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Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Blowing Conch Shell Linked to Improvement in Dangerous Sleep Condition
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The ancient practice of blowing through a conch shell could help to reduce dangerous symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—offering an alternative to medication and machines. People with a moderate form of the snoring condition who practice the method—also known as shankh blowing—were found to feel more alert during the day and have fewer breathing interruptions at night, according to a small but promising trial. "Shankh blowing is a traditional practice in Indian culture, often used in religious rituals and yoga. It symbolizes auspiciousness and is believed to purify the environment," Dr. Krishna K Sharma, study author of the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in India, told Newsweek. This is thought to date back to around 1,000 BCE, with conch shells (belonging to sea snails) typically large and spiraled. "Yogic texts also describe it as a breathing exercise that strengthens the lungs and throat," added Sharma. Hindu man blowing conch shell. Hindu man blowing conch shell. Getty Images OSA is a common sleep disorder—affecting around 30 million Americans—with which breathing repeatedly stops during the night as a result of blocked airways. The condition leads to loud snoring, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness and increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Conch blowing may represent a surprising yet simple, comfortable and low-cost intervention to help people with OSA. "In our clinical practice, several patients reported sleeping better and feeling less fatigued after regularly blowing a conch shell. One even improved on a sleep study without continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP, a current treatment device]," explained Sharma. "These experiences inspired us to test this ancient yogic breathing technique through a formal clinical trial." The study assessed 30 people with moderate OSA, aged between 19 and 65, in the period between May 2022 and January 2024. They were tested with polysomnography, which means they were monitored throughout a night's sleep and then asked questions about the quality of their sleep and how sleepy they felt during the day. The participants were randomly assigned to either be trained to practice blowing through a conch shell (16 patients) or to practice a deep breathing exercise (14 patients). Both groups were trained trained in person at the clinic by a study team member before beginning home-based practice—with the conch-blowing participants provided with a traditional shankh used in yogic practices. Participants were encouraged to practice at home for a minimum of 15 minutes, five days per week. They were reassessed after six months. Man sleeping while using a CPAP machine. Man sleeping while using a CPAP machine. Artit_Wongpradu/Getty Images Compared to those who practiced deep breathing, the people who took part in the shankh blowing were 34 percent less sleepy during the daytime, reported sleeping better and the polysomnography test revealed they had four to five fewer apneas (where breathing stops during sleep) per hour on average. They also had higher levels of oxygen in their blood during the night. The outcomes among the conch blowers were significantly better than the control group who did deep breathing, according to the researchers. "Shankh blowing involves deep inhalation and forceful exhalation through pursed lips, creating vibrations and resistance. This likely tones upper airway muscles (like the soft palate and throat), helping keep the airway open during sleep. Its unique spiraled structure might also enhance acoustic and mechanical stimulation," Sharma explained. "CPAP is the gold standard, but many struggle with comfort and long-term use. Shankh blowing is not a replacement but could be an adjunct or alternative—especially for those with mild-to-moderate OSA, or in settings where CPAP is inaccessible or unaffordable." While sleep apnea can sometimes be treated through lifestyle changes like losing weight, giving up smoking and reducing alcohol intake, many people have to use CPAP. This involves a machine gently pumping air into a mask over their mouth or nose while sleeping. While effective, some people may find it uncomfortable or struggle to use it consistently. "The conch shell's resistance and vibratory effects could potentially be mimicked in a medical device designed for airway muscle training. This is an area for future exploration," said Sharma. However, he added, "Because the conch is already widely available [depending on location] and safe, motivated patients could begin using it under guidance. With more research, it could become a validated, low-cost tool to support sleep apnea care—especially in underserved communities or where CPAP access is limited." While the researchers have already received ethical approval for a larger multicenter trial in India, future research will assess how shankh blowing affects airway muscle tone, oxygenation and sleep architecture over time, as well as how it compares directly to CPAP. "This is an intriguing study that shows the ancient practice of shankh blowing could potentially offer an OSA treatment for selected patients by targeting muscle training," professor Sophia Schiza—head of the European Respiratory Society's group on sleep disordered breathing in Greece—said in a statement. "A larger study will help provide more evidence for this intervention, which could be of benefit as a treatment option or in combination with other treatments in selected OSA patients." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sleep apnea? Let us know via health@ Reference Sharma, K. K., Gupta, R., Choyal, T., Sharma, K. K., Sharma, D., & Sharma, T. (2025). Efficacy of blowing shankh on moderate sleep apnea: A randomised control trial. ERJ Open Research.
