PAST RESEARCH (2003 to 2007)

In the last four years Divya Yog Mandir (Trust)- Patanjali Yogpeeth, Hardwar initiated scientific research on Yog with a special emphasis on Pranayam as taught by H.H. Swami Ramdevji.

This research effort culminated in a book ‘Yog In Synergy With Medical Science’ authored by Pujya Acharya Balkrishnakji. (Divya Prakashan, Divya Yog Mandir, Trust, Haridwar, India, 2007). The research is detailed in Chapters 5 and 6.

[i] The first set of studies were conducted in a series of Residential Camps at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar. The participants were patients with a wide range of illnesses, specially targeting (i) obesity, (ii) diabetes, and (iii) hypertension. Medical professionals from national and state government medical institutions were involved in these trials which may be described as ‘prospective non-controlled trials’. To offset the disadvantage of having no control group the trials included large numbers of participants, of both sexes, and varying ages ranging between 1304 and 1868.

Many of the variables (such as pulmonary function tests, blood pressure levels, serum lipid profile, electrocardiogram abnormalities) studied have been reported in earlier trials investigating the effects of Yog. However an interesting feature of these trials is that results were presented in terms of number of persons who showed an improvement/ who worsened/ or who showed no change.

Given the large numbers of participants this is an interesting innovation in approaching pre-post intervention analysis. Most of the variables did show that patients shifted towards improvement following Yog. The book also presents a brief discussion on the possible mechanisms underlying the improvement.

[ii] Another trial was conducted on 128 out-patients department patients who presented with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Assessments were pre-post 40 days of Yog. This was a prospective, non-controlled, longitudinal trial. Bone mineral density was found to improve after Yog.

[iii] Yog for sports participants – was the third study, carried out on team members of the football team who later played for the World Cup. The physical fitness and exercise performance were assessed with standard variables at the beginning and end of a7-day intensive Yog training. The results suggested that the training was beneficial and improved various aspects of physical fitness and exercise performance.

[iv] A separate set of studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (the U.K.) which looked at the effect of Yog for the most prevalent problems there, such as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, among others. This prevalence was mainly true for specific sub-categories of the Indian immigrant population.

Here also, prospective, short-duration, intensive, non-controlled trials showed that Yog practice was clinically useful.

[v] A controlled trial was conducted on 119 participants in a 10-day Yog Camp, with a follow-up after 3 months. This trial was conducted in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Yog Research Foundation, Bangalore; Sanjay Gandhi Medical Institute, Lucknow, and Sahara India Medical Institute, Lucknow.

Participants were assigned to two groups by the experimenter: Yog and non-Yog, control. The variables studied included hormones (e.g., cortisol, endorphins, prolactin); body mass index, polygraph recordings of the heart rate, breath rate, stress indicators (such as skin resistance and cutaneous blood flow), as well as performance in tasks for attention, concentration, and muscle fatigue.

These data were amenable to statistical analysis and the results are presented in detail (pages 172-196). The short term (10 days) and 3 month followup showed various neuroendocrine, autonomic, and performance-related benefits of Yog.

[vi] A large scale survey was conducted on 84,663 people from across the sub-continent to assess their attitudes towards various aspects of lifestyle and Yog. It was of great interest to note that the sample was variegated and representative, including almost comparable numbers of people of both genders. Different age groups, levels of education, occupations, and economic status, as well as their residence in urban or rural areas. This was important to note as this was not a systematic randomized selection; nonetheless it appeared adequately representative. A surprisingly large number of participants mentioned that they were regularly practicing Yog (81.9%)

This large scale survey also examined the time of the day people were most likely to practice Yog , the conditions which improved the most and other interesting facts (e.g., a shift in attitude with better respect for older people after practicing Yog ) or a greater likelihood of stopping the consumption of fast food). Approximately 83 percent reported that they believed that Patanjali Yogpeeth had played a definite role in establishing Yog as a science.

Finally, Chapter 8 has a vast number of detailed testimonials from people who have benefited from Yog practice as taught by Swami Ramdevji, most often in the Yog Camps. These cover widely differing conditions and include cancer, degenerative disorders, as well as the to-be-expected conditions such as obesity.

PRESENT RESEARCH (2007)

ABOUT US

Vision

Patanjali Yog and Ayurved Anusandhan Sansthan is committed to scientifically evaluate the physiological and clinical effects of Yog and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji and the Ayurvedic medicines formulated by Acharya Balakrishanji.

