TH-F3-4 SCIS&ISIS2006 @ Tokyo, Japan (September 20-24, 2006)

EEG Changes After Bhramari Pranayama

Rajkishore Prasad1, Fumitoshi Matsuno1, Hovagim Bakardjian 2, Francois Vialatte2 and
Andrzej Cichocki2
1. Man Machine Interface Lab., University of Electro Communication, Japan
2. Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, Japan
E-mails :1.{ kishore,matsuno}@hi.mce.uec.ac.jp, 2. {hova, fvialatte, cichocki}@brain.riken.jp

Abstract—This paper presents changes in the EEG pattern

observed after Bhramari Pranayama (BP) or bee like breathing
exercise. BP has been found effective in healing many mental
problems such as tension, stress, hypertension, etc and it brings
relaxation in the practitioners of it. It has also been said that BP is
very quick in producing results. The analysis of EEG data
recorded before and after BP shows similar and positive changes
in different brainwave patterns, related to relaxed state, both for
an experienced and a new subjects.
Index Terms—yoga, EEG, relaxation vibro-acoustic, Bhramari
pranayama. Fig.1 One of the easiest body posture for doing Bhramari
Pranayama. Subject plugs ear by finger and makes
humming sound with exhalation through nasal airways.
I. INTRODUCTION

B hramari Pranayama (BP) is one of the important types of
yoga related with breath control. Today yoga is well
introduced and is well accepted health caring practice in
everyday's life. Regular practice of Yoga is preventive, curative
and recuperative. It helps healing process to accelerate process
of recovery [1],[2]. The most ancient use of the word yoga can
be found in the oldest ritual books, known as VEDA, of Indian
civilization, however, it has been assumed that Yoga was
originated in India nearly 6000 years ago as a part of Indian
traditional treatment system known as Aryuveda. All the
ancient records available on the effects and benefits of yoga
have been results of subjective observations of different sages,
rishis (ancient Indian researchers) and yoga masters, for
thousands of years. However, in the modern age, studies have
been started on different yogic acts using modern scientific
methods and many validatory results have been reported too
[3],[4],[5].
Pranayama is also a type of yoga popularly known as Hath
yoga. Practice of Hath yoga in some sense is common with
Raja Yoga or Power Yoga. According to Hath Yoga Pradipika,
an ancient Indian text on Hath yoga, Hath yoga leads to Raja
Yoga [6]. The Sanskrit word Pranayama contains two
meaningful segments namely Prana (this means vital force)
and Yama (this means control). So pranayama literally means a
yogic act performed for controlling flow of the vital energy that
governs all the physiological process of our body. There are
many types of pranayama among which BP is an important
item [6]. The term Bhramari is also a Sanskrit word which in
this context means like a bumble bee. Thus in BP subject has to
produce sound like bumble bee while exhaling strictly through
nasal airways, keeping oral cavity closed at the lips, ears closed
by fingers and eyelids are also shut down. There are many
variants of BP. One of the easiest body posture during BP is
shown in Fig.1.In another variants ear is closed by thumb by
pressing ear flaps and putting index finger on forehead along
eye brows, middle fingers are used to press root of the nose
near the corners of the eyes and other fingers are placed along
nose such that little fingers lie below. Different variants of BP
differ mainly in body posture. In on of its difficult form
humming sound is made both during exhaling and inhaling.
While doing BP concentration is kept at the third eye point
located between eyebrows as shown in Fig.1. The volume of
humming should be loud enough for vibrations in the brain.
The humming sound should be steady and not wavering like a
motorcycle starting up. It should be effortless and mellow.
Healing effects of BP are numerous, however, it has been
mainly recommended for reducing mental problems such as
tension, cerebral tension, hypertension, anxiety and controlling
blood pressure [6],[7],[8]. It has also been said that it brings
bliss and improves psychic sensitivity and awareness for subtle
sound vibration. However, very few scientific studies on
effects of this pranayama have been done. In [7], authors made
studies on effects and benefits of BP on the pregnant women
and have concluded with great usability of it for the preparation
for labor. In one of our very recent studies [9], first two authors
have shown that humming sound produced during BP and that
of bumble bee bears similarity in spectral contents and have
proposed that humming sound plays key role in the healing
process of the BP. In the present study we provide some of our
observations on changes in EEG brainwaves after performing
BP. To best of our knowledge no EEG study has been made on
BP in past, however, many EEG studies have been made on
different types of pranayama. For example, in [10],[11] EEG
studies on alternate nostrils breathing pranayama has been
made and it has been shown that it improves balances between
right and left hemispheres of the brain. In other studies on the
yogic breathing it has been reported that pranayamas are
effective in improving cognitive performance, bringing
relaxation, improving spatial memory performances [12]. In
[13], EEG study on Sudarshan Kriya, a type of pranayama, has
been done. Based on such studies we also decided to make EEG

