Effects of two yoga based relaxation techniques on heart rate variability (HRV).

Abstract

Meditation is a specific state of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation and internalized attention (Murata, et al., 2004). Different meditation techniques and their physiological effects have been studied using a range of variables. Transcendental meditation (TM) involves mentally repeating a string of words (amantram) with eyes closed and returning attention to it whenever attention wanders. In 15 college students, 30 minutes of TM practice caused a reduction in heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen consumption and an increase in galvanic skin resistance suggesting a reduction in sympathetic arousal (Wallace, 1970). A subsequent study showed a similar trend of reduction in heart rate, total ventilation, and oxygen consumption and a greater stability of the electrodermal response. Based on these