Browsing by Author "Nagendra H. R."

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Effect of Integrated Approach of Yoga therapy on Adolescent obesity (11 to 17 Years age group) - A randomised control study
(SVYASA, 2021-01) Sunanda S. Rathi; Padmini Tekur; Nagendra H. R.
BACKGROUND: Obesity in adolescents is a worldwide epidemic. Obesity is known to cause heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke, the top 4 causes of death. Overeating energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and a sedentary lifestyle have led to an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes all over the world. It is a global health problem. Apart from physical problems there are psychological issues which affect the health of the individual. Obesity can be described as a “New World Syndrome” causing an enormous socioeconomic and public health burden in developed, developing and in poor countries of the world. Yoga intervention module specially designed is known to reduce obesity & enhance psychological wellbeing. AIMS: To study the physiological, anthropometric and psychological changes of yoga practices of Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy, IAYT in overweight and obese adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of IAYT on adolescent obesity. (11 to 17 years age group) with the help of :  Anthropometric assessments  Physiological assessments  Bio chemical markers ( Pilot study )  Psychological assessments  Cognitive assessments METHODS: Design: Randomised control trial Setting: Schools in Pune, Maharashtra, India Study one: Pilot study and study two: Main study. Intervention: The intervention was (4 weeks for pilot study & 5 weeks for Main Study) Yoga program (module specially designed for obesity and validated by yoga experts) 5 days a week comprising of breathing practices, loosening exercises, asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), meditation, devotional sessions and counseling on concepts of philosophy of yoga like yogic counseling and happiness analysis. The control group was following normal activities like reading, singing, painting, craft, indoor games like chess etc. for 5 days a week for 60 minutes and also had dedicated and interactive sessions on lifestyle change. Both the groups were matched for time on intervention and attention. In Study one (pilot study) 23 adolescents with obesity who consented were randomly assigned to receive yoga or normal activities if they satisfied the selection criteria, 14 in the Yoga group & 9 in the Control group. There were no drop outs as it was a residential program. In study two (main study), 100 adolescents with obesity who were eligible, 53 subjects who consented were randomly assigned to receive yoga or normal activities as per the selection criteria., 25 in the yoga group & 28 in the control satisfied the selection criteria . Outcome Measures: For study one (Pilot): The assessments were -- Socio demographic data  Age  Gender  Educational standard Anthropometric Assessments:  Mid arm, waist, abdominal and hip circumference were obtained using a simple centimetre measuring tape  Systolic and diastolic pressure (mm of Hg) were obtained using sphygmomanometer Physiological & Bio Chemical Assessments  Fasting blood sugar (FBS)  Lipid profile- total cholesterol (mmol/l) , SR HDL., SR LDL, SR VLDL  Triglycerides (mmol/l) HDL/ LDL ratio obtained through a lab test on blood sample by a lab technician. Clinical Assessments  Blood pressure  Pulse rate  Weight (kg)  Height (cm) Outcome measures: for study 2(main): The assessments were -- Socio demographic data  Age  Gender  Educational standard Anthropometric Assessments:  Mid arm, waist, abdominal and hip circumference were obtained using a simple centimetre measuring tape  Body composition using Melton body composition instrument  Systolic and diastolic pressure (mm of Hg) were obtained using sphygmomanometer Clinical Assessments  Blood pressure  Pulse rate  Weight (kg)  Height (cm) Physical Fitness Test:  Sit ups in standing position  Flamingo balance test BMI Parameters: Body composition using Melton body composition  Total body fat percentage Resting metabolism  Subcutaneous fat ( whole body )  Muscle percentage ( whole body )  Subcutaneous fat ( arms )  Muscle percentage (arms )  Subcutaneous fat ( trunk )  Muscle percentage ( trunk )  Subcutaneous fat ( legs )  Muscle percentage (legs ) Psychological tests  Body awareness questionnaire ( BAQ )  Child eating behavior questionnaire (CEBQ)  Rosenberg self - esteem scale ( RSES ) Cognitive tests  Digit letter substitution test  Six letter cancellation Test