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studies on the BP as it has been found useful in reducing mental Separation (BSS) algorithm which estimates independent
problems and most importantly it has been said that it is very components of the signal and arrange them in the decreasing
quick in bringing effects. order of their variance and linear predictability. The EEG
Rest of the paper is organized as follows. In the Section II study components corresponding to artifacts will have lower values
methods have been dealt. In Section III EEG data analysis of variance and linear predictability which can be eliminated
methods and results have been presented. Section IV presents and rest components can be used to reconstruct the sensor
conclusions and future research work which are followed by signals known as deflated signals [15]. Similar approaches
references. have been used here too. Fig.3 shows raw EEG data at 21
sensors and Fig.4 shows EEG data obtained after AMUSE
II. EEG RECORDING AND METHODS filtering where it can be seen how components have been
In this preliminary study two subjects were chosen one with 4 arranged in order of increasing complexities.
months regular experience of BP and other with no prior It is an established fact that level of consciousness is related to
experience of BP, however, second subject was trained for how different brainwaves signals known as delta ( δ ) wave with
to do BP before the EEG recording. Subjects were chosen from
different cultural and ethnic groups. Subjects with such contrast
were chosen to see if the BP produces quick effect or not and if
it can works in similar ways on different people. In this study
our aims have been to objectify effect of BP, so experiment was
designed to record EEG before BP and after BP. The BP was
done for 15-20 rounds by each subject. EEG was recorded with
128 channel BIOSEMI system at RIKEN, Japan. The sensor
layout used in the EEG recording is shown in Fig. 2. For the
purpose of analysis, we selected the sensor positions located in
the part of temporal lobe, parietal lobe and frontal lobe from
both the left and right sides of the head. The reason for this is
based on the fact that in BP concentration is kept at the third
eye point which has biological connection with the pineal
gland. Also, the humming sound is produced in BP and its
interaction will be related with the temporal lobe of the brain.
In this way total 21 sensor signals were chosen covering all
these regions. The selected EEG signals were filtered using
AMUSE algorithm [14] . AMUSE algorithm is a Blind Signal

Fig.3 Raw EEG signals at for 21 sensors (x-axis time in sec,

scale is arbitrary).

Fig.2 Sensor layout of 128 Channel biosemi system. Radial Fig.4 AMUSE filtered EEG signals arranged in order of
positions of the sensor locations were a little modified to forbid increasing complexities (x-axis time in sec, scale is
partial overlaps in figure. arbitrary).

