Regular practice of pranayama or yogic breathing techniques over 6 months can have significant mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, inflammation, and regulate blood sugar levels by inducing coherence between the rhythms of the autonomous physiological functions. Specific pranayama techniques are used in yoga therapy for cancer treatment and overall body cleansing. Pranayama activates the cortex to help manage emotions and reactions, leading to increased calmness and clarity when practiced long-term.

1. Cancer and Pranayama
(Yogic Breathing Techniques)

2. Pranayama
Body (Disease)
Pranayama
Yogic
Breathing Techniques
Calmness
of the Mind

3. Inter-Dependency
• Modification in breath creates changes in
body and mind.
– For example, slowing down the breath to 6
breaths per minute results in all body systems
resonating with each other, mutually reinforcing
and resulting in:
• Better functioning of immune system
• Reduction of inflammation
• Better regulation of blood sugar levels
• Induced calmness and clarity of the mind
• Feeling of inner peace

4. Pranayama
• Through voluntary breath control we activate the
cortex (decision making brain) which then manages the
limbic brain (where emotional reactions reside).
Result:
– Less reactivity and increased purposeful action
– Enhanced production of GABA
– Control over mind and emotions, calmness, peace and
clarity
– Restoration of natural rhythms of cells and organs
– Longer practice over time produces change in personality
• There are many yogic breathing techniques affecting
the body and mind in different ways. There are specific
techniques used for cancer and body cleansing in yoga
therapy.

5. Effects of Pranayama
• Effects are on 3 levels:
– 20 breaths will produce effects on the body level
– 40 breaths will produce effects on body and
mental levels
– 80 breaths will produce effects on body, mental
and spiritual levels
• The effects will be temporary unless the
practice is regular for at least 6 months, then
it gives 10hr of sustained effect.

6. Chaos and Coherence
Research shows that in states of stress,
anxiety, and depression or anger, the
natural variation in cardiac rhythm
becomes weak and chaotic.
In states of well being (compassion,
gratitude, or when attention is
centered on the breathing,) this
variability is greater and becomes
coherent.
The subject’s breathing 6 breaths per
minute or less, produces coherence
also with rhythms of other
autonomous physiological functions,
triggering the self-healing capacity of
the body.
6© Lee Majewski, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

7. Coherence
• When we breath <6 breath/minute:
– Rhythms of autonomous physiological functions
(heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to the
brain) act in coherence, reinforcing each other
– This coherence produces:
• Better functioning of immune system
• Reduction in inflammation
• Better regulation of blood sugar levels
7© Lee Majewski, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

8. Lack of Coherence
• Lack of coherence increases with age and is
linked to:
– High blood pressure
– Cardiac insufficiency
– Complication from diabetes
– Cancer
Fortunately the balance in biological functions
responds very well to breathing and
concentration
8© Lee Majewski, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

9. Effects of Pranayama
• Regular practice over 6 months transforms one’s
physical, psychological, mental and spiritual state
• Physical:
– Physical changes to the functioning of the brain -
relaxed brain cells manufacture more of GABA,
endorphins, serotonin and melatonin
– Physical changes (healing) to all the systems of the
body
– Rest, repair and rejuvenation of all cells, organs and
body systems

10. Effects of Pranayama
• Psychological:
– Changes in personality
– Emotional reactions are replaced by thoughtful actions
– Change of habits and behavior
– Relaxed way of being
– Better sleep
• Mental:
– Ability to control the functioning of the mind with cortex
dominance
– Ability to focus the mind and manage the thought
processes
– Relaxed and quiet mind
– Feeling of wellbeing and happiness

11. Effects of Pranayama
• Spiritual
– Improvement in awareness and consciousness
– Increased self awareness
– Sense of inner peace and joy
– Induced peace of mind, clarity and calmness
– The feeling of acceptance and tolerance

12. Pranayama
• Pranayama is an art of training all body
systems to achieve Samadhi
• It is a very powerful tool in healing
• It should always be done under supervision of
knowledgeable teacher
• If done incorrectly it may cause health
problems or disease