Breathing exercises according tummo (yoga of Tibet) treat atherosclerosis and can be used as non-medication doping for athletes under conditions of low temperatures and altitude hypoxia. This conclusion resulted from science and research expedition to Himalayas. Scientists claim that tummo can also boost immunity and help coping with some lung diseases.

The expedition called “Search for lost knowledge” and organized by researchers from St. Petersburg, consisted of 18 participants: biologists, athletes and several volunteers, suffering from initial stage of hypertension. The Himalayan project was another attempt to increase human tolerance to low temperatures, scientific supervisor of the expedition said. Scientists studied tummo with help of ancient manuscripts and tested its revitalizing effect on themselves.

Previous studies of health-improving effect of altitude hypoxia, combined with low temperatures, were performed near Mt. Elbrus, the highest point of Russia and Europe, in 2007. More research was conducted in India at Rathong, Kullu, and Himachal Pradesh ridges last May. All studies showed that tummo helped resisting cold and even getting warm without any clothes.

 

 

Most recent expedition has been to the Indian state Himachal Pradesh, where experiment was performed in the northeastern part of the Himalayas at heights about 4 thousand meters and temperatures 18 degrees below zero Centigrade. Thermogenesis (heat production by an organism for maintaining constant body temperature) studies showed that tummo breathing exercises under temperature stress (hypothermia) led to significant short-term increase in testosterone concentration in an organism (this effect helps athletes improving their results during competitions) with simultaneous drop in cortisone (stress hormone) concentration. Cortisone concentration usually increases under stress conditions. In other words, breathing exercises caused notable changes in production of steroid hormones, and scientists weren’t able to explain what mechanisms were involved.

Project supervisor told that under hypothermia (or low body temperature) blood of all experiment participants, including those, who used to suffer from hypertension, showed low level of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (which are responsible for so-called “bad cholesterol”). “While in the mountains, we succeeded in teaching basics of heat production enhancement to volunteers, who suffered from initial stage of atherosclerosis in main arteries”, the scientist said. We should note that heat production enhancement is one of the basic mechanisms for “burning” lipids or fat in an organism.

Participants of the expedition believe that results of their research can be used in the “Health of the Nation” federal programme for prevention and treatment of atheroscleroses and neuroses. Moreover, they expect reformation of training programmes for Russian athletes, which allows mobilizing organism potential, making athletes healthier and training less traumatic, and prolonging professional life of a sportsman.

Source: Science News

Kizilova Anna