G. SVYASA Ph. D. Theses
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Yoga Theses by Yoga PhD Students at SVYASA. These pages present some efforts at Scientific Validation of Yoga. You may receive full text of available yoga research papers
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Item EFFECT OF OMKAR MANTRA CHANTING ON VOICE PARAMETERS AND WELL-BEING IN NOVICE PRACTITIONERS(S-VYASA, 2026) JAYASHREE PATTANAYAK; Judu Ilavarasu; B. K. YaminiBACKGROUND: Mantra chanting is one of the simplest yet most effective practices for novice practitioners of any age group to get various health benefits or spiritual inspiration. The term “Mantra” has a Sanskrit origin and is a tool for the mind or thought. The sacred utterance consists of syllables, words, or verses that create powerful vibrations, which can be used to heal the physical body and take the mind into a deep state of meditation. Chanting Omkar is one of the ancient practices that effortlessly leads to improvement in mood and cognitive functioning by promoting greater alignment between physical and subtle states of our being. On the physiological front, Mantra chanting positively influences heart rate variability, respiratory dynamics, neural activity, cognition, social cohesion, and many more in diverse ways, as evidenced by recent scientific inspections. Research on the psychological effects of Mantra chanting reveals compelling evidence of its ability to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depression, promote emotional regulation, and enhance mindfulness. In recent decades, acoustic methods have successfully aided in differential diagnosis by analysing vowels and speech, thereby evaluating the effectiveness of treatment approaches. Chanting the Omkar Mantra loudly is a powerful meditative technique that naturally draws one's attention to the sound. The resonant tones produced during Omkar chanting serve as internal signals, stimulating various neuronal activities. This method is valuable in laboratory settings, where the participants' engagement in the practice can be closely observed. Consistent loud chanting shifts consciousness, reducing activity in the brain's left hemisphere while boosting activity in the right hemisphere, ultimately elevating alpha and theta brainwave levels. Omkar chanting enhances focused attention, vocal synchronization, and emotional self-regulation, benefits that stem from the melodic arrangement of the voice. Focusing on this resonant sound typically turns external sensory perception inward. The brain's intrinsic function reflects the fundamental activities of its underlying architecture, which can be modified through sensory inputs. The current study investigates the voice parameters and the well-being indicators in the context of A kara, U kara, and M kara chanting. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES • The aim was to examine the effect of Omkar Mantra chanting on voice quality and psychological well-being in healthy, novice individuals. • The objectives were: • To compare the acoustic characteristics of Omkar chanting in healthy novice individuals before and after Omkar Mantra chanting. • To compare psychological well-being before and after the Omkar chanting training program. METHODS Participants The study involved healthy individuals who were new to the practice of mantra chanting and without prior chanting experience. A total of 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) aged between 20 and 45 were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants were included based on the criterion of no signs of vocal dysfunction. We considered a GRBAS score of 0 with no history of current or past voice disorder (e.g., Dysphonia, Vocal cord nodules, Parkinson's). Exclusion criteria were (i) any previous exposure to regular yoga or mantra chanting or professional singing experience to avoid variations in the duration and quality of phonation, (ii) any previous history of self-reported physical or mental ailments. The research was conducted through an online mode. Design A quasi-experimental study was administered to measure the productivity before and after the training program for the same group of individuals. The means and standard deviations of voice parameters, well-being, and vitality were compared for both males and females before and after the training program, and the statistical significance of the productivity differences was assessed. Assessments: Voice parameters included fundamental frequency, formants (F1, F2, F3), jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 and Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) tools. Intervention: A 10-day training workshop was conducted online, consisting of 30 minutes of guided whole-body visualization relaxation each day, along with a short pranayama practice. This was followed by chanting A, U, M, and Om. Data on the participants was collected using commonly available Mi and Redmi handsets and analyzed with PRAAT software both before and after the training program. The WHO-5 and SVS vitality questionnaires were employed as pre- and post-workshop measures to assess psychological changes in the participants. Results: The statistical software JASP 0.18.3 was used to analyze the data. Out of the 100 recruited subjects, data from 4 subjects were discarded due to improper recording or outliers. Consequently, data from 96 subjects were considered for analysis. The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the physical and mental well-being of individuals, suggesting a positive effect of Omkara chanting on novice participants. