Yoga University » Yoga Library » Yoga Dissertations

Yoga Dissertations by MSc Students

Part I: Concept of Cakras and Corresponding Qualities
Part II: Effect of Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation (Vipassana) on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Spectrum
By

R S K Mohapatra

ABSTRACT

Part I: Concept of Cakras and Corresponding Qualities

Cakräs are centers of çakti in präëamayä koça that receive and send information and prana çakti, connecting nerves, hormones and emotions. The subject of cakräs as such is very vast. So this report tries to give a brief summary of various aspects of cakräs especially from yogic äsanäs point of view. The report commences with the history of the Cakra system. It is followed by the understanding of these energy centers in relation to body and mind. The concepts of kuëòalini, Granthi and Nadis as enumerated by our ancient rishis and munis have also been looked into.Each Cakra then has been described with emphasis on the mental and physical issues. Yogic äsanäs especially helpful in alleviating the conditions have also been   discussed. A sincere attempt has been made to cover the research work done by modern scientists on cakräs. Thus the report attempts on the whole to provide a bird’s eye view of a vast subject. 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

 cakräs have a subtle aspect of existence. They cannot be understood by simple book reading. Rather than trying to understand charkas through the words written or said one should and must experience through personal experience.At present we are going through a change over phase were science has came out through its water tight compartments and has started looking to the knowledge of energy propounded by our ancient rishis with renewed interest. It is this new found interest that is opening up new horizons as far as cakräs are concerned. cakräs and kuëòalini are now reinvestigated for their power to heal and open up channels of unbound, infinite source of çakti within our physical frame of existence. New research in this field has certainly established the existence and power of cakräs. However there is still a wide scope for research. Science has for the time being certainly placed itself in a position where the mystery of divine, infinite çakti can be understood.

Part II: Effect of Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation (Vipassana) on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Spectrum
The present study was aimed to determine the effect of Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness meditation (Vipassana) on the heart rate variability (HRV), a specific indicator of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. The practice requires considerable awareness with expansive relaxation. 14 males of age range 22 to 41 years(mean 29.0 ±5.19)having completed 10 days basic training on Vipassana, participated in this study. The heart rate variability of all the subjects was assessed in two test sessions, which included a period of meditation and control (random) thinking. There was no significant reduction in heart rate during meditation session compared to the base line. During non-meditation random thinking the heart  rate decreased  in second, third but maximally in the fifth(4.3beats/min) compared to the baseline (paired T-Test).There was no change in the low frequency to high frequency ratio of the heart rate variability spectrum. The heart rate change in non-meditation suggests that the decrease in heart rate which occurred during the random thinking sessions appears to have been prevented by the practice of Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness (Vipassana) meditation.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The study was aimed to determine the effect of Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness meditation (Vipassana) on the heart rate variability, a specific indicator of autonomic nervous system.14 healthy trained male ‘Vipassana’ meditators whose age ranged from 22 to 41 years (mean ±SD 29.0 ± 5.19) were assessed for heart rate variability during meditation and random thinking sessions.   The design was self as control. As the data was found to be normally distributed (Shapiro - Wilk test), Paired t- test was done for analysis.  The result showed no change in heart rate whereas there was a decrease in heart rate during second, third and fifth sessions of nonmeditation. There was no change in the low frequency to high frequency ratio of the heart rate variability spectrum. It can be suggested from the study that Tibetan Buddhist Mindfulness meditation (Vipassana) has no effect on heart rate variability, a specific indicator of autonomic nervous system in trained ‘Vipassana’ meditators and ten days intensive practiced in the tradition is necessary to get the desired results.

Keywords:Cakras,tibetan Buddhist,mediation,vipassana,HRV spectrum.