Nostril Dominance (Svara) and Bilateral Volar Galvanic Skin Resistance

The Svara- Yoga concept of ida-, pingala- andsushumna-svara—representing rest, active,and turbulent states—was examined in this study by recording nostril dominance (svara) and bilateral volar GSR (galvanic skin resistance) as an indicator of sympathetic activity under field and laboratory conditions. Sympathetic activity was low in the ida-svara (left nostril dominance) group,higher in the pingala-svara (right nostril dominance)group, and was maximum in the sushumna-svara(undecided nostril dominance) group of subiects under both field and laboratory conditions. This finding agreed with the traditional Svara-Yoga descriptions. The volar GSR on the right side more readily varied with the svara than the left volar GSR, particularly in the physically relaxed subjects under laboratory conditions. The latter observation was worth noting because the subjects were right-handed. The right side could be recommended as the standard site for recording volar GSR to closely reflect the sympathetic activity,particularly so when subjects were given the opportunity for physical rest.