The Secret of the Breath

by Gayathri Uchila

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Synopsis: 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. 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 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. 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.
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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