Effect of Selected Asanas and Pranayamas on Body Composition and Cardio-respiratory

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to know the effect of selected asanas and pranayamas on the body composition and cardiorespiratory system of the participants of the Akhand Yoga Kaaryashala. Yoga is an ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. The pivotal contributions of Maharshi Patanjali in organizing yoga practices through his Yoga Sutras laid a structured foundation. The present experimental investigation was conducted on the participants of Akhand Yoga Kaaryshala’s. The researchers collected pre-data of the participants in the first week of August 2022, when they joined the workshop, and post-data collected in the last week of December 2022. The total number of participants was twenty-six (26) but twenty (20) (14 male and 06 female) were included in the study based on their attendance. The age of participants was from forty (40) to forty-nine (49). The researchers collected data by using varied equipment as the body weight of the participants was recorded in its unit kilogram (kg) through a weighing machine and the fat percentage of triceps, biceps, sub-scapula region, super-iliac region, and calf muscle region were measured in its unit millimeters (mm) by using ‘Fat Analyzer’ skin fold caliper. The blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded through Dr. Morepen Blood Pressure Monitor, Model: BP-09 in their unit millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and beat per minute (bpm) respectively. The vital capacity of the participants was measured by using a wet spirometer in its unit milliliters. The participants of the study provided a common yoga protocol with few additions as some asanas and cardio warming-up exercises were added. After completing the collection of the post-data phase researchers had to enter the data into the Excel sheet and for analyzing researchers used Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version-27, for the comparison of pre and post-data of the experimental group paired sample t-test was applied. It is concluded that yoga asanas and pranayama training have a good impact on body composition and cardiorespiratory functioning. Yoga plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of an individual.