Research

Inner Engineering in-person programs offer the live transmission of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, an ancient kriya with millions of dedicated practitioners worldwide. Scientific studies have measured the benefits of practicing the kriya regularly, on the levels of brain activity, sleep patterns, psychological health and physical wellbeing.

Research Findings

Inner Engineering Online Harvard Medical School Research

Inner Engineering Online resulted in over 50% reduction in stress

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Rutgers University Research

Inner Engineering Online results in significant increase in energy, joy, mindfulness, and work engagement

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Mental and Emotional Benefits

A survey on Shambhavi Kriya practitioners revealed that a year of Shambhavi Mahamudra practice yielded significant mental and emotional benefits. Without requiring any lifestyle changes, practice of Shambhavi has proven to result in better focus, greater joy, happiness and inner peace.

A study conducted on 536 Shambhavi practitioners showed improvement in the following areas:

Concentration
77%
Mental Clarity
98%
Emotional Balance
92%
Energy Levels
84%
Productivity
77%
Inner Peace
94%
Self Confidence
82%

Depression

Depression86% Reported Improvement50% Stopped Medication28% Reduced Medication

Anxiety

Anxiety87% Reported Improvement50% Stopped Medication25% Reduced Medication

Brainwave Patterns

A study conducted on Shambhavi practitioners revealed an increase in the most restful brain patterns in comparison with the control group. Shambhavi proved to provide the quality of rest, relaxation, and regeneration that is normally observed in the deepest stages of sleep.

Increased Alpha Waves(associated with wakeful relaxation)ALPHA
Decreased Beta Waves(associated with activeor anxious thinking)BETA
deltaIncreased Delta Waves(associated with thedeepest stage of sleep)DELTA

Health Benefits

In a survey on improvements in health conditions, 536 Shambhavi practitioners testified to the kriya's impact on relieving chronic ailments such as headaches, migraines, allergies, asthma, back pain and menstrual disorders. Surveys also revealed significant improvement in cases of insomnia, leading to a reduction or even elimination of medication in 40% of the cases.

Percentage of individuals reporting improvement with regular practice

Hypertension
67%
Asthma
79%
Headaches / Migraines
90%
Diabetes
71%
Back / Neck pain
74%
Digestive Disorder
73%

Sleep Patterns

sleepREM Durationx2Time to reach REM1/3Time to fall asleep1/8Control GroupShambhavi Practitioners

Insomnia

insomnia84% Reported Improvement40% Reduced Medication30% Stopped Medication

Menstrual Disorders

75% of women are thought to experience problems related to menstruation. A team from the Poole Hospitals NHS Trust, UK, and the Indiana University School of Medicine, conducted a questionnaire survey of 128 female practitioners of the Shambhavi Mahamudra, about the prevalence of menstrual disorders before they began the kriya and after six months of practice.

menstrual_before_afterBeforeAfter
menstrual_180% decreasein irregular cycles63% decreasein need of medical intervention83% decreasein work impairment
menstrual_257% decreasein severe symptoms of dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)87% decreasein the incidence of severe flow72% decreasein PMS psychological symptoms

References

Maturi R et al. Survey of wellbeing in Isha Yoga practitioner. March 2010

Muralikrishnan K, Balakrishnan B, Balasubramanian K, Visnegarawla F. Measurement of the effect of Isha Yoga on cardiac autonomic nervous system using short-term heart rate variability. J Ayurveda Integr Med. April 2012.

Santhosh J, Agrawal G, Bhatia M, Nandeeshwara SB, Anand S. Spatio-Temporal EEG Spectral Analysis of Shambhavi Maha Mudra Practice in Isha Yoga.

Vinchurkar S, Telles S, Visweswaraiah NK. Impact of Long Term Meditation Practice on Sleep: A Matched Controlled Trial. International Symposium on YOGism. Dec.2010.

Needhirajan TP, Maturi R, Balakrishnan B. Effect of Isha Yoga on Menstrual Disorders.

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