Rather than examining what takes your breath away, Sundar Balasubramanian, a radiation oncology researcher studies what breath gives you. A deep breath relaxes, and he explains it creates significant beneficial changes in physiologically relevant biomarkers. From his translation and application of one of the more than 3,000 poems in the ancient script Thirumanthiram, Dr. Balasubramanian, has made an important discovery for public health and offers a simple 1-2-3 exercise for well-being.
Born in Tamil Nadu India, Sundar Balasubramanian studied yoga starting at a young age from his father and uncles. Graduating from Gurukula, he majored in chemistry, and yoga, meditation, prayer and group singing also part of the curriculum. In 1999, Dr. Balasubramanian came to Charleston, SC for post-doctoral research. Except for three years working at Yale, Charleston has been home since. His work with other Medical University of South Carolina scientists includes a Yoga adjunct for various diseases. Based on Dr. Balasubramanian's interest in Tamil literature and Yoga, he collects ancient scripts. Applying the translation of one of Thirumoolar's writings to his yoga breathing practice launched the idea for his groundbreaking study of yoga stimulated salivary biochemicals and how they affect human health. His future goal is establish to conduct research on mind-body exercise, from various cultures, to learn any social and therapeutic potential for integrative medicine.