Yoga Practitioners Research Articles

Nurturing the Female Body: Notions of Wellbeing in Womb Yoga

ABSTRACT Alternative therapies which aim to enhance women’s wellbeing have been accused of contributing to healthist and postfeminist agendas which rest upon a neoliberal logic. I critically engage with this issue here through an ethnographic study of womb yoga, a women’s alternative therapy developed in the UK. I argue that while being commercial and emphasizing personal responsibility, womb yoga largely works against the current neoliberal optimization ideal. Womb yoga practitioners dismiss goal-oriented self-management and discipline, and avoid a simple reproduction of gender stereotypes by deflecting care away from other-directedness and opening the interpretation of femininity to the imaginative and experiential realms.

A Population-Practice-Based Model to Understand How Yoga Impacts on Human Global Functioning: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction:Research is increasingly demonstrating a range of benefits of practicing yoga, such as improved physical and mental health, social connectedness, and self-care. Mechanisms of action are less well understood, but may include both psychological and physiological changes. The aim of this study was to understand more about benefits and mechanisms of yoga practice, using qualitative data collected from a large-scale survey of yoga use in the United Kingdom. Methods: The mixed methods, cross-sectional online survey collected data on yoga use and perceived benefits from 2434 U.K. yoga practitioners. The qualitative survey element used open-ended questions to gain "real life" data regarding practice and perceived benefits. Data were analyzed thematically and deductively. A practice-based model describing yoga practice, mechanisms, and benefits, based on the Khalsa logic model of yoga, was developed to explain the data. Findings: Findings highlighted that a diverse range of yoga practices and nonspecific contextual factors related to practicing yoga, needed to be considered to understand how yoga was benefitting people. These practices encompassed both modern and traditional conceptions of yoga as a deeper lifestyle practice. Key mechanisms for change included improvements in physical strength and flexibility, stress regulation, resilience, equanimity, mind-body awareness, and spiritual/personal growth. These mechanisms resulted in diverse improvements in global health functioning, particularly physical and mental health and well-being. Conclusions: The Khalsa model provided a useful base upon which to guide the new population-practice-based model, to understand participants' "real life" experiences of yoga, how yoga is helping people and why. It provides important information for practitioners, teachers, and those delivering yoga interventions as to the range of skills and potential benefits of yoga practice. In addition, findings indicate directions for future research, by highlighting key yoga mechanisms that researchers may choose to focus on in future studies.

Training Benefits and Injury Risks of Standing Yoga Applied in Musculoskeletal Problems: Lower Limb Biomechanical Analysis.

Standing yoga poses strengthen a person’s legs and helps to achieve the goal of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, but inadequate exercise planning can cause injuries. This study investigated changes in the electromyogram and joint moments of force (JMOFs) of lower extremities during common standing yoga poses in order to explore the feasibility and possible injury risk in dealing with musculoskeletal problems. Eleven yoga instructors were recruited to execute five yoga poses (Chair, Tree, Warrior 1, 2, and 3). The results revealed significant differences in hip, knee, and ankle JMOFs and varying degrees of muscle activation among the poses. Among these poses, rectus femoris muscle activation during the Chair pose was the highest, Warrior 2 produced the highest muscle activation in the vastus lateralis of the front limb, while Warrior 1 had the highest muscle activation in the vastus medialis of the back limb. Therefore, all three poses can possibly be suggested as a therapeutic intervention for quadriceps strengthening. Warrior 1 was possibly suggested as a therapeutic intervention in order to reduce excessive lateral overload of the patella, but the possible adverse effects of Warrior 2 with the highest knee adductor JMOF in the back limb could raise joint reaction forces across the medial condyles. In single-leg balance postures, Warrior 3 had unique training effects on the hamstring, and is therefore suggested as a part of hamstring rehabilitation exercises. The Tree pose induced low lower-extremity JMOFs and a low level of thigh muscle activations when it was performed by senior instructors with excellent balance control; however, for yoga beginners with insufficient stability, it will be a useful training mode for strengthening the muscles that help to keep one upright. This study quantified the physical demands of yoga poses using biomechanical data and elucidated the structures and principles underlying each yoga movement. This is crucial for yoga practitioners.

