Effect of Hathayogic practices on Human Heart and Circulatory System

Title: Effect of Hathayogic practices on Human Heart and Circulatory System

By : Shreedhar Acharya

MA Applied Yoga and Human Excellence

DSVV, Haridwar.

Abstract: In 1980s, Hathayoga got international exposure when some Indian Hathyogis went to America and started preaching there. In the same period, Dean Ornish, MD, a medical researcher and follower of Swami Satchidananda, connected Hathayoga to Heart Health. This phenomenon led to a kind of Hathayoga boom in the western world. It was started to be used as preventive and curative tool to deal with heart as well as other diseases. But Hathayoga’s promotional goal was neglected.

The very purpose of carrying out this short theoretical research is to collect the preventive, curative and promotive benefits of the Hathayogic techniques regarding Heart and the circulatory system. By preventive benefits, we mean how the Hathayogic practices like Asana, Pranayama, Mudra-Bandh,Dhyan, Shatkarma etc. help to prevent heart problems. For example, in case of high blood pressure the practice of Dhyan as well as asana like Shavasana dilate and constrict the blood vessels as per requirement to bring the pressure to normal. In curative benefits, we find that during Meditation the awareness is dissociated from the physical body and made one-pointed where brain produces alpha and theta waves. The breath and heart rate are lowered and the whole body enjoys deep rest. In this state the blood vessels dilate and oxygenated pure blood reaches the body organs, rejuvenating and repairing damaged tissues and blood vessels around the body. The sacred Hathyogic texts maintain that by Hathayogic practices a yogi can enlarge the emotions to encompass the whole universe and feel Oneness with the creation which can be noted as highly promotive advantage of Hathayoga with regard to heart. These experiences are above science which we have today. So it doesn’t agree with those supernatural happenings. Still, in physiology of heart too we find the promotive effect of yoga. For instance, Dr. Prakash C. Malshe proclaims in his research that Pranayama (especially in case of breath holding) causes hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and that is what protects the heart by leading to formation of coronary collaterals or new blood vessels in the heart: “a natural bye pass”. Collateral circulation offers an important alternative source of blood supply when the original vessels fail to provide sufficient blood.

In this way, in this short theoretical research we have tried to collect the preventive, curative and promotive effect of Hathayogic practices on circulatory system and human heart, which is the center of whole circulation of blood that occurs for nourishing and enlivening every cells of the body.