The Effect of Inner Engineering Online (IEO) Program on Reducing Stress for Information Technology Professionals: A Randomized Control Study

In recent years, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are rapidly growing in the workplace. Several meta-analyses conclude that overall MBIs have a moderate effect of alleviating deficit-based experiences, such as burnout and stress, but a small to no effect of promoting asset-based experiences, such as positive affect and well-being. While workplace MBIs vary greatly in their content, format, and duration, the dominant format is still face to face in a group setting, which limits scalability. Our study introduces an emerging workplace intervention called Inner Engineering Online (IEO) and evaluates its effect on reducing stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety and increasing mindfulness and joy. Drawing on the classical yogic science, IEO is a comprehensive web-based multicomponent intervention that utilizes dialectic discourse, meditation, and yogic practices designed to improve physical, mental, and emotional health. Utilizing a randomized active control cross-over experimental design with a sample of 71 employees of an Information Technology company, we tested our hypothesis that IEO training and regular daily yogic practice are likely to lower the stress levels, prevent burnout, and alleviate anxiety and depression, while at the same time promotes positive affect for employees. The results show that IEO program significantly reduces stress only among those who adhere to recommended daily yogic practices. The study is limited by its small sample size. Future research using a large sample is recommended to reexamine the effect of IEO training on occupational health. This trial is registered with NCT04126564.

Effects of Yogic practices on cardiovascular system and salivary alpha amylase on Indian healthy jail inmates

Objectives Imprisoned people usually have a poor health status and an increase risk to suffer chronic debilitating conditions, co-infection due to their limitations in physical activity and mental disturbances. This study was carried to find out the health impacts of Yogic practice of Indian healthy jail inmates. Methods It was interventional single group pre-post design study. A total no of 30, Jail inmates including 08 female were participated in this study and practiced Yoga for six months. Body Mass Index, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Salivary alpha amylase activity (SAA) a stress marker were assessed before, after three months and after completion of six months of Yogic practice. Results Improvement was noted in all parameters, but significant improvement was noted in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, double product a index of load in the heart and SAA following Yogic practice in total participants. Significant improvement was also noted in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, double product a index of load in the heart and SAA following Yogic practice in male group. No significant effect was noted in female group. Conclusions The present study revealed that regular Yogic practice resulted in reduction blood pressure, load in the heart and stress in mail jail inmates, when it is practiced regularly and carefully.

The Consciousness State of Traditional Nidrâ Yoga/Modern Yoga Nidra: Phenomenological Characterization and Preliminary Insights from an EEG Study

Nidrâ yoga is an ancient yogic practice capable of inducing altered states of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation, strong concentration, acute self-awareness, and joy. In modern contemplative neuroscience language, it is known by the name yoga nidra, and few studies have investigated its phenomenological and psychophysiological effects. Six healthy volunteers (four females aged 31–74) performed 12 yoga nidra sessions guided by an expert during a 6-day retreat. Each session consisted of 10 minutes in a resting state (baseline) followed by 2 hours of yoga nidra. Psychometric data regarding dissociative experiences (Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale) and the state of consciousness (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory) were collected after baseline and yoga nidra, while high-density EEG was recorded during the entire session. During nidra sessions, no sleep hallmarks (i.e., K-complexes and sleep spindles) were detected by the EEG in any subject. Psychometric data we re analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test corrected with the false discovery rate approach for multiple comparisons. Compared to baseline, yoga nidra practice was related to: (1) increased dissociative effects (p = 0.022); (2) perception of being in an altered state of consciousness (p = 0.026); (3) alterations in perceived body image (p = 0.022); (4) increased “meaningfulness” attributed to the experience (p = 0.026); (5) reduced rational thinking (p = 0.029); and (6) reduced volitional thought control (p = 0.026). First-person experience is discussed in relation to descriptive EEG power spectral density analysis, which was performed in one subject because of severe EEG artifacts in the other recordings; that subject showed, compared to baseline: (1) early increase of alpha and beta power, followed by a progressive widespread reduction; (2) widespread early increase of theta power, followed by a progressive reduction; and (3) widespread increase of gamma power in the latest stages. The present preliminary results enrich the knowledge of yoga nidra, elucidating its phenomenology and suggesting some psychophysiological correlates that future studies may address.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THYROID GLAND AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED YOGA MODULE (IYM) AS ADJUNCT THERAPY VERSUS CONVENTIONAL LEVOTHYROXINE THERAPY IN HYPOTHYROID FEMALES

Thyroid disorders have become quite common worldwide over the past few decades. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are non-specific and extremely prevalent in the general population. Hypothyroid is the most prevalent thyroid dysfunction and more so in females. Despite the problem being so common, there is no proper treatment modality to control this condition. Many of the as an as have a powerful effect on one or more of the endocrine glands. Practicing some of the specific as an as stimulates the activity thyroid gland and its functions. Hence this study is proposed to generate evidence for yogic practices as an adjunct modality for patients of hypothyroid. The objective of this study is to evaluate the structural and functional changes occurring in patients with hypothyroid as a result of the practice yogic module. The effectiveness of adjunct therapy and the quality of life of patients will also be assessed. 120 female patients of hypothyroid will be randomly allotted to an experimental and control group with 60 patients in each group. Group A will be made to follow the yogic practice module designed along with the conventional treatment whereas Group B will continue with regular conventional treatment. We anticipate that the Yogic module works as an effective adjunct treatment for patients of hypothyroidism and can be used as the first line of treatment in newly diagnosed cases of hypothyroid. Integrated yoga Module will be the new inclusion in the therapeutic model of hypothyroid and also can be studied in different endocrine disorders.