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frequency range 0.2 Hz to 4 Hz, theta ( θ ) wave with frequency
range 4Hz to 8 Hz, alpha ( α ) wave with frequency range 8Hz
to 14 Hz, beta ( β ) wave with frequency range 14 Hz to 30 Hz
and Gamma ( γ ) wave with frequency range 30 Hz to 80 Hz.
The EEG signal obtained from AMUSE algorithm were passed
through zero phase shift band pass filters with pass bands
corresponding to that of δ , θ , α , β , and γ brainwaves to filter
out these signals. The temporal variation of Relative Spectral
Power (RSP) defined as the ratio of Band Spectral Power (BSP)
and Total Spectral Power (TSP) as follows
BSPi
RSPi = , i ∈ {δ , θ , α , β , γ } , (1)
TSP
were calculated for each brainwave patterns. The TSP was
calculated from spectral components falling within frequency
range of 0.5 Hz to 80 Hz. For the spectral analysis by the Fast
Fourier Transform method, Hanning window of 1s with 50%
overlap was used. The EEG data were sampled at 256 Hz.
In order to measure interplay and functional interactions
between different parts of the brain, coherence function
between different sensor signals are measured. The coherence
function is estimated from cross power spectrum and is known
as Magnitude Squared Coherence (MSCH). For two signals x
and y, the MSCH at frequency f can be given by
state. This is related with waking dream and responsible for
flashing vivid imageries before the minds eye. It has been
identified as gateway of learning. Its dominance increases
creativity, learning, reduces stress, awakens institution and
other extraordinary perception skills. There have been
consistent reporting in many previous research papers that
during relax state theta activity increases [16],[17],[18]. As it
can be imbued from Fig.5, Fig 6, Fig.7 and Fig.8 that there are
considerable changes in RSP of theta activity of the both
subjects. However, amount of change in theta power in the first
subject is more. From this it can be explained why BP has been
described as the yogic practice for improving intuition. The
increase in theta power has also been associated with decreased
activity in the brain arousal system and sleep onset process
[18],[19],[20] . Thus BP might also be improving sleep due
increase in theta power. Alpha waves are present during closed
eye state, light meditation. It gives deep relaxation. But past
reports in this regard are contradictory. Some reports say that
alpha power increase and some research reports say that alpha
power decreases in relaxation [21], [22]. In the case of BP it can
be seen in figures displaying RSP for both subjects that the
alpha power is increased. The beta waves are dominating in
normal waking state, alertness, concentration and visual
acuteness. The temporal variation of RSP in our case for beta
Delta wave
Before BP
Normalized RSP

1
2 After BP
S xy ( f ) (2) 1
MSCH 2 ( f ) =
S xx ( f ) * S yy ( f ) 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)
Before BP
Theta wave
After BP
Normalized RSP

where |Sxy(f)| is cross-power spectrum, |Sxx(f)| and |Syy(f)| are 1

auto-power spectra. The value of MSCH lies between 0 and 1. 0.8

A higher value of coherence within this range for two different 0.6
EEG signals indicates that the corresponding two brain areas 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
are working together in a holistic and synchronous fashion. Before BP
Time(s)
Alpha wave
Thus the coherence values quantify the linear dependencies After BP
Normalized RSP

1
between two different brain locations.
0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Before BP Time(s)
Beta wave
The estimated temporal variation of RSP, as per Eq.(1), from After BP
Normalized RSP

1
the deflated EEG signals, corresponding to left side of the head,
0.5
for the first subject is shown in Fig.5. The RSP for the right side
of the head is shown in the Fig.6. The temporal variations of 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
RSP for the second subject are shown in Fig.7 and Fig.8. These Before BP
Time(s)
figures revel the effect of BP on the pattern of different After BP
Gamma wave
Normalized RSP

1
brainwaves which are representatives of subject's mental state.
The changes in delta and beta cortical activities are highly 0.5

effected by artifacts so changes in alpha, theta and gamma 0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
brainwaves are important in this report. These plots show that Time(s)
the BP produces very obvious and noticeable changes in all the
brainwave patterns. Changes in brainwave patterns and their
interpretations have been studied by different researchers since
long. Brain activity of each frequency range has characteristic Fig.5 Showing temporal variation of RSP in delta, theta,
blueprints and produces distinctive state of consciousness. alpha, beta and gamma brainwave pattern before and after
Delta brain activity is related with sleep and deep sleep. Theta BP for the first subject.(Data used from the left side of the
brainwaves also occur in sleep and dominate in the meditation head )

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 diagonal of the coherence matrix, to keep clarity of the figure.
The shown coherence values are averaged over frequency bins.
Delta wave
Before BP In both subjects there is change in coherency of EEG of
Normalized RSP

1
After BP
different scalp areas. Both subjects show increase in coherency
1
among electrodes placed in frontal areas. However, at present
1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
we have no explanation for pattern of changes taking place in
Before BP
Time(s) coherence values.
Theta wave
After BP
Normalized RSP

0.9
0.8
0.7
IV. DISCUSSION AND RESEARCH ISSUES
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 The results presented in this paper on BP are from two subjects
Before BP
Time(s) so statistical reliability may be in questions. But this is our
Alpha wave
After BP precursor paper on the explored topic and trends found in
Normalized RSP

