Tridosha Influence on Prana Perception and Well-Being: An Exploratory Study of Pranic Healing Techniques Among Ayurveda Students.

The short version

This 2024 exploratory pilot study investigated the relationship between the Ayurvedic concept of Tridosha and the perception of Pranic Energy Sensations (PES) among Ayurveda students. In Ayurveda, the three doshas (Tridosha) are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which govern physiological activity. Vata is composed of space and air elements and governs movement and nervous system functions; Pitta is composed of fire and water elements and governs digestion and metabolism; Kapha is composed of earth and water elements and provides structure and stability. Ninety-one healthy Ayurveda students (mean age 24.86 ± 2.32 years, 68% female) participated in this single-arm study conducted at a Government Ayurveda Medical College in Mysuru, Karnataka, India. Participants engaged in the Energizing Prana Technique (EPT) and reported their experiences of PES, which were measured using a Likert scale. Results indicated that higher Body Vata scores were significantly correlated with stronger PES intensity (ρ = .224, p ≤ .05), suggesting that individuals with Vata dominance may have heightened sensitivity to subtle energy flows. Additionally, Body Pitta scores also showed a positive correlation with PES intensity (r = .209, p ≤ .05). Conversely, higher Mind Vata scores correlated negatively with Positive State of Mind scores (ρ = −.373, p ≤ .01), indicating that elevated mental Vata may be associated with reduced psychological well-being. The study also found significant correlations between Body Vata and physiological parameters, including forehead temperature (pre: ρ = .282; post: ρ = .348, p ≤ .01), and Body Kapha with Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (ρ = .206, p ≤ .05). These findings suggest that biofield therapies such as Pranic Healing may be more effective when tailored to an individual's Ayurvedic constitutional type. However, this was a small pilot study without a control group and utilized convenience sampling from a single institution. Larger randomized controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to validate these preliminary results and establish causality.

Key findings

• Higher Body Vata scores correlate with stronger energy sensations.
• Mind Vata scores negatively impact psychological well-being.
• Personalized energy healing may enhance therapeutic outcomes.