CONCEPT OF SLEEP ACCORDING TO ÄYURVEDA, YOGA AND SPIRITUAL LORE
By
Chandra Srilatha

ABSTRACT
The present study is conducted to give a comprehensive view of the concept of sleep in Äyurveda, Yoga, and Upaniñads. The definition of sleep is given in various Äyurvedic texts, Pataïjali’s Yoga Sütras and Upaniñads. Likewise, the causes of sleep and types of sleep are dealt with in deatail fro various Äyurvedic texts. Nature and types of dreams are taken from the Äyurvedic texts and Upaniñads. The belief in the significance of the dreams is illustrated in many texts including the Rämäyëa. The causes for lack of sleep and its treatment are also focused in this attempt. A combined approach of diet , rest and lifestyle modification is also recommended in the conclusion. Even though modern medicine understands the importance of sleep and is encouraging extensive research being conducted on this topis, still, as modern medicine does not handle this problem except with dangerous drugs, this study is expected to help in the area of sleep disturbances.

Impact of Long-Term Integrated Yoga Practice on Sleep Quality in Indian Geriatric Population, a Matched Control Study

ABSTRACT
Background: Sleep disorders are common in the elderly. Yoga has been shown to improve quality of sleep in the geriatric population.
Methods: This was a cross sectional matched control study on 64 (32 yoga and 32 non yoga) volunteers above the age of 65. The yoga cohort (N=32, 16 females) were those who had regular attendance in ‘wellness yoga classes’ at Diwakar yoga center in Bengaluru for >5 years. The control group consisted of.32 volunteers who were matched for age and sex. The yoga group practiced integrated yoga consisting of asanas, pranayama and meditation. The assessments were done using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results: The two groups were matched on all baseline characteristics. Scores below 5 on PSQI indicate better global quality of sleep. The mean ± SD for global quality of life was 2.47±1.16 in the yoga cohort and 7.41±2.31 in the non-yoga cohort. Mann Whitney test to compare the groups showed significantly (p<0.001,) better quality of sleep in yoga than control group at an effect size of 2.7. Looking at the individual domains of PSQI, the yoga group displayed significantly (p<0.001, chi squared test) lesser sleep latency (effect size 1.7), use of sleeping medication (effect size 0.8), day time dysfunction (effect size 1.9), and better sleep efficiency (effect size 0.7) than control group.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the quality of sleep is 66.6% better in long term yoga practitioners (>5years) than non yoga practitioners in healthy geriatric population.