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that the practice of loud Omkar chant has a significant effect on the voice parameters, fundamental frequency(F0), formants (F1, F2, F3), jitter, shimmer, and HNR, along with improvement in vitality and psychological parameters. Thus, Omkar chanting offers broader opportunities due to its overt features and simple techniques. Further research can better highlight the positive effects of the Omkara chant on meditation and its relevance for clinical populations.Item Role of yoga on the psychological profile of emerging adults studying engineering(S-VYASA, 2023-09-23) Venkatesan R.; Judu IlavarasuBACKGROUND India is the world's largest engineer-producing country. Every year, around 1.5 million students in India get enrolled in engineering programs, 7.7 lakh students complete their under graduation, and 3.7 lakh students get placement. Enrollment in engineering colleges, however, has been steadily declining at a rate of roughly 4.9 per cent each year during the last five years. Similarly, the number of engineering colleges has decreased by roughly 2.15 per cent per year over the last five years. This alarming decline in the intake and institutional strength suggest that there is a need to look at the contributing factors that may be influencing this observation. The contributing factors can be attributed to both external and internal causes. This is a threat to the sustainable growth of technical education in India. In India, every year there is a 3.4 per cent increase in placements for engineers in the last five years. However, employability skills/competency deteriorated to a great extent and in a report by industry bodies, only 20%-30% of engineering graduates are employable. Education in India needs to be more skill-oriented―both in terms of life skills as well as livelihood skills. This being an important issue, we attempted to study the psychological profiles of engineering students regarding their engineering career choice. Apart from that, the parental role in shaping children’s psychological makeup is crucial. In India especially, the majority of emerging adults depend on their parents for their college education. Hence, we can expect a more involved role of parents in children’s education and career choices. From the literature review, we observed that the inherent attitude towards engineering and other social determinants, like parents’ influence, etc., contribute to the engineering career choice of emerging adults. However, we did not find any studies in the Indian context using implicit measures to evaluate engineering career choices. Hence, this study attempts to study the implicit attitude of engineering students towards joining engineering. Nowadays some school managements in India are introducing yoga to their students. As yoga grooms overall personality, yoga practice may influence the students’ choice of engineering. Hence, we conducted another study to find whether yoga practice influences engineering choices. Another three studies aimed to measure psychoth variables before and after the intervention of Simplified Kuëòaliné Yoga (SKY). These studies will provide insight into the interacting factors influencing the choice of joining engineering and further help in developing sustainable methods to foster higher quality technical education in India. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The present study is aimed at assessing the effect of yoga on psychological factors related to emerging adults and finding its implication on implicit and explicit attitudes towards technical education. The objectives of the current research are the following: • To study the effect of yoga on psychophysiological variables, among yoga and sports groups. • To study the effect of yoga on internal attributes like self-concept, personality, and dimensions of emerging adults, among yoga and sports groups. • To study how internal attributes, influence the inherent interest of engineering students towards engineering courses, among yoga and sports groups. METHODS Participants For study one, 238 participants; for study two, 314 participants; for study three, 86 participants, for study four, 407 participants and study five, 389 participants were recruited from Dr Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology and their ages ranged from 18 to 19 years. They all belonged to the same academic year. Design Study 1 and study 2 are survey designs. Study 3, study 4 and study 5 are pre-post designs. Assessments The selected psychological variables were assessed using Inquisit software. The test consists of a demographic profile and other psychological variables. Psychological variables measured were the Revised Adult Attachment Scale-Close Relationships Version (RAAS), the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale-13-Item Short Form, the 12 items General Health Questionnaire, the Engineering Implicit Association Test (EIAT), the Reasons for Learning scale, the Perceived Competence Scale (PCS), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Perceived Parental Autonomy Support Scale (PPASS), Freewill and determination scale, Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (The IDEA), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Feeling Thermometer, and ‘G’ Inventory of Personality. Physiological variable measured weas Electroencephalaogram (EEG). Intervention Yoga group, students underwent three days (21 hours) orientation programme at the beginning of the semester in which they learnt Simplified Kuëòaliné Yoga and Sports group students underwent one and half a day (12 hours) orientation program at the beginning of the semester in which they learnt general sports. Both Yoga group and Sports group students had 30 hours (20 weeks x 1.30 hours/week) of follow-up classes after the orientation programme. RESULTS Study 1: The results suggest that positive and negative implicit attitudes towards engineering have distinct trends. Positive self-esteem, autonomous style of learning, and higher learning competencies are associated with a positive implicit attitude toward engineering. Study 2: There are a few dimensions of emerging adulthood that have desirable outcome trends, both in yoga and non-yoga practitioners. Distinct features of yoga practitioners are students with close attachment styles, those who exercise inner free will, and with autonomy supportive parenting style tend to have a positive outlook. Study 3: Pre-test and post-test results showed significant differences within sessions in EEG meditation state and Low Alpha state in both groups. After the intervention, the sports group showed a significant difference at the end of the session, whereas the yoga group showed a significant difference at the beginning of the session. Study 4: The results showed that Perceived Competency for learning has decreased in the yoga group than in sports group; Guëa and Self-focused have decreased in the yoga group, Negativity and Instability