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Original Article International Journal of Science and Access online at: www.ijsc.net March 2017, 3(1), 15-23

Simplified practices enhances values – an experimental study

Dr. S. Prasath1, K. Nagarasan2, and S. Kalavathi3,

1Ph.D, Lecturer, Department of Yoga for Human Excellence, WCSC Vision, SKY Research Centre, Aliyar, Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu, India. 2Ph.D. Scholar, SKY Research Centre, WCSC, Aliyar, PollachiTaluk, Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu, India. 3Ph.D. Scholar, SKY Research Centre, WCSC, Aliyar, PollachiTaluk, Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu, India.

Abstract

Yogic practices reduce anxiety, stress, burning fat cells, improves physical and mental fitness; tend to improve behavior and so on. is a form of physical and meditative yoga that comprises of various techniques using the , body and senses. It gives special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system – both essential parts for yogic awakening. It influences gunas and social self-esteem. Simplified Kundalini Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline packaged by YogirajVethathiri Maharishi for developing strength, awareness, character, and consciousness. The practices of Simplified Physical Exercises, Simplified Kundalini Meditation and Kayakalpa practices in Simplified Kundalini Yoga raises the body awareness to prepare the body, nervous system, and mind to handle the energy better. The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of Simplified Kundalini Yoga on values of middle-aged men. 80 subjects were selected randomly and divided into two equal groups. Experimental Group I underwent Simplified Kundalini Yoga training (SKYT); Experimental Group II acted as control group (CG) and was not engaged in any training program. Data were collected prior to training and after six months. They were analyzed by applying of ‘t’ test to find out the individual effect from base line to post-test if any and in addition and repeated measures ANOVA was also analyzed by to find out significant improvement in each group. The result of the study indicates that Simplified Kundalini Yoga was an effective method to improve Values.

Key words: Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Simplified Kundalini Yoga, Values

Article Received: 15-03-2017, Published: 31-03-2017

Conflict of interest: None declared

*Corresponding Author: Dr. S. Prasath, 1Ph.D, Lecturer, Department of Yoga for Human Excellence, WCSC Vision, SKY Research Centre, Aliyar, Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu, India.

International Journal of Science and Consciousness (IJSC): a Bio-Psycho-Spiritual approach Published by the Research Foundation for Science & Consciousness, Uttarakhand, India

Copyright IJSC 2017 | March 2017 | Vol. 3 | No. 1 | Pages 15-23 eISSN: 2455-2038 An international, refereed, quarterly, open access, multidisciplinary, e-journal

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Simplified Kundalini Yoga practices enhances values – an experimental study

Introduction:

