Open-heart surgery is a scary thing—a serious procedure with an intense, potentially lengthy, recovery. Some good news: A study recently published in the medical journal Cureus demonstrates how a particular yoga practice may aid in that recovery. Even better news? The simple-to-learn practice, known as yoga nidra, involves relaxing on purpose!
The authors of “Impact of Yoga Nidra on Heart Rate Variability in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Comparative Study” explain:
“Yoga Nidra … or yogic sleep refers to a state of consciousness that occurs just before going to sleep. It is a form of guided meditation that has emerged in the [research] literature in the last two decades as an intervention for various medical conditions, such as stress and mental health, and various clinical diseases. It is a non-invasive, cost-effective approach that is also easily accessible and can be performed in the privacy and comfort of the home. It has proven to be an effective and successful relaxation technique in various clinical settings. It combines guided mental imagery with a specific yoga posture called Shavasana (or “corpse pose”). Yoga Nidra aims to promote a profound state of relaxation, which differs from sleep[,] as one is still aware of one’s surroundings. Yoga Nidra is increasingly recognized as a valuable practice for treating physical and mental illnesses.”
CABG + yoga nidra
Photo by Turgay Koca on Pexels
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a type of open-heart surgery, disrupts the body’s autonomic system. Yoga therapy’s ability to promote balance in the nervous system’s automatic functions is one reason the practices can effectively support health and well-being.
The Cureus study checked participants’ heart rate variability (HRV) after CABG to see whether yoga nidra could shift nervous system focus toward the parasympathetic rest-and-digest state. “Measuring HRV is a simple, low-cost, and non-invasive way to check heart nerve function and predict heart problems, especially in individuals with coronary heart disease.” The authors explain that several studies have shown that HRV decreases after CABG.
“Higher HRV is associated with better stress resilience and cardiovascular health, while lower HRV indicates physiological stress and autonomic dysfunction. Yoga Nidra practice stimulates parasympathetic activity, reduces stress hormones such as cortisol, and promotes physiological equilibrium. Research indicates that Yoga Nidra can lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce sympathetic [fight-or-flight] drive, increase vagal tone, and enhance HRV parameters … , which suggests its potential in restoring autonomic balance.”
Read more about the practice and promise of yoga nidra in this yogatherapy.health post, and learn how one yoga therapist coped with his own CABG procedure.
