Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Vikas Rawat ¹, S. K. Rajesh ¹, Raghuram Nagarathna ¹

Affiliations
1 Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore, IN

Abstract

The benefits of physical fitness are widely acknowledged and extend across many domains of wellness and health. Aim of this study was to investigate differences in physical fitness in healthy individuals, who regularly practice yoga and non-experienced participants. This study compared hundred and ten competitive yoga children with equal number, age, gender, weight-matched healthy yoga motivated children who were naive. Sample consists of 50 boys and 60 girls in each group. Anthropometric measurements, spinal flexibility, hand grip strength and ventilatory ftmction were recorded. Independent-samples t-tests were performed to determine whether statistically significant between groups. Yoga practitioners scored significantly higher on all domams of Physical fitness except on Left handgrip strength when compared with non practitioners. This study has shown children who practice yoga has seem to have higher physical fitness than non practitioners. Hence we recommend that yoga be introduced at school level in order to improve physical fitness and ventilatory functions of students.

Keywords

Physical Fitness, Yoga, Flexibility, Handgrip, PEFR.

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Jin Sook Park ¹, S. K. Rajesh ¹, Judu V. Ilavarasu ¹, Ramachandra G. Bhat ¹

Affiliations
1 Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) Yoga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Conceptualizing and measuring virtue construct is a major, emerging issue in the field of educational research in the context of character development and positive personality development. Increase of virtues (sattva) and decrease of vices (tamas and rajas) is an indication or parameter of one's progress in the path of Yoga and spirituality. India is a country where rich literary resources regarding virtue are available. In this article, we provide extensive Indian philosophical literatures on virtue, and address the necessity of developing a culturally relevant and appropriate psychological tool to assess virtue based on Indian indigenous concepts and ethos. With regard to the measuring tool development, we propose that Implicit Association Test (IAT) would be immensely useful in measuring virtue. This is to minimize the threat of various response biases in self-report assessment method. Further, along with the movements of positive psychology and Indian psychology, we hope that this paper could contribute to the development of positive qualities in human and inspire people to progress in the life journey. Last, it is hoped that our research based on Indian indigenous concepts of virtue would support the advancement of Indian psychology where in the domains of human mind and consciousness are explored more in depth.

Keywords

Virtues, Bhagavad Gita, Indian Religion, Spirituality, Implicit Association Test (IAT), Yoga.

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