VYT in Space

Mitigating the Effects of Free-fall Adaptation through Vestibular Yoga Training

Paper to be Presented at the 70th annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington D.C., United States from 21 – 25 October 2019.

Altered vestibular functions due to the free-fall environment of space travel has plagued astronauts since the beginning of the space age. These effects can range from minor annoyance and impairment to complete debilitation. Fortunately most astronauts adapt, to some extent, to this environment within a few days. Upon returning to earth, they then need to re-adapt to a 1G environment. This paper will examine vestibular yoga training (VYT) as a method for reducing freefall adaptation time, the 1 G re-read adaptation time, and as a way to provide overall enhance performance for crew. This paper begins with a brief review of the vestibular system and the effects astronauts experience in the freefall environment , followed by a description of VYT and proposed design of experiments to test VYT mitigation benefits.

Vestibular Yoga Training consists of a series of yoga derive postures and breathing techniques combined with eye movements, designed to help individuals  who suffer from vestibular stress or are recovering from vestibular damage due to accidents, aging, or other issues; as well as enhance overall focus, balance and coordination. VYT promotes an increase in sensory function and fine motor skills. Improvements can are gained through the alignment of multiple systems in the body to include musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, in addition to vestibular benefits. 

VYT was developed by the author following a devastating car accident resulting in trumatic brain injury and physical incapacitation. Personal benefits as well as those of the author's clients are discussed. The paper concludes with a proposed research program- including hypotheses and VYT regimens- to investigate how VYT could be used by astronauts to mitigate freefall adaptation effects.