The Effect of Selected Yogasanas, Pranayama and Meditation on Biochemical, Physiological and Psychological Variables of Male & Female Students

Yoga is a way of life. It is an integrated system of education for the body, mind and inner spirit. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago but, as yoga deals with universal truths, its teachings are valid today as they were in the ancient times. Yoga is a practical aid, does not belong to one religion and its techniques could be practiced by the Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and the Atheists alike. Yoga is an art in all its aspects, from the most practical to the highest. It is a spiritual art, in the sense that it transforms the seer and brings him into contact with his inner soul. It is a fine art, since it is aesthetic, expressive, visual art, since the body is made to form geometrical designs, lines architectural shapes and the like which are beautiful to behold. It is essentially a useful art for the doer and is presented as a performing art for viewer. Pranayama is an exact science. It is the regulation of breath which is the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation that follows after securing that steadiness of posture or seat, Asana. As the Bible states, “Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being”. The Sanskrit word prana means „vital force‟ or „cosmic energy‟. It also signifies „life‟ or „breath‟, Ayama means the control of the prana. Hence pranayama means control of the vital force by concentration and regulated breathing. It is physical, mental, spiritual and cosmic energy. All forms of energy are prana. Prana is usually translated as breath; which moves in the thoracic region absorbing vital energy; yet, this is the only one of its many manifestations in the body. So pranayama is the science of breath control. The movements of the thoracic organs include vertical ascension, horizontal expansion and a circumferential movement. The aim of yoga is to attain perfection of the intellect, both of the head and the heart, so that, the artist becomes devoted, true and pure. This demands an almost total relinquishment of interest in other activities of life except the chosen path. The mind is fluid and runs after sensual pleasures. Art demands total undivided focal attention. Hence Patanjali explains that the mind must be controlled and then submitted to serve the artistic nature of yoga to its highest potency. Yoga or any art requires acute sharpness of intellect and alert organs of perception. In yoga, there is no competition but it requires freedom to think and reconstruct with a desire to Yoga is considered as a fully-fledged science. The science of yoga consists of acquiring knowledge through observation and experiment. It is a science which deals with the body and mind controlling the body through the practice of Yoga to achieve the rhythm of mind. The health and strength of the body and the mind are acquired, only when a state of equilibrium is attained whereby the body and the mind are balanced. Like all other arts, Yoga is also a science as well as a philosophy too. As science is concerned with analyses Yoga too is bent on analysis. Yoga analyses the turbulent mind and shows the ways and means of reaching the ultimate goal of freedom. As any other science, yoga too conveys truth. On a practical level, yoga keeps the body healthy the mind quiet and pure, and self in beatitude. It is therefore a darsana. The practical aspect of yoga darsana conveys the artistic aspect of Yoga with its precision and beauty. The science of yoga works on physical, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual aspects of a person, when imbalance is experienced at this level, the organs, muscles and nerves no longer function in harmony, rather they act in opposition to one another. Therefore, yoga aims at bringing the different bodily functions into perfect co-ordination so that they work for the good at the whole body. Therefore yoga develops the personality of an individual mentally, morally, spiritually and intellectually. The formation of self-concept is fundamental to the development of the individual‟s personality. Hence, self-concept means how a person thinks or feels about him/her-self. It may be positive or negative. In recent years, there has been growing realization of the importance of self-concept in understanding and predicting the human behavior. A self-concept is an understanding that one is separate and independent person. Yoga is union with all. It brings peace to the human beings by physical practices with or without a toner on spiritualism. As we live in the age of modern science and technology, our lifestyle has become very fast. It is also becoming very hard and difficult to live a natural and normal life because of the changing scenario of the world. The very air is becoming unfit for human consumption. Our cities are growing noisier, dirtier and congested. All these do create tension. The mind is always under strain due to various social evils. When we are under stress, our digestion is not proper and we may suffer from some fairly serious ailments like Asthma etc. and yoga comes to our rescue at this juncture.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the twelve weeks of select yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables of male students.

