Chapter 2
Influence of Controlled Breathing
(Pranayama) on Dermal Perfusion
Mandavilli Mukunda Rao
Abstract Yoga, a well-known method that combines meditation and physical exercise, originated in India. There are several claims that yoga is not just an exercise, but
an wholistic process that cures the bodily ailments and purifies the brain. However,
such claims are not substantiated with scientific evidence, though several anecdotal
evidences exist. In this chapter experiments were conducted to identify whether one of
the yoga exercises, namely, Pranayama (Rhythmic breathing exercise) leads to quantifiable positive changes in the body functions. The method of photoplethysmography
is utilized to ascertain perceptible changes in the cardiovascular functions.
2.1 Introduction
It is a well-acknowledged fact that man knows more about outer space than the
functioning of his own brain. That is why the 1990s were declared as the decade for
brain research with many R&D institutions and Universities/academic institutions
taking part in this research activity around the world. For scientists who study the
human brain, even the simplest act of perception is an astonishing event of intricacy.
Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) researchers found evidence suggesting
that the human brain focuses attention on parts of the body where stimulation is
expected by suppressing ‘competing’ information from other areas of the body. In a
recent issue of the British Journal ‘Nature’, researchers reported decreased blood flow
in parts of the brain’s somatosensory cortex in response to anticipated stimulation in
various parts of the body.
With the new technologies like functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
and other sophisticated instrumentation, researchers catch brains in the very act
of cognition, feeling or remembering. However, the use of such tools for brain
research has been limited because of astronomical costs of these instruments and
the complexity in installation/operation.
M. Mukunda Rao (B)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
e-mail: mmraomandavilli@yahoo.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_2
33
Influence of Controlled Breathing
(Pranayama) on Dermal Perfusion
Mandavilli Mukunda Rao
Abstract Yoga, a well-known method that combines meditation and physical exercise, originated in India. There are several claims that yoga is not just an exercise, but
an wholistic process that cures the bodily ailments and purifies the brain. However,
such claims are not substantiated with scientific evidence, though several anecdotal
evidences exist. In this chapter experiments were conducted to identify whether one of
the yoga exercises, namely, Pranayama (Rhythmic breathing exercise) leads to quantifiable positive changes in the body functions. The method of photoplethysmography
is utilized to ascertain perceptible changes in the cardiovascular functions.
2.1 Introduction
It is a well-acknowledged fact that man knows more about outer space than the
functioning of his own brain. That is why the 1990s were declared as the decade for
brain research with many R&D institutions and Universities/academic institutions
taking part in this research activity around the world. For scientists who study the
human brain, even the simplest act of perception is an astonishing event of intricacy.
Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) researchers found evidence suggesting
that the human brain focuses attention on parts of the body where stimulation is
expected by suppressing ‘competing’ information from other areas of the body. In a
recent issue of the British Journal ‘Nature’, researchers reported decreased blood flow
in parts of the brain’s somatosensory cortex in response to anticipated stimulation in
various parts of the body.
With the new technologies like functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
and other sophisticated instrumentation, researchers catch brains in the very act
of cognition, feeling or remembering. However, the use of such tools for brain
research has been limited because of astronomical costs of these instruments and
the complexity in installation/operation.
M. Mukunda Rao (B)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
e-mail: mmraomandavilli@yahoo.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_2
33