PAST RESEARCH
In the last four years Divya
Yog Mandir (Trust)- Patanjali Yogpeeth, Hardwar initiated
scientific research on Yog with a special emphasis
on Pranayam as taught by H.H. Swami Ramdevji.
This research effort
culminated in a book ‘Yog In Synergy With Medical
Science’ authored by Pujya Acharya Balkrishnakji. (Divya
Prakashan, Divya Yog Mandir, Trust, Haridwar, India,
2007). The research is detailed in Chapters 5 and 6.
[i] The first set of studies
were conducted in a series of Residential Camps at
Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar. The participants were
patients with a wide range of illnesses, specially
targeting (i) obesity, (ii) diabetes, and (iii)
hypertension. Medical professionals from national and
state government medical institutions were involved in
these trials which may be described as ‘prospective
non-controlled trials’. To offset the disadvantage of
having no control group the trials included large numbers
of participants, of both sexes, and varying ages ranging
between 1304 and 1868.
Many of the variables (such
as pulmonary function tests, blood pressure levels, serum
lipid profile, electrocardiogram abnormalities) studied
have been reported in earlier trials investigating the
effects of Yog. However an interesting feature of
these trials is that results were presented in terms of
number of persons who showed an improvement/ who worsened/
or who showed no change.
Given the large numbers of
participants this is an interesting innovation in
approaching pre-post intervention analysis. Most of
the variables did show that patients shifted towards
improvement following Yog. The book also presents a
brief discussion on the possible mechanisms underlying the
improvement.
[ii] Another trial was
conducted on 128 out-patients department patients who
presented with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Assessments
were pre-post 40 days of Yog. This was a
prospective, non-controlled, longitudinal trial. Bone
mineral density was found to improve after Yog.
[iii] Yog for sports
participants – was the third study, carried out on team
members of the football team who later played for the
World Cup. The physical fitness and exercise performance
were assessed with standard variables at the beginning and
end of a7-day intensive Yog training. The results
suggested that the training was beneficial and improved
various aspects of physical fitness and exercise
performance.
[iv] A separate set of studies
were conducted in the United Kingdom (the U.K.) which
looked at the effect of Yog for the most prevalent
problems there, such as obesity, hypertension, heart
disease, among others. This prevalence was mainly true for
specific sub-categories of the Indian immigrant
population.
Here also, prospective,
short-duration, intensive, non-controlled trials showed
that Yog practice was clinically useful.
[v] A controlled trial was
conducted on 119 participants in a 10-day Yog Camp,
with a follow-up after 3 months. This trial was conducted
with Swami Vivekananda Yog
Research Foundation, Bangalore; Sanjay Gandhi Medical
Institute, Lucknow, and Sahara India Medical Institute,
Lucknow.
Participants were assigned to
two groups by the experimenter: Yog and non-Yog,
control. The variables studied included hormones (e.g.,
cortisol, endorphins, prolactin); body mass index,
polygraph recordings of the heart rate, breath rate,
stress indicators (such as skin resistance and cutaneous
blood flow), as well as performance in tasks for
attention, concentration, and muscle fatigue.
These data were amenable to
statistical analysis and the results are presented in
detail (pages 172-196). The short term (10 days) and 3
month followup showed various neuroendocrine, autonomic,
and performance-related benefits of Yog.
[vi] A large scale survey was
conducted on 84,663 people from across the sub-continent
to assess their attitudes towards various aspects of
lifestyle and Yog. It was of great interest to note
that the sample was variegated and representative,
including almost comparable numbers of people of both
genders. Different age groups, levels of education,
occupations, and economic status, as well as their
residence in urban or rural areas. This was important to
note as this was not a systematic randomized selection;
nonetheless it appeared adequately representative. A
surprisingly large number of participants mentioned that
they were regularly practicing Yog (81.9%)
This large scale survey also
examined the time of the day people were most likely to
practice Yog , the conditions which improved the
most and other interesting facts (e.g., a shift in
attitude with better respect for older people after
practicing Yog ) or a greater likelihood of
stopping the consumption of fast food). Approximately 83
percent reported that they believed that Patanjali
Yogpeeth had played a definite role in establishing Yog
as a science.
Finally, Chapter 8 has a vast
number of detailed testimonials from people who have
benefited from Yog practice as taught by Swami
Ramdevji, most often in the Yog Camps. These cover
widely differing conditions and include cancer,
degenerative disorders, as well as the to-be-expected
conditions such as obesity.
PRESENT RESEARCH (2007-2009)
ABOUT US
Vision
Patanjali Yog and Ayurved
Anusandhan Sansthan is committed to scientifically
evaluate the physiological and clinical effects of Yog
and Pranayam as taught by Swami Ramdevji and the
Ayurvedic medicines formulated by Acharya Balakrishanji.
THE TEAM
Research Team Yog Research
Acharya Balakrishna
Chairman, Research and
Development
RESEARCH CONSULTANTS:
Shirley Telles, M.B., B.S.,
M.Phil., Ph.D. (Neurophysiology), D.Sc. (Yog ) also
see
http://www.drmccall.com/YogaAsMedicineWithTitleBar.html
Naveen K.V., B.N.Y.S., Ph.D.
(Psychophysiology and Yog )
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES:
Meesha Joshi, M.Sc. Ph.D. (Yog)
Vaishali Gaur, MA, Ph.D.
(Psychology)
Nilima Kumar MA, M.Phil.
