COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFECT OF YOGA AND MEDITATION ON CARDIORESPIRATORY EFFICIENCY AND MENTAL WELL-BEING

Background and Objectives: There is a significant increase in casualties due to cardio-pulmonary diseases globally. As it is assuming epidemic proportions, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to effectively manage it. Regular practice of yoga and meditation is reported to promote positive health and improve cardio-respiratory performance. Therefore, in the present study efforts are made to assess the effect of Yoga and Meditation on Cardiac-respiratory efficiency and mental well-being. Methods: The study was conducted on 30 subjects performing regular Yogasanas and Meditation at Sri SriRavishankar Yoga Mandir, Ahmedabad under the guidance of a qualified Yoga instructor. 30 subjects of same age group, selected as control group, were not performing Yoga exercises. Two phases of reading were taken. In study groups, 1st phase of reading was taken before commencement of Yoga practice and 2nd phase of reading at the cessation of Yoga practice that is after 12 weeks. Similarly, readings of two phases were taken in control group.The examination included physical examination, cardiac efficiency tests, respiratory efficiency tests and mental wellbeing assessment. Results: The statistical analysis was done using paired t test in GraphPad software. The observations suggest that regular practice of Yoga and Meditation can significantly improvethe autonomic balance, cardio-respiratory performance and mental well-being. Conclusion: Study concludes that yogic practices can improve general health and physical efficiency. Its role in prevention, control and rehabilitation of many diseases is also beyond doubts. Yoga should be popularized amongst masses as a health promoting measure.