CHRISTOPH GARNER
Kwa-Klinik Stift Rottal, Bad Griesbach Germany
christoph.garner@t-online.de

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Abstract

It is well known, from various studies that Yoga has an influence on vegetative functions of the human nervous system. This study was designed to proof whether other basic brain functions also can be improved after practising Yoga techniques. Especially of interest was the ability to process optic and acoustic stimuli. These functions are of interest specifically for orientation in the space and to process and analyse speech and other acoustic input by the ears. Clinically it is known, that these basic brain functions are impaired in children with legasthenia (reading and writing problems) and hyperactivity. The device used for measurement is called “brain-boy”. It contains a test battery for visual and acoustic tests. The following tests were selected
Visual boy measuring the ability to discriminate visual stimuli (ms)
Acoustic boy measuring the ability to discriminate acoustic stimuli (ms)
Spacial-boy measuring the ability to discriminate the direction of a tone (µs)
Sync-boy measuring the ability to react on synchronised stimuli (ms)
Test persons were patients of the Vivekananda Kendra Hospital who agreed to the test-protocol. Tests were done at the beginning of Yoga theapy and 7 to 12 days thereafter. 7 persons could be included in the study. Visual and sync-tests showed significant results with p<0.05, the test for discriminationg direction of sound shows a positive tendency, however is not statistically significant. The acoustic discrimination was not influenced by the yoga therapy. A short time of intense practise of yoga showed already nice effects in improving some basic brain functions. Because the number of test patients was very low, further studies are suggested.