Introduction: Pranayama is the breath control practice to control body energies. Nadisudhi means, 'the purification of the invisible energy channels.' Practice of Nadisudhi pranayama causes feeling of freshness, energy and lightness of body and mind. Regular pranayama practice causes many desirable physical, physiological and psychological changes in an individual.
Aim & Objectives: The study was designed to assess the beneficial effects of Nadisudhi pranayama on cardiorespiratory parameters.
Materials & Methods: 60 young healthy subjects in the age group of 17-24 years were selected for the study. They received Nadisudhi pranayama training of 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Pulse rate, Blood pressure & Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were recorded before and after 6 weeks of training.
Results: Results were analyzed by using paired't' test. There was significant decrease in Pulse rate, Blood pressure and increase in Peak expiratory flow rate after practice of Nadisudhi pranayama. Decrease in Pulse rate, Blood pressure after practice of Nadisudhi pranayama could be due to increase in parasympathetic activity & decrease in sympathetic activity. Improvement in Peak expiratory flow rate could be due to increase in surface area of the alveolar membrane, acclimatization of respiratory centers to high PCO2 & strengthening of the respiratory muscle in Nadisudhi pranayama trained persons.
Conclusion: Nadisudhi pranayama is effective in lowering the Pulse rate, Blood pressure & improve the Peak expiratory flow rate. It may be an effective non pharmacological intervention in clinical conditions like bronchial asthma, early bronchitis and hypertension.