Yogic practices reduce anxiety, stress, burning heated over a fire, is converted into steam and fat cells, improves physical and mental fitness; escapes from the vessel, leaving the vessel tend to improve behavior and so on. In fact it is empty, after some time. But if the steam is the first medical system emerged in the world to collected, cooled, and taken back to the vessel keep off the pain man suffer. The sages and through pipes, the level of water in the vessel saints of elder ages conducted research on this, does not deplete as fast as it normally does. In found out the way to wither away the pain and to the same manner, when the mind remains lead a blissful state of life. Kundalini yoga is a focused on the life energies during meditation, form of physical and meditative yoga that Bio Feedback takes place and bio-magnetism is comprises of various techniques using the mind, conserved.The qualities of Perspicacity, body and senses. It gives special consideration to Magnanimity, Receptivity, Adaptability and the role of the spine and the endocrine system – Creativity are improved and it helps a person to both essential parts for yogic awakening. It become a wonderful personality. influences gunas and social self-esteem. Learning Yoga techniques enhance well-, Kundalini Yoga was very tough on those days mood, attention, mental focus, and stress that one has to reach the Spiritual Master or tolerance. Proper training by a skilled teacher Guru, expert in Kundalini Yoga, leave his family and a 30-minute practice every day will because he has to stay with the Guru till the maximize the benefits. Health care providers Kundaliniis awakened and thereafter to find out play a crucial role in encouraging patients to the changes in him by the Guru. Women folks maintain their yoga practices (Brown, Richard P have no chances to get these practices done. and Patricia L. Gerbarg) (2005). Simplified Kundalini Yoga is a physical, mental Yoga an effective therapeutic tool in the and spiritual discipline packaged by management of mentally retarded children YogirajVethathiri Maharishi for developing (Uma, K., H. R. Nagendra, R. Nagarathna, S. strength, awareness, character, and Vaidehi, and R. Seethalakshmi).(1989)Venkatesh consciousness. He found that Kundalini Yoga et al. (1997) found that the practice of must reach all the human being and hence after meditation "appears to produce structural as deep contemplation and research he simplified well as intensity changes in phenomenological it. The practices of Simplified Physical Exercises, experiences of consciousness".Lazar et al. Simplified Kundalini Meditation and Kayakalpa (2000) observed the brains of subjects practices in Simplified Kundalini Yoga raises the performing, "a simple form of Kundalini Yoga body awareness to prepare the body, nervous meditation in which they passively observed system, and mind to handle the life energy their breathing and silently repeated the phrase better. 'sat nam' during inhalations and 'wahe guru' The following are the benefits of during exhalations," and found that multiple Simplified Kundalini Yoga meditation according regions of brain were involved especially those Vethathiri Maharishi (1) A reduction in the involved in relaxation and maintaining frequencies of the mind waves makes it attention."Kundalini Yoga develop awareness, tranquil.(2) The ability to concentrate improves consciousness and spiritual strength." — and the mind becomes keen. Integrity and Bhajan. honesty become the qualities of the Yoga and physical exercise are useful individual.(3) Sensory perceptions and the additions to the school routine, with physical working of the mind are halted during exercise improving social self-esteem (Telles, meditation, as a result of which bio-magnetism is Shirley, Nilkamal Singh, Abhishek Kumar conserved. For example, water in a vessel that is Bhardwaj, Ankur Kumar, and

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Balkrishna) (2013).Yoga influences The faculties would turn into good habits on Gunas (Personality)and self-esteem in and comparison to physical exercise (Deshpande, Natural merging of knowledge with the Sudheer, H. R. Nagendra, and Divine NagarathnaRaghuram)(2009). Be realized and enlightened and this is இறமநிறயய஬ோ翁எண்ணத்றைக்கயக்கலிட்翁 meditation.(Vethathiri Maharishi) ஏற்ப翁ம்ஓர்அற஫ைி஬ியயலிறிப்போய்நிற்க (1991).

நிறமநிறயய஬ைோனோகஉணர்லைோ埁ம். க쏁லற஫ப்ꯁ, உணퟁலறக, கோயம், யைசம், நித்ைம்நித்ைம்உ஬ிர்உட쮿ல்இ஬ங்埁஫ட்翁ம் கல்லி, கைோறில், அ஭சோங்கம், கறய, 믁஬ற்சி, உறமந்鏁உறமந்鏁இந்நிறய஬ில்பறகிக்ககோள்ர ப쏁லம், நட்ꯁ, சந்ைர்ப்பம், பயஆ஭ோய்ச்சி, உயகஇன்பங்கரியயஅரퟁகிட்翁ம். பறக்கம், லறக்கம், ஒ폁க்கம்இலற்மிற்யகற்ப கறமநீங்கிஅமிퟁக஫ய்ப்கபோ쏁ரோய்நிற்埁ம். உ쏁லற஫ப்ꯁ, 埁ணம், அமிலின்உ஬ர்ퟁ, கீர்த்ைி கற஭ந்鏁யபோம்ைன்믁றனப்ꯁகோ迁ம்கைய்லம். உடல்ல쮿ퟁ, 毁கம், கசல்லம், ஫னிைர்கட்埁 (Vethathiri Maharishi)(1991) ல쏁ம்லறக뿁ம்அலற்மின்ை஭ம்அரퟁக்யகற்ப If the thought is immersed with the லோழ்க்றகநிறயயபை믁டன்யைோன்மக்கண்யடன். – Almighty, (Vethathiri Maharishi) (1991) Peace can be realized and in that awareness, According to genetic formation One can perceive the space. (hereditary), The continuous practice of this Variety in food, time, nation, education, Throughout the lifetime would make profession, One to withdraw from worldly pleasure. Government, arts, attempts, stages in age, The sins acquired and the ego would go friends, and Opportunity, research, habits, custom, Feel the Eternal force and the morality Consciousness are one. (Vethathiri The human gets the seven assets of Maharishi)(1991) physical features, ஒன்மிஒன்மிநின்쟁அமிறலப்பறக்க Character trails, excellence in wisdom, fame, உ쟁ைி, ꏁட்பம், சக்ைிஇறல஬ைிக஫ோ埁ம். Physical strength, health and wealth; அன்쟁அன்쟁அறட뿁ம்அꟁபலங்கள்எல்யோம் their quality and அமிலினியயநிறயத்鏁லி翁ம்.ஆழ்ந்鏁ஆய்ந்鏁 Measures fix the difference and disparity நன்쟁என்쟁கண்டப羿கச஬ல்கள்ஆற்쟁ம் among people. (Vethathiri Maharishi) நற்பண்ꯁꯁயன்க쿁க்埁அற஫ந்鏁யபோ埁ம். (1991)

