Vedic Manas Yoga and Adolescent Development: A Study of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Psychological Changes

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21306400

Acharya Balkrishna¹, Upasana Agarwal², Vipin K. Rathore³, Arvind Rana⁴, Ajit Sharma⁵, Prashant Katiyar⁶,Muskan Chauhan⁷, Shubhangi Shrivastava⁸, Sourav Ghosh⁹, and Vedpriya Arya¹⁰
(Patanjali Herbal Research Division, Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, Uttarakhand^{1,2,6,7,8,9,10}, Department of Applied and Allied Sciences, University of Patanjali, Haridwar, Uttarakhand^{1, 10}, Department of Yoga Science, Centre for Distance and Online Education, University of Patanjali, Haridwar, Uttarakhand³, Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, Uttarakhand⁴, and College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh⁵)

Vedic Manas Yoga is an integrative approach that includes sun gazing, yajna, breathing exercises, meditation, yogic practices, sound frequencies, humor or laughter, and brain exercises. All these activities aim to promote holistic development and brain stimulation. The present study examines the scope and effectiveness of Vedic Manas Yoga in enhancing cognitive, behavioral, and psychological development among adolescents aged 11-15 years. A total of 571 participants (female, 92.3%; male, 7.7%) were recruited for the intervention. The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST; Wechsler, 1997) was used to measure cognitive performance, and the Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (SSWQ; Renshaw, Long, & Cook, 2015) was used to measure behavioral and psychological wellbeing. Assessments were performed before and after a 3-day Vedic Manas Yoga program. Daily sessions were conducted from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM (6 hours/day) over three consecutive days, totaling approximately 18 contact hours. Statistical analysis revealed a significant enhancement in mean DSST scores (pre: 62.78 ± 21.48; post: 74.09 ± 21.38; 18% increase), indicating improved cognitive function (z = 8.91; p < 0.001), alongside a significant rise in SSWQ scores across three of four sub-domains, signifying favorable behavioral and psychological modifications. This research indicates that Vedic Manas Yoga is an effective adjunctive strategy for enhancing cognitive efficiency, emotional stability, and psychological wellbeing in adolescents, implying its potential utility in educational and developmental contexts.