• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.28.1-28.4
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• 2012

There were no studies available measuring the ability to follow instructions for meditation. Hence, the present study was planned to assess the ability to follow instructions for the four mental states viz., cancalata (random thinking), ekagrata (non-meditative concentration), dharana (focused meditation) and dhyana (defocused meditation or effortless meditation) described in yoga texts. Sixty male volunteers with ages ranging from 18 to 31 years (group mean age ${\pm}$ S.D., $22.78{\pm}2.73$) participated in the study. They were assessed using a visual analog scale immediately after each of the four states on four different days. The results showed that following dharana, scores on the visual analog scale were significantly lower compared to those related to cancalata, ekagrata and dhyana. Hence, dharana is the most difficult of the four states.

• CELLMED
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.4
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• 2011

Excessive stress is harmful to academic performance in children and may lead to dropping out of school. To meet the demands of a modern life-style which is full of speed, stress and tension, an all-round child health program is crucial. The use of yoga for children has diverse applications in maintaining and developing their physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels. Yoga, through its physical postures (asana), breathing practices (pranayama), cleansing techniques (kriya), meditation therapies (dhyana) and relaxation training (yoga nidra) yields a positive effect in the management of stress in children. Yoga practice benefited children by improving their eye-hand coordination, attention span, levels of concentration, competitive performance and relaxation. Visually impaired children showed a significant decrease in their abnormal anxiety levels when they practiced yoga for three weeks, while a program of physical activity had no such effect. Socially disadvantaged children in a remand home showed significant improvements in sleep, appetite and general well being, as well as a decrease in physiological arousal after yoga. In one study, it is found that a 4-week program of asana and meditation lowers the aggressive behavior of children. Meditation helped to reduce problems related to maladaptive behavior, increase emotional and physical health and psychological well-being in children. Finally, the possible role of yoga in improving the mental state and general well-being of children with cancer is being explored.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

In this paper, we have investigated effects of two specific meditations (Chinese qigong meditation and Kundalini yoga meditation) on the heart rate variability (HRV), which is a well-known quantitative measure of autonomic balance, of skilled students. To analyze the effects, the MIT/BIH physionet database was utilized. The database includes RR intervals of eight skilled Chinese qigong meditators (5 women and 3 men; age range 26-35) and four skilled Kundalini yoga meditators (2 women and 2 men; age range 20-52). RR intervals of each subject were measured before and during the meditations. For HRV analysis, we have used typical four HRV parameters - the low frequency to high frequency power ratio (LF/HF ratio), SD2/SD1 ratio, sample entropy, and fractal dimension. The LF/HF ratio was calculated by the autoregressive spectrum and the SD2/SD1 ratio was derived from the Poincar$\grave{e}$ plot. The sample entropy was computed from the phase space plot and the fractal dimension was estimated by the Higuchi's algorithm. In the experiments, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was employed because we used small datasets and compared HRV parameters before and during the meditations. As a result, we have found increment of the LF/HF and SD2/SD1 ratios in both meditations; whereas the sample entropy is decreased during the meditations. In addition, the fractal dimension is increased during the Chinese qigong meditation; whereas it is decreased during the Kundalini yoga meditation. The results show that the sympathetic nervous system is generally more activated in skilled Chinese qigong and Kundalini yoga meditators, but the activation of the parasympathetic nervous tone is suppressed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.658-666
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of yoga and meditation-focused forest healing programs on profiles of mood states and stress reactions of adults. We tested 17 adults who agreed to participate in the experiments that were conducted for 2 nights and 3 days between September 8 to 10, 2017 in the healing forest located at Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do. The test used the simplified version of the inventory for the profile of mood states (K-POMS-B: Korean version of Profile of Mood States-Brief) and the stress response inventory as the measuring tools. For data analysis, we examined the differences in the profile of mood states and stress response of subjects before and after participation in the program through the paired T-tests with the SPSS 24.0 program. The analysis of the impact of the yoga and meditation-focused forest healing program on the profile of mood states of the test subjects showed the statistically significant reduction of the total score of the profile of mood states. Although the vigor among sub-level inventories increased, it was not statistically significant. But the tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion showed a statistically significant reduction. The analysis of the impact of the yoga and meditation-focused forest healing program on the stress response of the test subjects showed a statistically significant reduction. Among sub-level inventories, the tension, somatization, anger, depression, fatigue, and frustration showed a statistically significant reduction, but the aggressiveness did not. It is expected that the results of this study can be utilized in the future as reference data for clarifying the effects of yoga and meditation-focused forest healing programs.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.139-158
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• 2013

