunjan Y; Saboo, Banshi

doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2021.07.004

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…An interesting fact here is the relation between the production of nasal sounds (humming) and BhPr. Recent studies have noted the relation between BhPr and the release of nitric oxide from the maxillary sinuses (7) . The release of blocked nitric oxide is possible by the resonant vibration, which again may be due to the BhPr-induced vibration.…”

Section: Bhramari Pranayamamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework of Measurable Features of Bhramari Pranayama Leading to Meditation

Ushamohan¹,

Rajasekaran²,

Ilavarasu³

et al. 2023

IJST

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Background: Bhramari pranayama, a yogic technique comprises a selfvocalized humming sound emulating a female bumblebee. Attention to this sound leads to a meditative state. The component of its stimuli, the sustained self-evoked humming sound with breath control, is overt unlike the stimuli of most of the meditations. These observable and measurable components of Bhramari pranayama offer a rare opportunity to study the causal component of meditation in research. Objectives: Considering the growing interest in this area, Bhramari's potential as a unique research tool, and a framework of the mechanism of it leading to meditation is attempted. Methods: We review relevant current scientific literature and classical yoga texts to understand the framework of how the overt features of Bhramari pranayama cause the meditative state. We present our argument in three sections, where we present the Bhramari pranayama practice into its sub-components, namely i) pranayama, ii) Bhramari sound-producing phase, and iii) Shanmukhi practice. Findings: This has facilitated the identification of the measurable attributes of Bhramari like fundamental frequency, resonant vibrations, articulation, etc. Concepts related to its processing like efference copy, corollary discharge, and sense of agency, are also observable in electrophysiological investigations. This information would be useful to harness the therapeutic benefits of Bhramari pranayama due to its ability to produce self-evoked resonant vibrations, sensory entrainment, and gamma waves, that have specific clinical significance. Novelty: This framework elucidates the mechanism of how the overt, observable, and measurable features of Bhramari Pranayama cause meditation. It presents the relation between breath and self-vocalized acoustics, that produce synchrony among multisensory systems to facilitate meditation.

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Section: Bhramari Pranayamamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework of Measurable Features of Bhramari Pranayama Leading to Meditation

Ushamohan¹,

Rajasekaran²,

Ilavarasu³

et al. 2023

IJST

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“…NO may also regulate the nasal airway resistance to airflow (NAR). It also seems to humidify and warm the inhaled nasal airflow (4) .…”

Section: Nitric Oxide In Paranasal Sinusesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitric Oxide, Humming and Bhramari Pranayama

Ushamohan¹,

Rajasekaran²,

Ilavarasu³

et al. 2023

IJST

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Background: Nitric Oxide has been recently recognized as an extremely important molecule in biophysics that has a profound role in the regulation of various functions in the body. It is abundant and continuously replenished in the paranasal sinuses of the respiratory system in healthy adults. Studies have demonstrated that nasal Nitric Oxide levels in the airways increase multifold during humming compared to quiet nasal exhalation. Humming during exhalation is an integral part of Bhramari Pranayama. Objectives: This review is to understand how humming is associated with Nitric Oxide production, and evaluate the suitability of Bhramari Pranayama, and the classical version of Bhramari Pranayama, which has humming as its integral part, for the application of maintenance of the airway integrity. Method: We have searched relevant current scientific literature pertaining to Nitric Oxide, voice production especially humming. We also reviewed the classical yoga texts where Bhramari Pranayama is elaborated. We tried to correlate how Bhramari Pranayama may help to endogenously produce Nitric Oxide and thereby regulate various respiratory functions. We made special efforts to distinguish between general and classical versions of the practice of Bhramari Pranayama. Findings: Experimental evidence suggests that humming significantly influences Nitric Oxide production. Bhramari Pranayama which has humming as its integral part may therefore facilitate Nitric Oxide production endogenously, both during inhalation and exhalation, and thereby help in the regulation of respiratory processes. Novelty: Research to date, has been done on increased expression of Nitric Oxide during humming (during exhalation). The classical version of Bhramari Pranayama which also includes humming during inhalation also known as inhalation phonation, alternating with humming during exhalation seems to offer a wholesome solution for increased stimulation of Nitric Oxide as well as the optimal end use of the much sought-after molecule.

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“…Beyond the above points, the additional possibilities may include increased air exchange in the lung during simple Bhramari due to increased nitric oxide levels during the humming process [7,[17][18][19]. Several studies have highlighted that HRV parameters improve during meditation [20,21].…”

Section: The Importance Of Activities For Increasing the Hrvmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Humming (simple Bhramari) is a simple activity with several positive benefits, such as a decrease in HR, an increase in HRV, an enhancement of autonomic and lung function, and an increase in attention and sleep quality [ 7 ]. This pilot study aimed to understand the uniqueness of HRV parameters during humming compared to several other activities to validate the idea further.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humming (Simple Bhramari Pranayama) as a Stress Buster: A Holter-Based Study to Analyze Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Parameters During Bhramari, Physical Activity, Emotional Stress, and Sleep

Trivedi¹,

Sharma²,

Saboo³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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In this study, our goal was to understand the comparative impact of humming, physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep on several heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, including the stress index (SI), and to assess the effectiveness of humming (simple Bhramari) as a stress buster based on the HRV parameters. MethodsThis pilot study assessed the long-term HRV parameters of 23 participants in terms of four activities: humming (simple Bhramari), physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep. The single-channel Holter device measured the readings, and data was analyzed using Kubios HRV Premium software for time and frequencydomain HRV parameters, including the stress index. Regarding statistical analysis, single-factor ANOVA followed by paired t-test was used to compare the results of HRV parameters "during" the four activities to understand if humming generates the outcome to enhance the autonomic nervous system. ResultsOur findings revealed that humming generates the lowest stress index compared to all three other activities (physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep). Several additional HRV parameters also supported the positive impact on the autonomic nervous, equivalent to stress reduction. ConclusionsHumming (simple Bhramari) can be an effective stress-buster based on the assessment of several HRV parameters during its practice and in comparison with other activities. A regular daily humming routine can help enhance the parasympathetic nervous system and slow down sympathetic activation.

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Bhramari Pranayama – A simple lifestyle intervention to reduce heart rate, enhance the lung function and immunity

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

A Framework of Measurable Features of Bhramari Pranayama Leading to Meditation

A Framework of Measurable Features of Bhramari Pranayama Leading to Meditation

Nitric Oxide, Humming and Bhramari Pranayama

Humming (Simple Bhramari Pranayama) as a Stress Buster: A Holter-Based Study to Analyze Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Parameters During Bhramari, Physical Activity, Emotional Stress, and Sleep

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