Effect of six months pranayama training on stress-induced salivary cortisol response among adolescents-Randomized controlled study

BackgroundA combination of yoga practices has been documented to reduce stress and stress-induced cortisol levels. The objective of the current study is to examine the effects of six months of a single pranayama practice (Bhramari [Bhr. P]) on reducing salivary cortisol response to the cold pressor test (CPT) among adolescents. MethodsTwenty-six healthy adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19 were randomly assigned to either yoga group (n-13) or control group (n-13). Yoga group participants were trained to do Bhr. P for 45 min, thrice a week for six months. All participants underwent CPT at baseline and at end of six months. Saliva samples were collected at baseline (t0), at 20 min (t1), 40 min (t2), and 60 min after the CPT (t3). ResultsContradictory to our hypothesis, participants in the yoga group exhibited a higher salivary cortisol response to the CPT at t1 (p = 0.04) when compared to the control group. However, the t3 salivary cortisol levels showed a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.03) in yoga group when compared to the control group. A significant interaction with time (F (1, 88) = 316.5, p = .001, ηp2:0.91) and between the group × time (F (3, 88) = 2.83, p = 0.04, ηp2:0.8) was found after the intervention. ConclusionsAn increase in the cortisol responsiveness observed in the study is an indication of the adaptive capability achieved through regular yoga training, evidenced by an initial rise in cortisol followed by a rapid fall below baseline after 60 min. Further research is required to conclusively determine the changes in cortisol levels over time in response to stress in long-term yoga practitioners.

The Relationship Between Yoga and Spirituality: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research.

ObjectiveBoth yoga practice and spirituality are associated with beneficial mental health outcomes. Within yoga research, however, spirituality is still a widely neglected area. The present systematic review aims to explore empirical studies, which do, in fact, investigate the relationship between yoga and spirituality in order to provide an overview and future directions for research on this topic. The review examines whether available empirical research supports an association between yoga practice and spirituality and, if so, which specific aspects of spirituality are associated with yoga practice.MethodsThe systematic review followed the PRISMA guideline (Prospero registration number: CRD42020155043). Empirical studies written in English, German, or Hungarian language were selected from a database search in Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and Science Direct. A total of 30 studies met the final inclusion criteria.ResultsAccording to the quantitative and qualitative studies reviewed, yoga practice seems to be positively associated with spirituality. This association concerns various aspects of spirituality, such as spiritual aspirations, a search for insight/wisdom, an integrative worldview, a sense of meaning and peace, faith, hope, compassion, and happiness within. To harness the potential spiritual benefits of yoga, regular practice appears to be essential. Yoga practitioners seem to have both physical and spiritual motives for practicing. At least in Western societies, however, physical intentions are more prevalent than spiritual ones. The meaning of spirituality for yoga practitioners is also discussed. Due to risk of bias of the majority of the reviewed studies, however, outcomes must be taken with caution.ConclusionYoga practice may be positively associated with several aspects of spirituality. For more evidence, further investigation of the topic is suggested. Particularly, we propose the inclusion of holistic forms of yoga practice and a comparison of Eastern and Western approaches to yoga.

Applying the S-ART Framework to Yoga: Exploring the Self-Regulatory Action of Yoga Practice in Two Culturally Diverse Samples.

