Content uploaded by Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani on Jun 05, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Scientific Basis of Yoga Education Notes
Abstract
Scientific Basis of Yoga Education Notes compiled from various sources by Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani for DYEd, PGDY and PGDYT students.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of yogic techniques in the treatment of eight adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A specific yogic breathing pattern has been prescribed for the treatment of OCD, as well as others for treating generalized anxiety. A one year course of therapy was followed. Subjects improved on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) comparing baseline with three, six, nine, & 12 month results (one-way ANOVA for repeated measures, F(4, 12) = 3.343, p
After an initial integrated yoga training program of 2 to 4 weeks, 570 bronchial asthmatics were followed up for 3 to 54 months. The training consisted of yoga practices-Yogasanas, Pranayama, meditation, and kriyas-and theory of yoga. Results show highly significant improvement in most of the specific parameters. The regular practitioners showed the greatest improvement. Peak expiratory flow rate (PFR) values showed significant movement of patients toward normalcy after yoga, and 72, 69, and 66% of the patients have stopped or reduced parenteral, oral, and cortisone medication, respectively. These results establish the long-term efficacy of the integrated approach of yoga therapy in the management of bronchial asthma.
A prospective investigation was designed to test whether the altered behavior of the regular practice of a relaxation, meditational technique might lower blood pressure in 22 borderline hypertensive subjects. The investigation was unbiased with regard to the presence of antihypertensive agents; subject familiarity with blood pressure measurement or with the observer; observer error; and the effects of blood pressure variability. During the control period, blood pressures averaged 146.5 mm Hg systolic and 94.6 diastolic. During the experimental period, they decreased to 139.5 mm Hg systolic (p < 0.001) and 90.8 mm Hg diastolic (0.001 < p < 0.002). The results of this relaxation, meditational technique are consistent with a hypothesized integrated hypothalamic response associated with decreased sympathetic nervous system activity. It is possible that the decreased blood pressures are unrelated to the proposed mechanism of decreased sympathetic nervous system activity and represent, instead, a placebo effect. Regardless of mechanism, the described relaxation, meditational technique is an effective method of lowering borderline hypertensive blood pressures. The relaxation technique is learned easily and inexpensively, practiced at no cost, and has no pharmacologic side effects.
Eleven patients with severe chronic airways obstruction were given training in yogic breathing exercises and postures. A matched group of 11 patients were given physiotherapy breathing exercises. Both groups of patients were followed up at monthly intervals for nine months with pulmonary function tests, tests of exercise tolerance, and inquiry into their symptoms. After training in yoga the mean maximum work increased significantly by 60.55 kpm; whereas no such rise occurred after training in physiotherapy. This objective improvement was associated with symptomatic improvement in a significantly higher number of patients given training in yoga.
A 6-month study with crossover at 3 months was designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of transcendental meditation upon bronchial asthma. 21 patients kept daily diaries of symptoms and medications and answered questionnaires at the end of the study and 6 months later. Other measurements included physician evaluation, pulmonary function testing, and galvanic skin resistance. The results indicated that transcendental meditation is a useful adjunct in treating asthma.
10 Young adult volunteers undergoing yogic and ordinary physical exercises for 6 mth have been assessed physiologically as well as biochemically including estimation of catecholamines, cholinesterases, mono amine oxidase (MAO), diamine oxidase (DAO), plasma cortisol, serum PBI, serum proteins and blood sugar levels. It has been observed that yogic practices induce more vital effects than physical exercise which mostly causes physical effects on skeletal muscles. In addition, different yogic practices appear to cause different types of specific effects.
