Impact of Meditation and Pranayama on Autonomic Nervous System Balance

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates the effects of yoga, specifically meditation and pranayama, on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers were taken for the study. Heart Rate variability and Ewingbattery of autonomic tests comprises analysis of heart rate variations during deep breathing test (DBT), lying to standing test (LST), standardized Valsalvamanoeuvre (VM), Cold Pressor test (CPT) and sustained handgrip (SHG) were conducted before and after the intervention.