Mindfulness practices form the core of numerous therapeutic programs and interventions for stress reduction and the treatment of different health conditions related to stress and life habits. Ways and means to regulate oneself effectively also form the foundation of the path of yoga in the accomplishment of holistic health and well-being. The self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART) model can be considered as an overarching neurobiological framework to explain the self-regulatory mechanisms of well-being present in mindfulness-based practices. The current study, by connecting and applying the S-ART framework to the self-regulatory mechanisms in yoga and generating related hypotheses, provides a theory-led explanation of the action of yoga practices, which is sparse in the literature. Testing the S-ART model in yoga in two culturally diverse samples, assessing the model-mapped psychological mechanisms of action, and exploring the influence of perseverance in yoga practice are the original contributions of this study. The study sample comprised 362 yoga practitioners and non-practitioners (197 Indian and 165 Spanish), who completed four tests of psychological variables indicative of the aforementioned three S-ART abilities. These tests were Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering (EQ-D) subscale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Relational Compassion Scale (RCS). The results indicated significantly better self-awareness and self-regulatory abilities in yoga practitioners (Indian and Spanish in a combination) than non-practitioners, reflected in higher levels of interoceptive awareness and decentering abilities. Moreover, perseverance in yoga practice acted as a significant predictor of self-awareness and self-regulation in practitioners. An analysis of each cultural sample revealed some differences. Yoga practice and perseverance in it acted as a significant predictor of interoceptive awareness and decentering in Indian practitioners having more than 1 year of sustained yoga practice, but for the Spanish participants, physical exercise and frequency of yoga practice acted as better predictors of interoceptive awareness and decentering in comparison to yoga practice and perseverance in it. The obtained results suggested that the S-ART model provided preliminary but promising evidence for the self-regulatory mechanisms of action in yoga practice within a culturally diverse sample of yoga practitioners. This study also widens the scope of generating further hypotheses using the S-ART theoretical framework for testing the self-regulatory mechanisms of action in yoga practice.

Orthorexia nervosa vs. healthy orthorexia: relationships with disordered eating, eating behavior, and healthy lifestyle choices

BackgroundOrthorexia nervosa (OrNe) is a pattern of disordered eating behavior characterized by excessive preoccupation with overvalued ideas about healthy eating. Healthy orthorexia (HeOr) refers to a non-pathological interest in healthy eating and nutrition. Despite converging evidence that OrNe is correlated with measures of psychopathology and personality traits, there is relatively little empirical data relating OrNe and HeOr to eating and health-promoting behavior.MethodsAim 1: exploratory structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the factor structure of an English-language version of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale, the only measure of OrNe that also assesses HeOr in two samples (Yoga practitioners, N = 469, and Mechanical Turk workers, N = 453). Aim 2: conducted in the Mechanical Turk sample, partial correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships of OrNe and HeOr with other symptoms of, and clinical impairment from, disordered eating, food choices, diet quality, body mass index (BMI), nutrition knowledge, alcohol/tobacco/vaping use, and sedentary behavior.ResultsThe two-factor structure of the TOS was replicated. HeOr and OrNe had opposing relationships with measures of disordered eating behavior and distress, food choices, diet quality, and nutrition knowledge. HeOr was negatively related to BMI, whereas OrNe was positively related to substance use and sedentary behavior.ConclusionsOrNe and HeOr are distinct latent constructs, with the latter reflecting non-pathological behavior. Only OrNe is related to elevated disordered eating and clinical impairment. Despite involving obsessions and compulsions related to healthy eating, OrNe was associated with relatively unhealthy eating and other lifestyle behaviors.Level of evidenceLevel V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

IMPACT OF SLOW SURYANAMASKAR AS AN EXERCISE PROTOCOL ON PULMONARY FUNCTIONS IN SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN

Suryanamaskar or Sun Salutation is a mostly practiced Yoga pose by most yoga practitioners all around the world. It consists of synchronizing body flow movements which alternatively contracts and stretches the body musculature, with continuous alteration of the Inhalation & Exhalation. Most of the Indians or ancient Yoga practitioners as well as various health professionals always keep advising for the practice of suryanamaskar. Previous literature has shown its effects on different systems of the body. Primarily the ethical approval was taken for the study to conduct from the ethical board. The consent from the parents of the school-going children was taken. The Purpose of the Research was explained to the children as well as the parent to improve the compliance towards study results. The study is conducted with 65 samples of school-going children with 4 weeks of intervention of slow Suryanamaskar practice. The purposive sampling method has been used to sort the samples as per the requirements. The whole study was conducted between 6 months of period. The finding of this study shows the significant improvement of the mean values of the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate at the end of the study duration. This study concludes that slow Suryanamaskar has a great impact on the improvement of pulmonary functions.