என்கமன்쟁ம்க쏁லிடத்யைஅமிறலஒன்쟁ம் The purpose of the study was to find out இ஬ற்றக믁றமசிமப்ꯁறடத்鏁ஈயைைல஫ோம்.- the effect of Simplified Kundalini Yoga on values (Vethathiri Maharishi) (1991) of middle-aged men. 80 subjects were selected randomly and divided into two equal groups. When mind is practiced through Experimental Group I underwent Simplified concentration; Kundalini Yoga training (SKYT); Experimental Gets persistence, strength and subtlety. Group II acted as control group (CG) and was not Daily experiences of this; engaged in any training program. Data were Would accumulate knowledge and collected prior to training and after six months. By dealing with such knowledge of good They were analyzed by applying of ‘t’ test to find deeds out the individual effect from base line to post-test

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if any and in addition and repeated measures yogasanas (postures), (breathing ANOVA was also analyzed by to find out exercises), relaxation techniques, meditation, significant improvement in each group. The chanting and lectures were the components of result of the study indicates that Simplified yoga intervention. The study shows that there Kundalini Yoga was an effective method to were significant changes in all variables (P< improve Values. 0.001) except in sattva. It also confirms that EQ and general health variables correlate Reviews on values: Suchitra (2014) conducted a significantly with each other and negatively with study to find out the effect of yoga on personality tamas. EQ and tamas form positive and negative development camp on the tri-gunas in children. predictors of health respectively. Sattva The study was pre-postdesign with control correlates positively with EQ suggesting that a group. 100 children in each group, aged 8-12 sattvic personality indicates better self-control. years, involved. Experimental group children This suggests that, by improving guna practiced module including , personality, long-term yoga practice may pranayama, nadanusandhana, chanting, and stabilize EQ. games. Control group children were under daily SudheerDeshpande (2009) studied the routine. Sushruta Child personality inventory efficacy of yoga on Gunas (personality) and self was administered before and after 10 days. esteem in normal adults through a randomized Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed comparative study. 226 subjects aged 18–71 Ranks Test were applied. They found out that years, of both sexes participated in the study sattva increased significantly, while rajas and were randomly allocated into two groups. The tamas decreased significantly as compared to the Yoga (Y) group practised an integrated yoga control group. module that included asanas, pranayama, Tim Gard (2012) conducted a study to meditation, notional correction, and devotional investigate the effects of a yoga-based program sessions. The comparison group practised mild on quality of life, perceived stress, mindfulness, to moderate physical exercises (PE). Both groups and self-compassion in young adults. These had supervised practices for one hour daily, six variables were measured in 33 self-selected days a week, for eight weeks. Guna (personality) participants of a four-month residential yoga was assessed before and after eight weeks using intervention before and after the program. Forty- the self-administered “The ’Gita” Inventory of three demographically matched controls Personality” (GIN) to assess Sattva, Rajas, and completed the same questionnaires at two time Tamas. Self esteem in terms of competency points with a four-month interval in between. (COM), global self esteem (GSE), moral and self Participation in the program predicted increases esteem (MSE), social esteem (SET), family self in quality of life and decreases in perceived esteem (FSE), body and physical appearance stress, mediated by mindfulness and self- (BPA), and the lie scale (LIS) were assessed using compassion. the self esteem questionnaire (SEQ).The baseline Sushil (2011) conducted a study to scores for all domains for both the groups did evaluate the effects of integral yoga practices on not differ significantly (P> 0.05 independent the variables sustained attention, emotional samples t-test). There were significant pre-post intelligence – EQ, general health – GHQ, guna improvements in all domains in both groups (P< personality – sattva, rajas and tamasand also the 0.001 paired t-test). The number of persons who consistency of correlations observed between showed improvement in Sattva and decrease in them. The variables were measured at the Tamas was significant in the Y but not in the PE beginning and the end of a one-month yoga group (McNemar test). The effect size for self course. There was no control group. Based on esteem in the Y group is greater than for the PE health criteria, 108 subjects were selected out of group in three out of seven domains. This 198 volunteers to form the experimental yoga randomized controlled study has shown the group. Ages ranged from 17 to 63 years. The

