Proficient respiratory exercise in yoga is effective for activation of cellular immunity

摘要

We can see some reports of physical changes describing how yoga improves respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and metabolic functions. We examined changes of EEG and cellular immunity before, during, and after yoga exercises, in an endeavor to detect the correlation between them. The subjects consisted of eight yoga instructors who had been practicing yoga for several years. A 10-minute-rest period, followed by a 15-minute yoga exercise, and a 15-minute respiratory exercise called pranayama, and a meditation were performed. Brain rhythms were recorded via right forehead electrode (Fp2). Blood samples were drawn before and after each exercise. NK activity and lymphocyte subsets were measured. During the pranayama period, both a positive correlation between the change in abundance of the activated alpha waves and the ratio of changes in NK activity, and a positive correlation between the change in amplitude of the activated alpha waves and the ratio of change in the number of CD4 were observed. We conclude that yogic respiratory exercise may be able to activate cellular immunity and to help recover the mental and physical harmony of human.