Background: Yoga is a traditional technique to conserve and purify body, mind and soul. It is a mind-body bridge which involves relaxation, meditation and a set of physical exercises performed in association with breathing. In this new era of evolution, most of the population are depressed or in stress, irrespective of their age and gender.Methods: This study is performed on 1st yr. medical students whose stress level is in higher side due to academic burden. An 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Their morning serum cortisol level was assessed, and yoga group were instructed to practice yoga (1hr/day for 12 weeks) under supervision of yoga instructor. No such instruction was given to control group.Results: Serum cortisol level is the marker of stress and inflammation. Higher cortisol level means high stress level. Yoga and meditation is documented to reduce stress level in regular practitioners.  Statistical analysis has shown decrease in morning serum cortisol level (572.18±168.03 to 544.98±139.89, 4.8% decrease, P value ˂0.05, significant) in yoga group after study. Control group have shown marked increase in cortisol level (558.89±162.69 to 577.26±254.5, 3.4% increase, P value = 0.74, not significant) after three months of study.Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has a significant effect on the reduction of stress and anxiety level in medical students.

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), secreted by adrenal cortex, acts in the human body as a neurosteroid, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and immune-enhancing agent. It is also reported as a youth hormone. But due to various stimulators of stress, and also as an antagonist of cortisol, DHEAS level decreases. Yoga and meditation regulates the level of hormones and neurotransmitters that affect physiological function.Methods: This study was performed on 1st yr. medical students whose DHEAS level was low due to acute stress. 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into Yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Their morning serum DHEAS level was assessed and yoga group were instructed to practice Yoga (1hr/day for 12 weeks) under supervision of Yoga instructor. No such instruction was given to control group.Results: As a marker of youth and immunity, increase in DHEAS level decreases susceptibility to infections, reduces aging process as well as improves other functions. Yoga and meditation is documented to increase DHEAS level in regular practitioners. Statistical analysis has shown an increase in morning S. DHEAS level in yoga practitioners. Pre-study and post study values were 3.5±2.48 and 3.61±1.73 respectively in yoga group (overall 3.1% increase, P Value = 0.025, significant at 0.05) whereas 3.36±1.98 and 2.58±1.49 respectively in control group (23.2% decrease, P Value =0.84, not significant).Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has significantly raised S. DHEAS level in medical students and improved their immunological status as well as enhances mood and behavior.

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Background: tress at any stage of life virtually produces several respiratory limitations and reduces tolerance to physical efforts, sometimes leading to pulmonary diseases in individuals. Various yoga and Pranayama like Kapalbhati and Nadi-sodhan involves powerful strokes of exhalation, which trains the subject to make full use of diaphragm and abdominal muscles.Methods: This study is performed on 1st yr. medical students whose stress level is in higher side due to academic burden. 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into Yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Pulmonary functions of subjects were tested using Pony FX advanced desktop spirometer manufactured by Cosmed. Yoga is performed 1 hr/day for 6 days /week for 12 weeks by yoga group.Results: Pulmonary functions tested in Yoga and control group were FVC, FEV1, PEF and FVC/FEV1. There were significant improvements in pulmonary functions in yoga group. In Yoga group (FVC- 5.8% increases, FEV1- 5.2% increase, PEF- 34% increase and FVC/FEV1- 3.15% increase). In control group also, all parameters increased but P value was not significant.Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has shown a significant improvement on pulmonary functions in 1st year medical students.

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