Traditional Medicine in Asia

India. Over a period of six months, the
yoga group sustained a low pulse rate
(about 50–60 per minute), decreased rate
of breathing and quicker adjustment to
conditions of extreme cold on the
Himalayan border, perhaps due to better
heat conservation in the body. Yoga
practices were found helpful to tone up
non-shivering thermo genesis. 31
Singh and Madhu conducted a study
on 20 male adults who underwent yoga
training for six months. The results revealed
significant improvement in short-term
memory and steadiness. 32 Barnes and
Nagarkar studied 40 students of Standard
VIII (between the ages of 12–14 years) who
were provided four months’ yoga training.
Results indicated an improvement in
scholastic aptitude. 33 Sridevi, Sitamma and
Rao found yoga promoted cognitive
abilities. 34
References
Fundamentals of Yoga
A study conducted by Prof. L. I.
Bhushan on 102 resident students of Bihar
Yoga Bharati, Munger, indicated a decrease
in levels of anxiety, depression, somatization,
sensitivity, obsessive compulsive
reaction, paranoid ideas, hostility, and
psychotism. 35
Unpublished Studies
In 1996, a study was carried out on 1150
prisoners during a yoga training
programme in 24 Bihar (India) prisons.
Results included reductions in anxiety,
depression, hostility and feelings of
revenge, together with relief of various
physical symptoms such as insomnia,
arthritis and digestive problems. As a result
of the programme, the State Government
of Bihar took a policy decision to introduce
regular yoga training in all 82 state prisons.
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