Dr Ananda's invited presentation on "Role of Yogic Relaxation in Cardiac Rehabilitation" during the International Conference on YOGA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, organised at Goa by Ministry of AYUSH on 12-13 November, 2018

1. Yogacharya
Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
MBBS, MD (AM), ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY, C-IAYT
Professor and Director CYTER of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth & Chairman
ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Puducherry, India. yoga@mgmcri.ac.in
Role of Yogic Relaxation
in

2. www.icyer.com

3. SRI BALAJI VIDYAPEETH
(Deemed University Accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC)
Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education
and Research (CYTER)
Salutogenesis, our focus!

4. Bridging the ancient experiential wisdom of Yoga
with empirical modern medical science.
Yoga is usually found in Physical Edu
& Sports deptts of universities
We at CYTER, have it in a medical
institution since 2010
– quality of life enhancing benefits
for ~ 50, 000 patients
– educating future Yoga therapists
(PGDYT, M.Phil, PhD),
– creating awareness amongst
medical, dental and nursing
students & professionals
– scientifically researching Yoga,
– 85 publications & 6 CMEs.
– IDY celebrated since 2015

6. Salutogenesis, our Focus
• Moving from pathogenesis, the focus on disease
towards salutogenesis, the focus on health!
• CYTER is striding forward on an innovative path of
promoting holistic health for one and all.
www.sbvu.ac.in

8. • Man proposes, but God disposes !
• This may be re-phrased as
The Doctor treats, but nature alone heals!
• No one can heal us,
but ourselves!

9. Healing is multifactorial

10. Yoga places great importance on healthy lifestyle,
attitudes and relationships:
ACHAR – healthy physical activities & exercise
VICHAR – right thoughts and right attitude towards
life that are vital for wellbeing.
AHAR – healthy, nourishing diet with adequate intake
of fresh water; balanced intake of fresh food, green
salads, sprouts, unrefined cereals & fresh fruits.
Sattwic diet, prepared & served with love & affection.
VIHAR – proper recreational activities to relax body
and mind are essential for good health.
VYAVAHAR – healthy relationships for social health

11. Relaxation is the key to healing!

12. Relaxation is the key to healing!
• An essential prerequisite for healing.
• We cannot heal when we are stressed.
• Conscious relaxation facilitates self-healing
• All about educing the “Relaxation Response”
• Yoga’s greatest contribution
to modern healthcare!

14. Rehabilitate
& heal !

16. Helps
rehabilitation &
manifests healing
from within
Retards
rehabilitation and
delays healing

17. Do less, and help more!

18. Do less, and help more!
We must not flog
the tired horse!!

21. And in ‘head below the heart’ postures,
the opposite starts to happen!

25. Do less, and help more!
• Reset baroreceptor reflexes- reduce HR & BP by
self-directed relaxation & slow, deep breathing.
• Prolong exhalation phase to enhance cardio-
respiratory coupling (Sinus Arrhythmia).
• Relax vasculature by power of vibratory sound
(Nada) to enhance endogenous NO levels.
• Enhance diastole phase of cardiac cycle thus
improving myocardial perfusion.

26. PRANAYAMA
Pranava, Nadi Shuddhi, Chandra Nadi,
Sukha, Savitri etc
< HR, BP, RPP
> Sinus
arrhythmia
> HRV
Enhanced
cardiac
autonomic
function
> Respiratory
efficiency
Facilitates better cardiac rehabilitation
Reduced
load on
the heart
Enhanced
coronary
perfusion
Natural
collaterals
(arterio-
neogenesis)

27. Bhavanani AB et al. Int J Yoga Ther 2011; 21: 73-76 & Yoga Mimamsa 2012; 44: 101-112. Indian J
Physiol Pharmacol 2012; 56: 273–78 & Biomed Human Kin 2012: 4: 66 – 69. Int J Yoga 2012; 5: 108-11

28. Yogic relaxation
• Psycho-spiritual aspects:
– Letting go:
–prejudices & preconceived notions.
– Giving up:
–stresses and strains
– Giving in:
–to the dictates of the “Inner” mind
– Giving over:
–Ishwara pranidhana & Bhakti Yoga

29. Yogic relaxation
• Marmanasthanam kriya: Part-by-part relaxation
• Spanda-nishpanda kriya : Alternate segmental
tensing and relaxing
• Kaya kriya: Movement of limbs with breath
• Yoga nidraa: +ve body image and visualization
Reduce peripheral resistance
Enhance tissue perfusion &
Facilitate holistic healing!

30. Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological
correlates of rehabilitation
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Retards healing & delays
rehabilitation
S
T
R
E
S
S

31. Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological
correlates of rehabilitation
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Yogic
relaxation
Enhances healing & facilitates
rehabilitation

32. We need to focus on
wholesomeness
&
salutogenesis
and move consciously
from
duhkham to sukham….

33. “Yoga therapy is the process of
empowering individuals to
progress toward improved health
and well-being through the
application of the philosophy and
practice of Yoga”. – IAYT

34. Thank you!

35. SRI BALAJI VIDYAPEETH
(Deemed University Accredited with
“A” Grade by NAAC and Ranked 72 in NIRF 2018 )