Impact of Yoga Nidra as Natural Tranquilizer in Emotional Pain

As a science of wellbeing, Yoga needs not more introduction. In this modern time Yoga practices utilize as preventive as well as curative aspects. In this article, affect of an ancient yogic Practice called Yoga Nidra can discharge emotional blockages and tie of pain. Emotional suffering is suffering or harmed that originates from non physical sources. In modern time individual may endure from this sort of suffering habitually due to parts of reasons. When an individual cannot express his/her sentiments and suppress that, it may create emotional blockages in mind. Yoga Nidra practice work as tool to help this sort of suffering and work as tranquilizer. Key words: Emotional pain, Yoga Practice, Yoga Nidra.

EFFECT OF BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA ON “SHWASAN KARMA”

Pranayama is a breathing technique that produces many systemic and psychological effects in the body, specifically on the respiratory system. It is also an art to control the life force of breath. The aim and objective are to assess effect of breathing exercise i.e., Bhastrika Pranayama on ‘Shwasan Karma’, in individuals practicing regularly for continuous 12 weeks. This study was designed to study the effects of Pranayama on the pulmonary function parameters. Pranayama is one of the best lifestyle modifications which have ever been devised in the history of mankind. It is an ancient yoga technique, a spiritual and physical practice which integrates the mind and body. Pranayama is a type of yogic practice which produces many systemic psycho-physical effects in the body, besides its specific effects on the respiratory functions. The study group consisted of 32 volunteers. The participants were asked to undergo Pranayama training for 30 min daily, for 3 months. The results showed statistically significant improvement in FVC, FEV1, PEFR, MVV after pranayama. After analysing statistically results showed that, Shwasan Karma was significantly improved in individuals practicing Bhastrika Pranayama.

Yoga can Alter the Autonomic Neural Activity: A Critical Analysis

Background: Modern lifestyle leads a greater psychotechnological stress and it results increase of autonomic imbalances. This predicts disturbance of the normal mental state and cognition. The current researchers found clear relationship between yoga practice and parasympathetic dominance. Objectives: The purpose of the review study was to analyze the scientific literatures related to yoga and autonomic neural responses. Methods: Researchers collected scientific evidences through electronic online databases; PubMed, Embase, Medline, Google scholar, Web of science, PsycINFO, Shodhganga; Europe PMC; Scopus and critically analyzed all the entire relevant articles according to the purpose of this study. After the exhaustive search and selecting the studies on the basis of inclusion criteria, 11 full text articles of galvanic skin resistance and 75 articles related to autonomic function were shortlisted for qualitative analysis. Results: Yogic practices including meditation, pranayama, asana and integrated yoga increase the high frequency band and decrease the low frequency band of the heart rate variability spectrum and it reduces the stress via limbic activity and increases the better psychophysiological relaxation. Conclusions: Yogic practice may enhance the vagal activity which influences autonomic flexibility.

Yoga, Ahimsa and Consuming Animals: UK Yoga Teachers’ Beliefs about Farmed Animals and Attitudes to Plant-Based Diets

Yoga is a holistic discipline originating in ancient India. Yoga has links with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism based on a shared philosophical framework of unity with all beings and belief in ahimsa, meaning non-harming. There is debate in the international yoga community about the spiritual, ethical and health-related links between yoga and plant-based diets. This mixed methodology research investigates the beliefs about the moral status of farmed animals and attitudes towards plant-based diets of UK yoga teachers. A sequential mixed-methods design employing a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews is used. This paper focuses on the questionnaire-based phase of the research. Key results are: (i) UK yoga teachers have very progressive beliefs about the moral status of farmed animals; (ii) 29.6% of UK yoga teachers follow a plant-based diet (n = 446), which is 25-fold the proportion in the wider UK population; (iii) 73.9% desire to follow a plant-based diet; (iv) 68.6% regard plant-based diets as best aligned to their yogic practice; and (v) UK yoga teachers with more progressive beliefs about farmed animals and with more self-reported knowledge of agriculture abstain from consuming animal products to a greater extent. The far higher proportions of UK yoga teachers following vegetarian and plant-based diets, relative to the wider population, are likely based on applying yogic teachings such as the principle of ahimsa through abstaining from the consumption of animal products.