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Related Experiment Videos

Zazen and cardiac variability.

P Lehrer1, Y Sasaki, Y Saito

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway 08854-5635, USA.

Psychosomatic Medicine
|December 11, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Zen practitioners' tanden breathing, a slow abdominal respiration technique, significantly increases low-frequency heart rate variability. This practice shifts respiratory sinus arrhythmia to slower rhythms, with variations observed between Rinzai and Soto practitioners.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychophysiology
  • Mind-Body Medicine

Background:

  • Tanden breathing is a meditative practice involving slow, deep abdominal respiration.
  • Zen practitioners utilize tanden breathing for spiritual and physical well-being.
  • Understanding the physiological effects of such practices on cardiac function is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of tanden breathing on heart rate variability (HRV) in Zen practitioners.
  • To analyze the frequency-domain characteristics of HRV during slow abdominal breathing.
  • To compare the effects between Rinzai and Soto Zen practitioners.

Main Methods:

  • Eleven Zen practitioners (6 Rinzai, 5 Soto) underwent 20-minute tanden breathing sessions.
  • Heart rate and respiration rate were continuously monitored.

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  • Data analysis focused on HRV in low, high, and very-low frequency bands.

    • Main Results:

    • Tanden breathing induced a significant increase in low-frequency HRV (0.05–0.15 Hz).
    • A decrease in high-frequency HRV (0.14–0.4 Hz) was observed, indicating a shift in respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
    • Rinzai practitioners exhibited slower breathing rates and greater low-frequency HRV amplitude compared to Soto practitioners.

    Conclusions:

    • Slow abdominal breathing, like tanden breathing, enhances cardiac variability through resonance phenomena.
    • Respiratory-related cardiac oscillations shift towards slower frequencies during tanden breathing.
    • Inhalation-phase rhythm irregularities may relate to vagal modulation dynamics, warranting further investigation.