The Effect of Listening to The Holy Qur’an on Improving Some Psychological and Physical Variables Among Yoga Practitioners

This study aims to identify the effect of listening to the Holy Qur’an on some psychological and physical variables among practitioners of yoga exercises among Al Ain University students. Where the study population consisted of male and female students of the Physical Health course in the first semester of the academic year 2020/2021, and the study sample was chosen by the deliberate method as it consisted of (80) students from the original study community, and in one experimental group to achieve the study objectives and its questions, where psychological measurements (mood, focusing attention) were performed during the practice of yoga exercises before and after listening to the Holy Qur’an and after performing a constant intensity (below the maximum) for the sample members, and the physical variables (heart rate ,muscle relaxation and flexibility) for all members of the study sample before and after listening to the Qur’an, the pulse was also measured, as the experiment was repeated a week after with listening to the Qur’an while performing yoga exercises, where the researchers used a headset connected to a personal phone and a smartwatch to calculate the intensity of the pulse individually for each player to listen to the Holy Qur’an. After collecting the data and using the necessary statistical treatments, the results of the study showed a clear improvement in the psychological and physical variables of the study sample during listening to the Holy Quran, and in light of the results, the researchers recommended that they prefer the use of listening to the Holy Qur’an while practicing yoga exercises, and in training sessions, especially curative ones, as well as conducting similar studies for players who show signs of anxiety before competition and after training for the purpose of recovery and calming down, and applying the study to different categories of athletes and in some sports.
 
 Received: 4 March 2021 / Accepted: 6 May 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021

Yogic postures and brain wave activation

Background: Yoga is a practice to control and develop the mental function. Scientists are trying to establish the effect of yoga on the various systems and organs in the human body by using different scientific methods and research techniques. The brain is one of the main targeted organs in yoga research. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the electrical responses of the brain after immediate yogasana practices. Materials and Methods: Ten male (n=10) yoga practitioners having more than 8 years of experience in yogasana practice were selected as participants. Before and after immediate practices of six specific yoga postures were assessed on three different consecutive days for 15, 22.5, and 30 min. Delta, theta, alpha, sensory-motor rhythm (SMR), beta, and gamma amplitudes were assessed under the circumstance of electrical activity of the brain and measured using NeXus-10 device. Results: The outcome of the brain wave components showed that there was a decrease in delta (9.12%, 12.3%, and 19.52%), theta (12.32%, 15.9%, and 16.09%), alpha (11.99%, 17.49%, and 13.21%), SMR (6.89%, 17.27%, and 13.5%), beta (0.29%, 13.95%, and 14.4%) amplitude immediately after 15, 22.5, and 30 min practice of yoga postures, respectively. In the case of gamma amplitude, initially, it increased 8.58% in 15 min practice, there after decreasing trend was observed in 22.5 min (11.47%) and 30 min practice (15.9%). Conclusions: Immediate yogasana practices may enhance the functions of brain wave activity which increases motor activity, autonomic flexibility, and associates with a better cognitive state.

‘A tool to help me through the darkness’: suffering and healing among teacher-practitioners of Ashtanga yoga

Yoga is widely regarded as beneficial for physical and emotional health, and as a safe ancillary intervention for managing a range of psychological conditions. Evidence of injury, harm, and abuse in yoga traditions is difficult to square with this emphasis on healing. Drawing mainly from on online memoirs by long-term practitioners of Ashtanga yoga, this paper examines the relationship between suffering and healing in yoga, showing how long-term abuse can be perpetuated and injury sustained in a system widely understood and labelled by its practitioners as therapeutic. The paper argues that elements of healing and harm are present in the rituals of practice, the concepts that support it, and the power structure of the Ashtanga system. The system’s organizational dynamics together with a therapeutic discourse that links suffering to its transcendence enabled the same kinds of abuse and trauma that Ashtanga yoga is purported to heal. The analysis raises questions about the overarching narrative of yoga as safe and healthy, and about the connections between healing and harm within therapeutic traditions.

