Part I: Nadis and Meridians – A Correlation and Part II: Effect of Yoga on the Visual Memory in School Children

Abstract

PART-I

Correlation of näòés in ancient Indian scriptures and meridians in ancient Chinese medicine. The present study is done to have a comprehensive view of the concepts of näòés and Meridians in the ancient Indian scriptures and the ancient Chinese medicine respectively. The word näòé comes from the Saàskåta root näd, meaning movement. In the Ågvedä, it means stream. In yoga, näòés are the channels of Kuëòaliné energy. Ayurveda mentions 72,000 different näòés. Tantra yoga identifies 14 principle näòés of which the following three namely iòä, Pingalä, and the suçumnä näòé are important. . Chinese medicine proposes that there are currents of energy in the body, called meridians that are modulated by the effects of yin and yang, and influenced by environmental and emotional effects. There were correlations found between näòés and meridians in regard to various aspects. Energy as Qi and pränä is found in writing of ancient medical guide such as “Yellow emperor’s Guide” in Chinese, and Ayurvedic system in India. The Chinese mode is more synthetic, it tends to see how different phenomena are inter-connected, in Chinese thought, man has never been separated from nature, he is an inseparable part of his environment, the idea is conveyed that human beings are an integral part of nature, but only a small part. The goal is not to dominate nature, but to to live in harmony with it. Hence, a relation is found between ancient Indian scriptures and ancient Chinese medicine and hence an overall view of most of the concepts of näòés and meridians are outlined in the study. Further research may be done on the details of the diagnosis of disease based on näòés and Meridians. PART-II

Effect of yoga on the visual memory in school children. The present study assessed the visual memory in school children following general yoga practices. Children (n= 297 whose ages ranged from 10-12 years) were randomly assigned 3 groups. Each group practiced a specific yoga module (Physical stamina = Dynamic practices; Creativity = artwork, crafts, skits; IQ = Special quiz, debate). These techniques were practiced and visual memory was assessed initially and after 9 days. There were 277 children who were got after dropouts and checking for abnormal data and that were taken for assessment. All 3 groups showed significant increase in visual memory (p<0.001, paired sample t- test) but physical stamina showed a higher increase (27.73 % change) than other two groups. The left or right dominant yoga modules have influenced the visual memory more than physical and balancing effects of yoga modules.