Stress Management: Ayurvedic Review of Selected Pranayama

  • Unique Paper ID: 190234
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 8
  • PageNo: 2280-2283
  • Abstract:
  • Stress is widely acknowledged as a complex, multidimensional psycho-physiological condition that arises from prolonged cognitive, emotional, and environmental challenges. It is associated with maladaptive physiological responses, including dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and alterations in neuroendocrine function, collectively impacting both somatic and psychological well-being. In Ayurvedic thought, stress is understood as a disturbance of Manas (mind), Prana (vital life force), and the Tridosha, particularly Vata and Pitta, often accompanied by imbalances in Rajas and Tamas Guna. Such disruptions in psycho-physiological equilibrium may give rise to various psychosomatic manifestations, including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and mood disturbances. Pranayama, the deliberate regulation of breath, forms a core aspect of Ayurvedic and Yogic therapeutic practices. Classical texts emphasize its role in harmonizing Prana, purifying the Nadis (subtle energy channels), and restoring the balance of Dosha and Guna. By modulating autonomic function and promoting parasympathetic activity, Pranayama produces notable psychotropic and somatotropic effects, contributing to emotional stability, enhanced cognitive performance, and overall physiological resilience. This review explores the therapeutic efficacy of selected Pranayama techniques Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Ujjayi, and Sheetali with a focus on their Ayurvedic mechanisms, Dosha-Guna interactions, effects on Pranavaha Srotas, and clinical applicability in stress management. By integrating insights from classical Ayurvedic literature with contemporary scientific findings, the article seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on Pranayama as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for stress reduction.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{190234,
        author = {Dr. Yogesh Kumar Khatarker and Dr. Virendra Kumar Chhandak and Dr.  Devanshi Sharma and Dr. Megha Sharma and Dr. Namrata Ahire and Dr. Dinesh Kumar Saini and Dr. Ravi Kumar},
        title = {Stress Management: Ayurvedic Review of Selected Pranayama},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {2280-2283},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190234},
        abstract = {Stress is widely acknowledged as a complex, multidimensional psycho-physiological condition that arises from prolonged cognitive, emotional, and environmental challenges. It is associated with maladaptive physiological responses, including dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and alterations in neuroendocrine function, collectively impacting both somatic and psychological well-being. In Ayurvedic thought, stress is understood as a disturbance of Manas (mind), Prana (vital life force), and the Tridosha, particularly Vata and Pitta, often accompanied by imbalances in Rajas and Tamas Guna. Such disruptions in psycho-physiological equilibrium may give rise to various psychosomatic manifestations, including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and mood disturbances.
Pranayama, the deliberate regulation of breath, forms a core aspect of Ayurvedic and Yogic therapeutic practices. Classical texts emphasize its role in harmonizing Prana, purifying the Nadis (subtle energy channels), and restoring the balance of Dosha and Guna. By modulating autonomic function and promoting parasympathetic activity, Pranayama produces notable psychotropic and somatotropic effects, contributing to emotional stability, enhanced cognitive performance, and overall physiological resilience.
This review explores the therapeutic efficacy of selected Pranayama techniques Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Ujjayi, and Sheetali with a focus on their Ayurvedic mechanisms, Dosha-Guna interactions, effects on Pranavaha Srotas, and clinical applicability in stress management. By integrating insights from classical Ayurvedic literature with contemporary scientific findings, the article seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on Pranayama as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for stress reduction.},
        keywords = {Stress, Pranayama, Ayurveda, Manas, Tridosha, Pranavaha Srotas, Dosha-Guna},
        month = {January},
        }

Cite This Article

Khatarker, D. Y. K., & Chhandak, D. V. K., & Sharma, D. . D., & Sharma, D. M., & Ahire, D. N., & Saini, D. D. K., & Kumar, D. R. (2026). Stress Management: Ayurvedic Review of Selected Pranayama. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(8), 2280–2283.

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