The reviews of related literature for better understanding of the study and to interpret the results have been presented in this study. It was studied the physiological and biochemical changes following the practice of some yogic exercise. The result shows that the 12 normal subjects decreased average systolic blood pressure after 3 months of hatha yoga practices but returned to the pre-experiment value after 6 months. The average change involved was small. In contrast to the small changes in resting blood pressure observed in normal hypertension subjects who practiced yoga, there was observation of significant decrease in resting blood pressure of hypertension who practiced Corpse Posture with predominant of hypertension as an ailment. The serious circulatory ailments statistically correlated with hypertensive segments of the population. It is an encouraging result of research in yoga that considerable evidence has been found suggesting that a program of relaxation or meditation may be helpful in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. It also helps to maintain blood pressure in hypertensive patients and in maintaining blood pressure control while decreasing the level of drug therapy. The present study is on the effect of yoga on pulse and blood pressure among students – boys and girls in the age group of 16-18 years. The students were divided into two groups. One group was given yoga training for a period of 6 weeks while the second group acted as a control. Resting pulse rate and blood pressure was measured in both groups before starting the course and at the end of the course. Results were analyzed and compared. There was decrease in pulse rate and blood pressure after the yoga training in both boys and girls. There were 38 males and 6 females in the age of 20-69 years (average year 42 years) original systolic pressure from 140 to 180 mm hg and diastolic pressure from 140 to mm hg and diastolic pressure from, 90 to 180 mm hg. They were taught to perform Savasana, twice a day for 30 minutes. The pulse rate, blood pressure and respiration were recorded before and after the practice. After three months of practice, the patients had a definite feeling of well-being as they observed a marked impotent in headache, narrowness, irritability, factions etcetera, and also

Also a study was conducted on the effect of pranayama and transcendental meditation on the pulse rate and blood pressure of the male students. For this purpose, 75 college students were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The first group performed pranayama, the second group performed transcendental meditation and the third group performed pranayama and transcendental meditation. Subjects in each group were trained with respective programmers for a period of six weeks, five days a week from Monday to Friday and two sessions of 20 minutes duration both in the morning and in the evening. Prior to and at the end of the training period, all the subjects were tested for pulse rate and blood pressure. The result showed that the pranayama reduced the blood pressure. Transcendental meditation has a positive effect on systolic blood pressure only combined pranayama and transcendental meditation showed very good effect on all the physiological parameters. It was studied that the effect of Yogasanas and Pranayamas on blood pressure, pulse rate and some respiratory function was effective. Two groups of male volunteers, 20-33 years in age and having the same experimental group consisted of 14 subjects in Yogasanas and Pranayamas for a period of six weeks. The group consisted of fourteen normal untrained subjects, who carried out non-yogic exercise - that is, long walk and playing light games. Pre-test and Post-test were conducted to both the groups before and after training. The results of both groups were compared. The trained persons had greater vital capacity, more tidal volume and less respiratory rate than the untrained group. The prescribed standard exercise increased the respiratory rate in both the groups who instead exhibited a corresponding increase in total volume. A study was also conducted to find out the effect of short term yoga practice on ventilatory function test. For this purpose , 35 healthy normal male subjects were called , their age ranging from 20 to 15 years. The experimental group of 25 subjects underwent 10 weeks of yogic practices, 90 minutes daily in the morning. Yoga training limited the exercise i.e., Surya Namaskar, Sharir Sanchalana, Eleven Asana, Pranayama and Prayer. A control group of 15 subjects were not performing yoga or any other physical exercise. All the subjects were tested for ventilator function in the beginning, before starting yogic training and practices and again after a period of ten weeks of yogic practices. 1. For the yoga group, the rate of respiration decreased significantly (PL .05) more than the control group. 2. Vital capacity has been found increased significantly in yoga than the control group.

In this study, the procedures followed towards the experimental design and procedure, selection of variables, instrument reliability, collection of data and statistical techniques have been explained.

The subjects selected for the present study were divided randomly into two equal groups called control and experimental, consisting of 20 male students in each group. 12 weeks of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training were given to the experimental group. The control group were not allowed to participate in any of the training programs, except their routine physical education classes. Measurements for the variables were taken at the beginning (pre - test) and at the end of the experimental period, after twelve weeks (post - test) the data were collected for all the variables from both control and experimental groups, for five days. During this period the subject were not allowed to participate in any training.

In the present study, the investigator referred different relevant literature and consulted with experts in biochemistry, physiology and psychology to identify most suitable variables.

The instruments like Computerized Pulmonary Function Spiro meter, Mercury Manometer, Sphygmomanometer, Stethoscope, Forceps, Stop Watch, Nose Clip, Weighing Machine, Stadiometer and other instruments used for biochemical variables analysis were all manufactured by standard companies. The researcher conducted his research work in the Medical Research Institute laboratory; the instruments were standardized and reliable.

The data collected from the two groups on the selected Biochemical, Physiological and Psychological variables were used for the statistical analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) method. The level of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence. All the statistical calculation was carried out using SPSS, 11.05 packages.

