Yoga Practice Research Articles

Embodied Harmony: Examining Yoga's Fundamental Links via Electromyographical Analysis of Pose and Trunk Muscle Activity

The present study, "Embodied Harmony: Investigating Core Connections in Yoga through Electromyographical Exploration of Postures and Trunk Muscle Activity," explores the complex interplay between trunk muscle activation patterns and yoga postures. The research examines how various yoga positions activate and alter core musculature using electromyography (EMG) as a tool. The results are intended to contribute to a better understanding of the physiological elements of yoga practice, shedding light on efficient training methods and possible therapeutic uses for those looking to strengthen and stabilize their core.

Study on the effects of short-term yoga practice on body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutritional and mental health status of school children

Background and Aim: Physical inactivity may cause poor physical fitness, obesity, cardio-respiratory and mental illness. The present study was designed to find out the effects of short term yoga practice on body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutrition and mental status of school children of 10 to 12 years. Materials and Methods: For the present study 120 volunteers (60 healthy female and 60 healthy male) within the age group of 10–12 years were screened randomly and were divided into: (a) Yoga Group (n = 60) and (b) Control Group (n = 60). Both these groups were sub-divided into (i) Male (n = 30) and (ii) Female (n = 30) volunteers. The volunteers of yoga group followed a yoga practice schedule of 1hr/day, 6 days/week for 6 weeks, with no yoga practice in control group. Body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutrition and mental status were measured before (0 week) and after (6 weeks) training. Results: A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in strength, flexibility, anaerobic power, VO2max, FVC, FEV1, PEFR; and decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in resting heart rate, blood pressure, depression, anxiety and stress scores were observed in both male and female volunteers after six weeks of yoga practice. Conclusion: Regular practice of yogic asana, pranayama, and meditation improves body composition, cardiovascular, respiratory, physical fitness, and reduces stress level.

A Study on the Thought and Practice of Yoga

A Study on the Thought and Practice of Yoga

The Effectiveness of Yoga Exercise to Reduce Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetes Mellitus Sufferers

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is considered scary because it is chronic and leads to complications from other serious diseases. However, the good news is that DM can be prevented and controlled. The heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other organs can become involved. Therefore, non-pharmacological (lifestyle modification) control of physical activity is necessary to manage DM. One solution is yoga practice. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of yoga exercises in reducing blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus sufferers. This research design is an analytic experiment with a quasi-experimental design using a non-equivalent control group approach and involving a control group not treated with the same pre and post-treatment samples (paired samples). A sample of 24 people. The research location is Tamalanrea Community Health Center, Makassar, Indonesia. The results showed a significant difference in GDS levels before and after yoga exercise. This is supported by the mean value of GDS levels, which decreased 74.25 mg/dL after yoga exercise. The correlation strength of the intervention is 0.965, so it can be said that yoga exercise is powerful in reducing GDS levels in DM patients. It was concluded that there was a significant difference in GDS levels before and after yoga exercise. The research contribution is recommended to provide education to patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 to increase physical activity as a way of non-pharmacological therapy to keep blood sugar levels in a normal state.

Effect of Ten Weeks of Yoga Intervention on Vital Capacity among Pondicherry University Community College Students

Abstract: The present study was conducted on physically active men students to assess the relative effects of selected yogic practices on vital capacity. For the present study 10 men students from Pondicherry University Community College were selected. 10 weeks of yogic training was given to selected subjects. The treatment schedule was prepared for 10 weeks. The experimental treatment was given for 45 minutes a day in 5 days in a week. The vital capacity was measured both pre and post training situations of before and after 10 weeks of Pranayama training. After 10 weeks of Pranayama training Vital Capacity was significantly improved in the selected subjects. This is due to the yogic training given.

SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS ON HOW ASANA AND PRANAYAMA YOGA AFFECTS STRESS LEVELS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Background: Medical students are susceptible to mental illnesses that are brought on by expectations for exceeding academic success. To avoid more serious risks in the future, medical students must manage their stress because it contributes to anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and decreased academic success. Regular yoga practice is one effective and efficient lifestyle modification that can be used to handle stress. This systematic review shows how yoga can help medical students feel less stressed. This study aims to determine the effect between the duration and frequency of Asana and Pranayama Yoga on stress levels in medical students.Methods: Studies till 2022 are used in this systematic review. Articles were accumulated using PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost. Each search engine has its own designated keywords. Studies were assessed using the NHLBI Study Quality Assessment Tools. Ten studies met the criteria for this study and were all used and analyzed. Results: There were ten studies that met this systematic review criteria and were rated as having good quality by the NHLBI quality assessment tool. All studies showed an association between the frequency of yoga sessions and reduced stress in medical students. Some studies had shorter yoga sessions than others, so the duration of each session did not affect the results as much as the frequency. Conclusion: This study shows that the frequency of yoga sessions has an impact, resulting in lower stress levels in medical students. The impact of yoga duration is minimal when compared to yoga frequency. Yoga should be applied as an intervention to increase the quality of life of medical students.

