Ghanshyam Singh Thakur , Nagarathna R, Nagendra H R.

Vivekananda yoga Mahavidyapeetham (VYOMA) of Swami Vivekananda yoga research foundation.
Bangalore, India.
 

Abstract : Traditional exponents of yoga proclaim that yoga can improve creativity. But there are very few studies that have demonstrated the efficacy of yoga in school children through a designed control study.

The present study was designed to compare the effect of three different integrated yoga modules on creativity among 296 school children aged between 13 to 17 years. They were randomly allocated to three groups after stratifying for sex. The groups are CV (m-62,f-36), IQ (m-63,f-28), PS (m-77,f-30). Each group is prescribed with a specific yoga module for duration of 10 days in a residential set up. Creativity Assessed using were Using structure of intellect model of J.P. Guilford (1988) on mathematical equation. This test measures two aspects of creativity fluency and flexibility. The assessments were made on first day and 9th day. As the data were distributed normally data analyses were done using Paired ‘t’ test. Results showed significant improvement in fluency [CV=16.9 %, IQ=21%, PS=13.8%] and flexibility [CV=16.2 %, IQ=18.6%, PS= 11.4%] in all groups. The group comparisons were done by using ANOVA tests. Results showed that there was no significant different between groups in Fluency or Flexibility. No significant difference between males and females were found.

Summary & Conclusion : The data was not normally distributed (Kolmogorov-Smirnov). Baseline data for the three groups were matched as well, showing homogeneity between groups (one-way ANOVA). The present study showed a significant increase in creativity in children aged between 13 and 17 years when given integrated yoga practices during 10 days of personality development camp. Interestingly, all the three groups showed significant improvements. However, comparisons between groups showed no significant differences.

The practices given under integrated approach of yoga modules for creativity showed a significant improvement in I.Q group (Flu-21%, Flex- 18.6%)). However there was a trend of improvement in creativity(Flu-16.9%, Flex-16.2%) and physical stamina( flu-13.8%, Flex-11.4%) group. comparison between groups showed no significant as a evident by Tukey test.

The improvement in fluency and flexibility which are components of creativity are suggestive of the effectiveness of chandranuloma viloma as a part of yoga intervention. The right side of the brain control the left part of the body and left part of the body is control by the right side of the brain(4). As chandranulonma viloma is left nostril breathing it has a direct effect on the right side of the brain which is seat of creativity. Khasky et al (3) has previously showed that there was no significant improvement in creativity score on verbal and figural forms of Torrence’s creativity thinking when different techniques of stress reduction were used. Yoga as a intervention has the components of stimulation and relaxation. It induces a deep (psychological) stability, harmony and calm state of mind. This may be the reason for improving creativity assessed throw fluency and flexibility.

Groups IQ and PS also showed improvement in creativity without prescribed creativity yogic practices. What can be the reason? One of the possible factors may be as given below-

Creativity, Bliss, Knowledge is the basic ingredient of silence induced by peace full atmosphere like Prashanti Kutiram. In addition to the freedom from stressful atmosphere of city and freedom from worries, anxiety, and responsibilities of mundane life the peace induced positively in our campus may help increase positive qualities like Creativity, IQ and PS.