Abstract
Background
The meditative postures are supposed to provide a stable base, induce alertness and physiological rest so that the seeker can remain in the posture for longer durations. While the earlier studies have looked at the ventilatory capacities and energy expenditure during the practice, no attempts have been made to understand the changes in autonomic functions following the practice of meditative postures.
Methods
Thirty normal healthy male volunteers (group average age ± S.D., 23.63 ± 3.91 years) were studied to evaluate the influence of Padmäsana (a meditative yoga posture) on the autonomic functions. Recordings were made for 5 minutes before, during and after the practice of Padmäsana as well as Sukhäsana. A four Channel Polygraph (RMS, Chandigarh, India) was used to record Heart rate (HR), Respiratory rate (RR), Galvanic skin resistance (GSR) and Finger plethysmogram amplitude (PLT) as well as the components of HRV. The data were analyzed separately using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results
The practice of Padmäsana has decreased significant the GSR during and after and FPA during. Also, there was a significant decreased in HR and increased in FPA after the practice compared to during values. Following Sukhäsana the GSR and HR have decreased during and after the practice.
Conclusion
It was concluded that though both Padmäsana and Sukhäsana show signs of arousal during the practice, Padmäsana is more relaxing after the practice compared to Sukhäsana.
Key words
Padmäsana, Sukhäsana and autonomic functions.
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