Submitted By
J. K. Bharatha Lakshmi  
Under the Guidance of Dr R. Nagarathna & Dr H. R. Nagendra
 

Abstract: The study was conducted to compare the effect of three different Integrated Yoga Modules on creativity in 224 school students of both genders, aged between 13 to 17 years. After stratifying for sex, subjects were randomly allocated to three groups which were assigned to Intelligent Quotient-specific yoga module (IQ), creativity-specific yoga module (CV), or physical stamina- specific yoga module (PS). All the groups practiced their specific yoga modules for 10 days. Creativity was assessed using a paper pencil test of divergent production, based on Guilford's model of intelligence (1950) or Structure of Intellect or SOI model that measures distinct creative abilities. The subjects were evaluated on creativity at the beginning and the last day of the camp. The results suggest that all three groups showed a significant improvement at the creativity task scores following 10 days of their respective intervention (p=0.001,two tailed, Paired 't' test). Mann Whitney test was done to compare the pertaining value of boys and girls. Wilcoxon signed ranks test analysis shows that there was significant improvement in total Creativity scores of the groups (except PS group). One way ANOVA test showed no significant difference between the groups. Hence the present study shows the efficacy of an integrated yoga module in improving the creativity scores, irrespective of yoga modules given to improve special faculties.

Summary & Conclusion: The data obtained after the training were compared with their respective base-line. To see whether base-line data are normally distributed or not, skewness test was done. To check the homogeneity and equal variance one way ANOVA test was done. Pre-post analysis within groups was done using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. To compare between groups ANOVA was done. Gender analysis was done using Mann-Whitney test. Since the data were not normally distributed and are not of equal variance Wilcoxon signed ranks test was chosen for within group comparison. Between groups comparisons were done using the ANOVA test.

Pre-data were found to be not normally distributed and are not of equal variance. Wilcoxon signed ranks test analysis shows that there was significant improvement in the total creativity scores of the CR group (p=0.016, 10.37%), IQ group (p=0.091, 05.77%) except PS group (p=0.463, 0.77%).

Several factors could have contributed to the increase in creativity scores. The anxiety-reducing effects of yoga practice, which are already known, 4 could have also facilitated this. It was shown that meditation facilitates right hemisphere functioning.5 Yoga leads to relaxation, reduction of anxiety, improved efficiency as given in earlier references. Yoga as an intervention has the components of stimulation and relaxation. It induces a deep psychological stability, harmony and calm state of mind.7 This may be the reason for the positive effect of the three yoga modules in improving creativity as assessed in terms of Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration.

Mann-Whitney test was done to compare the pre-training value of boys and girls. Results suggest that, there was a significant difference between base line-data of boys and girls on the one component-fluency and there were no significant difference for the other three components i.e. flexibility, originality and elaboration. Comparison between total pre-values of boys and girls showed no significant difference between boys and girls at base line.

But Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed that boys and girls in fluency component are improving significantly. Therefore, no major gender factor is shows in this study.

This study shows significant improvement in creativity in all groups except PS group.