SCIENCE OF BREATH IN CANCER MANAGEMENT

Dr. Vinod Kochupillai
Chief, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
New Delhi, India.

Introduction:

Scientific studies suggest connections between body and mind implying that emotional state and thought processes affect brain and endocrine system and also immune system. A new discipline has emerged based on these concepts called Psychoneuroimmunology or mind-body system.

Effect of Stress on Thoughts and Emotions

Perception of stress leads to restlessness, anxiety, irritability or aggressive behavior and/or a state of panic; in extreme cases, even addiction to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Negative emotions surface in the form of hatred, dislike, jealousy,' greed, possessiveness, lust, arrogance and anger.

Further, interpersonal relationships are adversely affected, work output decreases and power of concentration wanes. Efficiency goes down and memory weakens. Most of us are afraid to acknowledge our negativity and so we begin finding fault with others. We start complaining, which adds further to our stress; a vicious cycle begins.

Effect of Stress on Body

Body too is affected by stress. Pulse increases; heart pounds and we start perspiring hands become cold and clammy. This is caused by the release of several hormones, chemicals and cytokines from our endocrine glands and immune cells, which are activated in response to the perception of stress.

While the body can adapt to acute stress and does not suffer much damage, exposure or perception of repeated stressful situations (chronic stress) leads to irreversible psychological changes, resulting in diseased states like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, asthma, gastrointestinal ulcers, viral infections, migraine/non-specific headaches, etc..

Processes to counter Stress

Over the centuries, many Sages and Rishis recommended the practice of yoga, meditation and pranayama to prevent or alter our reactions to stress. More recently, Sadguru Sri Sri RavishankarJi has introduced Sudarshan Kriya (SK). These are the processes, which not only affect the mind and body, but also take us beyond, towards the very source of our mind, body and emotions consciousness.

Pranayam is an ancient wisdom. It directs or regulates our IIprana" subtle life force energy, the very essence of our life. Its regular practice activates and harmonizes many biological rhythms including brain rhythm, heartbeat, enzyme rhythm and mental and emotional rhythm.

Sudarshan Kriya introduced by Sadguru Sri Sri Ravishankar is a rhythmic breathing process. Three different rhythms in a cyclical fashion are introduced to participants through Art of Living (AOL) workshops of 22 24 hours spread over six days.
According to Sri Sri Ravishankar: "Breath and mind are linked like body and mind. Breath sorts out the imbalances in the mind and the body. It is the secret of life, we have forgotten".

Pure Consciousness

SK & p are the processes, which remind us of this fact. They are the vehicles, which transport us to our very source pure consciousness. Stress is perceived, only when our consciousness if flowing outwards, when our mind, senses, and emotions are connected to the outside world, to the environment, and to the events of life. But when the consciousness is turned in-wards. when senses, thoughts and emotions are harmonized with consciousness, we experience "state of pure consciousness" where there is no stress, one perceives only joy.

It needs to be emphasized that knowledge of this state of pure consciousness at an intellectual level is not enough. One has to experience/realize this state, for it to affect a change at the level of our psyche thoughts, emotions and body.

Subjective responses to SK&P

Those practicing SK & p on regular basis claim that their negative emotions gradually turn to positive ones, unnecessary thoughts begin to vanish from mind, and the body begins to look and feel younger and healthier. As doctors and scientists, however, we were not willing to accept these claims at face value. For this reason, research was initiated by seven departments at AIIMS, NIMHANS, Bangalore and by Bangalore Medical College.

Research at AIIMS

We figured that if indeed there are two states of consciousness, one flowing outwards connected to outside world and another flowing inwards, which harmonized the body thoughts and emotions, then the body physiology in these states must differ. Therefore, we studied physiological and biochemical parameters related to the brain, endocrine system, immune system and the body's other defense mechanisms before and after SK & p to see not only the immediate changes, but also the long-term effects on body and mind.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

EEG changes were recorded on 19 Art of Living teachers and compared with 15 controls (doctors and researchers from within AIIMS not practicing SK & ~ Yoga or Meditation), to study the long-term effects of SK&P.

Significant increase in beta activity was observed in the left frontal, occipital and midline regions among AOL teachers compared to controls (p <0.05). Neurologists interpreted these findings as indicative of heightened alertness.

EEG in 5 AOL female teachers in the age group 35 45 with similar socio-economic and educational background was studied during SK&P Increase in alpha activity was demonstrable in both the hemispheres with interspersed persistence of beta activity. This indicated a state of relaxed alertness.

Effect on Stress hormone Cortisol

That SK&P indeed leads to relaxation was confirmed further by the measurement of blood cortical (a hormone known as stress hormone) in 21 healthy individuals in 35 50 years of age. Results were compared among AOL teachers vs. beginners and also among beginners during SK & p vs. listening to classical music. AOL teachers had lower blood cortical levels at the base line indicating that they are less stressed when compared to beginners; there was further fall during Kriya suggesting that SK needs to be practiced regularly to maintain relaxed state of mind Among beginners, fall was greater during SK & p as compared to when they were Jistening to music. Confirming that SK&P was indeed more relaxing than listening to classical music.

Blood lactate is another chemical, which increases

During stress. Those undergoing police training are a

Highly stressed group as they undergo intense physical

Training on a daily basis. Blood lactate was measured

In 10 such individuals before and after SK & P; There

Was a marked fall confirming that SK&P) induced a

State of relaxation

Effect on immune system:

Effect on Immune System System that protects us from disease. Natural

Killer INK) cells are the surveillance cells of immune system and are

Capable of destroying tumor cells as well as infected cells. These were

Enumerated in the Peripheral Blood (PB) of AOL teachers, normal

Individuals not practicing SK&P and cancer patients NK cells were found

To be siqnificantly higher (p<O.OOl) in AOL teachers compared to

Normal Individuals and cancer patients. Cancer patients were then

Subjected to AOL workshop; over 3-6 months of regular practice of SK

And p they demonstrated an increase in NK cells. This study is as yet

An ongoing One, and definite conclusions are awaited.

Antioxidant Enzymes

The body is repeatedly exposed to chemicals and pollutants in the environment due to which free radicals are generated; these react with oxygen and cause oxidant damage leading to several diseases including cancer. To counteract these, our body has a defense system in the form of antioxidant enzymes.
Effect on depression
Studies carried out at AIIMS, as well as Bangalore Medical College has indicated an increase in antioxidant enzymes after SK (p<O.O5) indicating improved antioxidant defense.

Effect on blood cholesterol

Studies conducted at the Bangalore Medical College demonstrated a significant fall in serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol. This would make SK & p a tool for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Effect on Depression
NIMHANS Bangalore recorded a 70% cure rate in individuals suffering from depression. SK & p were as effective as drugs without the side effects. This was also both cost effective and self-empowering. Following SK&P brain wave patterns were found to normalize and serum prolactin increased.

Conclusion

With regular practice of SK&P one experiences flow of positive emotions, replacing anger, frustration and jealousy. The body feels younger and healthier and the mind feels calmer. EEG, blood cortical and blood lactate levels reflect a state of relaxation, yet alertness. Increase in NK cells and antioxidant enzymes suggest that regular practice might prevent many diseases including infections and possibly even cancer. Fall in cholesterol may prevent cardiac diseases and depression is cured in 70% of cases. Thus, even though further studies are needed, available data so far serves to validate the subjective claims of a healthier body, calmer mind, and balanced emotions.