Karuna Murthy S ( M Sc . ) , Nagarathna R* (M D ., FRCP) Dean , Division of yoga and life science and Nagendra H R ( M E, PhD ) Vice Chancellor, Deemed University, Recognized by Government of India , Ministry of HRD , New Delhi , India.

Abstract : This study was conducted to compare the three different specific Integrated Yoga Modules on Verbal Memory in 500 school students whose age ranged from 9-12 years. After stratifying for sex and age (Boys=181, Girls=129), 310 school students were randomly allotted to three groups. All the three groups were trained in specific yoga modules designed for improving Physical Stamina (PS=100), Creativity (CR=107) and Analytical Intelligence (IQ=103), for ten days in a residential set up in South India. Verbal Memory was assessed using modified Wechsler’s Memory Scale Test on day first and after ninth day. There was significant improvement (Student Paired ‘t’test p=<0.001) in Verbal Memory in all three groups (PS=17.01%, CR=15.61% and IQ=15.05%). Results showed that the boys in the PS group (17.43%) had the maximum improvement compared to girls (3.94%).

Summary & Conclusion : In this stratified randomized control study on 310 schools going students in age 9-12 yrs of both sexes, verbal memory was recorded before and after the practice of three specific IAY modules designed to enhance Physical Stamina (PS), Creativity (CR) or Analytical Intelligence (IQ) in a 10days residential program. The group who practiced the specific integrated yoga module to enhance PS showed significantly greater increase in verbal memory (17.01)% than the IQ (15.05%) and CR group (15.61).

Several factors could have contributed to the increase in verbal memory scores of the three groups. Students were enthusiastic about performing well on the tests. Yoga relaxes and reduces anxiety, which may improve efficiency (11). Breathing through a particular nostril modifies the activity of the opposite cerebral hemisphere. An earlier study showed the effect of yoga nostril breathing on spatial memory (2). The uninostril breathing included in the yoga module may also have contributed to better verbal memory in all groups in general and largely in the group PS. The group PS practiced Naddisuddhi (NV) Pranayama, which is known to activate both hemispheres. It was seen in an earlier study, that there was significant reduction in simultaneous thoughts arousal during working memory tasks and recitation of prayer and meditation practices (1). In my study, there were specific modules for the groups separately. Each module had an intensive and integrated course, which may have contributed to the increases in memory. An earlier study showed the anxiety reducing effect in improving performance in tasks requiring learning and memory (11). This means that repetition of test was done or the subjects on the ninth day after the first day, the subjects may have reduced anxiety on the ninth day, since they were familiar with the test.

There were no significant differences between boys and girls in any of the 3 groups except Physical Stamina group Boys (17.43%) and Girls (3.94%). Thus, this study has shown that integrated yoga practices in a residential set up can improve verbal memory in students and the special set of yoga practices designed for PS and CR has better efficacy than IQ module.