A literature review on behavioral attributes of yoga postures and cognition

Background: Hatha Yoga is the science of training one's mind and body through the practice of shatkarma, asana, pranayama, mudra, and samadhi. The objective of this literature review is to provide a theoretical rationale to identify (a) the specific attribute of the yoga poses which have been used in yoga protocol of various studies but not explicitly explored and (b) the minimum time required to hold a posture to bring the corresponding change in the performance among aforesaid cognitive function(s). Materials and Methods: Keywords such as yoga and cognition, yoga and working memory, yoga posture and cognition, and yoga and attention have been used to retrieve 24 empirical studies from Google Scholar. Those studies which have included only the yoga poses (asanas) as part of the yoga intervention in improving the cognitive functions were included in the review. Results: Traditions of Yoga such as Hatha and Iyengar Yoga emphasizes on postural alignment and accuracy, these asanas improve a variety of psychological, physiological, and cognitive functions. One study showed an improvement in cognitive functions and in another study, yoga practitioners showed improved reaction time. Conclusion: Due to inadequate empirical studies on yoga posture and cognition, it is not recommended to definitively conclude about the role of said attributes in improving cognitive performance. Future studies should involve longitudinal and randomized designs, large sample size, and homogeneous sample in terms of age-, gender-, and disease-specific population. The details of the studies are described in the manuscript.

Increased Maximal Expiratory Pressure, Abdominal and Thoracic Respiratory Expansibility in Healthy Yoga Practitioners Compared to Healthy Sedentary Individuals

Abstract Background Increasing thoracic expansion is effective at reducing blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. Yoga prescribes many respiratory techniques with a growing number of practitioners. However, very little is known whether sedentary or yoga practitioners show measurable differences in their respiratory patterns. Objective This study aims to demonstrate differences between healthy sedentary individuals and healthy yoga practitioners regarding maximal respiratory pressures and thoracic and abdominal respiratory expansibility. Methods Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) were evaluated by [...]

A wellbeing skill: moving attentively in hospital yoga practice

Yoga is sometimes interpreted as medical therapy and the evidence from biomedical research indicates that it can be useful in a broad range of health conditions. Yoga, however, can also be pursued as a process-oriented contemplative practice. This article draws on participant observation-based research with yoga practitioners at two hospitals, one in Pondicherry, India, and one in Fukui, Japan. It explores how patients and their families at these healthcare institutions are invited to move without anticipating an outcome and to cultivate attitudes such as contentment and non-violence. Taking cues from research participants’ approaches to yoga as a skill and from anthropological understandings of skill, yoga is considered here as a capacity of moving with awareness. A skill-based approach allows practitioners to try out yogic techniques according to their personal abilities and needs. The analysis suggests that, in the contexts discussed, yoga practitioners pursue wellbeing not as an individual therapeutic goal but as mutual explorative learning.

