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Yoga Dissertations by MSc Students

Part I: Concept of Shitkari according to Ancient and Yogic Texts
Part II: Immediate Effect of Sheetkari on Galvanic Skin Resistance & Heart Rate Variability
By
Jainy John

ABSTRACT

Part I: Concept of Shitkari according to Ancient and Yogic Texts

Präëäyäma is the fourth limb in Pataïjali’s Asöängayoga and it is an integral part of yogic practices. Breathing techniques are found to be an effective tool in reducing stress and providing relaxation. The präëäyäma is made as a discipline and a therapeutic tool by the followers of Haöhayoga.  The heat dissipating präëäyäma is one of the kumbhakas mentioned in haöha yoga. So far no one has compiled the details of cooling präëäyäma and compared the techniques of sétkäré according to different yogic texts. The aim was to collect all the information regarding sétkäré, one of the heat dissipating präëäyämas, from traditional and complimentary Yoga textbooks.The study also aims at reviewing the ancient statements about sétkäré to more understandable physiological perspective and to compare and co-relate the techniques of Sétkäré according to different yogic texts.

            This study is basically a review of the literature on cooling präëäyäma especially the sétkäré. It also explains the techniques, advanced practices, physiological effect, precautions and contraindications of sétkäré based on different traditional and complimentary texts on yoga. The study reveals the similarities and differences in the description of sétkäré by different authors. The details give a better understanding of the cooling präëäyäma, sétkäré in all the aspects. This search gives collective information about sétkäré for future references and also helps in identifying the areas of future research.

CONCLUSION

This study is basically a review of the literature on cooling präëäyäma especially
sétkäré. Cooling pranayama is said to have relaxing effect on the body and it is heat dissipating. This quality is attributed to the way in which it is practiced. There are certain variations in the technique of sétkäré in the ancient and conventional yoga text books. Despite giving the collective information on sétkäré, this study also compare the different ways in which sétkäré is explained. Though there is no much difference, some authors vary in their description. The interest here is not to contradict any techniques explained but to give collective and valuable information regarding this particular pranayama. It also explains the techniques, advanced practices, physiological effect, precautions and contraindications of sétkäré based on different traditional and complimentary texts on yoga. The study also reveals the similarities and differences in the description of sétkäré by different authors. The details give a better understanding of the cooling präëäyäma, sétkäré in all the aspects. This search gives collective information about sétkäré for future references and also helps in identifying the areas of future research.  This study also provide guidance to maintain  good health as well as guides  aspirant in the spiritual progress.

Part II: Immediate Effect of Sheetkari on Galvanic Skin Resistance & Heart Rate Variability

The influence of various yogic practices in modulating the autonomic balance is well studied and documented earlier. Though there are many studies conducted to understand the autonomic changes following other pränayäma, Sétkäri, a cooling pränayäma mentioned in the ancient Hata yoga text was not studied earlier. This study is carried out to understand the immediate effect of sétkäri on the autonomic status and using heart rate variability (HRV), one of the specific indicators of the 2 divisions of autonomic system.  30 healthy volunteers whose mean age is 28.46± 5.33, was studied in 2 sessions i.e. sétkäri and breath awareness using self as control design. A reorientation program on the technique of sétkäri was given for a week and the recording was done on the consecutive days for each practice using the HRV instrument ML795Power lab16SP, chart4 version, AD instruments, Australia. Heart rate variability was assessed in 5 min resting data before and after the practice of sétkäri and breath awareness which was selected from the 10 minutes recording by visual inspection. The results of paired t test shows a significant increase (p<0.001) in RR interval and reduction (p<0.001) in heart rate in both the groups. Systolic pressure was significantly (p<0.001) reduced in yoga but the reduction was not significant in control group. Pulse pressure has reduced both in yoga (p=.003) and in control (p=.037) but the significance of reduction was more in yoga group compared to control group.  There was significant change shown in LF, HF and LF/HF ratio between the 2 sessions.  LF component was increased and HF component was reduced in both the group, but the percentage of increase in LF (8.4%) was more in control when compared to yoga group (4.11%). The percentage of reduction in HF was less in yoga (4.8%) compared to control (7.4%).  The percentage of increase in LF/HF ratio was more in control group (7.07%) when compared to yoga group (1.2%). This suggests that there was more sympathetic arousal in control when compared to yoga group. The results also reflect a selective sympathetic stimulation on heart (increased LF) along with the sympathetic relaxation suggested by reduced heart rate and systolic pressure.

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
The result of this self control study in 30 healthy volunteers with an aim to understand the immediate effect of sétkäri on heart rate variability showed that there were significant differences in autonomic variables, other than HRV variables, following the practice of Sitkari as compared to breath awareness session. The subjects were studied using ‘self as control’ design in 2 different sessions i.e. Sétkäri (SS) and Breath Awareness (BAS). The results showed a significant increase (p<0.001) in RR interval and reduction (p<0.001) in heart rate in both the sessions. Systolic pressure was significantly (p<0.001) reduced in SS but the reduction was not significant in BAS. Pulse pressure has reduced both in SS (p=.003) and in BAS (p=.037) but the significance of reduction is more in SS compared to BAS. No significant change was noticed in VLF, LF & HF components of the HRV spectrum though there was a non significant increase in LF & LF/HF ratio and a reduction in HF following both sessions. The changes in the Valsalva response though not significant suggests that SS had an influence on parasympathetic response where as BAS did not change the parasympathetic response. The changes in diastolic blood pressure in isometric hand grip though not significant suggests noninvolvement of peripheral sympathetic response following Sitkari. These results seems to validate our hypothesis based on the scriptural references that Sitkari is more relaxing and hence it is classified as cooling type of pranayma. Significant reduction of systolic & trend in diastolic blood pressure following Sitkari suggests increased parasympathetic tone in sitkari compared with breath awareness supporting the hypothesis. Where as following BAS, the diastolic pressure increased suggesting some amount of sympathetic activation (as suggested by the IHG) is noticed. Therefore it is concluded that Sitkari has an effect on cardiac output and the peripheral resistance thereby an effect on baroreceptor mechanisms involving the control of blood pressure. 
Hence it must be an inevitable part of anti hypertensive treatment regime in yogic management of Hypertension.

Keywords: Shitkari, Yogic Texts,Sheetkari,Galvanic Skin Resistance , Heart Rate Variability.