Part I: Concept of Svara Yoga
Part II: Nostril Dominance and Performance in Hemisphere Specific Cancellation Task in Normal Volunteers: A Correlation Study
By

Sasmita Samantaray

ABSTRACT
PART-I –Literature Research
Concept of Svara Yoga
Svara Yoga is the ancient science of präëaic body rhythms which explains how the movement of präëa can be controlled by manipulation of the breath. Svara ispräëa, the vital energy force which is the medium for transmission of präëaçakti through the whole body .It deals with various channels through which the präëa flows and vibrates in the subtle body animating the physical body. Svara Yoga also prescribes means to regulate the flow of präëa to ensure good health and longevity. It is most important in the subtle and spiritual realms. The Muëòaka Upaniñada compares the Svara to a bowstring on which the consciousness can be raised to pierce the atman or universal spirit. Breathing not only maintains the physical body, it is a direct medium for the evolution of consciousness.  As far as medical science concerned, it is connected with the purely organic function of the respiratory system. That is correct, but Svara Yoga offers a deeper insight than this, because man’s existence does not begin and end with the physical body. Beyond the physical body exists energy; beyond energy, mind; beyond mind, consciousness; beyond consciousness, supper consciousness. Svara Yoga therefore, studies the flow of energy in order to enable us to come closer to realizing the depth and immensity of the mind, consciousness and cosmos.  Recently modern science has taken great interest in electromagnetic fields and the behavior of bioenergy which is the inherent energy principle of the body. 

  
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The ancient yogés discovered various subtle breathing exercises and understood the body/breath/mind relationship in a profound and comprehensive. According to the svara śāstras, by analysis of the breath, deeper understanding of the cosmos is unfolded, and the wisdom revealed within the Vedas can be realized. The physical act of breathing is said to have a very subtle influence on the level of consciousness, and therefore, the effect of Svara Yoga are also very subtle. It aims at directly awakening the highest human potential. Svara Yoga not only helps those who believe in a supreme reality, but also those who do not have faith and who will also be surprised to discover many truths pertaining to this reality. It is a path which leads to total experience and awakening of the entire being hidden within us.
Breath (präëa) is the inseparablepower of universal life force, the supreme of all created things and the life principle of universe. When präëa is in motion and flows through the nadis, consciousness arises.The science of breath or Svara Yoga has its foundation in the desire to control and understand the präëa. The science of breath is of the highest importance to any student of yoga and is most useful, comprehensive and interesting branch of yoga. The wise should study the regulation ofpräëaif they desire to suspend the activity of the mind or concentrate their will upon the achievement the Yoga. Control of the breath leads to health, an increase in strength and energy, good complexion, increase vitality, the growth of knowledge, and the extension of the life span.

Part II: Nostril Dominance and Performance in Hemisphere Specific Cancellation Task in Normal Volunteers: A Correlation Study An attempt was made to understand the association between the nostril which is dominant at rest and the performance in a cancellation task using verbal information. No statistically significance difference was found between participants who were right nostril dominant and those who were left nostril dominant. However a trend emerged which suggested that right nostril dominant persons performed worse than left nostril dominant persons in this task using verbal information. These results were contrary to earlier studies suggesting that right nostril dominance is associated with better verbal task (left hemispheric) performance whereas left nostril dominance is associated with better spatial task (right hemispheric) performance. Possible reasons for this difference have been given.
  
SUMMARY
 
Background: An association has been reported between the nostril through which we breathe and which cerebral hemisphere is active.
Aims: To understand the association between the nostril dominant at rest and the performance in a cancellation task using verbal information, a left hemisphere task.
Methods: 289 normal, healthy volunteers attending a one week nonresidential yoga camp were assessed in an one time, 30 minute period. Nostril dominance was assessed using a standard method. After this, participants were given the letter cancellation. Following this the nostril dominance was checked once more. For each participant the letters left out, letters wrongly cancelled and total errors were assessed. The Mann Whitney U-test and Chi-Square test were used to assess whether there was a significant difference in cancellation task performance between right nostril dominant persons compared with left nostril dominant persons.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between participants who were right nostril dominant and those who were left nostril dominant. However a trend emerged which suggested that right nostril dominant persons performed worse than left nostril dominant persons in this left hemisphere, verbal task.
Implications: The present results do not support previous findings of contralateral cerebral hemisphere improvement with breathing through a specific nostril. So the implication can not be drawn.
Limitations:
i) The age range was quite wide from 10-79 years
 ii) The time factor for verbal task (letter cancellation task) was also long (4 minutes).
Suggestions: i) The technique of recording the nostril dominance can be improved by using more sophisticated instruments than a slide test, which is gross and objective.
ii) Uniform distance should be maintained between the nostril and the slide.

Key Words: nostril dominance, left cerebral hemisphere, and letter cancellation task.