Take to yoga, pranayama and meditation besides controlled breathing techniques to take on chikungunya. This is the advice from the Art of Living Foundation.

Encouraged by the efficacy of its techniques in treating people with symptoms of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that can prove fatal, the group has decided to start special camps all over India to cater to people suffering from the disease.

The camp will offer yoga, pranayama and meditation apart from the Sudarshan Kriya, the unique breathing technique taught in the Art of Living workshop.

"We have been studying the effects of our techniques on people with symptoms of chikungunya for a few weeks. It has been observed that people who regularly practice Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama and meditation are not only less prone to the disease but also recover faster if they get an attack," Swami Sadyojatah of Art of Living said here.

Said Renuka Dugani, a physician from Hubli, one of the worst effected areas in Karnataka: "Many of my patients showed remarkable recovery soon after they underwent the Art of Living workshop. The improvements are so apparent that now I prescribe the workshop to every patient that comes to me with symptoms of chikungunya."

Explaining how yoga, pranayama, meditation and Sudarshan Kriya help to cure the disease, yogacharya Dinesh Kashikar said: "Pranayama is a very effective antidote for fever as it cools down the body and restores the balance. Yoga asanas loosen up the joints and provide relief from body pain, which are the dominant symptoms of chikungunya.

The Sudarshan Kriya and accompanying meditations strengthen the immune system and allow the body to fight back," he added.

The unique rhythmic breathing technique designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has helped millions to successfully manage the stress, get rid of many problems including serious ailments such as depression, panic attacks, diabetes, heart problems, cancer and AIDS, besides leading happier lives.