This research aimed to determine how a combined yoga and tea meditation program would affect the happiness of adolescents. The investigation was conducted over a total of 11 sessions held twice a week with 15 female middle-school students. Each session lasted 90 min and comprised preparation for 5 min, Hatha yoga for 50 min, tea meditation for 15 min, the expression of feelings for 15 min, and 5 min were allocated to finishing the program and announcing the next session time. A t-test was performed before and after the program to analyze the effects of the program. A goodness of fit test, which is related to the improvement of happiness, was done through a path analysis. As a result, we were able to determine meaningful changes in the t-test scores of happiness, stress, and quality of life. The scores of mindfulness, physical self-concept, and self efficiency changed positively, but meaningful changes were not shown. To derive a final conclusion, we verified the mediator effect with respect to happiness through a structural model. Consequently, physical self-concept was activated as a promoter for improving self-efficiency and mindfulness. Mindfulness was the key factor that improved the happiness of the adolescent subjects.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2022

Objective: Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is experienced worldwide by many age groups. Yoga is recommended as an exercise to reduce back pain and stress because it is a breathing exercise, posture, and meditation as key elements. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of yoga and stabilization exercise on pain intensity, function, and depression. Design: An open-label, parallel arm, randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four participants were allocated to the experimental and the control group in a ratio of 1:1. Yoga (experimental group) and stabilization exercise (control group) were received twice a week for 6 weeks Participants were assessed at baseline and post-intervention for pain intensity (numeric pain rating scale), function (Aberdeen low back pain scale, flexibility,and strength), and depression (Beck depression inventory). Results: When the experimental group (Yoga) and control group (stabilization exercise) were performed twice a week for 6 weeks, numeric pain rating scale, Aberdeen low back pain scale, and flexibility in post-intervention showed significant improvement in both groups (P<0.05), However, in all variables, the experimental group showed a positive benefit compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study show that yoga has more positive benefits compared to stabilization exercise in pain intensity, function, and depression in individuals with NSLBP.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.77-101
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to develop a Body & Mind Integration Program that combines yoga and tea meditation, and to prove the fact that it can enhance the happiness for middle-aged housewives. In order to do that, it was devised for a one-group pretest-posttest design and implemented a pretest, a treatment(that was a 12-session program), and a posttest. The results of the 16 middle-aged housewives were used to prove the effect of this program. The main results of this study are as follows: First, physical self-concept(t=-4.609, p<.001), mindful attention awareness(t=-2.804, p<.05) and tea life practices(t=-4.748, p<.001) of the middle-aged housewives have been improved after the implementation of Body & Mind Integration Program. Secondly, the Body & Mind Integration Program has provided the chance for the middle-aged housewives to newly recognize their physical and psychological ability so that they can appreciate their lives more happily and realized their inner strength. In the final analysis, it is the task for all of us to develop and supply the kind of program which helps the middle-aged housewives not only to keep the efforts for their healthy body & mind, but also to get rid of the negative feelings and tensions which happen from personal relationships so that they can find happiness in their lives continuously.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.57-84
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to develop a leisure program that combines yoga and tea meditation affects the positive mood states and happiness of elementary working wives in their 50's. For this study, a pre and posttest control group design was used. A total of 46 subjects were allocated equally to the experimental group and the control group. A pretest, comprising 13 sessions of treatment, and a posttest were conducted. Of the 23 subjects in the experimental group, 16 were selected as interviewees and underwent in-depth interviews. The main results of this study are as follows: First, the experimental group of middle-aged working wives showed higher positive mood states(t=-3.494, p<.01) and higher levels of happiness(t=2.236, p<.05) after the program compared to the control group. Second, after participating in the study, those who had undergone in-depth interviews indicated that their lives had changed to become more confident, happy, comfortable, and self-directed, and that this change had positively impacted their relationships. In conclusion, in a situation where the lives, leisure and happiness of middle-aged working wives is becoming a social problem and a topic of discussion for national policies, it would be beneficial to develop and establish leisure programs for this population in order to promote health and happiness.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.2144-2151
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• 2010

