- Into Yoga and Meditation at APPICON 2024
Bhopal: Under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Dr. Varun Malhotra, Additional Professor in the Department of Physiology made a distinguished contribution at the symposium titled “Stress, Strength & Science: Psychoneuroimmuno Modulation by Yoga and Meditation”.
The event, organized by the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (APPICON-2024), was held at ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. The event brought together national experts to explore the scientific underpinnings of yoga and meditation in managing stress and enhancing immune function.
Dr. Malhotra’s presentation, “Quantifying the Physiological Impact of Yoga & Meditation: A Scientific Approach”, highlighted the use of advanced tools like the Dinamika/NeuralChek Mobile HRV Unit for analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) and stress indices across various yoga techniques, including Kriya Yoga and Kapalbhati, supported by EEG studies. He emphasized that while Kapalbhati stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and is not advisable for hypertensives, slow deep breathing practices activate the parasympathetic system, aiding stress reduction and promoting longevity.
The symposium was chaired by eminent experts, including Prof. Ramji Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Kalyani; Dr. Prafull K., Associate Professor of Physiology, AIIMS Bibinagar; Prof. T.N. Raju, Department of Zoology, Osmania University; and Dr. Kaviraja Udupa, Clinical Neurophysiologist at NIMHANS, specializing in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Distinguished researchers such as Dr. Rajkumar Yadav, Professor, AIIMS New Delhi; Dr. Rajathi R., Assistant Professor, AIIMS Bathinda; and Dr. Suprabha Sharma, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, also shared their findings, highlighting the interplay of yoga, stress modulation, and physiological well-being.
