RESULTS

The number of errors made at Test 1 were approximately similar for both groups. The group mean (± SEM) for the 'Yoga' group was 221.2 ± 10.0 (errors) and for the 'control' group 221.0 ±8.1 (errors). At the end of 10 days, the 'Yoga group' had 183.3 ± 7.1 (errors), and the difference between this and the initial value was statistically significant (p<.01, Wilcoxon paired signed- ranks test, two-tailed). The mean of the 'control' group on Test 2 was 217.8 ± 8.3; this difference was not significant on a similar test. These results suggest that 10 days training in Yoga can on immediate retest significantly show improved static motor performance. Our speculation is that learning and practising the different physical postures (asanas) could have improved voluntary control and eye-hand coordination. The special visual concentration exercise (tratakas) might have improved concentration so attention would vary less during the task. Since all Yogic practices have the ultimate goal of calming the mind, the over-all relaxation might have been beneficial. A subsequent follow-up would have been desirable, and other types of control groups could be explored.