Research Objectives

Patanjali Yog and Ayurved Anusandhan Sansthan aims to:

1. Establish a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to Yog and Ayurvedic research i.e., Institute of Yog Research and Institute of Ayurved Research

2. Establish advanced research Centres for the study of Yog and Ayurved
3. Critically evaluate the effects of Yog and Pranayam in Health and Disease
4. Critically evaluate the effects of Ayurved in Health and Disease
5. Play a pioneering role in Holistic Health Education
6. Offer Yog and Ayurved as the therapeutic management of strategy of choice for various illness

THE TEAM

Research Team Yog Research

Acharya Balakrishna

Chairman, Research and Development

RESEARCH CONSULTANTS:

Shirley Telles, M.B., B.S., M.Phil., Ph.D. (Neurophysiology), D.Sc. (Yog )

Naveen K.V., B.N.Y.S., Ph.D. (Psychophysiology and Yog )

Scientist B: Dr. Avnish Upadyay, B.Sc., B.A.M.S., P.G.D.C.R.

Scientist B: Mrs. Nilima Sanjay Kumar, M.Ed., M.Phil.

Scientist A: Dr. Subhash Naik, B.A.M.S.

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD

Being Established

INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE

Being Established

ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR YOG AND PRANAYAM RESEARCH

National

Being Established

International

Being Established

CURRENT RESEARCH

Research Areas

1. Physiological effects of Yog and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji

2. Psychological effects of Yog and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji
3. Clinical effects of Yog and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji
4. Disease Prevention, Health Promotion and Health Education through Yog and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji
5. Applications of Yog and Pranayam in:

Research Projects

COMPLETED PROJECTS

1      Field studies in the ‘Yog and Pranayam Camps (Yog vijan shivir) was conducted in collaboration with local medical institutions viz., Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow and Swami Vivekananda Yog Research Foundation [A Yog University], Bangalore

2      Effect of ‘7 day Residential Camp on Yog and Pranayam (Yog vijan shivir) on clinical outcomes of psychosomatic diseases

3      Effect of two Pranayam techniques on six letter cancellation task in experienced Yog teachers

4      Effect of Kapalabhati on six letter cancellation task in medical students [Collaborative Project with JSS Institute of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ooty, TN, India]

5      Positive impact of Yog and Pranayam on obesity, hypertension, blood sugar and cholesterol: a pilot assessment

6      The role of Yog, Pranayam and Ayurved in the prevention and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

CURRENT PROJECTS

1      Effect of Yog and Pranayam on physical fitness, work performance and psychological stress in new army recruits [Collaborative Project with Bengal Engineering Group & Centre, Roorkee and Swami Vivekananda Yog Research Foundation [A Yog University], Bangalore]

2    Effect of Yog and Pranayam on physical fitness, mental health, scholastic performance, vision and oral hygiene in children at a residential school: A randomized longitudinal study. A multi-disciplinary project between Dept. of Yog Research, Dental Sciences and Opthalmology in collaboration with Divya Prema Seva Mission, Haridwar]

CENTRALIZED RESEARCH FACILITIES

1. Centralized Facility for Biochemistry, Haematology, Histopathology and Serolog

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1. Centralized Facility for Microbiology and Cytobiochemistry

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1. Centralized Facility for Panchakarma

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1. Centralized Facility for Dental Sciences

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1. Centralized Facility for Opthalomology

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1. Centralized Facility for Medical Imaging

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1. Centralized Facility for Cardio-respiratory diagnostic services

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1. Centralized Facility for Medical Library and Informatio

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1. Centralized Facility for Medicinal Herbarium

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RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Note: All journals cited below are indexed in Medline and/or Psychlit/PsychInfo. Author for correspondence underlined.

1. Manjunath N.K. and Telles, S. (2007). Effect of Yog and an Ayurved preparation on gait, balance and mobility in older persons. Medical Science Monitor [In Press].

2. Telles, S., Puthige, R. and Kalkuni Visweswaraiah, N. (2007). An Ayurvedic basis for using honey to treat herpes Comment to: Topical honey application vs. acyclovir for the treatment of the recurrent herpes simplex lesions. Medical Science Monitor. 13(11): LE17-17.
3. Gokal R, Shillito L, Ramdev Swami. (2007). Positive Impact of Yog and Pranayaam on obesity, hypertension, blood sugar and cholesterol – a pilot assessment. Journal of Alternate and Complimentary Medicine [In Press].

