Review Article On: Effect of Pranayam on Stress

Pranayama, a branch of yoga practice is extremely beneficial to mankind in maintaining sound physical and mental health. Prana is define as life force or energy (in Japan = Qi, China = Chi). Ayama means to control flow of life force through the body. Pranayama helps in controlling all the functions of breathing namely inspiration, expiration, and retention. Pranayama is one of the yogic techniques that can produce different physiological responses in healthy individuals (Upadhyay et al. , 2008). Breathing techniques and patterns are regularly advocated for relaxing, stress management, control of psycho physiological states (Ritz & Roth, 2003). Various respiratory patterns and maneuvers can provide striking influences on the autonomic nervous system and may exacerbate or reduce adverse responses to stressors.