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Therapeutic potential of slow pranayama in anxiety.

Neena Sharma, Kamlesh Jha, Chandrakanta Munni

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_570_25 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Intervention Slow pranayama
Topics Anxiety Meditation Breathwork
Keywords Heart rate variability Parasympathetic Slow pranayama Yoga
Key findings Slow pranayama enhances vagal tone and restores sympathovagal balance, suggesting therapeutic potential for reducing anxiety symptoms and managing anxiety disorders.

Abstract

Pranayama, yogic breathing techniques, are considered a form of meditation. In classical yoga, the breath is associated with prana; thus, pranayama is a means to control the inner force, the prana shakti or life energy. Pranayama is more than regular breathing and if practiced in structured and methodical manner can reduce the body's physical symptoms of stress and anxiety. It has more recently gained popularity in the western world because of the many health benefits that come from a pranayama practice. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions worldwide. Anxiety is an emotional state in which one perceives worry, danger, apprehension, and nervousness and has negative effects on all aspects such as social, personal, and academic performance. It is closely linked with autonomic nervous system dysregulation, often reflected in decreased heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of vagal tone and emotional and psychological resilience. HRV reflects the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities. Nonpharmacological approaches such as yogic breathing techniques have shown promising approaches in reducing anxiety symptoms. The modulation of HRV through slow breathing, often characterized by a prolonged expiratory phase, enhances vagal tone, restores sympathovagal balance, and promotes homeostasis. Research indicates that yoga interventions positively impact individuals with mental health disorders, improving positive symptoms and quality of life and reducing milder symptoms. This review explores the therapeutic potential of slow pranayama in reducing anxiety symptoms and managing anxiety disorders. It examines current evidence, limitations, and future research directions for integrating yoga-based practices into mental health care.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on breathwork, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Coupling of respiration and attention via the locus coeruleus: Effects of meditation and pranayama 2018 Review with original findings
High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications. 2023 Review
Breathwork in body psychotherapy: Towards a more unified theory and practice 2011 Review
A Practitioner’s Guide to Breathwork in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 2020 Review
Bhramari Pranayama as an aid to meditation: A review of classical yoga texts 2020 Review

Citations in the library

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Anxiety Meditation Breathwork