What is Sudarshan Kriya - The science of breath

What is Sudarshan Kriya? Why is this technique so famous? What are its benefits? Why should i do the kriya? 
Most of you will definitely have such questions in your mind...Here is the answer for all your questions. 

The masterpiece of the the Art of Living Course is a powerful breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. (The practice goes by this Sanskrit name in whatever language the program is taught throughout the world.) Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to the present moment. For every feeling or emotion, there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath. 

Sudarshan kriya includes two simple yoga techniques - pranayama and poornayama. Pranayama is a technique to govern the breathing process and Poornayoga incudes practice of simple yoga postures. 

                                               

Through pranayama , one learns to govern

the breath consciously to bring harmony

in to the body, mind and spirit.

Benefits of Sudarshan Kriya

* Greater creativity and clarity of mind
* Reduced stress and tension
* More ease and joy in personal relationships

What happens during Kriya?

Sudarshan kriya infuses the body with energy and harmonises the natural rhythms of the body, mind and emotions. By using specific rhythms of breath the Sudarshan Kriya re-establishes balance in life as it simultaneously floods the cells of the body with oxygen and energy. Scientific research indicates that there is a very close relationship between the breath, the mind, the emotions and the body. Sudarshan Kriya links the breath to the mind-body system in a manner that rids the system of accumulated negative emotions, stress and toxins, leaving the mind rested and the body rejuvenated. 

In 1998 and 1999, the Sudarshan Kriya gained recognition from the scientific community when various medical and scientific studies on its benefits were published.

Research demonstrates that Sudarshan Kriya:

• Significantly reduces the levels of blood cortisol, the "stress hormone"
• Significantly drops total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and at the same time increases HDL cholesterol level (good cholesterol). This indicates that Sudarshan Kriya® can be used for the prevention of coronary heart disease
• Increases antioxidant enzymes that defend the body from the harmful effects of chemicals and pollutants in the environment
• Provides effective relief from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress
• Restores normal sleep patterns
• Increases general health, well-being and peace of mind -
• Increases alpha waves and prolactin, the "well-being" hormone
• Increases beta waves used for concentration
• Increases T-helper cells in cancer patients in remission
• Boost the immune system through an increase in natural killer cells

In addition, the research indicates that breathing techniques are an effective treatment for depression, both mild and severe, and preliminary evidence suggest a benefit for the effects of smoking, alcohol abuse, marital discord and multiple schlerosis.