(Education)
Sanjay Kumar M.Sc. (Ph.D. -
Yog -Registered Candidate)
SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW:
Nilkamal Singh M.Sc. (Yog)
JUNIOR
RESEARCH FELLOW:
Sachin Sharma B.Sc. (Yog)
Kanchan Maharana DipLMT
OFFICE ASSISTANT:
Prabhat Mishra B.A.
INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS
COMMITTEE:
The IEC has been formed
according to the guidelines of the Indian Council of
Medical Research, New Delhi and meets every 6 months or as
required. All clinical trials are registered with the
Clinical Trials Registry of India.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR YOG
AND PRANAYAM RESEARCH:
A National and an
International Advisory committee have been established.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Research Areas
1- Physiological effects of
yog (emphasizing the techniques of Swami Ramdev) we would
use a 16 channel polygraph (to measure the BP
non-invasively, the cardiac output, the heart rate
variability, respiration, blood flow to the periphery, and
electrodermal activity. We also record basal metabolic
rate, and lung functions. Our biochemical assessments
include routine investigations (e.g., the lipid profile)
as well as other hormones such as leptin and ghrelin).
2- Skill, perception &
cognition following yoga. Applications in education and
specific occupations. For e.g.,the armed forces, in
children who are slow learners.
3- Yog as a therapy
. Single group
trials
. RCTs
4- Yog and rehabilitation
i-Medical (e.g.,
for persons following stroke.)
ii-Social: e.g.,
survivors of the 2008 Bihar floods
5- Yog, ayurveda and related
areas e.g., Use of Ayruveda in promoting dental health and
preventing caries.
6. Basic physiology e.g.,
comparing body composition in patients with Duchenne
muscular dystrophy and in normals. T
The Department has taken
advantage of the fact that large numbers of healthy
persons and patients attend the yog camps here. Hence we
are developing databases of various physiological and
attitude/behavior related-data to contribute to norms in
the Indian population
Research Projects
COMPLETED PROJECTS
1. Field studies on the
effects of pranayam camps (yog vijan shivir) were
conducted in collaboration with local medical institutions
viz., Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow
and Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation [A Yoga
University], Bangalore.
2. Effects of a ‘7 day
residential yog camp were studied in persons with varied
psychosomatic illnesses.
3. Effect of two pranayama
techniques in experienced yog teachers were studied on
attentional tasks in medical students, middle aged and
older adults and in children.
4. Effect of Yog on physical
fitness, work performance and psychological stress in new
army recruits [Collaborative Project with Bengal
Engineering Group & Center, Roorkee and Swami Vivekananda
Yoga Research Foundation [A Yoga University], Bangalore].
5. Effect of Yog on physical
fitness, mental health, scholastic performance, vision and
oral hygiene in children at a residential school: A
randomized longitudinal study. A multi-disciplinary
project between Dept. of Yoga Research, Dental Sciences
and Opthalmology in collaboration with Divya Prema Seva
Mission, Haridwar].
CENTRALIZED RESEARCH
FACILITIES
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Centralized Facility for
Biochemistry, Haematology, Histopathology and Serology
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Centralized Facility for
Microbiology and Cytobiochemistry
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Centralized Facility for
Panchakarma
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Centralized Facility for
Dental Sciences
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Centralized Facility for
Opthalomology
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Centralized Facility for
Medical Imaging
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Centralized Facility for
Cardio-respiratory diagnostic services
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Centralized Facility for
Medical Library and Information
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Centralized Facility for
Medicinal Herbarium
ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
The Department conducts one
day seminars and longer duration workshops. Between May 23
– June 5, 2009 the Dept is conducting a course on
“Advanced Training in Yoga Research” , attended by
scientists from other yoga institutions .
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS IN
YOG RESEARCH
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Disclaimer : The Organizers & Instructors
(‘O&I’) which expression shall include all
related entities employees, agents,affiliates,
volunteers associated with them) expressly
state that in general Yog is safe and
beneficial but like any other health program
it needs to be practiced judiciously,
correctly and cautiously. No citing by O&I at
the Yog Shivir to any
health-related/medical/other information is
intended to be a substitute for professional
judgment of a qualified health-care provider.
The O&I are not subject or liable to change
the structure of the Yog Shivir to suit
individual needs. Not all presentations at the
Yog Shivir may be suitable for everyone. If
pain is experienced anytime during the
practice of Yog, it should be stopped
immediately and a qualified health care
professional should be consulted. The O&I
assume no responsibility and will not be
liable for any harm, injury or damage
resulting from any tort, negligence or from a
breach of an express or implied warranty
however caused or occurring during or after
participation in the Yog Shivir or while
practicing anything presented therein. By
participating in the Yog Shivir the
participant, for himself/herself, his/her
heirs, and assigns, hereby expressly assumes
all risks, full responsibility and liability
for participating and practicing anything
presented therein and forever waives and
releases and agrees to defend, indemnify and
hold the O&I harmless from and against any and
all claims or demands, liabilities and
settlements (including without limitation,
legal and accounting fees) on or against the
O&I for losses or damages, including, without
limitation, direct,indirect, incidental,
consequential or special damages, personal
injury/wrongful death, resulting from or
alleged to result from participating in or
practicing anything that is presented in the
Yog Shivir. The O&I, at their sole own
discretion reserve the right to deny
participation at any time of the Yog Shivir to
any entity without assigning any reason
whatsoever. |
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