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Note: Presenting Author underlined.

National

1      Shirley Telles, Naveen, K.V. and Nilima, S.K. Effectiveness of two Yog techniques on performance in a letter cancellation test. The annual conference of the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India, Vishakapatnam, December 26-30, 2007.

2      Shirley Telles, Naveen, K.V. and Subramanya, P. A correlation between hand grip strength, leg and back strength and body composition in new army recruits. The annual conference of the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India, Vishakapatnam, December 26-30, 2007.

International

1      R Gokal, A Upadhaya, B Acharyaji, Ramdev Swami. The role of Yog, Pranayam and Ayurved in the prevention and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). 6th Annual Conference on Prevention in Renal disease, Toronto, September 28-29, 2007

Abstract:

The role of Yog, Pranayam and Ayurved in the prevention and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

R Gokal, A Upadhaya, B Acharyaji, Swami Ramdevji Maharaj.

Patanjali Yog Peeth, Harwar, India and Manchester UK.

Yog is an integral part of the ancient medical system in the Ayurvedic tradition going back over 5000 years and which usually incorporates Pranayam (deep breathing exercises), asanas (postures), meditation and Ayurvedic preparations.. It has been practised in India for thousands of years, and been used as a therapeutic intervention in Indian medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. We present here a preliminary experience of the use of Yog, Pranayam and Ayurvedic preparations in the prevention and amelioration of established CKD in our institution in Hardwar, India.

In 25 patients (mean age 43 years; 10 female, 15 male) with established stage III – V CKD, renal function was measured before and after 1-3 months of Pranayam (1 hour daily) and a variety of Ayurvedic (herbal) preparations. The primary cause of renal failure was unknown in 6, diabetes in 4, hypertension in 13 and nephritis and obstructive nephropathy in the remaining.

There was a significant improvement in eGFR from a mean of 13.5 to 40.8 mL/min/m2 (p<0.001) with a corresponding fall in serum creatinine from 483 to 231 umol/L (p<0.001) and serum urea from 36.6 to 17.9 mmol/L (p<0.001). Conventional therapy was continued unaltered and managed by their own allopathic physicians.

These preliminary results show a dramatic improvement in the renal function in patients with established CKD using Yog, Pranayam and Ayurvedic preparations. Whilst there are several limitations in study design, the results show the potential for the use of complementary therapy and approach in treating CKD. Further studies into this interesting area are justified.

Address for correspondence

Prof R Gokal

3 Winchester Park, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2TN UK.

Tel 44 161 445 3091

Mob +44 79290 87972

Email: ramgokal@aol.com

FUTURE PLANS (2008 onwards)

FUTURE PROJECTS

1     Impact of Yog and Pranayam as taught in Camps on public health

2     Clinical effects of all seven Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in major psycho-somatic diseases

3     Psycho-physiological effects of Pranayam in athletes undergoing intensive sports training

4     Effect of Pranayam on patients undergoing residential Pranayam Camp: a retrospective study

5     Inter-departmental research: Explore the possible projects with OPD, Panchakarma Clinic & Research Centre, Dental Clinic & Research Centre and Opthalmology Clinic & Research Centre, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar

6     Yog and Pranayam in the management of Essential Hypertension: a nationwide efficacy trial [Collaborative Project with INCLEN, New Delhi]

7     Yog and Pranayam in the clinical management of HIV positive patients: a preliminary clinical trial [Collaborative Project with Government of Jharkhand]

Yog and Pranayam in the clinical management of patients with Diabetic Retinopathy: a preliminary clinical trial [Collaborative Project with Dr. PN Mahendra Eye Institute & Khairabad Eye Hospital, Kanpur]

RESEARCH CENTRES

1. Centre for Psychophysiology

2. Centre for Psycho-neuro-immunology, Molecular Biology and Genetics
3. Centre for Psychosomatic Medicine & Research
4. Centre for Yog Education, Publications & Training
5. Centre for Medical and Psychiatric Rehabilitation
6. Centre for Aging Studies
7. Centre for Public Health and Hygiene and
8. Centre for Global Health

1. CENTRE FOR PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY

1.1 Research Areas

1. • Psychophysiology and its’ implications in health and disease
   • Psychophysiology of Yog and spirituality
   • Psychophysiology and of ‘Breathing and its’ maneuvers’ and
   • Psychophysiology of Voluntarily Regulated Yog Breathing [Pranayam]

