Browsing by Author "Telles, Shirley"

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Effect of yoga on self-rated visual discomfort in computer users.
(Head and face medicine, 2006) Telles, Shirley; Naveen, K.V.; Dash, Manoj; Deginal, R.; Manjunath N.K.
Dry eye' appears to be the main contributor to the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Regular breaks and the use of artificial tears or certain eye drops are some of the options to reduce visual discomfort. A combination of yoga practices have been shown to reduce visual strain in persons with progressive myopia. The present randomized controlled trial was planned to evaluate the effect of a combination of yoga practices on self-rated symptoms of visual discomfort in professional computer users in Bangalore.
Effect of yoga on somatic indicators of distress in professional computer users
(Medical Science Monitor, 2006) Telles, Shirley; Naveen, K.V.
Ophthalmologic and psyco-Physiological indicator conform the subjective preception of visual strain due to visual teminal (VDT)
A GLIMPSE OF THE HUMAN BODY
(SWAMI VIVEKANANDA YOGA PRAKASHANA, 2010-12-09) Telles, Shirley
Every living organism is made up of units called cells. These are tiny structures seen only through the microscope. Cells are held together by special, intercellular material. In the human body there are approximately 1 0 0 trillion cells. The cells differ according to the function which they do. For example, the blood, muscle, and bone cells all look different and perform different functions. However all cells have certain features in common. All cells use oxygen from the air we breathe and substances from the food we eat to produce energy. Production of waste material is common to all cells. Also most cells can produce new cells, and whenever a cell dies (for whatever reason) new cells are formed. In order to be able to produce energy, give rise to waste substances, and form new cells when needed, cells have tiny, specialized structures inside them, which can be observed with a very powerful microscope
Muscle power, dexterity skill and visual perception in community home girls trained yoga or sports and in regular school girls.
(Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1997-03-15) Raghuraj, P.; Telles, Shirley
The present study was conducted to compare critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF), degree of optical illusion ("di"), dexterity scores, and grip strength in three groups of subjects, viz community home girls who had learned yoga for 6 months (CHY), age-matched community home girls who had physical activity training for 6 months (CHP), and girls who were attending a regular school (SCH). There were equal numbers in each group for each of the 4 assessment (range 11 to 30 subjects) and age range was 12 to 16 years. The CHP group had significantly lower CFF and "di" was significantly higher (one factor ANOVA, t test for unpaired data) in the CHP group, both compared to CHY and SCH groups. Right hand grip strength was also significantly less in the CHP group compared to SCH. The results were explained by previous reports of high levels of anxiety and aggression in community-home groups, which is known to influence the four parameters described here. The better performance of the CHY group compared to CHP, suggested that yoga practice has a beneficial effect in these subjects.
Oriental approaches to masculine and feminine subtle energy principles
(Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2005) Telles, Shirley
According to ancient Indian and Chinese texts the subtle energy (pra-na or chi) flows through several thousand anatomically indistinguishable channels or meridians (nadis). Three channels are especially important (ida, pingaia, and sushum-na). The ida and pingaia channels correlate with left and right uninostril breathing, respectively. Like yin and yang, they are considered to represent the masculine and feminine principles present in all creation irrespective of sex. From this perspective these principles are assumed to be present simultaneously in persons of both sexes. This suggests that any sex-specific effects of uninostril breathing may be associated with sex-based physiological differences, not with 'masculine' and 'feminine' attributes of the channels (and the corresponding nostrils).
Oxygen consumption and respiration during and after two yoga relaxation techniques.
(Applied Psychophysiology, 2006) Sarang S.P.; Telles, Shirley
Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique which combines ‘stimulating’ and ‘calming’ practices, based on a statement in ancient yoga texts suggesting that such a combination may be especially helpful to reach a state of mental equilibrium. The oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume of 50 male volunteers (group mean age±SD, 27±6.3 years) were assessed before, during, and after sessions of CM and sessions of supine rest in the corpse posture (shavasana, SH). The sessions were one day apart and the order was alternated. The oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume increased during the ‘stimulating’ practices of CM, returned to the baseline during the ‘calming’ practices, and the oxygen consumption decreased by 19.3 percent below baseline values after CM. During the SH session the oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume reduced; however the decrease in oxygen consumption after SH was less than after CM (i.e., 4.8 percent). The results support the idea that a combination of yoga postures with supine rest (in CM) reduces the oxygen consumption more than resting supine alone
Oxygen consumption and respiration following two yoga relaxation techniques.
(Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2000) Telles, Shirley; Reddy, S.K.; Nagendra H.R.
The present study was conducted to evaluate a statement in ancient yoga texts which suggests that a combination of both "calming" and "stimulating" measures may be especially helpful in reaching a state of mental equilibrium. Two yoga practices, one combining "calming and stimulating" measures (cyclic meditation) and the other, a "calming" technique (shavasan), were compared. The oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume, of 40 male volunteers (group mean ± SD, 27.0 ± 5.7 Years) were assessed before and after sessions of cyclic meditation (CM) and before and after sessions of shavasan (SH). The two sessions (CM, SH) were one day apart. Cyclic meditation includes the practice of yoga postures interspersed with periods of supine relaxation.
Oxygen consumption during pranayamic type of very slow-rate breathing
(Indian Journal of Medical Research, 1991) Telles, Shirley; Desiraju, T.
To determine whether the yogic Ujjayi pranayamic type of breathing that involves sensory awareness and consciously controlled, extremely slow-rate breathing including at least a period of end-inspiration breath holding in each respiratory cycle would alter oxygen consumption or not, ten males with long standing experience in pranayama, and volunteering to participate in the laboratory study were assessed. These subjects aged 28-59 years, had normal health appropriate to their age. Since Kumbhak (timed breath holding) is considered as an important phase of the respiratory cycle in the pranayama, they were categorised into two groups of five each, one group practising the short Kumbhak varieties of pranayama, and the other the long Kumbhak varieties of pranayama. The duration of Kumbhak phase was on an average 22.2 per cent of the respiratory cycle in the short Kumbhak group and 50.4 per cent in the long Kumbhak group. The oxygen consumption was measured in test sessions using the closed circuit method of breathing oxygen through the Benedict-Roth spirometer. Each subject was tested in several repeat sessions. Values of oxygen consumption of the period of pranayamic breathing, and of post- pranayamic breathing period, were compared to control value of oxygen consumption of the prepranayamic breathing period of each test session. The results revealed that the short Kumbhak pranayamic breathing caused a statistically significant increase (52%) in the oxygen consumption (and metabolic rate) compared to the pre-pranayamic base-line period of breathing. In contrast to the above, the long Kumbhak pranayamic breathing caused a statistically significant lowering (19%) of the oxygen consumption (and metabolic rate). The values returned to near normal in the post-pranayamic periods. The data provide a basis to indicate that different types of pranayamic breathing may lead to different types of alterations in the oxygen consumption and metabolic rate.
Physiological changes in sports teachers following 3 months of training in Yoga
(Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 1993) Telles, Shirley; Nagarathna R.; Nagendra H.R.; Desiraju, T.
Three months of training in the ancient Indian science of Yoga, which included different asanas (physical postures) and Pranayamas (voluntary regulation of the breathing) has following effects in normal, hea1thy subjects, viz a significant reduction in heart rate, BP and an increase in mean skin temperature, and alpha index of EEG, reduction in blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, dopamine B hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase, and increased levels of urinary 17-keto steroids. These changes were interpreted as a shift in autonomic equilibrium towards parasympathetic dominance. The present study was conducted to assess whether yogic training of the same duration (3 months) would cause physiological changes in 40 male physical education teachers whose ages were between 25 and 48 years (34.7 + 5.9), and who had already been actively engaged in diverse physical activities for 8.9 + 5.8 years.
Physiological measures during right nostril breathing.
(Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1996) Telles, Shirley; Nagarathna R.; Nagendra H.R.
This study was conducted to assess the physiological effects of a yoga breathing practice that involves breathing exclusively through the right nostril. This practice is called surya anuloma viloma pranayama (SAV). Twelve volunteers (average age 27.2 years ± 3.3 years, four males) were assessed before and after test sessions conducted on two consecutive days. On one day the test session involved practicing SAV pranayama for 45 minutes (SAV session). During the test period of the other day, subjects were asked to breathe normally for 45 minutes (NB session). For half the patients (randomly chosen) the SAV session was on the first day and the NB session on the next day. For the remaining six patients, the order of the two sessions was reversed. After the SAV session (but not after the NB) there was a significant (P < .05, paired t test) increase in oxygen consumption (17%) and in systolic blood pressure (mean increase 9.4mm Hg) and a significant decrease in digit pulse volume (45.7%). The latter two changes are interpreted to be the result of increased cutaneous vasoconstriction. After both SAV and NB sessions, there was a significant decrease in skin resistance (two factor ANOVA, Tukey test). These findings show that SAV has a sympathetic stimulating effect. This technique and other variations of unilateral forced nostril breathing deserve further study regarding therapeutic merits in a wide range of disorders.