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influence of Yoga on Gunas and self esteem in Orientation of subjects: Before collection of comparison to physical exercise. data, the subjects were oriented about the purpose of the study. The investigator explained Dependent variables: The dependent variable the procedure of assessing the variable and chosen here is based on the problem, priorities explained in detail about the questionnaire for of the subjects with respect to their daily living the assessment. conditions. Unlike usual studies which are The questionnaire for values is the test conducted on physical and physiological for study of values consists of 70 questions. It is parameters, the study focused on the interest to designed by Km. ShashiGilani and is used in find out the values as a parameter. various studies. Some statements are given. Every Independent variable: The investigator was statement is followed by five alternative interested to know whether simplified Kundalini answers. Please read them carefully and tick yoga training was effective to bring out positive mark in the answer sheet in front of that changes in the selected dependent variables statement number only. The answers are neither among the engineers. In this study there was right nor wrong. Please try to complete the test only one independent variable. That was and try to answer all the statements in the SIMPLIFIED KUNDALINI YOGA TRAINING answer sheet. There is no time limit but still try (SKYT). to do it as soon as possible. The following is the statement.

Question Number Strongly Agree Moderate Dis Agree Strongly Dis Agree Agree

Experimental design and statistical significant difference between the adjusted technique: In this study the data have been paired means. collected on values variable. The investigator 0.05 level of confidence was fixed for used random group design in this study. This physical variables where as 0.05 level of confidence procedure involves dividing the sample into two for physiological variables, whereas 0.01 level of groups based on random selection. The confidence was fixed in the case of hematological investigator did not make any attempt to equate variables to test the level of significance. It was the groups in this study. The selected eighty considered as sufficient for the present study. subjects were divided into two equal groups consisting of 40 each such as Experimental Analysis and interpretation of data: The two Group and Control Group. The treatment was groups namely simplified Kundalini yoga group administered to the experimental groups for a and control groups were analyzed for the period of six months. differences in their measures of values variable in relation to pre-test, post-test and adjusted Statistical technique: Data were collected on post test scores. To achieve the purpose, 80 selected variables prior to training (pre test) and hardware engineers were randomly selected. after six months (post test). The collected data Their age ranged between 30 and 35 years. The were analyzed by applying of ‘t’ test to find out the selected subjects were randomly divided into individual effect from base line to post test if any two equal groups consisting of forty each. and in addition and repeated measures ANOVA Experimental Group I underwent Simplified was also analyzed by to find out significant Kundalini Yoga training (SKY); Experimental improvement in each group at various periods. If Group II acted as control group (CG) selected as F ratio was found to be significant Newman subjects at random. The selected subjects were Keul’s post hoc test was applied to find out the initially tested on criterion variables used in this study and it was considered as pre-test. After the