Improvement in muscular strength, body flexibility and balance by yoɡasana and with reduced detraining effects by yoɡa breathing maneuvers: A non-randomized controlled study

BackgroundYoɡa was reported to have the potential to improve physical fitness. Its applications are being used by common persons for wellness, but literature on the training and detraining effects of components of yoga is scarce. ObjectivesTo explore the potential of different proportions of yoga postures (Yogasana) and yoga breathing maneuvers (YBM), consisting of Pranayama and kriya, on muscular strength, flexibility, and balance in training and detraining management. Methodsː 32 physically active male students, aged 20.5 ± 1.3 yrs, were divided into control (CG) and yoga group (YG). YG practiced yogasana, YBM, and dhyana for 45 min in each session for 6 days per week for 12 weeks. From 1st week to 6th week, they practiced yogasana in greater proportion. 7th week onwards YBM was inducted by increasing its duration and varieties. CG did not practice yoga. Back-leg strength (BLS), Hand Grip Strength (HGS), flexibility, and balance were recorded before, the 6th week and 12th weekend of training. Resultsː.In YG, the pre-training value of BLS was 110.8 ± 12.6 kg. It increased (2.3 %) to 113.3 ± 11.4 kg (p < 0.001) on the 6th weekend. On the 12th weekend, it further increased in lesser magnitude (0.4 %) to 113.7 ± 11 kg (p < 0.05) and the pattern of improvement was the same in other parameters, but in flexibility and balance its magnitude was greater (p < 0.001). CG did not show such changes. Conclusionsː Yogasana helps in the improvement of muscular strength, flexibility, and balance and YBM counteracts detraining effects in the absence of yogasana. Judiciously selected components of yoga/YBM may have applications in sports, occpational health and recuperative patients.

To Observe the Effect of Yoga on Mental Health and Flexibility in Premenopausal Females

Background and need of the study: Effects of yoga is studied by many scholars; however, little attention has been given to the phenomenon of premenopausal female participants. So there is need to observe effect of yoga on mental health and flexibility in premenopausal women. Methodology: Observational study, convenience sampling was done, participants who belong to age group between 40-50 were included in the study. Oral consent was obtained from every participant. Participants were divided into 2 group, group A: who are practising yoga since last 3 years and group B: who were not practicing yoga. Outcome measures 1) V sit and reach test for flexibility and 2) DASS scale to assess depression, stress and anxiety used. Result: Mean DASS score was(6.45+3.85) and (13.20+5.36) for group A and group B respectively and mean score for flexibility was (20.60+5.36) and(13.35+5.25) for group A and group B respectively. For comparison of outcome measures, Mann-whitney U test was applied, test result shows that, there is significant difference between groups in flexibility (U=37.5, p=0.0001) and DASS score (U=50.5, p=0.0001). Conclusion and clinical application: Yoga has shown good control on mental health and flexibility in premenopausal females practicing yoga. So, We can encourage premenopausal female to practise yoga regularly. Keywords: Premenopausal, Yoga, Depression, Anxiety, Flexibility.

PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER ADULTS ON YOGA-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR MULTIMORBIDITY IN MYSORE, INDIA

Abstract Globally, over half of older adults suffer from ≥2 chronic diseases. In India, proven exercise interventions are limited by individual, social, environmental and policy-level factors. We aimed to qualitatively explore perceptions about yoga interventions for healthy aging in Mysore, India. In collaboration with the Community Advisory Board, we developed a qualitative assessment of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors around yoga among seniors. Between August-September 2022, we conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with older adults, after obtaining informed consent. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated from the local language Kannada. Data were coded manually, and emerging themes were identified. We conducted 4 FGDs of 7-8 participants each; 14 male and 13 female older adults participated, and their average age was 66.1±4.3 years; 88.9% had at least 10 years of education. Most participants expressed interest in yoga for health maintenance, specially mentioning its Indian roots, but did not prioritize it for routine practice. Yoga practice was also a means to reduce social isolation for many. Reported challenges in adopting yoga practice included inaccessibility to instructors and dependence on family members. Cultural barriers especially affected women, including ageism and gender role expectations. Women reported hesitancy to express their desire to learn yoga due to perceived negative reactions from their younger family members and their community. Promoting health promotion practices among older Indian adults is challenging primarily due to cultural norms and changing family dynamics with age. Promoting healthy behaviors among them through yoga will first involve family education and consent.

