subject: Secret of breath [print this page] Secret of breath Secret of breath
According to NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older, that is, about one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. The question is how effective are the anti-depressants medications in curing depression? The medications may relieve the symptoms but not necessarily address the root cause and hence rarely provide a long term solution. This might explain the increasing interest in CAM (Complimentary or Alternative medical therapy) in the recent times.
Are there Alternative therapies that can produce dependable positive results in the area of mental health? Many independent researches has shown that the practice of yoga , breathing techniques and meditation are very useful in treating depression. Kristen from Randolph, New Jersey , says "After struggling for more than a decade with anxiety and depression, I found the cure for all of the emptiness, hopelessness and frustration I felt in so many areas of my life when an acquaintance introduced me to the programs offered through the Art of Living. The breathing, meditation and yoga techniques I've been taught and the knowledge I have gained through participating in these beautiful courses have transformed my life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am forever grateful. "
The Art of living foundation offers stress elimination programs which have had a positive impact on millions of people in 150 countries. The cornerstone of the course is "Sudarshan Kriya" a powerful and unique breathing technique that incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to harmonise the body, mind and emotions.
Observation reveals that every emotion is associated with a certain breath pattern , for example ,when one is afraid the breath becomes fast and shallow. When we are depressed, the breath is a short inhale followed by a prolonged, heavy exhale. When we are contented the breath is light with balanced inhalation and exhalation.
The breath is the link between body and mind and thus is the key to handling the mind and negative emotions to release one's true potential at work, at home or at leisure. Neither at school nor at home are we taught what to do when they are upset or angry or depressed. The first thing we did when we came on this planet was we took a deep breath in and then we started to cry. The last thing we'll be doing is breathing out and make others cry, if we lead a good life! In between these two breath is what we call life. We are constantly breathing in and out, but we have learnt very little about our breath! "Breath has a greater secret to offer "says Sri Sri Ravishankar , the founder of Art Of Living foundation whose vision is to create a stress free and violence free society. In Sudarshan Kriya , the breath is used as a tool to rid the system of stress and to restore and promote optimal health.
Independent studies have shown that Sudarshan Kriya and accompanying breathing techniques demonstrated 68-73% success rate in treating people suffering from depression, regardless of severity of the depression. Dr. Janakiramaiah, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.H., psychiatrist, medical researcher, and Director of the Yoga Research Group at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (N.I.M.H.A.N.S.) of India has conducted several of these studies. He concluded that Sudarshan Kriya has "remarkable therapeutic effects" and "is clinically feasible and effective". It has the potential to become a first-line treatment of dysthymic [chronic, mild depression] patients and possibly in mild and moderate forms of major depressive disorder."
These techniques are not only proving to be effective in improving health and well being but also is without any side effects and a lot lighter on the pocket compared to the money one has to spend otherwise .
To know more about the Art Of Living Foundation and the programs that it offers, visit www.artofliving.org
Reference: (www.aolresearch.org) ,NIMH.ORG,Harvard Health Publications-Yoga for Anxiety and Depression