have incrased in the sports group. Study 5: The pre-test and post-test comparative study results showed that Identity Exploration has increased in the sports group and decreased in the yoga group; Experimentation and possibilities have increased in the yoga group, and Self-focused has decreased in the yoga group. CONCLUSION Positive and negative implicit attitude towards engineering have distinct trends of relationship. Having positive self-esteem, an autonomous style of the reason for learning, and higher learning competencies are associated with fostering a positive implicit attitude towards engineering. Yoga may promote self-regulated ways of inner growth and learning in emerging adults. The SKY meditation technique can influence the state of mediation, low alpha, high gamma, and mid gamma EEG bands. Sports can influence perceived competency. Yoga can influence self-focused, experimentation and possibilities.Item Role of finance in yoga related to health, education, and allied industries(SVYASA, 2022-12-22) Dayananda Swamy, H. R.; Karuna Nagarajan; G. Agoramoorthy; Judu IlavarasuYoga has been popularized worldwide mainly due to its utility in health and education. Hence, Yoga has gained a societal relevance in contemporary world. Thus, the traditional purpose of Yoga, which is for spiritual upliftment, has changed to fitness and other immediate physical and mental health benefits. As a result, it may appear that the contemporary practice of Yoga has been largely deviated and diluted. The strength of momentum that is gained in physical culturing through Yoga is indomitable. But it cannot neglect altogether the traditional source and purpose. Yoga, however, should be acknowledged as the easiest and fastest means to bring the first impression about holistic health, and harmony and hence can be a best anchor for building further foundation, deep-rooted in traditional values. In order to facilitate addressing the current needs of the society in a large scale, and to put an anchor through Yoga for later higher spiritual practices, understanding the economic dynamics around Yoga is essential. Economic analysis of Yoga-based activities in India is not adequately presented in terms of scientific research publications. Policy-makers in the government largely depend on accurate data on the economics of Yoga, which is crucial to make strategic decisions. Gathering data on these least explored aspects of Yoga finance is a monumental task involving many government, non-government and corporate agencies. In this thesis, I have attempted to explore these unique dimensions to propose a set of recommendations for policy makers in the state and central government systems. The ideas, options and recommendations proposed in this thesis could create, shape and vi implement a systematic scientific approach to generate financial insinuation records surrounding all Yoga-allied activities that include healthcare, education, and commerce. This will immensely help future stakeholders in various industries to take evidence based decisions on using Yoga as a means to develop their service or business ventures to suit the needs of their targets, goals, and clients. Thus, this thesis has sown a tiny seed in the form of Yoga finance for future development of an entirely new sub-field of intensive research in the economic studies of Yoga. In order to elucidate this idea, I have attempted to present precise observations and outlooks under different chapters with an in-depth logic to pursue practical advances. Chapter 1 provides the general introduction of the entire thesis, covering the important aspects of the whole thesis, that includes role of finance in health, education, and business. Chapter 2 explores the scriptural perspective of Puruṣārthas that forms the foundation for the human pursuit to incorporate Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa. Furthermore, it is elaborated on how Artha is the basis for even Kāma and Mokṣa. Particular focus has been made on Dāna and how the Corporate Social Responsibility can be naturally groomed to achieve it. Chapter 3 explores the needs, challenges and opportunities for using Yoga as the core intervention to treat various types of ailments. In order for the government and policy makers to decide on using Yoga as an important tool to address health care needs, vii systematic studies and quantitative data on financial viability of implementing Yoga interventions should be available. Chapter 4 attempts to review the contemporary issues related to the implementation of Yoga in the Indian education system. There is an urgent need to integrate the wisdom of ancient education system to the modern education system, because there are many pitfalls in the modern education system that is difficult to manage with the current approach followed in schools and colleges across India. Chapter 5 presents how Yoga is emerging as a huge business opportunity in India and elsewhere in the world. The key strategy to tap into the emerging economic resources are discussed in this chapter. Specific attempt has been made to evaluate the extent to which tourism sector was affected especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Chapter 6 focuses more on elaborating how Yoga can be promoted to meet the expectations of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. The role of Yoga-based learning and how it could possibly enhance the SDGs are discussed in detail. Chapter 7 summarizes all the previous chapters to propose action-oriented list of recommendations, which can be easily acted upon by the government, policy makers, local bodies for the effective promotion of Yoga to reap the best financial benefits out of this huge economic opportunity emerging out of Yoga. The last chapter 8 concludes by appraising the strengths and weaknesses of the presented thesis.Item Development and psychometric validation of the music receptivity scale(SVYASA, 2022-12-22) Mahesh George; Judu IlavarasuIntroduction One of the most quoted definitions of Yoga is ‘yujyate anena iti yogaù’. Here, ‘Yuj’ in Sanskrit means ‘to Yoke’ or to unite. Here it refers to the union of the jévätmä (individual soul) with the paramätmä (the supreme soul). Music in it true sense is said to be the union of shruti and laya. The perfect union of shruti