This week Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian about research exploring the benefits of yogic breathing exercises. Dr. Balasubramanian is an Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine at MUSC, and he leads research related to yogic breathing and health and wellness.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Research is underway in South Carolina to explore the health and wellness benefits of yogic breathing. Doctor Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian is here to talk about the details. Doctor Balasubramanian is an Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine, and he leads research studies focused on health and wellness through yogic breathing for cancer, aging and employee wellness at MUSC. Doctor Balasubramanian, first tell us about yogic breathing.
Dr. Balasubramanian: There are so many different ways of breathing regulation in almost all cultures as a way to control our mind and also improve the physical well-being. It can be inhalation, exhalation, holding in or holding out. In the yoga tradition, it is called yogic breathing or pranayama.
Conner: What is known about the health or wellness impact of practicing yogic breathing on a regular basis?
Dr. Balasubramanian: When we practice this regularly, we will be able to improve the wellbeing overall. That's the idea behind yogic breathing. For example, earlier studies showed that breathing exercises can improve the respiratory function and mental health in practitioners.
Conner: Tell us about the research you've been involved in at MUSC that studies the health and wellness benefits of yogic breathing.
Dr. Balasubramanian: We first showed that yogic breathing can stimulate salivary secretion because of that relaxation response that breathing exercises can stimulate. So, the saliva that's produced after yogic breathing exercises contains many useful biochemicals, for example proteins like nerve growth factor, different types of immunoglobulins, tumor suppressors are some of the molecules that we identified to be expressed after a breathing exercise.
Conner: And tell us about the groups that you've been working with for these various studies related to yogic breathing.
Dr. Balasubramanian: We studied yogic breathing with people with cancer during their treatment and their caregivers, aging, scleroderma and in employee wellness. The most recent study that we have completed is from breast cancer patients after radiation treatment. This study showed a reduction in depression and anxiety. And also, we have seen improvement in molecules that would reflect the functions of the immune system and the nervous system.
Conner: And I understand you're doing other new programs related to yogic breathing, especially for people who have just been diagnosed with cancer.
Dr. Balasubramanian: Yes, based on inputs from previous studies, we learned that these breathing exercises can be introduced just after the recent diagnosis of cancer. Our new programs will introduce breathing exercises before their treatment, either it is radiation or any other type of treatment. So, people will be able to use them during the therapy. After radiation treatment, people will still be able to learn and practice these exercises to maintain good health. So, we have programs to introduce these exercises after treatment as well.
Conner: Doctor Balasubramanian, thanks so much for this information about yogic breathing.
Dr. Balasubramanian: It's a great pleasure.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
