Develop and Assess the Impact of Musical Yoga Carpet for Better Yoga Practices

MM Kasun Asiri Weerasinghe^* and S Joniton
^*Correspondence: MM Kasun Asiri Weerasinghe, Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, Tel: 94755257644, Email:

Keywords

Music • Stress • Yoga practices

Introduction

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice. This is one of the six Indian philosophy schools and is also part of Ayurveda, an Indian traditional medicine practice. Health encourages a balance of physical, cultural, psychological and social aspects. The term yoga was derived from the Sanskrit term yuj which means 'to join' or 'to merge.' This union is not just about your nose hitting your knees when you lean to touch your feet! The union you are referring to is that of your mind and your body. You’re interacting with your surroundings and nature. Then ultimately, your human knowledge of the collective consciousness. The philosophical history of yoga is rooted in ancient Hindu tradition [1]. There are several modern schools or forms of yoga each with a distinct focus on the relative content of physical postures and exercises (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and deep relaxation. Meditation activities that promote perception and eventually deeper states of consciousness. The use of yoga as a therapeutic technique, which started at the beginning of the twentieth century, takes advantage of the multiple psychophysiological advantages of the component activities [2]. Physical exercises (asanas) can improve the physical flexibility, coordination and strength of the patient. While breathing and meditation will calm down and concentrate the mind to increase consciousness and decrease anxiety, resulting in a higher quality of life. Certain beneficial effects may include a decrease in anxiety, blood pressure, and increased endurance, mood, and metabolic control. In the minds of many Westerners, the term; yoga conjures up visions of people performing workouts and adopting odd, often contrive, postures. These movements and postures have a place in the practice of yoga. Yet the practice of yoga is a lot more than that. In reality, early literature on yoga describes and defines yoga as a type of mental rather than physical discipline. Yoga is also popular with the subcontinent of India and the sects of Hinduism and of Buddhism.

This study investigates the impact of musical yoga carpet in the proses of reducing mental stress among adults in age of above 30 years [3]. Many research articles’ have reviled the fact that lots of adults are facing various types of mental health problems. e.g., Stress, anxiety, depression. Less attention is paid for implementing effective musical yoga programmer for adults, although yoga meditation is well recognized in the world. Limited number of research has been conducted to develop and assess the impact of musical yoga carpet for reducing level of stress.

The researcher’s intention is to implement research highlighting the value of developing a musical yoga carpet for adults with the target of reducing their mental stress.

Objectives of the study

• To develop and assess the impact of musical yoga carpet for better yoga practices.

• Reduce yoga practitioner’s stress level.

• Increase the effectiveness of yoga practices.

• Encourage people to yoga practices.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis of this study is,

Null Hypothesis (Ho)-The musical yoga treatment will not affect to the stress level of adults in age of above 30 years.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1)-The musical yoga treatment will affect to the stress level of adults in age of above 30 years.

Materials and Methods

Data gathering techniques

Data collection was done by using observational experimental method and using questioner (Figure 1).

The musical yoga carpet contains mainly eight parts for facilitate better practice environment.

• Yoga carpet

• Sound speaker

• Solar power bank

• Digital timing display

• Compass

• USB reading circuit

The designed yoga carpet consists with dual rechargeable battery, solar power and USB charging. Sound speaker is connected to the battery. The sound input device can be connected to yoga carpet by Bluetooth and USB cable. The digital timing display indicates the time duration of exercises as well as the compass will determine the east for sun salutation. The whole sound unit is two inch height and it is located top of the carpet.

Results

Sample was consisted with male and female adults. 12 male foreigners and 8 female foreigners were participated in musical yoga treatment (Table 1).

Participants come from 8 different countries. 15% percentage of participants were come from USA and respectively 25%,10%,10%, 20%, 5%,10%, 5% percentage of foreigners come from United Kingdom, Finland, Netherland, Japan, China, South Korea, and India (Table 2).

The age of participant is above 30 years. 6 participants were in age range of between “36-40”. Minimum number of participants under the age range of above 50 (Table 3).