It was hypothesized that there would be significant effects on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables as a result of twelve weeks of Yogasanas pranayama and meditation practice when compared with the control group. The hypothesis mentioned in the study is that there would be significant effect on biochemical variables as a result of twelve weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation practice. The results of the study reveals that there is significant reduction in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein level. Since there is significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in the above mentioned variables, therefore the hypothesis has been accepted.

1. Blood Glucose: It is observed that there is no significant change in the means of the blood glucose level on pretest between the control and the experimental groups. But the Blood Glucose level has decreased significantly for the experimental group after the twelve weeks of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation than the control group. 2. Total Cholesterol: There is significant difference between control and experimental groups on Total Cholesterol. The experimental group has higher level in pretest. However, due to Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training, the Total Cholesterol level has been decreased significantly in the experimental group when compared with the control group.

There is no significant difference in the Triglycerides of control and experimental groups of pretest, while it is decreased significantly in the experimental group than the control group due to yoga training. 4. High Density Lipoprotein: There are no significant differences between the control and the experimental groups of pretest and posttest. But the High Density Lipoprotein level slightly 5. Low Density Lipoprotein: There is significant difference in the Low Density Lipoprotein on pretest between control and experimental groups. Due to 12 weeks of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation, the Low Density Lipoprotein level is decreased in the post test of the experimental group than the control group.

No significant difference in Very Low Density Lipoprotein between pretest control and pretest experimental group. And because of 12 weeks of Yogasanas training, there is a significant change in Very Low Density Lipoprotein for the post test of the experimental group than the control group.

1. The study was restricted to forty college male students. 2. Forty male students were selected for the study, of which twenty was considered as the control group and the remaining twenty as the experimental group. 3. The age of the selected subjects ranged from 18 to 23 years and all of them were healthy and normal. 4. The twelve weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training were given for the experimental group. 5. The criterion variables selected for the study were confined to the following select Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables.

The effect of selected Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables of male students were examined using voluntary subjects randomly drawn into two groups of twenty each. One group acted as the control group and the other group acted as the experimental group. The twelve weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training was given only for the experimental group and the other group did not do any physical training. The data for the above mention variables were collected prior to the training (pretest) and after twelve weeks of training (posttest). The analysis on the effect of 12 weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation training on the biochemical, physiological and psychological

* Significant at 0.05 level. Required table value at 0.05 level of significance for 1 & 37 degrees of freedom = 4.104 1 & 38 degrees of freedom = 4.096

The finding of the study would reveal the effect of select Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables of male students. 1. The study would provide scientific base and guidance to the physical educationist, coaches and players to understand the effect of select Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation on biochemical, physiological and psychological variables of male students. 2. The present study would give some basic knowledge to the sports scientists to conduct further research in the area of physiological, biochemical and psychological variables. 3. The result of the study would add to the quantum of knowledge in the area of sports training, exercise biochemistry and exercise physiology related to Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation. 4. This study will help to create awareness among the citizens to understand the importance of yogic training. Based on the research findings the following conclusions were drawn in the present study. 1. The results of the biochemical variables like Blood Glucose, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein and Very Low Density Lipoprotein were not significantly different in the pretest between the experimental and the control groups. Whereas in the total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein there is a significant difference in the pretest control group. 2. The biochemical variables like Blood Glucose, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very Low Density Lipoprotein have significantly decreased after a period of twelve weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation in the post test experimental group when compared to the pretest control and experimental groups. 3. It is inferred that the yoga practice did not lead to significant changes in the High Density Lipoprotein of the pretest and the posttest control and the experimental groups and also the adjusted posttest mean. 4. The results of the study have shown that the Physiological Variables like Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Forced Vital Capacity First Second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Pulse Rate, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure and Rate Pressure Product did not show any significant changes in the pretest control and experimental groups. Whereas in the Maximum Expiratory Pressure and Maximum Aspiratory Pressure reveal that there existed significant changes in the pretest control and the experimental groups. 5. In the Physiological Variables like Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Vital Capacity First Second and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, there is no significant increase in the post test experimental group after the twelve weeks of Yogasanas, pranayama and meditation practice. But there is a significant change in the adjusted posttest mean. 6. In the Systolic Blood Pressure there is no significant difference in the pretest and posttest experimental group but in the Diastolic Blood Pressure there is significant difference in the post test experimental group and the Adjusted posttest mean.

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