European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Om chanting is the best form of pranayama, formed by pronunciation of 3 words A, U, M which is known to calm the mind and have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and respiratory system. The COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown has been a stressful period for all especially to young adults who have been forced to stay at home with very little scope for physical activity due to prolonged closure of educational institutions and continuous attending of online classes. Since OM chanting was known to reduce the stress and calm the mind, the focus of the study was to assess the effects of Om chanting on respiratory efficiency by evaluating the respiratory endurance , breath holding time, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation before and after 10 minutes of OM chanting for a period of 14 days. OM chanting was performed twice a day in the morning and evening. OM chanting was found to be beneficial in enhancing the respiratory efficiency by improving the respiratory endurance and breath holding time.