Enhancing Body Awareness through Yogic Practices in Physical Education in a Selected University in Fuzhou, China

This study investigates the impact of integrating Yogic practices into physical education classes on body awareness among university students in Fuzhou, China. The research focuses on the assessment of yogic practices in various positions and the level of body awareness among students. A questionnaire was administered to yoga teachers at a selected university to assess yogic practices and measure body awareness among students. The study found a weak linear relationship between the frequency or depth of yogic practices and body awareness, with a correlation coefficient of 0.062. The significance value was 0.332, higher than the 0.05 threshold. The null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted, indicating that the frequency or depth of yogic practices in a student's physical education does not directly correlate with their body awareness. Extensive engagement in yogic practices does not necessarily lead to increased or decreased body awareness, and high body awareness does not necessarily require more involvement in yogic practices.

Meta-analysis of influence of yoga activities on reaction time as a component of skill related fitness

Introduction: Yoga practices are known to have beneficial effect on cognitive functions. Reaction is a purposeful voluntary response to external stimuli. Reaction time is a component of skill related fitness. Humans gives response to different external environmental stimuli with different speed. Majority of daily work is done in response to visual and auditory stimuli. Yoga practices may improve reaction time. Objectives: To study influence of yoga practices on auditory reaction time and visual reaction time. Methods: Researchers used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Researchers searched articles on PubMed, Google scholar and by manual search. Searched articles were screened for relevancy. By use of inclusion and exclusion criteria potential articles were selected. Results: Out of 287articles, finally 5 studies included in current meta-analysis. Yoga activities has effect on visual reaction time (VRT): SMD = 3.06, 95% CI = –0.66–6.78, P &lt; 0.01 and auditory reaction time (ART): SMD = 2.86, 95% CI = –0.37–6.09. Conclusion: Yogic activities can provide beneficial effect on reaction time. Improved reaction time is important for reactive activity like sports. Yoga can be useful as a part of training in skill related work. There is wide scope for further studies to evaluate beneficial effects of yoga activities.

Propagation of Ancient Indian Knowledge through IKT Courses in Open Schooling

Let’s go back to Indianness and experience the richness of ancient Indian culture” is a call to rediscover and immerse ourselves in the profoundheritage of India. It invites us to explore the long-standing customs, works of art, schools of thought, and knowledge that have shaped thiscountry. The abovementioned quote encourages returning to the fundamentals and learning about the rich tapestry of Indian history andculture, which stands for spirituality, harmony in diversity, traditional arts, music, dance, cuisine, rituals, and philosophy like as yoga and Vedanta.India has always been viewed as having a rich and diversified knowledge legacy as it is the home of one of the oldest and most sophisticatedcivilizations in the world, including the Indus Valley civilization and the Vedic culture. The vibrant Indian method of living a life is made knownto the entire world through the rich traditional practices of Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga. The ancient Indian sciences are incredibly helpfulin today’s times because of their timeless concepts, all-encompassing viewpoint, and ability to address modern challenges. This paper exploresthe diversity of ancient Indian knowledge and the necessity of incorporating it into the country’s contemporary educational system. Additionally,it also describes NIOS’s initiative to incorporate IKT subjects into the open school curriculum, which was prepared specifically for Indian openschool learners. The major objective of introducing IKT subjects was to prepare citizens of tomorrow who are not only academically competentbut also emotionally balanced, socially responsible, and environmentally sensitive. This paper was written with the goal of communicatingbest practices and increasing the general awareness of the numerous programmes provided by NIOS and encouraging more people to engagewith it and utilize its resources.

