he rhythmic breathing technique propagated by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar could help keep at bay a range of 'stress induced ailments' such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Studies done at the All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi, and NIMHANS, Bangalore, suggest that the Sudarshan Kriya, which is part of the Art Of Living course created by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, could help control both physical and mental stress. This, in turn, reduces the possibility of the practitioner developing health problems like hypertension, diabetes, migraine and back pain, Dr Vinod Kochupillai, Chief of the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS, told PTI.

In order to assess the effect of the Sudarshan Kriya on people who work under 'stressful' conditions, an AIIMS team selected policemen as their study sample. Policemen, said Dr Kochupillai, undergo a lot of physical and mental stress as they go about discharging their duties.

"One group," she explained, "was asked to perform the Sudarshan Kriya for over a period of six months. The control group, meanwhile, was asked not to follow the breathing technique."

Six months later, both groups were tested for stress. In group one, the stress levels had gone down significantly. The control group registered no significant change, she said.

"The study suggests connections between the body and the mind and implies that a person's emotional state and thought processes affects the brain, the endocrine system and the immune system," Dr Kochupillai said.

Besides other benefits, the surveillance cells of the immune system that directly destroy tumour cells were significantly higher among those who practised the Kriya.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) done on the people who had practised the Kriya for over six months to assess the activity in their brains showed that they were more active than others even while relaxing, she said.

Preliminary studies have also indicated that those who practise the Sudarshan Kriya regularly lose the urge to smoke and hence can give up the habit much more easily.

"Even though further studies are needed, the available data shows there is a fall in the cholesterol levels of those who practise the Kriya regularly. This might help prevent cardiac diseases and depression," she said.

The Kriya, which is a combination of Pranayama, meditation and other spiritual processes, helps eliminate stress from the system and integrates the inner faculties of a person, says V P Gupta, who teaches the Sudarshan Kriya.

"It affects the overall state of mind and body and helps people reduce the stress and tension that can be created due to various factors such as increased noise level, long commutes and failure to spend quality time with family and friends," he added.

PTI