EFFICACY OF YOGA ON PREGNANCY OUTCOME

NARENDRAN S., M.D., Ph.D.
Asst. Prof. [Hon.], Division of Yoga & Life Sciences,
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of yoga on pregnancy outcomes. 335 women attending antenatal clinic at Gunasheela Surgical and Maternity Hospital in Bangalore, India, were enrolled between 18- 20 weeks of pregnancy in a prospective, matched, observational study. 169 women were in the yoga-group and 166 women in the control-group. Women were matched for age, parity, body weight and Doppler velocimetry scores of umbilical and uterine arteries. Yoga practices including physical postures, breathing and meditation were practiced by the yoga-group, one hour daily. The control-group walked half an hour twice a day (standard obstetric advice) during the study period. 1) Babies with birth weight =2500 grams were significantly higher (P<0.01) in the yoga-group. 2) Preterm labor was significantly lower (P<0.0006) in the yoga-group. 3) Occurrence of complications such as isolated intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR: less than 10th percentile fetal weight for gestation, P<0.003) and pregnancy-induced hypertension with associated IUGR (P<0.025) were also significantly lower in the yoga-group. There were no significant adverse effects noted in the yoga-group. Integrated approach of yoga during pregnancy is safe. It improves birth weight, decreases preterm labor, and decreases IUGR either isolated or associated with PIH, with no increased complications.

THE SCIENCE OF HEALTHY AGING - AN ORIENTAL APPROACH

MANJUNATH N. K., B.N.Y.S., Ph.D.
Asst. Prof., Division of Yoga & Life Sciences,
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India

Human aging is an inevitable, highly complex and variable experience that is influenced by numerous factors, intrinsic and extrinsic to the individual. While the concept of aging has become an accepted norm, attempts have been made to make this process a pleasant experience. This has resulted in the emergence of a newer dimension i.e., 'Healthy aging' in geriatric medicine. Reports suggest that healthy aging has three main components: (1) a low probability of disease and disease-related disability, (2) a high capacity for cognitive and physical functioning, and (3) an active engagement with life including interpersonal relations and productive activity. According to gerontological experts, the health care and self care strategies likely to be effective in facilitating the transition from usual to successful aging are interdisciplinary approaches that include behavioral, nutritional, psychosocial and other interventions. Such strategies are now employed using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and the most commonly used CAM by the older adults have been reported as chiropractic medicine, herbal remedies, yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques, megavitamins and religious or spiritual healing. Recent research indicated that carbohydrate intolerance, osteoporosis and high blood pressure, all correlates of usual aging, can be modified by behavioral and life style interventions such as exercise, diet, and stress reduction. Similarly, neurobehavioral aging, including cognitive decline has been found to be not inevitable. The present paper attempts to describe the science behind healthy aging with an emphasis to oriental approaches.