Plasticity of motor control systems demonstrated by yoga training.
(Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology,, 1994-05-05) Telles, Shirley; Hanumanthaiah, B.H.; Nagarathna R.; Nagendra H.R.
The static motor performance was tested in two groups with 20 subjects in each (age range 17 to 22 years, and 5 females in each group). Tests were carried out at the beginning and end of a 10 day period. The test required being able to insert and hold a metal stylus within holes of varying sizes for 15 sec. Accidental contacts between the stylus and the sides of the holes, were registered on a counter as errors. During the 10 days one group (the yoga group) practised asanas (physical postures), pranayama (voluntary regulation of breathing), meditation, devotional sessions, and tratakas (visual focussing exercises). The control group followed their usual routine. At the end of 10 days the yoga group showed a significant reduction in number of errors (Wilcoxon paired signed ranks test), while the control group did not change. Our earlier study showed a similar improvement in children (9 - 13 years). It was interesting to note the same degree of plasticity in motor control systems in young adults. The implications for rehabilitation programmes have been discussed.
Positive impact of cyclic meditation on subsequent sleep
(Med Sci Monit, 2009) Sanjib Patra; Telles, Shirley
Positive Impact of Cyclic Meditation.
Pranayama increases grip strength without lateralized effects.
(Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1997-07-17) Raghuraj, P.; Nagarathna R.; Nagendra H.R.; Telles, Shirley
The present study was conducted to determine whether breathing through a particular nostril has a lateralized effect on hand grip strength. 130 right hand dominant, school children between 11 and 18 yrs of age were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Each group had a specific yoga practice in addition to the regular program for a 10 day yoga camp. The practices were: (1) right, (2) left, (3) alternate- nostril breathing (4), breath awareness and (5) practice of mudras. Hand grip strength of both hands was assessed initially and at the end of 10 days for all 5 groups. The right, left- and alternate- nostril breathing groups had a significant increase in grip strength of both hands, ranging from 4.1% to 6.5%, at the end of the camp though without any lateralization effect. The breath awareness and mudra groups showed no change. Hence the present results suggest that yoga breathing through a particular nostril, or through alternate nostrils increases hand grip strength of both hands without lateralization.
Progressive increase in critical flicker fusion frequency following yoga training.
(Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1996-08-01) Vani, P.R.; Nagarathna R.; Nagendra H.R.; Telles, Shirley
The critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) is the frequency at which a flickering stimulus is perceived to be steady, with higher values suggesting greater perceptual accuracy. The CFF was measured in two agematched groups of healthy male volunteers whose ages ranged from 25 to 39 years, with 18 subjects in each group. After baseline assessments one group (yoga group) received yoga training, while the other group (control group) carried on with their routine activities. Yoga practices included asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, meditation, devotional sessions and lectures on the theory of yoga. After 10 days neither group showed a change in CFF. However, at 20 and at 30 days the yoga group showed significant increases in CFF by 11.1% and 14.9%, respectively (two factor ANOVA, Tukey multiple comparison test). The control group showed no change at the day 20 and day 30 followup
Psychophysiological effects of colored light used in healing.
(World journal of medical science, 2006-06) Naveen, K.V.; Telles, Shirley
Chromotherapy uses colored light for healing. The present study assessed the physiological effects of blue and red light in normal volunteers, as these colors were believed to have opposite physiological effects. Fifteen male volunteers (age range 17 to 29 years) were studied in two sessions each. Each session lasted for 40 min, with a test period of 30 min, preceded and followed by two 5-min periods without colored light. Throughout both sessions, subjects lay supine with eyes closed. The room was illuminated with ordinary light during the pre and post periods of both sessions. During the test period, blue light was used for one session, while red light was used for the other. The heart rate, skin resistance, finger plethysmogram amplitude, breath rate, blood pressure and electroencephalogram (EEG) were measured. There was a significant reduction in the breath rate during exposure to blue light and the diastolic blood pressure reduced immediately after exposure to blue light, compared to the preceding period (t-test for paired data). The results suggest that blue light reduces physiological arousal, supporting the claim that blue light can be used to induce physiological rest. Red light did not have a stimulating effect in this study.