1
results show some interesting things for further deep
0.5
exploration of the matter. The effects of BP on theta and
0 gamma brainwave are important. It is also important to note
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s) that the second subject of our experiment does not has any
Before BP
Beta wave practice of BP before EEG recording, however, observed
Normalized RSP

1 After BP
effects on both subjects show some similar trends. This shows
0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Delta wave
Time(s) 1
Normalized RSP

Before BP Gamma wave

Normalized RSP

1 After BP Before BP
0.9
After BP
0.5
0.8
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Time(s)
Time(s)
Theta wave
1 Before BP
Normalized RSP

After BP
0.5
Fig 6 Showing temporal variation of RSP in delta, theta,
alpha, beta and gamma brainwave pattern before and after 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
BP for the first subject.(Data used from the right side of Time(s)
the head ) Alpha wave
1 Before BP
Normalized RSP

After BP
0.5
wave is different in both subjects. In the first subject it is
decreasing (in lower range) after BP while in the second subject 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
it is increasing after BP. So it is difficult to make preliminary Time(s)
comments on such trends with observations on only two
Beta wave
subjects. The gamma wave patterns are high frequency 1 Before BP
Normalized RSP

brainwaves and are found in the every part of the brain. It has After BP

been hypothesized that the gamma brainwaves are related with 0.5

the performance of higher mental activities and perceptual

0
tasks. Such tasks need functional integration and 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)
synchronization of different parts of brain which is established
by gamma brainwaves. Both subjects show improved power in Before BP
Gamma wave
1
Normalized RSP

the gamma brainwave patterns after BP. Difference is clearer in After BP

the second subject. Significant change in gamma wave pattern 0.5
by BP is very important for future research. There has also been
reporting in the past on interaction of auditory stimuli and 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
gamma brainwaves in many subjects [23], [24]. Time(s)
As per Eq. (2), the coherence function for each sensor pair was
calculated. The coherence matrices for the first subject for EEG
data at each of 21 sensors are shown in Fig. 9 for the both
(before BP and after BP) conditions. For the second subject Fig.7 Showing temporal variation of RSP in delta, theta, alpha,
coherence matrices for the both conditions are shown in Fig.10 beta and gamma brainwave pattern before and after BP for the
and Fig.11, respectively, in which the self coherence values for second subject.(Data used from the right side of the head )
all the sensors were set to zero, which were really 1 lying on

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 Delta wave
Normalized RSP

0.9
Before BP
0.8 After BP
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)
Theta wave
Before BP
Normalized RSP

1
After BP
0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)
Before BP Alpha wave
Normalized RSP

1
After BP
0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Fig.10 Coherence matrix for the second subject before BP.
Time(s)
Before BP Beta wave
Normalized RSP

1
After BP

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)
Gamma wave
Before BP
Normalized RSP

1
After BP
0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time(s)

Fig.8 Showing temporal variation of RSP in delta, theta, alpha,

beta and gamma brainwave pattern before and after BP for the
second subject.(Data used from the left side of the head )

Fig.11. Coherence matrix for the second subject after BP

BP is capable in bringing effect immediately. One of the most

active components of BP is humming sound which we suppose
playing key role in producing results. The brainwave
phenomena and sound wave are different things but their
interaction is very common experience in daily life, e.g. a child
sleeps on hearing lullaby by his/her mother. The interaction of
sound wave and brainwave has been discovered in past [25]
and recently it has gained clinical importance, leading to
business, for bringing relaxation by artificially generated
external sounds. However, in BP sound is internal and subject's
own sound so it's important to investigate interaction of own
sound with change in brainwave patterns. Since the results
presented in this paper are only from two subjects it's essential
to do experiments with large number of subjects to get
statistically acceptable conclusions and we left it for future
studies.
The dynamics of brainwave changes during the BP will help in
Fig.9 Coherence matrix for the first subject before and after understanding mechanism of BP by which it works to bring
BP. positive effects. Such explorations will be useful in developing

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some biomimetic system for the challenged people. It will be
interesting to carry out analysis in this direction.

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