EFFECT OF BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA ON AUDITORY-VERBAL AND VISUAL MEMORY IN SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Yoga is an ancient Indian science as well as the way of life. Yoga includes pranayama as one of its limb. Pranayama increases pulmonary function when mix with many other breathing practices. But the aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of only Bhramari Pranayama and OM chanting on pulmonary function in healthy individuals.

Bhramari is a Sanskrit word which means humming bee, and this pranayama got its name because in Bhramari Pranayama one will produce or imitate humming sound of the humming bee while exhaling through nasal cavity keeping oral cavity closed at the lips. While doing so eyelids are shut down, ears are kept closed by fingers or ear flap and concentration is kept at the eyebrow center. There are other ways also of doing Bhramari pranayama however; variation is only with body postures and production of humming sound during exhalation and inhalation. Explanations of different ways of doing Bhramari pranayama can be found in the ancient texts. Bhramari pranayama has been found to be effective in controlling blood pressure both high and low, reducing tension, bringing relaxation, improving condition of ear, throat, nose and sinus, reducing cerebral tension, hypertension, anxiety and in healing many other mental problems claimed by different subjects (Svatmarama, 1883).