METHOD

Subjects

There were two groups, with 45 subjects in each, i.e., the 'Yoga' and the 'control' group. The 'Yoga' group had come to our research foundation in Bangalore to receive intensive training in Yoga for 10 days. Among the 45 there were 34 boys, and the group mean age was 11.3 (SD = 1.6 yr.). The 'control' group of students from a nearby school did not practice Yoga. In this group were 21 boys; the group's mean age was 12.0 (SD = 1.0 yr.). The design was explained to the subjects, and signed informed consent was taken from their guardians in accord with the ethical principles of the Indian Council of Medical Research, New, Delhi, India.

Testing procedure

Hand steadiness was tested using the simple apparatus conventionally employed (Hunt, 1936; Munn, 1946), which was fabricated by Anand Agencies, Pune, India. This apparatus consists of a metal plate in which are nine holes of graded diameters (the largest diameter being 8 mm and the smallest 2 mm). A metal stylus is connected to the plate in series, with a counter which is activated whenever the stylus makes contact with the metal plate. The subject is instructed to insert about 2 cm of the metal stylus in each hole, keeping his arm extended without support, and then maintain the stylus in the hole for 15 sec. without allowing the stylus to make contact with the side of the hole. Then the stylus is withdrawn also without making contact with the sides. 

Subjects began the testing procedure with the largest hole first and then proceeded to the smallest one. The number of accidental contacts which the metal stylus made with the metal plate were registered on the electronic counter as the number of errors.

Design

Both groups ('Yoga' and 'control') were assessed initially on the test and again after 10 days. The groups' means were statistically compared using Wilcoxon's paired signed-ranks test. During the 10-day period the 'Yoga' group received training in Yoga whereas the 'control' group received no such training. This comparison was essential to ascertain whether merely repeating the exercise after 10 days would he enough to reduce the number of errors. 

Training in Yoga

The 'Yoga' group received Yogic training for approximately 8 hours a day, which was aimed at all around (physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual) development. The 10-day programme consisted of (1) Yogasanas, specialised physical postures which are meant to increase physical stamina and both physical and mental balance; (2) Pranayama or voluntary regulation and slowing of the breathing which is carried out to achieve a relaxed state of mind and to increase inner awareness; and (3) Kriyas, techniques which bring about cleansing of the internal organs (e.g., respiratory tract, abdominal muscles, and viscera). Among these, what was especially relevant to school children were eye-cleaning techniques (tratakas). The practice of tratakas involves concentration. For example, in some of the practices, the subject sits in a relaxed position, keeping the head straight. The arms are extended in different directions, with the gaze focussed on the tip of the index finger without moving the head. The periods of focussing are interrupted by periods of relaxation so that no visual strain is experienced.

In addition to these specialised practices, the training also included games to improve the attention span and memory as well as the telling of meaningful stories to foster a sense of values and feelings of responsibility.