After applying a musical yoga treatment for 20 adults in age of above 30 years, the researcher got results from the questionnaire. 55% of people are least likely to suffer from stress related illness and 25% people are more likely to experience stress related ill health either mental, physical or both. 20% of people are the most prone to stress showing a great many traits or characteristics that are creating un-healthy behaviors (Table 4).

67% of male yoga practitioners are less likely to suffer from mental stress related illness and 25% of male participants are more likely to experience stress related ill health either mental, physical or both.8% of people are the most prone to stress related illness. A great many traits or characteristics that are creating unhealthy behaviors (Table 5).

63% of female yoga practitioners are less likely to suffer from mental stress related illness and 25% of female participants are more likely to experience stress related ill health either mental, physical or both.12% of people are the most prone to stress related illness. A great many traits or characteristics that are creating unhealthy behaviors. According to the results female adults have more risk to suffer from mental stress related illness than male adults (Table 6).

Discussion

The study investigates that musical yoga carpet impact on reduce stress among adults in age of above 30 years. The researcher studied how to reduce stress level of adults by applying a musical yoga program [4]. A questionnaire can be used to look at the situation such as stress. A standard stress questioner was distributed among twenty (n=20) foreign adults who came from different countries. After yoga treatment, the questionnaire is returned. Data were gathered and analyzed statically using person correlation coefficient in Minitab 17 software. According to the results, researcher identified that there has been a positive effect on adults in age of above 30 years. According to the statically analysis, correlation coefficient is -0.878. According to the results, female adults have more risk to suffer from mental stress related illness than male adults. It means in study investigation found out the musical yoga treatment directly affected to reduce of stress level. Research study on the effectiveness of a group stress reduction program based on mindfulness meditation for patients with stress disorders [5]. Researcher said that yoga treatment recommended reducing their stress level during adulthood.

Conclusion

Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practice. Yoga uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation to improve health and happiness. Yoga and music have a profound effect on the mental health of adults. Many of adult’s face lot of mental issues. Therefore, this research is concluded that to reduce adults’ mental situations, yoga is the best cure. While doing the musical yoga training session by the researcher has identified and noticed that there were a lot of best results for adults by yoga. In this study the researcher designed a musical yoga carpet. The carpet consists with sound speaker, sola power bank, digital timing displays and mini compass. The musical yoga carpet facilitates yoga practitioners to perform yoga with music, particular timing and showing proper directions. The musical yoga carpet increases the effectiveness of yoga practices and motivates people to engage with yoga practices to reduce level of stress. According to the results of study, yoga practitioners were highly satisfied with the equipment and their stress level has been reduced. There is a strong negative correlation between the music and stress. Therefore, it is very important to maintain mental health.

Recommendations

• Practice yoga exercises with music for people in their daily lives.

• Introducing yoga for youth who face new challenges to improve their mental health.

• Improving mental health through musical yoga treatment among academic colleagues.

• Taking steps to reduce stress through yoga for elder’s homes.

• Use this musical yoga treatment to cure the mental stress of all psychiatric patients in hospitals (cancer, special needs, and mental wards).

• Introducing musical yoga treatment for mental health of employees in government and privet sector.

• Use this musical yoga treatment for pregnant women of all trimester.

• Height of the modified sound unit can be reduced.

• This equipment facilitates the audio sounds further more video graphics can be shown.

• Water proof technology can be used to provide better protection.

References

1. Arambula, P, Peper E, Kawakami M, and Gibney KH. The physiological correlates of kundalini yoga meditation: A study of a yoga master. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 26 (2001): 147-153.
2. Chung, SC, Brooks MM, Rai M, Balk JL and Rai S. Effect of sahaja yoga meditation on quality of life, anxiety, and blood pressure control. J Altern Complement Med. 18 (2012): 589-596.
3. Kiecolt Glaser, JK, Christian L, Preston H, Houts CR, and Malarkey WB, et al. Stress, inflammation, and yoga practice. Psychosom Med. 72 (2010): 113-121.
4. Raub, JA. Psychophysiologic effects of hatha yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: A literature review. J Altern Complement Med. 8 (2002): 797-812.
5. Smith, C, Hancock H, Blake Mortimer J and Eckert K. A randomised comparative trial of yoga and relaxation to reduce stress and anxiety. Complement Ther Med. 15 (2007): 77-83.