Yoga Practice Is Beneficial for Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle and Endurance Under Restrictions and Stress Imposed by Lockdown During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Uncertainty about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and resulting lockdown caused widespread panic, stress, and anxiety. Yoga is a known practice that reduces stress and anxiety and may enhance immunity. This study aimed to (1) investigate that including Yoga in daily routine is beneficial for physical and mental health, and (2) to evaluate lifestyle of Yoga practitioners that may be instrumental in coping with stress associated with lockdown. This is a pan-India cross-sectional survey study, which was conducted during the lockdown. A self-rated scale, COVID Health Assessment Scale (CHAS), was designed by 11 experts in 3 Delphi rounds (Content valid ratio = 0.85) to evaluate the physical health, mental health, lifestyle, and coping skills of the individuals. The survey was made available digitally using Google forms and collected 23,760 CHAS responses. There were 23,290 valid responses (98%). After the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria of yogic practices, the respondents were categorized into the Yoga (n = 9,840) and Non-Yoga (n = 3,377) groups, who actively practiced Yoga during the lockdown in India. The statistical analyses were performed running logistic and multinomial regression and calculating odds ratio estimation using R software version 4.0.0. The non-Yoga group was more likely to use substances and unhealthy food and less likely to have good quality sleep. Yoga practitioners reported good physical ability and endurance. Yoga group also showed less anxiety, stress, fear, and having better coping strategies than the non-Yoga group. The Yoga group displayed striking and superior ability to cope with stress and anxiety associated with lockdown and COVID-19. In the Yoga group, participants performing meditation reportedly had relatively better mental health. Yoga may lead to risk reduction of COVID-19 by decreasing stress and improving immunity if specific yoga protocols are implemented through a global public health initiative.

Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Correlate with Psychosocial Development in Contemplative Practitioners and Controls.

Jane Loevinger’s theory of adult development, termed ego development (1966) and more recently maturity development, provides a useful framework for understanding the development of the self throughout the lifespan. However, few studies have investigated its neural correlates. In the present study, we use structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the neural correlates of maturity development in contemplative practitioners and controls. Since traits possessed by individuals with higher levels of maturity development are similar to those attributed to individuals at advanced stages of contemplative practice, we chose to investigate levels of maturity development in meditation practitioners as well as matched controls. We used the Maturity Assessment Profile (MAP) to measure maturity development in a mixed sample of participants composed of 14 long-term meditators, 16 long-term yoga practitioners, and 16 demographically matched controls. We investigated the relationship between contemplative practice and maturity development with behavioral, seed-based resting state functional connectivity, and cortical thickness analyses. The results of this study indicate that contemplative practitioners possess higher maturity development compared to a matched control group, and in addition, maturity development correlates with cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate. Furthermore, we identify a brain network implicated in theory of mind, narrative, and self-referential processing, comprising the posterior cingulate cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, and inferior frontal cortex, as a primary neural correlate.

Comparing cognition, coping skills and vedic personality of individuals practicing yoga, physical exercise or sedentary lifestyle: A cross-sectional fMRI study

BackgroundNature and intensity of physical activity may influence cognition, coping mechanisms and overall personality of an individual. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare cognition, coping styles and vedic personality among individuals practicing different lifestyle. MethodsThirty-nine healthy young adults of both gender (27.63±4.04 years) were recruited and categorized into three groups; i.e. yoga, physical activity or sedentary lifestyle groups. Participants were assessed on cognition, coping styles and Vedic personality inventory (VPI). Verbal-n-back and Stroop tasks were performed using 3 Tesla MRI scanner. Task Based Connectivity (TBC) analysis was done using CONN toolbox in SPM. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the cognitive domains across the groups. The planning (p=0.03) and acceptance domain (p=0.03) of the Brief COPE scale showed difference across the groups. Post-hoc analysis revealed that planning and acceptance scores were distinctly higher in the physical activity group, however, there was no difference between physical activity group and yoga practitioners. Similarly, in the VPI, Sattva (p=0.003), Rajas (p=0.05) and Tamas (p=0.01) were different across the groups, and the post hoc analysis showed superiority in Sattva scores in Yoga group, meanwhile, both Rajas and Tamas were higher in the physical activity group. Yoga practitioners preferentially recruited left Superior Frontal Gyrus in relation to the physically active group and precuneus in relation to the sedentary lifestyle group. ConclusionThe study revealed that yoga practitioners had a distinct higher sattva guna and preferentially recruited brain areas associated with self-regulation and inhibitory control.

