Context: Yoga has asana, pranayama, and meditation as the three main techniques to attain functional harmony between the body and mind. Recent studies on long-term yogic practices have shown improvements in cardiovascular functions. Like lower heart rates for the otherwise healthy and improved heart conditions for the recuperating and patients with chronic heart conditions. Aim: The present study was conducted to explore if there is any relationship between the age controlled heart rates (partial correlation) after short-term practice of yoga in healthy females. Settings and Design:This interventional study was conducted in the yoga centers operating in south Delhi, India Subjects and Methods: Fifty two healthy females of mean age 20.25± 2.90 years, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent one hour of daily yoga session for 15 days conducted by an experienced yoga teacher. Pre, during and post yoga heart rate were assessed by recording heart rate variable. Statistical analysis used: The parameters were analyzed by using Pearson correlation. Results: There was significant relationship (zero order) found between the 3 heart rate measurements after practicing pranayama and meditation for 15 days. The response was similar after controlling for age (partial correlation). Conclusion: This study showed beneficial effects vis a vis strong relationships between the heart rates measured over the 3 occasions of short term (15 days) regular pranayama and meditation practice on heart rate irrespective of age amongst normal healthy females.

Heart Rate, Meditation, Short Term Yoga, Females