Positive Impact of Sudharshan Kriya Pranayam on Occupational Stress and Wellness

“Health for All” is the goal promoted since 1977 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Stresses of modern living and work life have induced several symptoms of psychopathology among people from various walks of life. Consequences of stress affects people psychologically, physiologically and behaviorally which adversely affects their work-life balance. The Sudharshan Kriya Pranayama of the ‘Art of Living’ center at Bengaluru, India is a potent and effective method to counterbalance the effects of stress and enhance wellness. An extremely unique yogic breathing practice is Sudharshan Kriya Yoga which involves various kinds of breathing patterns that alternate between slow and relaxing to quick and stimulating. One hundred senior officers of the Government of India of different Ministries / Departments participated in the experiential learning workshop at the Art of Living centre at Bengaluru for the programme ‘Building Competencies for Personal Excellence’ in 2021. The participants practiced the Sudharshan Kriya Yoga for about two months. The feedback from the officers were collected and the same were analysed. It was seen that due to the practice of Sudharshan Kriya Yoga the heightened flow of energy between the mind and the body led to stress reduction and wellness among the senior government officers. Through the practice of Sudharshan Kriya Yoga the RSA (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia) was enhanced by calming down the participants. Other notable impacts of Susharshan Kriya are better sleep quality, trauma reduction and cortisol (stress hormone) regulation in the body. The participants were less reactive to provocation and there were fewer instances of anger outbursts. Cognitive functioning was enhanced which led to a balanced approach to social and interpersonal relationships leading to better coping with occupational stress, greater subjective well-being, increase in wellness and better adaptation to the pressures and stressors of life.