Yoga meditation and music therapy are considered to be appropriate for the spiritual and mental treatment for the patients and employed in many clinics and rehabilitation centers as an alternative medicine. This study aims at the analysis of the effects of yoga and music on the treatment of alcoholism. For this, yoga and music treatments were executed for the patients hospitalized in an alcohol clinic hospital in Gimhae district. Only the patients who were judged as alcohol dependents by a psychiatrist with a diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV participated in the study. During five weeks, from November 10, 2009 to December 29, yoga program was practiced two times per week, totaling 10 times, and music therapy was practiced one time per week, totaling 5 times. Among the patients participated in the programs, 44patients were selected finally. They are 16 patients who performed all the yoga programs, and 28 patients who fulfilled all the music therapies. A survey was conducted on them to estimate the effects of yoga and music treatments for the three cases of 'angry behavior', 'anger expression', and 'psychological state at interview'. The results show that yoga and music treatments have positive effects on the patients, although the statistical significance is not so great. However, the more reliable and significant results could be obtained in further studies by prolongation of the practice period, and by introducing the clinical information such as brain mapping to compensate the emotional bias of the patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4517-4525
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• 2016

Background: Sperm DNA damage is underlying aetiology of poor implantation and pregnancy rates but also affects health of offspring and may also result in denovo mutations in germ line and post fertilization. This may result in complex diseases, polygenic disorders and childhood cancers. Childhood cancer like retinoblastoma (RB) is more prevalent in developing countries and the incidence of RB has increased more than three fold in India in the last decade. Recent studies have documented increased incidence of cancers in children born to fathers who consume alcohol in excess and tobacco or who were conceived by assisted conception. The aetiology of childhood cancer and increased disease burden in these children is lin ked to oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage( ODD) in sperm of their fathers. Though several antioxidants are in use to combat oxidative stress, the effect of majority of these formulations on DNA is not known. Yoga and meditation cause significant decline in OS and ODD and aid in regulating OS levels such that reactive oxygen speues meditated signal transduction, gene expression and several other physiological functions are not disrupted. Thus, this study aimed to analyze sperm ODD as a possible etiological factor in childhood cancer and role of simple life style interventions like yoga and meditation in significantly decreasing seminal oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and thereby decreasing incidence of childhood cancers. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 fathers of children with RB (non-familial sporadic heritable) and 50 controls (fathers of healthy children) were recruited at a tertiary center in India. Sperm parameters as per WHO 2010 guidelines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and telomere length were estimated at day 0, and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. We also examined the compliance with yoga and meditation practice and smoking status at each follow-up. Results: The seminal mean ROS levels (p<0.05), sperm DFI (p<0.001), 8-OHdG (p<0.01) levels were significantly higher in fathers of children with RB, as compared to controls and the relative mean telomere length in the sperm was shorter. Levels of ROS were significantly reduced in tobacco users (p<0.05) as well as in alcoholics (p<0.05) after intervention. DFI reduced significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months of yoga and meditation practice in all groups. The levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-OHdG were reduced significantly after 3 months (p<0.05) and 6 months (p<0.05) of practice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that OS and ODD DNA may contribute to the development of childhood cancer. This may be due to accumulation of oxidized mutagenic base 8OHdG, and elevated MDA levels which results in MDA dimers which are also mutagenic, aberrant methylation pattern, altered gene expression which affect cell proliferation and survival through activation of transcription factors. Increased mt DNA mutations and aberrant repair of mt and nuclear DNA due to highly truncatred DNA repair mechanisms all contribute to sperm genome hypermutability and persistant oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress is also associated with genome wide hypomethylation, telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to genome hypermutability and instability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report decline in OS and ODD and improvement in sperm DNA integrity following adoption of meditation and yoga based life style modification.This may reduce disease burden in next generation and reduce incidence of childhood cancers.