Beneficial effects of the Nishino breathing method on immune activity and stress level.
OBJECTIVE
Immunologic activity and stress level in practitioners of the Nishino breathing method were assayed before and after 90 minutes of an exercise class, in order to assess the value of the method.


BACKGROUND
The Nishino Breathing Method was developed by Kozo Nishino, a former ballet choreographer and a master of martial arts, in the 1970s in an attempt to develop Ki (an internal life energy or a spiritual energy). Although he developed his method independently of the Chinese qigong practice, there are certain similarities between them, in that both involve visualization of internal energy flow, slow body movements, and the emission of life energy from one's hand.


METHODS
Twenty one (21) practitioners were tested. Their blood was withdrawn before and after a class, and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells and their cell numbers were assayed. The level of stress was also measured using the Lorish face scale method. The heart rate was also monitored.


RESULTS
The NK cell activity of 17 of 21 (76%) subjects increased after attending a class. The mean NK cell activity of the whole group of subjects increased after the practice (p < 0.03). The mean stress level was significantly reduced after the class (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated that the Nishino Breathing Method can effectively enhance the immunoregulatory system and reduce stress even after one class. This indicates that the method would help improve the health of its practitioners if they continue to practice it.
Kimura
Hiroko
H
Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. hkim@med.juntendo.ac.jp
Nagao
Fumiko
F
Tanaka
Yukio
Y
Sakai
Shizu
S
Ohnishi
S Tsuyoshi
ST
Okumura
Ko
K
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts; D008875:Middle Aged; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors