The concept of Shadchakra (six energy centres) constitutes a cornerstone of classical Ayurvedic and Yogic philosophy, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the Pranic (bio-energetic) dimension of human physiology. Derived from canonical texts including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Shat-Chakra-Nirupana, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita, the Shadchakra system describes six...
Research SquareJune 5, 2026Ronald Blackburn, Julia Brodska
preprint
Abstract Background Individual therapeutic and somatic modalities—including mindfulness meditation, breathwork, structured movement, sound therapy, and heart coherence training—have each been independently associated with reductions in perceived stress, improvements in sleep quality, and shifts in quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) indices of neural regulation. Whether concurrent...
The autonomic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, plays a central role in stress resilience, emotion regulation, and overall health outcomes. Emerging evidence supports the integration of neuro-informed practices that enhance vagal tone and promote autonomic flexibility as effective, accessible interventions for stress and mental health-related conditions. This review examines the...
Introduction: Meditation offers a tractable model for probing altered states of consciousness, yet consistent physiological markers remain elusive. This study characterized within-subject autonomic and respiratory modulation across pre-meditation, during-meditation, and post-meditation states in trained Rajyoga practitioners using multiscale heart rate variability (HRV) metrics and...
Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent metabolic and reproductive disorder, significantly impacts women of reproductive age. The conventional approach offers various symptomatic pharmacological interventions for PCOS, but some of them have adverse effects too. In this context, yoga has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological complementary approach. Aim: This systematic...
Stress is a major contributor to declining physical and emotional health in modern populations, disrupting physiological balance and increasing the risk of anxiety, mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and chronic diseases. Conventional stress management approaches often rely on pharmacological interventions, which may produce adverse effects during prolonged use. This has led to increasing...
Burnout, occupational stress, and reduced workplace belongingness among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) professionals are increasingly recognized as significant concerns that may adversely affect staff well-being and patient safety. Many existing interventions are resource-intensive, difficult to sustain, or lack cultural contextualization within routine clinical practice. To evaluate the...
The contemporary world is increasingly characterized by cognitive overload, emotional instability, attentional fragmentation, stress-related disorders, and declining psychological resilience. These concerns have encouraged interdisciplinary exploration of contemplative traditions capable of supporting cognitive regulation and mental well being. Among the classical Indian systems, Pātañjali’s...
This paper explores the integration of classical yogic practices as a holistic intervention for mental health within the contemporary clinical landscape. Anchored in Patanjali’s foundational definition of Yoga as chitta-vritti-nirodha (the cessation of the fluctuations of consciousness), the study examines how the ancient “Eight Limbs” framework addresses modern psychological pathologies,...
Modern society is increasingly affected by lifestyle-related disorders such as obesity, stress, anxiety, cognitive fatigue, hypertension, poor respiratory health, and sedentary living patterns. The rising prevalence of these conditions has created a growing demand for low-cost, time-efficient, and easily accessible preventive wellness systems that can simultaneously support physical health,...