Comparative Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Nostril Breathing on Autonomic Function in Yoga Practitioners and Healthy Male Controls

Authors

  • Rajit sharma 1Assistant Professor, Department of Yoga, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College of Physical Education, Nurpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India Author
  • Sunil sharma Assistant Professor, Department of Yoga, Govt. College of Yoga Education and Health, Chandigarh, India. Author
  • Hemant Kumar Kaushik kumar kaushik Research Scholar (Yoga), Department of Naturopathy and Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2025.80501

Keywords:

Autonomic function,, Cardiovascular,, Heart rate variability,, Non-pharmacological, Parasympathetic,, Pranayama,, Sympathetic, Yoga,, nostril breathing

Abstract

Background: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a central role in regulating physiological homeostasis,  particularly cardiovascular and respiratory responses. Yogic breathing practices, including unilateral nostril breathing  (UNB) and bilateral nostril breathing (BNB), have been reported to influence ANS balance. However, differential  autonomic responses to these practices in Yoga-trained versus untrained individuals remain insufficiently understood. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Shaffer F, Ginsberg JP. An overview of heart rate variability metrics and norms. Front Public Health. 2017;5:258. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00258

Saoji AA, Raghavendra BR, Manjunath NK. Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2019;10(1):50-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.008

Telles S, Joseph C, Venkatesh S, Nagarathna R. Changes in autonomic nervous system associated with yoga training. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1996;40(3):262-8.

Telles S, Sharma SK, Yadav A, Singh N, Balkrishna A, Gupta RK. Heart rate variability in practitioners of sudarshan kriya yoga. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(4):CC01-3.

Shannahoff-Khalsa DS. Psychophysiological states: The ultradian dynamics of mind-body interactions. Int J Neurosci. 2007;117(2):179-219.

Chennaoui M, Arnal PJ, Sauvet F, Léger D. Sleep and exercise: A reciprocal issue? Sleep Med Rev. 2015;20:59-72. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2014.06.008

Khattab K, Khattab AA, Ortak J, Richardt G, Bonnemeier H. Iyengar yoga increases cardiac parasympathetic nervous modulation among healthy Yoga practitioners. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007;4(4):511-7. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nem087

Sengupta P. Health impacts of Yoga and pranayama: A state-of-the-art review. Int J Prev Med. 2012;3(7):444-58.

Shannahoff-Khalsa DS. Unilateral forced nostril breathing: Basic science, clinical trials, and selected advanced techniques. Subtle Energies Energy Med J. 2004;15(1):5-24.

Pal GK, Velkumary S, Madanmohan. Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on autonomic functions in normal human volunteers. Indian J Med Res. 2004;120(2):115-21.

Udupa KN, Singh RH, Settiwar RM. A comparative study on the effect of some individual yogic practices in normal persons. Indian J Med Res. 1975;63(8):1066-71.

Telles S, Reddy SK, Nagendra HR. Oxygen consumption and respiration following two yoga relaxation techniques. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2000;25(4):221-7.

Harinath K, Malhotra AS, Pal K, Prasad R, Kumar R, Kain TC, Rai L, Sawhney RC. Effects of hatha yoga and omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance, psychologic profile, and melatonin secretion. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(2):261-8.

Joshi K. Effect of yoga on cardiac parameters. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1992;36(4):265-8.

Gharote ML. Effect of yoga on the parasympathetic nervous system. J Yoga Res Practice. 1993;3(1):15-9.

Bagchi BK, Wenger MA. Electrophysiological correlates of some yogi exercises. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1957;7(2):132-49.

Pramanik T, Sharma HO, Mishra S, Mishra A, Prajapati R, Singh S. Immediate effect of slow pace bhastrika pranayama on blood pressure and heart rate. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(3):293-5.

Tulpule TH, Shah SA, Kamath SG. Yoga and cardiovascular health. J Postgrad Med. 1998;44(1):4-6.

Vijaya Lakshmi P, Nayar U, Krishnamurthy K. Influence of yoga on blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac autonomic functions in hypertensive patients. J Indian Med Assoc. 2004;102(2):96-9.

Sharma, et al. Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Nostril Breathing on Autonomic Function in Yoga Practitioners and Healthy Male Controls. 2025;8(5):1-8.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-06

How to Cite

sharma , R., sharma , S., & kumar kaushik , H. K. K. (2025). Comparative Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Nostril Breathing on Autonomic Function in Yoga Practitioners and Healthy Male Controls . International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga, 8(5), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2025.80501