Effects of yogic practices on polypharmacy

The occurrence and concurrency of Noncommunicable chronic diseases increase with age, and therefore, the number of medications used increases correspondingly. Polypharmacy is a scenario in which five medications or more are consumed concurrently (regardless of dose and duration of consumption), which leads to reduced quality of life, physical problems, increased drug interactions, adverse effects, and medical complications and increases the cost of treatment. Moreover, polypharmacy increases the incidence of falls, frequency of hospital admission, length of stay, and the death rate among patients, especially in the elderly population. This would allow therapies like Yoga, pranayama, and meditation to act as an effective mainstay or adjunctive or alternative therapy for many disorders, as it can be cost-effective, patient-compliant, and clinically efficacious with the most negligible side effects. However, very few studies have focused on the impact of yogic practices on reducing drug dosage or polypharmacy among patients. Hence, a Medline English literature search was planned to review all the studies demonstrating a dose-response effect between yogic practices and the number/dosage of medication reduction in different disorders. Data extracted and analyzed depicted that the practice of Yoga, pranayama, and meditation can result not only in reducing the number of medications but also the dosages in hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, arthritis, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), gastrointestinal disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Sustainable Adaptation To Human Organism Through Regular Yoga Practicing During Covid-19 Pandemic Situation-a Review

Recently our world have faced and gained experience of Covid-19 pandemic. This is a deadly communicable disease and spread in all the countries with a very speed. Mainly it affects the respiratory system first and from there the other systems start damaging. On that time, the ancient yoga: a body-mind-soul practice techniques has received an incredible response to fight against that pandemic. Especially the yogasana, pranayama and meditation practice was become more popular than ever. For physical body yogasana, for mental body pranayama and for spiritual body meditation was widely used all over the world in this time. Here, in this article the author discussed with the support of various internet sources about the sustainable adaptation of human organism due to the regular practice of yoga during Covid-19.

EFFECT OF YOGA BASED INTERVENTION ON ACADEMIC ANXIETY AMONG ADOLESCENT IN RELATION TO GENDER AND TYPE OF FAMILY

The aim of the study is to examine the effects of yogic intervention on academic anxiety among adolescents in relation to gender and type of family. For this study, 80 students with ages ranging from 13 to 18 years were selected. They consisted of 40 boys and 40 girls, as well as 40 adolescents who belonged to joined a family and 40 who belonged to a nuclear family. All of them were from Navjeevan Higher Secondary School in Baroda, Gujarat. A pre- and post-singal group study was conducted. The Academic Anxiety Scale( Atieq UI Rehman and M. Abid Siddiqui) was administered to assess the level of academic anxiety. The total number of 44 items on this scale In this study, random sampling was used. Signed informed consent was obtained from all the participants before starting the study. A three-month yoga programme included 55-minute yoga sessions five days a week. The obtained data were analysed using a paired t-test. A significant difference was found in the level of academic anxiety when the pre-data was compared with the post-data. Results revealed that yogic intervention is important to reduce academic anxiety. We conclude that yoga practice enhances students mental health and promotes holistic wellness based on our findings. We recommend further research in this field.

Study protocol on effectiveness of yoga practice on composite biomarker age predictors (yBioAge) in an elderly Indian cohort- two-armed open label randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThe recent development of robust indices to quantify biological aging, along with the dynamic epidemiological transitions of population aging generate the unmet need to examine the extent up to which potential interventions can delay, halt or temporarily modulate aging trajectories.Methods and analysisThe study is a two-armed, open label randomised controlled trial. We aim to recruit 166 subjects, aged 60–75 years from the residential communities and old age clubs in Bangalore city, India, who will undergo randomisation into intervention or control arms (1:1). Intervention will include yoga sessions tailored for the older adults, 1 h per day for 5 days a week, spread for 12 months. Data would be collected at the baseline, 26th week and 52nd week. The primary outcome of the study is estimation in biological age with yoga practice. The secondary outcomes will include cardinal mechanistic indicators of aging- telomere length, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF-RII), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP)], insulin signaling [insulin and IGF1], renal function [cystatin], senescence [growth differentiating factor 15 (GDF-15)] and cardiovascular function [N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP)]. Analyses will be by intention-to-treat model.Ethics & disseminationThe study is approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana University, Bangalore (ID:RES/IEC-SVYASA/242/2022). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant prior to inclusion.Trial registration numberCTRI/2022/07/044442.

