The basic biochemical reaction for energy production in the body depends on oxygen. A minimum level of oxygen is essential at tissue level to sustain that basic metabolic reaction at the required rate. If oxygen falls below the critical level, the body system switches to an anaerobic process which cannot sustain life for long. This deficiency at tissue level is known as hypoxia. How can Vihangam yoga help in high altitude hypoxia? There are two options: either we maintain the supply or we decrease the oxygen demand: 1) Oxygen transport to supply at the required consumption; 2) Acclimatizing by increasing the hemoglobin concentration of the blood; 3) The way in which yoga can help is by reducing the demand by practicing yoga at level of life force (Prana), we can regulate our basic metabolic rate, hence we are reducing the demand. According to the Vihangam Yoga teachings, there are ten pranas (life forces) in our body, each one having its designated function as and when needed. Hence our Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) will be reduced, thus reducing the demand of oxygen needed to sustain life. It is not possible by other forms of yoga which only work at the level of the body. The age-old Vihangam yoga was rediscovered by HH Shri Sadguru Sadafaldeo ji and this has presently been propagated by HH Shri Sadguru Swatantradeo ji across the globe. It teaches us and trains us to use this method of meditation based on the intimate relationship between “Mind” and “Prana.” By practicing it, our mind can be fully tamed and thereby, control over “Pranas” increases, which helps us in controlling and regulating our basal metabolic rate as discussed above, thus protecting us even from high altitude chronic hypoxia.