Pulmonary functions following yoga in a community dwelling geriatric population in India
(Journal of Indian Psychology, 2006) Manjunath N.K.; Telles, Shirley
The usefulness of an ancient Indian intervention, Yoga to improve the pulmonary functions in a geriatric population was studied in a single blind, randomized controlled trial. 46 elderly inmates of a home lor the aged, belonging to both genders were stratified and randomly allocated to two groups, a Yoga group and a Wait-list Control group. The pulmonary functions were assessed using a computerized spirometer at baseline and after three and six months of their respective interventions in both groups. The yoga group was given a combination of practices including physical postures, voluntan'ly regulated breathing, meditation, relaxation techniques and lectures on philosophy and practice of Yoga, while the Wait-list Control group continued with their normal routine. The data were analyzed using Repealed Measures ANOVA and t-lest for paired data. The results suggested that there was a significant increase in the vital capacity of the yoga group, while there was a decrease in the vital capacity in the Wait-list Control group.
A randomized trial comparing the effects of yoga and physical activity programs on depth perception in school children
(Journal of Indian Psychology, 2003) Raghuraj, P.; Telles, Shirley
Randomized trial of yoga as a complementary therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis
(Respirology,, 2004) Naveen, K.V.; Telles, Shirley
Objective: The present prospective, randomized trial compared the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) with two separate programs (yoga and breath awareness), on lung capacities and bacteriological status in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methodology: A total of 1009 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were screened and 73 were alternately allocated, to yoga ( n = 36) or breath awareness ( n = 37) groups, with 48 patients completing the 2-month trial. Patients aged between 20 and 55 years, who were sputum-positive on three consecutive examinations, had no prior ATT, and no comorbidities or extrapulmonary tuberculosis were included. In addition to ATT, one group practised yoga ( n = 25) and the other practised breath awareness ( n = 23) for 6 h per week, each session being 60 min.
Recording of auditory middle latency evoked potentials during the practice of meditation with the syllable ‘OM’
(Indian Journal of Medical Research,, 1993-08-03) Telles, Shirley; Desiraju, T.
Middle latency auditory evoked potentials were examined in 7 proficient subjects during the practice of meditation on the syllable "Om", to determine whether these potentials would differ significantly from those recorded during the baseline state without practicing meditation. Similar records were also obtained in 7 "naive" subjects, matched for age, before and during a control period which involved sitting with eyes closed, and with no special instructions for focusing their thoughts. There was considerable inter-subject variability in the different components. However, during meditation there was a small but significant reduction in the peak latency of the Nb wave (the maximum negativity occurring between 35 and 65 msec). This reduction was observed consistently during the 3 repeat sessions of each subject, while the "naive" subjects did not show this change. These results suggest that the inter-subject variability of middle latency auditory evoked potentials precludes using them as the method of choice for assessing the effects of meditation. The small but consistent decrease in the Nb wave peak latency, indicates that the middle latency auditory evoked potentials do change with meditation. However, the variability of the potentials may mask subtle changes.
Right uninostril yoga breathing influences ipsilateral components of middle latency auditory evoked potentials.
(Neurological Sciences, 2004-04-14) Raghuraj, P.; Telles, Shirley
A previous report described selective electrical activity of the cerebral hemispheres with uninostril breathing. In the present study, middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEPs) were recorded from symmetrical scalp sites during the practice of uninostril yoga breathing. There were two sessions (40 min each) of right nostril yoga breathing (RNB) and of breath awareness (BAW), with (i) ‘before’, (ii) test (either RNB or BAW) and (iii) ‘after’ periods. The participants were 14 male volunteers aged between 18 and 33 years, and the setting was a yoga centre. MLAEPs were recorded from symmetrical scalp sites (C4 and C3). During RNB, the peak amplitudes of two negative components (viz. Na wave and Nb wave) were significantly increased on the right side. Increased peak amplitudes of Na and Nb waves suggested that RNB increased the number of neurons recruited on the right side, suggesting a possible application of RNB in certain psychiatric disorders with cerebral hemispheric imbalance