Becky Blab

Spatio-Temporal EEG Spectral Analysis of
Shambhavi Maha Mudra Practice in Isha Yoga

http://www.ishafoundation.org/news/happenings/Shambavi.pdf

Abstract: An effort was made to analyze the cerebral electrical activity of nine experienced Isha Yoga practitioners by means of EEG recordings. The EEG data was recorded before and after Shambhavi Maha Mudra practice in Isha Yoga, which is considered to be an antidote to stress. A complete spectral and statistical analysis was done on the data collected to analyze the changes in delta, theta, alpha and beta rhythms. The analysis of the mean relative band power of the data collected after the practice showed a high increase in the delta band power [p<0.05 for F4 & F8] accompanied by an increase in theta band power. There was also a marked decrease in beta band power [p<0.05 for O2, C3 & T3] almost throughout the entire hemisphere and a slight decrease in alpha band power in fronto-parietal and midline brain regions. Furthermore, an increase in coherence between the left and right hemisphere was observed accompanied by a high increase in slow-wave progression [(Delta+Theta)/Alpha] in most of the brain regions. The results clearly show a higher level of mental and lower level of physical consciousness experienced in Shambhavi Maha Mudra Practice in Isha Yoga.

Heart Rate Dynamics during Shambhavi Mahamudra- A Practice of Isha Yoga

http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol5/iss1/22/

This study was designed to quantify and compare the instantaneous changes of heart rate variability (HRV) during Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice of Isha yoga. It includes major stages viz. Sukha pranayam, ‘AUM’ chanting, rapid breathing, and relaxed sitting. The standard lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were acquired from eight healthy, yoga practitioners while performing various stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra. The short-term HRV were extracted from ECG, and analyzed using time, frequency-domain and Poincaré plot methods. The results showed a combination of increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone during Sukha pranayam, an increased sympathetic tone during `AUM’ chanting, and withdrawal of vagal tone during rapid breathing. The HRV descriptors were not significantly different during relaxed sitting.

Submitted: February 25, 2008 · Accepted: May 19, 2008 · Published: September 9, 2008