Assessments were conducted on Pre (baseline) Post (after 4 weeks for Study one-Pilot & after 5 weeks for Study two-main) intervention. Data collection was done and the qualified staff were available to provide unbiased guidance. All forms were thoroughly screened for completeness of responses. Results were analysed using SPSS software version 20. RESULTS: Study one: In the yoga group there is significant reduction in weight ( p = 0.000), diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.018 ), fasting blood sugar ( p = 0.059 ), very low density lipoprotein( p = 0.001), serum triglycerides ( p = 0.001 ), BMI (p = 0.00), pulse rate (p = 0.03), hip circumference (p = 0.01), serum total cholesterol (p = 0.035) after intervention. There issignificant increase in mid-arm circumference (p = 0.01). There is non-significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.08), waist circumference (p = 0.45) & high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.75). In the control group: There is significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.15), serum triglycerides (p = 0.009) & very low- density lipoprotein (p = 0.009). There is reduction in weight ( p = 0.634), BMI ( p = 0.616 ), systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.152 ) , diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.055 ), waist circumference (p = 621), fasting blood sugar (p = 0.851), serum total cholesterol ( p = 0.260 ) & low- density lipoprotein ( p = 0.749 ) but without significance. There is significant increase in mid arm circumference (p = 0.015). There is reduction in pulse rate (p = 0.223) & hip circumference (p = 0.916) but without significance. Between yoga group & control group analysis: Percentage of improvement (reduction) of weight & serum cholesterol, waist circumference, hip circumference, serum cholesterol, low- density lipoprotein, high- density lipoprotein is more in yoga group than that of control group. Percentage of improvement (reduction) of serum triglycerides & very low -density lipoprotein were more in control group than that of yoga group. Study two: Main study: In the yoga group, hip circumference (p = 0.001), total body fat percentage (p = 0.001), trunk subcutaneous fat (p = 0.005) and legs subcutaneous fat (p = 0.03) reduced significantly whereas abdominal circumference (p =0.376) reduced but without significance. Trunk muscle percentage (p = 0.021) increased significantly. Waist circumference (p= 0.553) increased but without significance. Whole body muscle percentage (p = 0.076) and legs muscle percentage (p = 0.187) increased but without significance. Number of sit ups per minute (p = 0.566) decreased but without significance. Weight ( p = 0.018 ), BMI ( p = 0.001 ), whole body subcutaneous fat ( p = 0.01 ), arm subcutaneous fat ( p = 0.021 ) reduced significantly whereas systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.30 ), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.087) and mid arm circumference ( p = 0.474 ) reduced but without significance. Muscle percentage of arms (p = 0.042) increased significantly whereas pulse rate (p = 0.597), Flamingo balance test (p = 0.065) increased but without significance. Results of psychological assessment within group analysis of Yoga group are, BAQ (Body awareness questionnaire). RES (Rosenberg self-esteem scale, assessments of BAQ (p = 0.29) and RES (p = 0.35) increased but without significance. Assessments of CEBQ- (child eating behavior questionnaire)–CEBQ-EF (enjoyment of food)( p = 0.004 ) , CEBQ-EOE (emotional over-eating ), ( p = 0.009) and CEBQ-FR (food responsiveness) ( p = 0.001) decreased with significance . Variables like CEBQ-SR (satiety responsiveness) (p = 0.08), CEBQ-SE (slowness in eating) (p = 0.63), CEBQ-DD DD (desire to drink) (p = 0.64) , CEBQ-FF (food fussiness) ( p = 0.37) and CEBQ-EUE (emotional under-eating) (p = 0.35) decreased but without significance. Cognitive assessments like SLCT (six letter cancellation test) increased with significance (p = 0 .00), DLST (digit letter substitution test) also increased with significance (p = 0.00). In the Control group, Number of sit ups per minute (p = 0.023) decreased significantly whereas abdominal circumference (p = 0.730), hip circumference (p = 0.226), total body fat percentage (p = 0.876), trunk subcutaneous fat (p = 0.186) and legs subcutaneous fat (p = 0.162) reduced but without significance. Waist circumference (p = 0.244), trunk muscle percentage (p = 0.427) and legs muscle percentage (p = 0.270) increased but without significance. Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.009), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.004) reduced significantly whereas pulse rate (p = 0.435), whole body subcutaneous fat (p = 0.250), arm subcutaneous fat (p = 0. 319) reduced but without significance. Weight (p = 0.100), BMI (p = 0.914), mid arm circumference (p = 0.246), resting metabolism (p = 0.198), whole body muscle percentage (p = 0.290) and Flamingo balance test (p = 0.241) increased but without significance. Results of psychological assessments within group analysis of control group are BAQ (body awareness questionnaire ), assessments BAQ ( p = 0.14) , CEBQ - EOE ( p = 0.08) , CEBQ - SE ( p = 0.09) decreased but without significance . Variables like RES (p = 0.04) and CEBQ - SR (p = 0.03) increased with significance. Variables like CEBQ - EF ( p = 0.04 ) , CEBQ - DD ( p = 0.01), CEBQ - FF ( p = 0.02 ), CEBQ - EUE ( p = 0.01 ) and CEBQ - FR (p = 0.001) decreased with significance. Cognitive assessments, SLCT increased but without significance (p = <0 .0371) & DLST which also increased but without significance (p = 0.607). Analysis of between groups yoga and control shows that abdominal circumference of yoga group decreased significantly than that of control group (p = 0.05). Weight, BMI, mid-arm circumference, hip circumference, total body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat of whole body, arm, trunk and legs has been reduced more in yoga group than that of control group but withoutsignificance. Number of sit ups, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased in control group more than that of yoga group but without significance. Pulse rate is found to be increased in yoga group whereas that of control group is reduced but without significance. Waist circumference is increased more in control group than that of yoga group but without significance. Resting metabolism, muscle percentage of whole body, arm, trunk and legs are increased more in yoga group than that of control group but without significance. Flamingo balance test has been increased more in control group than that of Yoga group but without significance. Analysis of between yoga and control group shows that BAQ of yoga group is increased where as that of control group is increased but without significance (p = 0.07). RES of yoga group has increased where as that of control group is also increased but without significance (p = 0.28). CEBQ –EF of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is decreased but without significance (p = 0.51). CEBQ –EOE of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0.43). CEBQ –SR of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is increased but with significance (p = 0.007). CEBQ –SE of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0.38). CEBQ –DD of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0.96). CEBQ –FF of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0. 40). CEBQ –EUE of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0. 50). CEBQ –FR of yoga group is decreased where as that of control group is also decreased but without significance (p = 0. 30). Analysis of in between Yoga and control group of cognitive assessments shows that DLST of Yoga group is increased than that of Control group but without significance (p = 0.60). SLCT of yoga group is increased than that of control group with significance (p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: The daily practice of IAYT of 60 minutes in school is useful in managing adolescent obesity. Yoga based intervention is effective to reduce obesity in adolescent children with respect to anthropometric, physical, psychological & cognitive assessments. This study provides evidence to prove efficacy of yoga to manage increased subcutaneous adiposity in trunk, hip and leg region resulting in weight reduction in adolescent children. Abdominal circumference is reduced significantly in yoga group. It is effective in management of weight, serumtriglycerides & very low - density lipoprotein, hip circumference & serum cholesterol. Emotional over eating, enjoyment of food, desire to drink, food fussiness, and satiety responsiveness reduced in the yoga group compared to control. The perception of bodily awareness has increased in the Yoga group. In the Yoga group good concentration, memory and attention were reported. Yoga improves emotional wellbeing in children. Yoga had been reported to have shown the beneficial effects on different psycho-physiological variables. Yoga group has improved better than control group with integrated approach of yoga therapy. Key words: Yoga Module, obesity, body mass index, abdominal obesity, subcutaneous fat.