Perceived stress, resilience, well-being, and COVID 19 response in Isha yoga practitioners compared to matched controls: A research protocol

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant stressor worldwide and reports of psychological distress, depression, sedentary lifestyles, and overall decreased wellbeing are increasing. Yoga practices have been found to improve mental and physical health. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare Isha yoga practitioners to controls on perceived stress, resilience, wellbeing, and protection and recovery from COVID-19. Trial Design. In this prospective randomized control trial, the effects of yoga practices are being compared between seasoned yoga practitioners with two controls who are age (±3 years), gender matched, and living in the same neighborhood. MethodsParticipants will be asked to complete a series of web-based surveys at baseline, six weeks, and 12 weeks. These surveys include validated scales and objective questions on COVID-19 infection and medical history. The validated questionnaires assess stress, mood states, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Questionnaires, weekly activity diaries, and medical history, will be collected using REDCap. ResultsWe hypothesize that routine yoga practice during the COVID-19 pandemic will reduce stress, enhance well-being, and provide protective effects against COVID-19. ConclusionWith the growing concern about the physical and mental impacts of COVID-19 and increased interest in alternative practices such as yogic practices, this study will contribute to the growing body of evidence about the safety and efficacy of yoga for emotional, mental, and physical health conditions.

Comparative immediate effect of different yoga asana on cardiac autonomic rhythm in healthy young volunteers

Modulation of cardiac autonomic tone is a topic of current interest in research because of its association with several cardiovascular autonomic diseases of public health importance. Yoga has proven benefit in balancing the cardiac autonomic tone. This study aimed to explore the intricate mind body mechanisms with special reference to the immediate effect of Padahastasana (PD) and Ardha Chakrasana (AD) on cardiac autonomic nervous system and to quantify the cardiovascular ANS response to different yogic asana. This was a Cross Sectional Study, conducted in autonomic function lab, of department of physiology, AII India Institute of Medical science, Raipur, India. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed on 30 experienced yoga practitioners (EYP) with the average age of 32.9±9.71 year. All participants were healthy. Padahastasana and Ardhachakrasana were used as an intervention to evaluate heart rate variability. The time domain parameters show significantly increased parasympathetic component (SDNN, RMSSD, and SD2) after Padahastasana and Ardha chakrasana though increase is more after Ardha chakrasana. Interestingly sympathovagal balance was lowered after Padahastasana and increased after Ardha Chakrasana, although not statistically significant. This response may be due to a more increase in parasympathetic components after immediate Ardha Chakrasana. Our study showed the HRV has good specificity and positive predictive value for the quantifying autonomic response of Padahastasana and Ardha chakrasana. Backward bending is superior to forward bending and should be included in lifestyle intervention to reduce stress and anxiety disorder.

A STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONGST PRACTITIONERS OF YOGA, AEROBICS AND WALKING DURING CORONA LOCKDOWN

Fitness and Yoga has been the focus of studies in recent decades for the not only the general well-being but also a therapeutic modality for mental stress, obesity, and other lifestyle disorders. Individual studies indicate positive effects of exercises like aerobics, walking and yoga under covid-19 lockdown conditions, suggesting that they can be used as non-pharmacological and as non-invasive interventions or as a supplement to drug therapy for the prevention and treatment of various mental and physical conditions. 120 moderately active healthy males (59) and females (61) volunteered to participate in the survey study with the aim to study the level of happiness and related variables age, body mass index, level of education and choice of physical activity of the participants. Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) developed by psychologists Michael Argyle and Peter Hills at Oxford University was used to collect data. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the choice of activity out of the three namely: aerobics, yoga and walking to stay fit and healthy. The level of happiness was found to be better for those who spent a greater number of years in school/college/university and another finding was that the level happiness was lower amongst the participants who were of more age as compared to the ones who were of lesser age. There was a significant difference in the level of happiness amongst the walkers, aerobic practitioners and yoga practitioners. It was not possible however to point out exactly the magnitude of difference between the three groups because the data was non-parametric. No gender differences were observed amongst males and females on level of happiness on activities chosen by the participants (aerobics, yoga and walking) to stay fit and healthy. Significant differences amongst the participants were observed amongst the underweight, normal weight and overweight participants