Breathing Exercises for Health and Wellness – A Public Radio in South Carolina

This week, Bobby Connor talks with Dr. Sundar Balasbramanyan about research exploring the benefits of yogic respiratory exercises. Dr. Balasbramanyan is an associate professor of radiation medicine in MUSC and he has conducted studies related to yogic breathing and health and health.

Transcript:

Connor: I am Bobby Connor for public radio in South Carolina with a health focus here at the radio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. In South Carolina, studies are conducted to study the health and health benefits of yogic breathing. Dr. Sundar Balasbramanyan is here to talk about the details. Dr. Balasbramanyan is an associate professor of radiation medicine and he manages research studies focused on health and well -being through yogic breathing for cancer, aging and well -being of MUSC employees. Dr. Balasbramanyan, first tell us about yogic breathing.

Dr. Balasbramanian: There are so many different ways to regulate breathing in almost all cultures as a way to control our minds and also improve physical well -being. This can be inhalation, exhalation, retention or detention. In yoga, tradition is called yogic breathing or pranayama.

Connor: What is known about health or wellness the impact of practicing yogic breathing regularly?

Dr. Balasbramanian: When we practice this regularly, we will be able to improve well -being as a whole. This is the idea behind yogic breathing. For example, greater studies show that respiratory exercises can improve respiratory function and mental health in practitioners.

Connor: Tell us about the studies in which you participated in the MUSC who study the health and wellness benefits of yogic breathing.

Dr. Balasbramanian: First, we have shown that yogic breathing can stimulate saliva secretion due to this relaxation reaction that breathing exercises can stimulate. So, saliva, which is obtained after yogic breathing exercises, contains many useful biochemicals, such as proteins as a factor of nerve growth, various types of immunoglobulins, tumor suppressors are some of the molecules we have identified to expose after breathing.

Connor: And tell us about the groups you have worked with for these different studies related to yogic breathing.

Dr. Balasbramanian: We studied yogic breathing with people with cancer during their treatment and their careful care, aging, scleroderma and in the well -being of employees. The most study we have completed is from patients with breast cancer after radiation treatment. This study showed a decrease in depression and anxiety. And also, we saw an improvement of molecules, which would reflect the functions of the immune system and the nervous system.

Connor: And I understand that you are doing other new programs related to yogic breathing, especially for people who are just diagnosed with cancer.

Dr. Balasbramanian: Yes, based on inputs of previous studies, we have learned that these breathing exercises can be introduced just after the recent cancer diagnosis. Our new programs will introduce breathing exercises before treatment, or it is radiation, or any other type of treatment. So, people will be able to use them during therapy. After radiation treatment, people will still be able to study and practice these exercises to maintain good health. So, we have programs to introduce these exercises after treatment.

Connor: Dr. Balasbramanyan, thank you very much for this information on yogic breathing.

Dr. Balasbramanian: This is a great pleasure.

Connor: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I am Bobby Connor for public radio in South Carolina.

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