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pre-test, the subjects in the experimental group I period of 24 weeks to the criterion measures were treated with simplified Kundalini yoga for were tested for significance by applying 't' test. six days a week both morning and evening The statistical tool of analysis of variance session as one hour each, for a duration of 24 [ANOVA] was applied to determine whether the weeks. training produced significant improvement in The group mean gains pre and post-test selected variables after 24 weeks of training. recorded by two groups during the experimental

Table - 1 SIGNIFICANCE OF MEAN GAINS & LOSSES BETWEEN PRE AND POST TEST SCORES ON SELECTED VARIABLES OF SIMPLIFIED KUNDALINI YOGA GROUP Variables Mean SD (±) Pre Post Mean Pre Post ‘t’ Ratio difference

Values 116 292 176 47 61 13.74*

* Significant at 0.05 level for the table value 2.023 for degrees of freedom 39. The obtained t-ratios on the selected variables were found to be greater than the required table value of 2.023 at 0.05 level of significance. So it is found to be significant. The results of this study showed that statistically significant and explained its effects positively.

Table - 2 SIGNIFICANCE OF MEAN GAINS & LOSSES BETWEEN PRE AND POST TEST SCORES ON SELECTED VARIABLE OF CONTROL GROUP Variable Mean SD (±) s Pr Pos Mean Pr Pos ‘t’ e t differenc e t Rati e o Values 11 11 0 51 53 0.04 5 5 8

* Significant at 0.05 level with the table value 2.023 for degrees of freedom 39 The obtained t-ratios on the selected variables were found to be lesser than the Computation of analysis of covariance: The required table value of 2.023 at 0.05 level of following tables illustrate the statistical results of significance. So it is found to be insignificant. The the effect of simplified Kundalini yoga group and results of this study showed that statistically control group on values of middle aged men. significant and explained its effects positively.

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Table – 3 COMPUTATION OF ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE ON PRE, POST AND ADJUSTED POST-TEST MEANS OF THE SELECTED VARIABLES OF SIMPLIFIED KUNDALINI YOGA GROUP (SKYG) AND CONTROL GROUP (CG) ON VALUES

Source of Sum of Means SKYG CG df F-ratio Variance Squares Squares

Pre-Test 115 115 BG 618737 1 618737 Means

Post-Test 291 115 WG 253529 77 3292 Means 187.9*

Adjusted Post-Test 291 115 Total 874471 79 Means

BG- Between Group Means * - Significant WG- Within Group Means (Table Value for 0.05 Level for df 1, 77 & 79 = 3.965) df- Degrees of Freedom

Results of values: An examination of table - 3 greater than the required table value of 3.965 for indicated that the pretest means of simplified the degrees of freedom 1, 77 and 79; it was found Kundalini yoga group and control groups were to be significant at 0.05 level of confidence. 115 and 115 respectively. The post-test means of The results are similar to the effects simplified Kundalini yoga group and control Suchitra (2014). groups were 291 and 115 respectively. The The pre, post and adjusted posttest mean adjusted post-test means of the simplified values of simplified Kundalini yoga group and Kundalini yoga group and control groups were control group on values are graphically 291 and 115 respectively. The obtained ‘F’ ratio represented in the following figure. for values was 187.9 which are found to be

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Figure Bar diagram showing the adjusted mean values of values of Control Group and Simplified Kundalini Yoga Group