News18
19-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Why Willpower Fails Against Digital Addiction—And How Yoga Can Help
Last Updated: Yoga offers a three-fold path to fight the digital onslaught: Adopting a Yogic outlook towards priorities and the meaning of life, practices of Yoga, and lifestyle changes You promise yourself you won't check your phone. But five minutes later, you're back to scrolling and checking for notifications. You realise your willpower is no match for the beast of digital addiction. 'The mind cannot be controlled by the mind. Willpower may work only for short durations—and that too, not always," says Yoga guru and scholar Dr N Ganesh Rao, founder of ACT (Authentic, Classical, Traditional) Yoga. In Yoga, stress is seen as the uncontrolled speed of the mind. Since the mind is made of the constantly shifting gunas or qualities—sattva, rajas, and tamas—its instability is natural. If the mind cannot be controlled by itself, what then is the way out? Dr Rao says Yoga offers a threefold path to fight the digital onslaught: 1. Adopting a Yogic outlook towards priorities and the meaning of life, 2. Practices of Yoga, and 3. Lifestyle changes Last week, we examined the dangers posed by digital media through a Yogic lens (read here). 'This already problematic mind, which by its very nature is diseased, is made even more disordered by the deluge of information," said Dr Rao. In this follow-up article, he details the tools Yoga offers to tackle the growing crisis. Here are edited excerpts from an interview. The mind can be advantageously controlled by a) Breathing Practices, and b) Developing Awareness. Through Breathing. There are two ways to do this: • When the mind is disturbed, simply witness your breathing — without interfering with it. Because mind and breathing are linked, any disturbance in the mind disturbs the breathing. Just watching the breathing helps eliminate the disturbance in breathing. When the breathing becomes normal, the mind also regains its calm. • The slower the breathing, the calmer the mind. A few minutes of daily Pranayama, done as slowly as possible—with gradual lengthening of inhalation and exhalation—can go a long way in calming the mind. Through Awareness. This is the most effective way to bring about samatvam (equanimity) in the mind. All Yogic practices, in fact, aim to develop awareness. All of us are wiser in retrospect—'I shouldn't have done that, or said that". The question is: where were you when you were doing or saying it? You're not aware! Awareness means knowing what you're doing—or what's happening within—as it happens. Adopting the sakshi bhav or the witnessing attitude — and, real-time witnessing. PRATYAHARA—TO TURN SENSES INWARDS Pratyahara is, in fact, a product of maturity and experiential wisdom rather than a particular practice. When we realise the external world is not ultimately fulfilling, we turn inward. This is Pratyahara, the beginning of the inward-going process. From living at the body-mind level, we are now on the path of energy and consciousness. Our sense organs are naturally externally oriented—eyes see outside, ears hear outside, nose smells outside, etc. This is why it's easy to get distracted by the external world. In Yoga, Pratyahara is the inward withdrawal of these five jnanendriyas (sense organs). It is the bridge between Bahiranga Yoga or 'Preparatory Yoga' (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara) and Antaranga Yoga (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). In Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga, Samadhi is meditation. Two examples of Pratyahara: • Shanmukhi Mudra — where closing the six doors on the face 'symbolises' Pratyahara. • Pranayamic Pratyahara or Vayu Pratyahara (mentioned in Yoga Yagnavalkya)—where, in the Kumbhaka phase, the breath is held at vital points in the body. Meditation begins with restraining the tamasic (lethargic) and rajasic (restless) tendencies of the mind—thereby increasing its sattvic (concentration) nature. Once the mind attains concentration, we resort to either: • concentrative meditation — where you choose an object to visualise and focus upon, or • mindfulness meditation — where you observe the contents of the mind without reacting or responding. The goal of meditation is to reach the 'No-mind state' and finally to attain Reality, which is beyond the mind. Bahiranga Yoga (lifestyle) prepares the mind by making it free of distractions and disturbances. In Patanjali's Yoga, meditation begins with Dharana or concentration, develops into Dhyana and progresses to various states of Samadhi. During Dharana and Dhyana, the mind gets purified of its suppressions, repressions, conflicts, and conditionings. From being a normal mind, which is like a torch, it now becomes a laser beam. REDUCING RESTLESSNESS In Classical Yoga, Asanas are done as slowly as possible, which curbs restlessness and enhances concentration. Pranayama is the best antidote to stress and anxiety. Mantra japa is also an effective tool against restlessness and anxiety. Use these simple suggestions not just to counter digital urges but also lead a richer life. Could you: 1. Revive the joy of reading — by holding a real book and reading for just 15 minutes a day? 2. Replace passive screen time — with a physical activity like gardening, walking, or cleaning the house? 3. Pick up a sport like badminton or swimming — because sweating is one of the most effective antidotes to mental ill-health? 4. Participate in Nature — by going on treks, hikes, or long walks in jungles? 5. Engage with music — by learning to play an instrument or sing, rather than just listening passively? 6. Help someone else — instead of being addicted to oneself? When going through mental health issues, try helping someone else. Their 'thank you" can shift something inside you and your loneliness, depression often disappear. top videos View all 7. Seek out Satsang — the company of like-minded people? But don't just discuss issues; do things together. The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@ The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 19, 2025, 10:19 IST News lifestyle YogMantra | Why Willpower Fails Against Digital Addiction—And How Yoga Can Help Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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News18
09-07-2025
- General
- News18
You Know Isha Foundation's Sadhguru, But Do You Know His Guru?