Efficacy of cyclic meditation as yoga based mindfulness intervention for psychological wellbeing in working professionals
(SVYASA, 2021-01) Sreekumar T. S.; Nagendra H. R.; Judu V. Ilavarasu
BACKGROUND Psychological distress is highly prevalent among working professionals. Workplace yoga interventions to enhance psychological wellbeing and further follow-up studies are limited. Physical manifestations of stress include musculoskeletal pain, headaches, constant fatigue, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular illnesses, and substance use, while its psychological manifestations include lack of concentration, negative affect, low self-esteem, aggression among others. Stress is experienced in response to a range of physical, occupational and emotional stimuli. Within manageable parameters one’s sense of well-being is maintained, but if these stimuli go beyond normal limits they become stressors. Exploring new pathways, such as mindfulness, can lead to the development of novel tools for enhancing employee wellbeing at work (Schultz et al., 2015). Mindfulness based intervention studies have shown exponential growth over the past three decades. Potential benefits of mindfulness interventions range from mental and physical health outcomes to cognitive, affective and interpersonal outcomes. Descriptions of mindfulness and methods of cultivating it originate in eastern spiritual traditions. First generation mindfulness intervention studies focused mainly on treating adult patients in clinic settings. Over the last ten years, there has been a shift in moving mindfulness intervention studies out of the clinic into institutional settings. Mindfulness interventions are multidimensional in nature and involve multiple active components. Mindful yoga component is shown to produce a significant differential effect on the outcomes. As a means of providing a unified body-mind experience, Yoga has few equals (Salmon et al., 2009). The current study examined the efficacy of cyclic meditation, as a unique yoga based mindfulness intervention for workplace wellbeing. Two studies were conducted across two distinct employee cross-sections of a large Indian multinational corporate. First study was on leadership professionals and the second study was on offshore professionals who are engaged in a high-risk work environment. Effect of a five day residential yoga intervention and later follow-up after three months of home practice was examined in these two study groups. Participants were assessed for various psychological constructs like mindfulness, emotion regulation, positive and negative affect, and perceived stress. Results of linear mixed effects model showed that all the variables had significantly influenced the perceived stress, except for emotion regulation. Findings suggest that intervention is effective in addressing the stress of professionals by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AIM 1. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of cyclic meditation as yoga based mindfulness intervention for enhancing wellbeing in working professionals. 2. The study aims to examine the effect of yoga intervention in two different work groups – Study1 on leadership professionals and Study2 on offshore professionals, who are engaged in a high-risk work environment.3. The study further aims to examine the follow-up effect of the residential intervention and also to examine the relationship between mindfulness, positive affect and perceived stress. OBJECTIVES 1. Examine the effect of yoga intervention on mindfulness in working professionals 2. Examine the effect of yoga intervention on emotion regulation, perceived stress, positive and negative affect in working professionals 3. Examine the effect of yoga intervention at multiple time points - after a 5 day residential yoga intervention and after 3 months of home practice 4. Examine the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between positive affect and perceived stress METHODS Participants Study1: Effect of yoga based intervention on leadership professionals Participants were recruited from a large Indian multinational public sector undertaking, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).102 senior level leadership professionals with a mean age of 53.85 years and ranging from 30 to 60 years participated in the study. Both males and females who volunteered for the program were included in the study. Out of the 102 participants who attended the full 5-day residential intervention, 83 participants provided follow-up data after 3 months. Study2: Effect of yoga based intervention on employees in high risk work environment Participants were recruited from a large Indian multinational public sector undertaking, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).77 offshore male employees of ONGC organization reported for the residential program located in a Yoga university setup at Bengaluru. The participants had a mean age of 42.67 years and ranging from 23 to 59 years. Out of the seventy-seven participants who attended the full 5-day residential intervention, 61 participants provided follow-up data after 3 months. Design Repeated measures design with a single group followed at three time points, baseline, after the intervention, and after the follow-up for 3 months. Assessments Mindfulness was measured using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Positive affect and negative affect were measured using the positive affect and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Intervention The residential program covered theory sessions that provided conceptual understanding of yoga, stress and its release, concept of executive growth and group dynamics. Theory sessions were followed up with practice sessions on cyclic meditation (CM) technique. Interaction sessions were conducted to address any participant queries. In addition, the program had components on yogäsanas (postures), kriyä (cleansing techniques), präëäyäma (breathing practices) and bhajan (devotional sessions). Simple, healthy nutrient rich vegetarian diet was served. Following the residential program, participants were expected to continue their daily practice of 35 minutes of cyclic meditation on their own for an additional period of 3 months. Standardized guided instructions in audio format were provided to facilitate the individual practice. Results Results of linear mixed effects model showed that all the variables had significantly influenced the perceived stress, except for emotion regulation. Findings suggest that intervention is effective in addressing the stress of senior managers by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing. Conclusion In both the distinct studies on senior level managers and on offshore employees, findings suggest that yoga intervention is effective in addressing the stress by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing.