1.2 Objectives of the Centre:

1.2.1 To study the immediate effect of each of the seven Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji on:

• Autonomic and Respiratory Variables

• Metabolism

• Performance in neuro-cognitive Tasks and

• EEG, Evoked Potentials and Cerebral Blood Flow

1.2.2    To study the cumulative effect of the seven Pranayam techniques practiced over a period of time on:

• Autonomic and Respiratory Variables

• Metabolism

• Performance in neuro-cognitive Tasks and

• EEG, Evoked Potentials and Cerebral Blood Flow

1.2.3   To study the effect of the seven Pranayam techniques in different age groups and

1.2.4   To study the effect of the seven Pranayam techniques in different populations

1.3      Research Laboratories:

PROPOSED LABORATORIES

• Autonomic and Respiratory Laboratory

• Metabolic Laboratory and

• Neuro-psychology and Skill Testing Laboratory

• Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory

• Psychology Laboratory

2. CENTRE FOR PSYCHO-NEURO-IMMUNOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS

2.1 Research Areas

• Psycho-neuro-immunology and its’ implications in health and disease

• Molecular biology and genetic basis of Yog and spirituality

• Molecular biology and genetic basis of ‘Breathing and its’ maneuvers’ and

• Molecular biology and genetic basis of Voluntarily Regulated Yog Breathing [Pranayam]

2.2 Objectives of the Centre:

2.2.1 To study the immediate effect of each of the seven Pranayam techniques as taught by Sw`evji on:

• Biochemical markers

• Indices of pscho-neuro-immunology

• Molecular biological markers and

• Genetic substrates

2.2.2     To study the cumulative effect of the seven Pranayam techniques practiced over a period of time on:

• Biochemical markers

• Indices of pscho-neuro-immunology

• Molecular biological markers and

• Genetic substrates

2.2.3    To study the effect of the seven Pranayam techniques in different age groups and

2.2.4    To study the effect of the seven Pranayam techniques in different populations

2.3 Research Laboratories:

PROPOSED LABORATORIES

• Clinical/Medical Biochemistry

• Neurochemistry

• Molecular Biology

• Cell Biology and

• Genetics

3. CENTRE FOR PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE & RESEARCH

3.1 Research Areas:

• Understanding Body-Mind relationship

• Study of Etiology and Patho-physiology of Psychosomatic diseases

• Modifiable risk factors of Psychosomatic diseases

• Epidemiology of Psychosomatic diseases

• Role of Mind-Modifying techniques in Psychosomatic diseases

• Role of Breath Manipulation in Psychosomatic diseases and

• Role of seven Pranayam techniques in Psychosomatic diseases

3.2 Objectives of the Centre:

3.2.1 To study the effect of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in the prevention of Psychosomatic diseases

3.2.2 To study the effect of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in the management of Psychosomatic diseases

3.2.3 To study the effect of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in the prevention and management of the complications of Psychosomatic diseases

3.3 Clinical Research Units:

PROPOSED Units

• Surgery

• Ophthalmology

• Dental Sciences

• Respiratory Medicine

• Cardiology

• Neurology

• Endocrinology

• Rheumatology and Immunology

• Gastroenterology

• Medical Oncology

4. CENTRE FOR YOG EDUCATION, PUBLICATIONS & TRAINING

4.1 Research Areas:

• Demographic characteristics of Camp participants

• Factors leading to large scale interest in Yog

• Potential of Yog and Pranayam in disease prevention

• Potential of Yog and Pranayam in health promotion

• Potential of Yog and Pranayam in risk management

• Potential of Yog and Pranayam in prevention of complications and

• Potential of Yog and Pranayam in improving overall quality of life

4.2 Objectives of the Centre:

4.2.1 To systematically document the clinical case reports

4.2.2 To study the effect of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in disease prevention

4.2.2 To study the role of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in health promotion

4.2.3 To study the role of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in risk management and

4.2.4 To study the effect of Pranayam techniques as taught by Swami Ramdevji in the prevention of the complications of Psychosomatic diseases

4.3 Proposed Laboratories

A fully equipped basic and clinical unit exclusively for ‘field research’ is being planned which would accompany Swami Ramdevji for systematic documentation of interesting cases in all ‘Yog and Pranayam’ Camps.