and laya renders the listeners in a meditative trance provided they submit themselves to the music. Flow experiences (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) are quite common in music practice, performances and composition. The novel construct introduced in this study focuses on an individual’s experience listening to a given piece of music; the focus is on how he internalizes a given piece of music. ‘Flow’ experiences may occur quite often when an individual internalizes a given piece of music to a great extent. In this study, we proposed and developed a construct, Music Receptivity and further constructed a psychometric instrument called Music Receptivity Scale (MRS), field-tested it and data analysis revealed good psychometric properties. Literature review Ancient scriptures were reviewed which unraveled various aspects of music and how music could be used as a tool for personal and spiritual upliftment. Further, scientific literature review revealed multiple studies that focused on musical engagement, musical aptitude etc. Multiple psychometric instruments are available which measures the trait aspects predominantly, of music listening and engagement. Hence, we clearly saw a lacunae for state measuring instruments in music listening. However, these studies gave us rich inputs while developing the Music Receptivity Scale (MRS). Aim To develop an instrument to measure music receptivity in the context of Indian music. Objectives 1. To construct an instrument to measure music receptivity by item generation and validation. iii 2. To test and validate the instrument amongst different individuals in the context of Indian music. 3. To find out the validity of the developed instrument (in a bhajan setup) amongst yoga population. Methods Participants For phase 1 of the study, with the aim of generating items for the instrument, we approached music experts from the department of music, University of Kerala and also Sree Swathi Tirunal College of Music, Trivandrum, for in-depth unstructured interviews. Data redundancy was reached by the 7th interview. Further we approached another 7 experts from the field of music for a Focus Group Discussion, from above-mentioned two colleges. For phase 2, we approached two colleges, one was Marian Engineering College, Trivandrum and the other was Immanuel College, Vazhichal. We conducted the pilot study with 63 individuals from Marian Engineering College and field-testing of the tool with 212 individuals from the same college. Additionally we conducted field-testing with 101 individuals from Immanuel College, Vazhichal. Further, we field-tested the tool with 44 musicians from the Department of Music, University of Kerala. In order to validate the MRS among the Yoga population, we selected 72 Yoga students (male -28, female – 44) from S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru. Mean age among male students were 26 and that among female students were 25. Design The research design was a mixed design, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Phase 1 was qualitative study and phase 2 was quantitative study employing survey method. The Music Receptivity Scale (MRS) was also validated amongst a Yoga population. Assessment tools For the qualitative phase: In-depth interview guide (Probe questions) iv Focus group discussion guide For the quantitative phase: Music Receptivity Scale (MRS) Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale (SDS) d2 test of attention Interest In Music (IIM) Scale Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF) Mind Wandering Scale (MWS) Data extraction and analysis Three sets of data, pilot (n=63), general population (n=313), musicians (n=44) were separately analyzed. The final sample size used to report the results is 313, which is in the ratio of 13 cases per item, more than the recommended 10 cases per item. All the analyses were done using R statistical software, version 3.4.2 (R Development Core Team, 2020) and its packages psych (Revelle, 2019). To refine the construct of music receptivity, and to get inputs for item generation, we conducted unstructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Items were generated based on the inputs obtained from the in-depth interviews and the FGD. The consolidated questionnaire had 23 items designed to capture the domains of attention, interest, lyrical appraisal, emotional experience and hurdles. As the aim of this study was to evaluate the structure of music receptivity scale (MRS), we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the number and nature of underlying factors of MRS. We used parallel analysis to determine the number of factors to retain (Horn, 1965); principal axis factoring was performed to evaluate the number of underlying factors by employing oblique rotation (oblimin) as the domains were anticipated to be correlated. Maximum iterations for convergence were fixed at 1000. The analyses revealed more than one solution. v Results Data analysis yielded two solutions – a two factor solution (Affect and Attention) and a four factor solution (Emotion, interest, attention and hurdles). Validation amongst Yoga population yielded mixed results for convergent and divergent validity. Discussion We intended to develop an instrument to measure music receptivity, field test it and assess its psychometric properties and as a culmination of which, we developed a 20- item questionnaire having four domains (emotional experience, interest, attention, hurdles) and a shorter 12-item version of the same. The two-factor solution was a reduced item version, and it yielded the two most important meta-components of music receptivity, i.e., affect and attention. The affect domain included interest and emotional experience, whereas attention remained as a separate factor. We could also observe discriminant validity between musicians and non-musicians, where the musicians had significantly higher music receptivity scores compared to non musicians. Conclusion The Music Receptivity Scale was developed and it has a 20 item long form and a 12 item short form. As this tool was primarily intended for music therapy purposes, this tool needs to be field tested in music therapy settings. Further, the mode of application of this tool could be via a mobile application for the ease of use.