According to a Yoga Magazine posting of a report by Swami Tapasmurti Saraswati, one of the earlier studies done on stress reduction using yogic techniques was facilitated by the use of biofeedback technology. This study was conducted at Satyananda Ashram, Perth, Australia, during a 10-week course held in 1980 and 1981.

The basis for the course evolved from training in yoga nidra (a conscious deep sleep or state of supreme stillness and insight), along with three other yoga techniques: asana (any of various bodily positions assumed during yogic exercise), pranayama (yogic breath using one of five vital forces moving in the body) and yoga meditation (one of the five principles of yoga practice).

The report states that this research found that Yoga nidra, although one of the deepest forms of yoga meditation, was not enough by itself for the yogis in the study to develop the ability to relax completely. Swami Tapasmurti Saraswati’s article discusses how the biofeedback technologies were employed to measure the effectiveness of these yogas in helping bring about this deep calm state.

Swami Tapasmurti Saraswati concluded his report stating, “the person who can let go of his normal state in response to stress and then relinquish the aroused state once the stressful situation is over; let go of his normal waking state in order to relax deeply, then again emerge from that relaxed state when the situation demands, is the one who possesses a psycho-physiological maturity. He can truly cope with all life’s situations with awareness and control, and live a balanced, happy and fruitful life. This is the aim and experience of yoga.”

This ability has been termed ‘coherence’ by The Institute of HeartMath. Their research lead to the development of current scientifically-validated tools and technologies which effectively reduce stress.

I first learned about and practiced coherence during a HeartMath seminar when the method was newly introduced and called “FreezeFramer.” I was personally reintroduced to it after hearmath renamed it as the ‘emWave’ PC Stress Relief System.

You can get the emWave PC Stress Relief System to use at home too. HeartMath also makes a handy pocket-size version called the emWave Personal Stress Reliever that you can easily carry and use anywhere to immediately find relief and recover from stressful episodes.

Practitioners can get the HeartMath Professional emWave PC system which includes the client education brochure and practitioner guides. HeartMath also has excellent membership and other programs.