While Sadhguru traces his lineage to Adiyogi, he has on rare occasions shared the story of his own Guru Renowned Yogi and mystic Sadhguru is known for his profound wisdom, blending logic and wit while addressing themes ranging from science and environment to spirituality and well-being. Through the Isha Foundation, he has made classical Yogic sciences accessible in their most authentic form. While Sadhguru traces his lineage to Adiyogi, he has on rare occasions shared the story of his own Guru, a singular yet life-transforming moment that laid the foundation for all he does today. Guru Purnima is a fitting time to revisit that moment. In his recounting of past lives, Sadhguru describes one in which he was a Shivayogi immersed in intense sadhana and living through extreme austerity. A wandering sadhu, Shri Palani Swami, recognised the burning longing within him. Knowing Shivayogi would accept no human guru other than Shiva, Palani Swami, out of compassion, took the form of Shiva and touched his staff to the Yogi's forehead. No words were exchanged, but Shivayogi was instantly liberated. As Arundhati Subramanian writes in Sadhguru: More than a Life, the Guru's touch led to him 'falling upwards into the unbounded realm of freedom." This profound moment is depicted on a stone panel outside the Dhyanalinga sanctum sanctorum and is the only moment Sadhguru refers to when speaking about his Guru: 'I did not see my Guru as a man who touched me, though his touch brought me to the highest level of experience, and a revelation of life and beyond. The old mental structure within me somewhere would not accept a human being as a Guru, because it was said that unless it comes from Adiyogi, unless it comes from Shiva himself, it is not real. So the compassion of my Master made him turn himself into the form of Shiva." That single encounter not only led to Shivayogi's enlightenment but also sowed the seed for the consecration of the Dhyanalinga, an aspiration that took three lifetimes to fulfil. Today, the Dhyanalinga, located near Coimbatore at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, stands as a living expression of Bharat's Yogic heritage. Towering at 13 feet 9 inches, it is a unique energy form where all seven chakras are consecrated to their peak through prana pratishtha by Sadhguru. Beyond the physical and mental, the Dhyanalinga works at the etheric level — vignanamaya kosha — offering a profound stillness to all who sit in its presence. The Dhyanalinga is not just a shrine, it is a living Guru, offering initiation and spiritual transformation. As Sadhguru says: 'Anything or anyone who dispels your darkness is your guru. It is not somebody you meet. A Guru is a certain space, a certain energy. So it is not necessarily a person but you can relate better to one who is embodied because you need to be talked into everything, isn't it? A genuine seeker, a person who develops an urge within himself, will find his Guru always…. When any being calls or really yearns, existence answers. That space, that energy which you refer to as Guru will happen to you. It will overwhelm you. It will destroy you the way you are so that you will become unbounded. You will become the way the creator intended you to be." As we observe Guru Purnima, we are reminded that the role of a Guru is not merely to teach, but to ignite a profound transformation within. Sadhguru's encounter with his Guru may have lasted only a moment, yet it became the seed for a journey that continues to uplift millions. Whether one experiences the Guru through a person, a form, or a sacred space like the Dhyanalinga, what truly matters is the intensity of one's seeking. In the end, it is not about the time spent in the Guru's physical presence or grasping him intellectually. It is about preparing oneself to receive the grace of the Master. For when the longing is true, the path and the Guru will inevitably reveal themselves. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Jorhat military station celebrates 11th International Yoga Day
Jorhat (Assam) [India], June 21 (ANI): The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated at the Jorhat Military Station with immense zeal and enthusiasm. More than 1,000 officers, troops, families, children, civilian staff and locals participated in the large-scale conduct of the annual event at Lichubari. Nabajani Deka, a local and a Yoga Guru, who is also the headmistress of the Army School Pre-primary wing, steered the proceedings for the day, demonstrating and organising 'Asanas' as per the prescribed Protocol. Participants from all age groups from within and outside the station benefited from the event. It was preceded by a yoga quiz, organised for Army School Students on June 20, and the winners were felicitated during the Celebrations. The Yoga Day proceedings culminated with a mandatory 'Sankalp' by one and all present to embrace the Yogic exercises as part of modern-day lifestyle before dispersing from Lichubari Greens, the venue at the Jorhat Military Station. The Air Force Station in New Delhi also celebrated the International Day of Yoga under the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' 'The gathering was inspired by the live address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a visionary tone for global wellness and unity,' IAF said in a post on X. 'Unified in breath and balance, Air Warriors performed yoga asana in unison, fostering wellness, resonating with the IAF motto of People First Mission Always,' it added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Yoga Day celebrations, hailing yoga as a gift 'beyond age' that transcends all boundaries and unites humanity in 'health and harmony.' The event took place against the scenic backdrop of the Visakhapatnam coastline, with Indian Navy ships stationed near the shore, adding to the grandeur of the celebrations. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh government and extended his appreciation to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan for hosting the event in Visakhapatnam. He lauded their leadership as 'inspiring' and described the state's initiative to promote yoga as 'commendable.' Over three lakh individuals joined him for a mass yoga session in the coastal city, reinforcing this year's message that 'yoga belongs to everyone' and brings the world together. The Prime Minister recalled India's initiative at the United Nations in 2014 to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day, a move that received wide global support in record time. The Prime Minister also shared glimpses from the event held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, saying the day highlighted how yoga 'unites' the world. In a post on X, PM Modi said, 'Yoga unites the world! Glad to see immense enthusiasm all across the planet for International Day of Yoga.' 'I took part in a Yoga Day programme in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. People from all walks of life also joined. Here are some glimpses,' the post reads. Meanwhile, renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a striking sand sculpture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing Ustrasana (Camel Pose) at Puri Beach. Below the sculpture, the theme for this year, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', was written. Pattnaik's sand art highlighted the significance of yoga, promoting awareness about its benefits for mental peace and well-being. His creations are typically accompanied by vibrant colours and intricate designs. (ANI)
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Brahma Sarovar lights up on Intl. Yoga Day: Baba Ramdev hosts large scale Yoga session
On June 21, 2025, the people of Kurukshetra woke up with a new energy in their heart, and more flexibility in their body. Why? On the occasion of International Yoga Day , Baba Ramdev , CM Nayab Singh Saini, and Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, performed Yoga together along with Acharya Balkrishna and thousands of people who came from all over Haryana and Delhi to make the mission of International Yoga day a success. And so the pure and pious land where Lord Krishna gave some of his best wisdom and knowledge to Arjuna, during the Mahabharat, also became the land where Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna inspired lakhs of people to take up Yogic practices and make them an everyday routine. In Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra, people came dressed in light, breezy clothes, beating the heat of the day, and sat on Yoga mats to follow along with the Yoga asanas Baba Ramdev. His conversational style, his inspiring words, and the humour he sprinkled through in his interaction with the people could motivate anyone to move a leg and perform Yoga alongside. The Yoga session started with a beautiful Shankhnaad by Baba Ramdev, and soon he told the audience about how people would come to him and say 'Oh, I cannot do Yoga', and to them he would explain 'Yoga is as simple as moving and stretching a finger. It is easy, and if you cannot do this, things will get difficult.' He also gave the slogan of 'Sabke liye Yoga, Sab ka isme Sahyog', which translates to 'Yoga is for everyone and we need everyone's efforts and help to further it'. He also said that if every citizen adopts yoga daily, India could save up to ₹10 lakh crore annually on healthcare. 'Yoga has the potential to bring India's health budget down to zero,' he said. The area of Brahma Sarovar was filled with young children, men, women, elders, and more, and everyone was enthusiastic about starting their practice along with Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, the CM and Governor of Haryana, and the volunteers from Patanjali yogpeeth. The importance of Yoga today We live in very stressful times today. War in one nation, unrest in another, work deadline piling up, and family tension all around. And so especially during these times, Yoga can be a life and sanity saver. And thus it is important to understand that Yoga is more than just physical exercise, but rather a holistic practice that brings balance to the body, mind, and breath. From improving posture to improving emotional stability, yoga supports both inner peace and physical strength. It's a timeless practice that fits modern needs, is easy to perform, can be done 'anywhere' without any fancy equipment, and of course, helps you breathe in and out with peace. Acharya Balkrishna, during the session, also shared that even 30–60 minutes of daily yoga can transform one's life, improving health, happiness, and vitality. He said yoga has the power to boost immunity, slow aging, increase longevity, and even reverse chronic diseases. He noted that thousands of global research papers, including many published by Patanjali Research Foundation, confirm yoga's scientific benefits. An announcement by the CM Just as the dignitaries arrived, the CM of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, also told the Press about a special scheme he was promoting wherein all employees, be it Central government ones or Private employees, will receive a 5 minute break in between their work hours to inculcate movement in their everyday routines. He also said "We must build a Haryana free from addiction and disease through Yoga." The Yoga asanas everyone performed Everyone from the audience and the people on the podium came together to follow Baba Ramdev and the Asanas he did. People performed the Tadasana, Mandukasana, Shirshasana, and more. Children also performed Mallakhamb, Air yoga, and much more during the session, making the early morning hours not just informative and educational but also inspiring and entertaining for many. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