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2024-01-01) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2023-12-07) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2023-10-26) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2023-11-15) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2024-03-13) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(S-VYASA, 2023-08-05) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of S-VYASA, 2024-02-15) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
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(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of SVYASA, 2023-09-07) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
YOGA SUDHA - Dec. -2021
(Mahadevappa B. on behalf SVYASA, 2021-12-04) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan
My dear Brothers and Sisters, Education is not the mere acquisition of knowledge but is a process to manifest the perfection already in man. It should help a growing child to blossom into a beautiful flower. We want men with a capital ‘M’ said Swami Vivekananda. For making such human beings, emphasis on all-round personality development and social consciousness should be adopted. Then it is not enough if our students improve their IQ levels and gather more and more information in schools and colleges, but, the system of education should allow them to develop 1. Their physical, mental, emotional and intellectual dimensions (the four-fold personality development) for the build of a harmonious total personality; and 2. Civic sense, national awareness, service zeal and spiritual urge (the four-fold consciousness) in our students. It is towards this goal of man-making and nation building that we should orient our education. If this basic direction is set in our education system, the present decadence of our society will vanish in the future and our Bharat will regain her past glory. The syllabus should be so formulated that total personality and social Consciousness are promoted effectively. Yoga, the ancient science of India is a conscious process for gaining mastery over the mind and thereby grow faster from the animal level to become normal human beings and reach heights of greatness, super-human levels and ultimately attain divinity or perfection itself. This conscious process of gaining mastery helps us to manifest the innate potentialities dormant in all of us and blossom us with the four-fold personality development mentioned above. Yoga harmonizes our growth and through balance helps in total development. Such growth brings divine qualities like love, affection, sacrifice, service, etc. which are at the base of the four-fold consciousness. In this sense, Yoga is a science of holistic living and synonymous with basic or real education. Hence, Yoga is being introduced and promoted in the educational system. Yoga has also become the fashion of the day. Millions all over the world have taken to Yoga practices. Thanks to our Hon’ble Prime minister, the induction of International Day for Yoga on June 21st has brought billions of people to India and all over the world. Gradually the understanding of Yoga is getting deepened. Yoga as a science of holistic living featured by peace and poise, health and happiness, energy conservation, and efficiency is being recognized by larger and larger sections of the society rather than as physical acrobatics if not as a rope trick. Yoga with its usefulness to the modern man to relieve his stresses and tensions, to the patients in preventive, treatment, rehabilitation and promotion of positive health, to the professionals in increasing their skills and improve the quality of life, etc. in attracting people from all sections of the society. Further, its sound basis in Upanishads offers a fundamental understanding of human misery in general and hence a direction towards greater and greater bliss. Based on this wisdom, a holistic value system is offered by Yoga; this, used in society, can build ideal social orders. It appears that we are heading from the era of science and technology to an age of Yoga and Spirituality. YOGA should be started right from school education. Systematic introduction of Yoga Techniques, the right way, can certainly go a long way in reconstructing the lost value system in our society which has been the prime cause for the decadence. This needs systematic development of syllabi, their scientific assessments to establish their usefulness to students at different levels which also help in improving the right techniques and by eliminating the wrong ones. Vivekananda Kendra has been involved in this process from 1975 itself of man-making and nation building education. The Yoga wing has developed Yoga courses towards such a goal and the Yoga Research Foundation has started the assessment programs. Many primary schools in India have started using our syllabus which has been developed for the all-around personality development of students. The New Education Policy coming into force in India should include these missing dimensions in our education system which will be the greatest contribution of India to the entire world. Dr H R Nagendra
Yoga Sudha - June 2025
(Mahadevappa B. on behalf of SVYASA, 2025-06-18) Nagendra H. R.; Aarti Jagannathan