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 NADI SHODHANA AND HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL.

Introduction

 

The methods of  Nadi shodhana pranayama  used in this study differ from those described in the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” (2: 7-10) and “Gheranda Samhita”  (5:32-44). 
Nadi shodhana pranayama
  is used as one of the simplest cleansing techniques, which acts on the subtle energy channels, before the practice of other  Kumbhakas.

 

Some previous studies on the effects of  yoga, conducted with the participation of Bhogal et al. (1999) confirmed that meditation leads to slight increase in hemoglobin level in blood. Khare et al. (1989) through the practice of yoga experienced remarkable improvement in markers such as hemoglobin level, white blood cells in blood count (normal white blood cells) as well as hematocrit. Deshpande and Bhole (1982) revealed the positive influence of  Kapalabhati  on the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Govindarajulu N.,  Sivanandam et al. (2004) found, through the practice of yoga, a significant effect of increasing the average volume of  Red cells.

 

Goals

 

The objectives of this study were to assess the level of influence of  Nadi shodhana  pranayama on the following aspects:

  • The level of hemoglobin in the blood of man;

  • The level of hemoglobin in the woman's blood;

  • Hemoglobin level relative to all subjects.

The results of the studies analyzed suggest that the practice of  Nadi shodhana pranayama  can act to increase the rate

of hemoglobin in the blood and therefore the hypothesis of the researchers mentioned above is true.

 

 

Normally, the optimal level of hemoglobin in the blood is necessary for the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the tissues of the body to have normal immunity.

Therefore, this study corroborates the positive effect of  Nadi shodhana pranayama  on the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which has been discussed in previous studies, in order to draw attention to this method which improves health.

 

 

Methodology: Selection

 

The study involved 40 subjects. It was performed in November 2003 at the ashram  "Art of Living" (Shantikundzh, Haridwar) for a month. Participants were selected from a group of "Shantikundzh" "Art of Living" Ashram (Shantikundzh, Haridwar) in November 2003, randomly. The test group consisted of 20 men and 20 women aged 20-40.

The research method: below are the markers for each group, BEFORE and AFTER the tests:

  The meaning of AQ1 Xq2 symbols

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The methodology of the process:

 

To begin with, each participant's hemoglobin level was measured using Salhi's hemoglobinometer, the same measurements were taken after a 30-day practice of Nadi shodhana pranayama. During the practice, each participant performs inhaling (puraka), holding the breath (kumbhaka) and exhaling (rechaka) in equal proportions, three times through the left nostril, and in the same way - three times through the nostril right, then inhale through both nostrils while exhaling through the mouth - this constitutes a cycle. 
The same process was performed at different depths (lengths) of inhalation (puraka), retention of breath (kumbhaka) and exhalation (rechaka). The source of these techniques was borrowed from the book “Super Science Gayatri,” by the author - scientist
  Sharma Acharya Shriram, Founder of the World Gayatri Parivar (Gayatri Pariwar).

 

 

Results and discussion

 

Table 1 shows that the test  you  Student's calculated = 6525 > than the normal criterion  you  which = 2576 with a significance level of  p<0.0025  for degrees of freedom df 39. 
Therefore, the practice of
  Nadi shodhana pranayama  causes a slight difference in the hemoglobin level in the blood of all actors with a level of significance of p <0.0025 for the  degrees of freedom df 39.
Therefore, it has been proven that
  Nadi shodhana pranayama  has a favorable influence  on the increase in hemoglobin levels in all study participants.

 

Table 1. Hemoglobin Hb level (g%) in all participants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2 shows that the test  you  Student's calculated = 7665 > than the normal criterion t 
which is = 2861 with a significance level of
  p<0.0025  for the  degrees of freedom df 19.
Consequently, the practice of
  Nadi shodhana pranayama  causes a slight difference in the hemoglobin level in the blood of the women involved with a level of significance of  p<0.0025  for the  degree of df 19  of freedom. 
Therefore, it has been proven that
  Nadi shodhana pranayama  has a favorable influence  on increased hemoglobin levels in female participants.

 

Table 2. The level of hemoglobin Hb (g%) in women

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3 shows that the calculated Student's t-test is = 2.87, with the level of significance of  p<0.005  for the  degree of freedom df 19.

Consequently, the practice of  Nadi shodhana pranayama  causes a slight difference in the level of hemoglobin in the blood in the men involved with the level of significance  p<0.005  for the  degree of freedom df 19. 
Therefore, it has also been proven that
  Nadi shodhana pranayama  has a favorable influence  on increased hemoglobin levels in male participants.

 

Table 3. The level of hemoglobin Hb (g%) in men

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tables 1,2,3 clearly showed that the criteria  you  calculated after 30 days of Pranayama Nadi Shodhana practice are significant, with a level of significance  p<0.0025  and  p<0.005, respectively. There is proven evidence that the monthly practice of  Pranayama Nadi shodhana  has a great influence on increasing the level of hemoglobin in the blood (it tends to the highest level in the normal range).

 

During practice, this  pranayama  there is a phase with a low oxygen content (hypoxia) -  Kumbhaka. The hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells under hypoxic conditions is called  erythropoietin. His system works in such a way that during hypoxia a noticeable increase in erythropoietin  occurs, this, in turn, leads to an increase in the production of red blood cells in the blood, which in turn leads to the reduction of hypoxia. At this stage, the level of red blood cells can go up to 10 gm% or more (Guyton and Hall, 2006).

 

Furthermore, the participants in this study were in good health, and they were asked to maintain their usual diet. It was assumed that the practice of  Nadi Shodhana pranayama  will significantly increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In fact, this breathing technique resulted in a change in the level of hemoglobin, which, presumably, tends towards the upper limit of the norm, which characterizes a healthy physiological state.

 

Thus, we can conclude that the practice of  Nadi Shodhana pranayama  is physiologically harmless for healthy people in the age group mentioned above and therefore may be recommended for improving health in other age groups. The technique can also be considered as an adjunct to therapy in patients with anemia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

  • Bhogal, RS, Kulkarni, DD, & Bera, TK (1999) Effect of meditation in shiva samhita preceded by omkar on reducing time and selected biochemical and hematological parameter: A pilot stu

  • dy. Yoga-Mimasa Vol.XXX, 4 pp.10-28

  • Despande, RR, Bhole, MV (1982). Effects of Kapalbhati on some Constituents of blood. Yoga-Mimasa, vol. XXI, 1&2, pp. 13-20

  • Govindarajulu, N., Shivanandam, G& Bera, TK (2004) Effects of Yoga Training on Biochemical Changes in Normal College Students. Yoga-Mimamsa, Vol. XXXVI, 1&2, pp 1-10.

  • Guyton, C., Arther & Hall E., John (2006). Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier India Pvt. Lt., New Delhi.

  • Khare, KC, Sangvi, VC & Sharma, DC (1989). Hematological, Biochemical & Ventiletory Response to Yoga in Adult. Yoga-Mimasa, Vol XXVIII, 1, pp 65-72.

  • Muktibodhanada, Sami (2003). Hathyoga Pradeepika. Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, India.

  • Niranjanananda Saraswati, Swami (1997). Gherand Samhita. Bihar Yoga Bharati. Munger, Bihar.

 

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