Effect of Pranakarshan Pranayam on Brain Waves - With Special Reference to Ancient and Modern Concepts of Prana

Within the Indian Knowledge System, Yoga is an important approach that identifies lack of vitality/immunity as the root cause of almost all the ailments, and provides various methodologies for enhancing the same. In this regard, the role of Pranayama in enhancing vitality/immunity, which in turn provides sound health, has been well documented in the Yogic scriptures, and demonstrated by modern research1.

Prana is the gross and subtle power that pervades the universe, and it is active in all living beings. The essential quality of Prana is life; where there is Prana, there is life. Physical, intellectual, mental, spiritual - all kinds of activities take place in the presence of Prana7 . There are various methods available in ancient Indian scriptures with regards to modulating Prana for attaining favorable outcomes - these include different streams of Indian Knowledge System such as Yoga, etc. Yoga is the supreme state of consciousness where the senses, the mind, and the life force (Prana) are all in harmony8 . In the yogic literature, the significance of Prana-tatva is described in detail.

Yoga includes various methodologies for enhancing the Prana, such as asanas, pranayama, meditation, etc9,10. In this regard, the role of various kinds of Pranayama in enhancing the Prana-tatva, which in turn leads to the attainment of sound health, has been well documented in the Yogic scriptures and demonstrated by modern research11.

Pranayama is generally thought to be the regulation of the breathing process. However, Pranayama is a compound term made up of the words Prana and Ayama3, which indicates the extension and growth of Prana on the subtle plane. The tangible benefits of Pranayama are bodily strength, thinking power, and firm mental resolve; within this, not only are the lungs exercised, but Pranayama augments one’s life span and potency.12 Pranakarshan Pranayama given by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya,2,13 is one such technique, wherein the practitioner is supposed to imagine, with full mental concentration and emotional engrossment, that the Prana spread in the cosmos is being absorbed by his entire being during inhalation. With exhalation, all the vices are being expelled. This cleansing and enrichment process is supposed to enhance the overall vitality, which in turn can ascertain sound health2.

Among the available modern methods for assessing the effects of Prana modulation on the brain function, as well as its manifestation on the physical body, recording the variation in Brain Waves through electroencephalogram (EEG) is an important one14,1,5. Some research studies have shown that meditation techniques result in an increase in the parieto-occipital 60–110 Hz gamma amplitude1,5. Another study showed that a package of Yoga Nidra and Pranakarshan Pranayama had a significant impact on the alpha EEG pattern1.

Therefore, the present proposal seeks to analyze the concept of Prana as given in the Indian Knowledge System, and understand its importance in Pranayam. It will evaluate the effect of Pranakarshan Pranayama on mental activity measured through brainwaves, and on comprehensive health measured through WHO-BREF scale for assessing Quality of life, thus providing a sound scientific basis for its observed outcomes, as well as its utility for the society.