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Yoga Dissertations by MSc Students

Part I: The Yoga Approach to Human Sexuality.
Part II: A Comparative Study of Three Different Yoga Modules on Attention and Concentration in Normal Children (13-17 years)
By
Dr Gautam Hazarika

Abstract
Part I: The Yoga Approach to Human Sexuality.
Sexual identification is superimposed on the Psyche by cultural conditioning; one’s psyche is a huge repository of traits and abilities from which sexual affiliations are drawn. Men are believed to be more are considered to be more nurturing, intuitive, loving and gentle; but these qualities are natural to both sexes. So much of our behavior is learned, culturally mandated and may not be programmed biologically into either sex.
Now we are at a point in human history where the subconsciousness and the great power of Nature need not be feared or subdued and we can finally be liberated from antiquated ideas about who and what we are. The release of the ego from Freudian gender obsessions and prejudices towards consciousness will see an age of unsurpassed creativity and expansion. This revolution of consciousness is happening now as more and more people are awakening to their true nature through the study of the great science of yoga and meditation. In this literary research an attempt has been made to explore one’s reality and the scope of yoga in this regard. At this stage it is a humble attempt which inspires the necessity for further study in this area.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
SCOPE OF YOGA IN HUMAN SEXUALITY
Yoga asanas contributes to the corrections of the causes of postural imbalance and stimulates organs.  The primary cause of postural imbalance lay in weak muscles rather than tight muscles.  Stretching exercises like Asanas can restore balance in our posture when they are applied to weak muscles.  Stretching gradually stimulates the sensory nerve from the muscles to the brain, which then responds by sending a more powerful message back to the muscles via the motor nerves.  This reinforces the sensory and motor circuit increasing central nervous system control over the muscles, making it more adaptable and stronger.  This is very important concept within the scope of yogic treatment and needs to be fully grasped for understanding the therapeutically potential of selected stretching procedures in Asanas. The same is true in regard to the psychosocial component  involved in the human sexuality.
   Yoga works on the mind and the body at the same time, as well as exploiting their interdependence. No other system does this. Western psychology studies the mind, western exercise physiology studies the effect of exercise on the body, but there is no emphasis on the interrelationship of the mind and the body.
Yoga asanas (postures) and breathing deal with the physical body, but due to their effect on the brain, they also affect the mind.
Yoga suggests that sexuality can be a very powerful force that can be harnessed for increased self-awareness. Thus, tantric yoga is unusual, in that it not only allows sexual feelings and contact, but uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment.

Part II: A Comparative Study of Three Different Yoga Modules on Attention and Concentration in Normal Children (13-17 years)

The present study was aimed to assess the attention and concentration ability on children by intensive practice of integrated approach of yoga and compare effect of three different modules of yoga through cancellation test. Normal healthy (276) English medium school children 13-17 years (14.25± 1.09) were randomly assigned into three groups, srsti = Creativity Development (CR), Sthiti = IQ Development (IQ); Laya = Physical stamina Development (PS). They were taught three different yoga modules of yoga games and lectures by trained instructors. The daily time schedule for all the three groups remained the same. Cancellation (Digit, Letter & Character) test was administered to children in all three groups on first and ninth days of the residential program. Data analysis was done using parametric, paired t-test. Comparison of pre and post values showed that there was significant improvement in digit cancellation test for all three groups [IQ group (12.53%, p<0.001),CR group (10.10% p<0.001) & PS group (11.98%, p<0.001)] letter cancellation [IQ group (10.10 %, p<0.001), CR group (11.98%, p,0.001), CR group (10.86%, p<0.001) PS group (13.29 %, p<0.001)]. Between the three group analysis was done throught one way ANOVA and multiple comparison Tukey test, which showed that there was no significant difference among the groups. There was no significant gender difference.
Results suggest that (i) all the three integrated yoga modules improve attention and concentration (ii) the module designed for IQ group did not show significant difference compared to PS and CR group. (iii) There was no gender effect.
These results may be due to (i) reduction of anxiety and there by improvements in performance (ii) the emphasis given to improve the brain functioning in CR & IQ groups and harmonization/balancing effect of PS group.

Summary and conclusion

Conclusion
The three integrated yoga module are found to be effective in improving attention and concentration probably due to relaxation & anxiety reducing effects of yoga practices.
Male versus female showed no significant difference.

Keywords:Human sexuality,attention,concentration,children.