Evaluation of intervention components to maximize yoga practice among people with chronic pain taking opioid agonist therapy: A factorial experiment using the multiphase optimization strategy framework

BackgroundChronic pain affects up to half of individuals taking opioid agonist therapy (OAT; i.e., methadone and buprenorphine) for opioid use disorder (OUD), and yoga-based interventions may be useful for decreasing pain-related disability. Whereas more yoga practice (i.e., higher “dosage”) may improve pain-related outcomes, it can be challenging for people with chronic pain taking OAT to attend class regularly and sustain a regular personal yoga practice. Therefore, we plan to optimize a yoga-based intervention (YBI) package in order to support class attendance and personal practice, thus maximizing the yoga dose received. Study designUsing the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework, we will conduct a factorial experiment to examine four intervention components that may be added to a weekly yoga class as part of a YBI. Components include: 1) personal practice videos featuring study yoga teachers, 2) two private sessions with a yoga teacher, 3) daily text messages to inspire personal practice, and 4) monetary incentives for class attendance. The primary outcome will be minutes per week engaged in yoga (including class attendance and personal practice). We plan to enroll 192 adults with chronic pain who are taking OAT for OUD in this 2x2x2x2 factorial experiment. ConclusionResults of the study will guide development of an optimized yoga-based intervention package that maximizes dosage of yoga received. The final treatment package can be tested in a multisite efficacy trial of yoga to reduce pain interference in daily functioning in people with chronic pain who are taking OAT.Trial registration: Pre-registration of the study was completed on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04641221).

Examining the rural–urban differentials in yoga and mindfulness practices among middle-aged and older adults in India: secondary analysis of a national representative survey

Physical activity and mental well-being play an important role in reducing the risk of various diseases and in promoting independence among older adults. Appropriate physical activity, including yoga and mindfulness practices, can help rectify the loss of independence due to aging and have a positive influence on physical health and functional activities. This study assessed rural–urban differences in yoga and mindfulness practices and their associated factors among middle-aged and older Indian adults. The total sample size considered for the current analysis was 72,250 middle-aged and older adults (aged ≥ 45 years). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of yoga and mindfulness practices and examine the associations of selected variables with yoga and mindfulness practices among the participants. Further, we used the Fairley decomposition technique to determine the factors contributing to rural–urban differences in the prevalence of yoga and mindfulness practices among middle-aged and older adults. More than 9% of middle-aged and older adults in rural areas and 14% in urban areas reported practicing yoga and mindfulness activities more than once per week. Adults aged ≥ 65 years were more likely to practice yoga and mindfulness activities than those who age 45–54 years were. Those with an education of ten years and above were 2.3 and 2.1 times higher likely to practice yoga in rural (AOR: 2.28; CI: 2.07–2.52) and urban (AOR: 2.13; CI: 1.91–2.37) areas compared to their uneducated peers, respectively. The largest contributors in diminishing the gap in yoga practice among participants were education (44.2%), caste (2.5%), chronic diseases such as hypertension (4.53%), diabetes (1.71%), high cholesterol (3.08%), self-reported pain (5.76%), and difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living (1.22%). The findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults in urban areas practice yoga and mindfulness activities more than their peers in rural areas do. Education level, household characteristics, and health outcomes such as chronic conditions, pain, and functional difficulties explain the observed differences in yoga and mindfulness practices across rural and urban areas. Age-appropriate healthy practices such as yoga and mindfulness should be encouraged to enhance the physical and mental well-being of middle-aged and older adults, especially in rural areas.

The spiritual effects of yoga during the birth process

A transition begins to a period in which all emotions intensify together with the physiological, mental and emotional changes that occur during the journey of birth which is shaped with the beginning of birth process. Birth process is a moral and spiritual journey for a woman. In addition to all accompanying symptoms with the start of labour, the woman needs more support with uterus contractions. Yoga and meditation practices during the antenatal period are effective in promoting balance and surrender to the process for women. The mind is set free and perfect unity of body, mind and spirit is ensured in each asana during yoga practices. In each asana during birth process, the body, mind and spirit are united and integrated. In the meantime, the individuals drift apart from the impacts of external environment, introversion is enabled, and thus the labour is let flow. Yoga asanas implemented during labour may be shaped in accordance with the flow of labour and woman’s needs. With these features, perinatal yoga asanas support the mother and foetus physically and spiritually. This compilation aims to examine the effects of aspiritual integrity through yoga.

YOGA HELPS TO COPE WITH STRESS

Traditional practices like yoga are gaining importance as comprehensive solutions to diverse health concerns in an era where the complicated interplay between physical health, mental well-being, and immunity is widely recognized. With growing mental health concerns, yoga practices can be employed to lower stress, reduce inflammation, and restore neurotransmitter balance. Accumulating evidence suggests that yoga is effective in treating depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. Some studies support the use of hatha yoga in the face of rising mood and anxiety disorders. This article overviews evidence-based studies of yoga pointing to its beneficial effects on stress reduction, immune responses, and mental health outcomes.