Findings: The result of the study indicates that 5) Suchitra S. Patil and H. R. Nagendra, the training program of Simplified Kundalini was “Effect Of Yoga Personality Development an effective method to improve the Values due to Camp On The Triguna In Children.”,Voice 24 weeks of systematic Simplified Kundalini of Research, Volume 3 Issue 3, 2014. Yoga Training. 6) SudheerDeshpande, HR Nagendra and RaghuramNagarathna, "A randomized References: control trial of the effect of yoga on 1) Khalsa, PawhaKaur, “Kundalini Gunas (personality) and Self esteem in Yoga: The flow of eternal power”, normal healthy volunteers.", Penguin, 1998, P. 5. International Journal of Yoga, Jan-Jun; 2) Lazar, Sara W., George Bush, Randy L. 2(1), 2009, P. 13–21. Gollub, Gregory L. Fricchione, 7) Sushil S Khemka, GurucharanKhalsa, and Herbert Benson, NagendraHongasandraRamarao and Alex "Functional brain mapping of the Hankey, “Effect of integral yoga on relaxation response and psychological and health variables and meditation." Neuroreport 11, no. 7, 2000. their correlations.”,International Journal P. 1581-1585. of Yoga, Jul-Dec; 4(2), 2011, P. 93–99. 3) Richard P. Brown and Patricia L. Gerbarg. 8) Telles, Shirley, Nilkamal Singh, Abhishek “The Journal of Alternative and Kumar Bhardwaj, Ankur Kumar, and Complementary Medicine”. August 2005, AcharyaBalkrishna) (2013). 11(4), P. 711-717. 9) ThathuvaGnaniVethathiri Maharishi, 4) ShashiGilani, Km, “A New Test for Study “Five Steps For Realization of Truth”, of Values”. (1984)

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Vethathiri Publications, Erode, India, 15) Uma, K., H. R. Nagendra, R. Nagarathna, S. 2001. Vaidehi, and R. Seethalakshmi. "The 10) ThathuvaGnaniVethathiri Maharishi, integrated approach of yoga: a “Manavalakkalai Part I”, Vethathiri therapeutic tool for mentally retarded Publications, Erode, India,1983. children: a one‐year controlled 11) ThathuvaGnaniVethathiri Maharishi, study." Journal of Intellectual Disability “Manavalakkalai Part II”, Vethathiri Research 33, no. 5 (1989): P. 415-421. Publications, Erode, India, 1990. 16) Venkatesh, S., et al. "A study of structure 12) ThathuvagnaniVethathiri Maharishi, of phenomenology of consciousness in “Simplified Physical Exercises”, meditative and non-meditative Vethathiri Publications, Erode, India, states", Indian journal of physiology and 1977. pharmacology 41, 1997, P. 149-153. 13) ThathuvagnaniVethathiri Maharishi, 17) YogirajVethathiri “SKY Yoga for Human Excellence”, Maharishi,“GnaanaKalangium”,Vethathiri Vethathiri Publications, Erode, India, Publicatios, Erode, India, 1991. 2013. 18) YogirajVethathiri Maharishi, “Journey of 14) Tim Gard, Narayan Brach, Britta K. Consciousness”, Vethathiri Publications, Hölzel, Jessica J. Noggle, Lisa A. Conboy& Erode, India, 1992. Sara W. Lazar, "Effects of a yoga-based 19) YogirajVethathiri Maharishi, “Mind”, intervention for young adults on quality Vethathiri Publications, Erode, India, of life and perceived stress: the potential 2000. mediating roles of mindfulness and self- 20) YogirajVethathiri Maharishi, “Yoga for compassion.", The Journal of Positive Modern Age”, Vethathiri Publications, , Volume 7, Issue 3, 2012. P. Erode, India, 1994. 165 – 175.

Cite this paper as: S. Prasath, K. Nagarasan, and S. Kalavathi (2017). Simplified Kundalini Yoga practices enhances values – an experimental study. International Journal of Science and Consciousness; 3(1): 15-23.

Copyright IJSC 2017 | March 2017 | Vol. 3 | No. 1 | Pages 15-23 eISSN: 2455-2038 An international, refereed, quarterly, open access, multidisciplinary, e-journal