YOGA EMPOWERS ELDERS INNATE IMMUNITY

YOGA EMPOWERS ELDERS INNATE IMMUNITY

Dr. Madhan Kumar¹Rashmi Badve²Dr. Narendra Madhav Joshi³

 

Dr. A Madhan Kumar

Researcher

Sastra University Thanjavur.

 

Rashmi Badve

Research Associate,

Department of Science and Technology – SATYAM

Vivekananda Kendra -nardep, Kanyakumari

 

Dr Narendra Madhav Joshi,

Principal Investigator,

Department of Science and Technology – SATYAM

Vivekananda Kendra -nardep, Kanyakumari

Project Director, Vivekananda Prabodhini, Mumbai

 

Abstract

Older persons are vulnerable to infections because of their age, comorbid status which calls for preventive action to build their immune system in the context of COVID 19 pandemic situation. Boosting innate immunity is seen as a potential strategy to combat the catastrophe. Available research evidences prove that yoga gives positive support to the person with acute or chronic diseases by maximising implementation by combination of yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation. There is an immense need to build on the common yoga protocol contextualizing to the vulnerability of elder. Considering the mobility and immunity status, protocol is developed by literature review, expert’s consultation and field practice for standardization of practice. The study was carried out for 95 participants above 60 years of age. The one-hour practice of the protocol was for six days in a week by yoga trainers for a period of one month. Pre and post impact of the protocol practice is done to know the impact of the practice through mobility and immunity tests.  Descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS are drawn for assessing the results. The results show there is a considerable positive impact of the standardized yoga practice as it has shown desirable changes in their immunity and mobility levels resulting in the wellbeing.

Rationale / Background

Today mankind is satiated but not satisfied by victorious and all-pervading mechanistic, reductionist and arid paradigm which this age has ushered in. The perennial thirst for Truth, Beauty, Perfection and Harmony by mankind has not yet quenched and in fact has got painfully intensified now. How to deal with very basic and apparently obvious issues like spending time, preventing illness, managing transition through different stages of life, especially dealing with old age, family, environment, diseases, dissatisfaction, death and lead a meaningful, purposeful and fulfilling life to get free / Mukta / Siddha was the quest of Indian mind from the Vedic age to the recent centuries. Her masterkey in this quest is spirituality, message is possibility of divinization  and perfection of the earthly existence and method has been a conscious practice of the scientifically designed ways of perfection through a continuously evolving tradition of godward endeavor of human spirit. (Sri Aurobindo) India firmly believed and boldly proclaimed to the entire mankind that She has understood the truth and she wants to give it to all of us who are sons and daughters of immortality: Shrunvantu Vishwe Amrutasya Putraha ..said the Upanishads. As each soul is potentially divine and the goal in this life is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature external and internal, each can choose a path of work or worship, psychic control or philosophy, either one of them or all as its suits his or her Swabhava and Swadharma.( Swami Vivekananda )  Thus the world today is awakened to the need of the science of Yoga and India has this destiny to be fulfilled.

For more than fifty years Vivekananda Kendra has been working in all parts of India and has developed a tested and proven methodology which with delivered results in the critical fields of Yoga, Education, Environment and Sustainability. It has been associated with several departments and agencies of Government of India and is given crucial assignments and projects as a result of the past record, resources, network, prowess in social engineering and the core team of qualified, selflessly working professionals.

Objective of this project:

Since last two years human life has taken an unprecedented turn which no one would have imagined. Covid-19 brought everything to a standstill as it also restricted majority of people to their home and near space. The daily schedules, travelling possibilities, work and home balance, sustenance and means of continuing work, time for which family members are together and have to interact with each other, availability of basic needs of life, … all got new dimensions, connotations and expressions. The forced constraints and situations left many in the midmost of a battle of terribly shocked and altered life. All this has brought lot of emotional and mental trauma irrespective of age, or cultural and national background. In such a situation, physical, mental, emotional condition of elders, who as such in many cases were in a precarious stage, living with stress, diseases, medicines, reduced mobility and isolation got further worrisome. This brought nervousness, anxiety, and depression in them as it was very difficult for them to cope up with this situation. Lesser mobility can be resulting in lesser immunity. Considering the above factors, study has been taken to see the effect of yoga on mobility and immunity of elders. Department of Science and Technology DST assigned this project to Vivekananda Kendra - nardep and it was started all over India. The past couple of months have been a tireless efforts to reach and teach elders in diverse parts of India for this purpose.

Methodology:

To make this rooted and well researched venture an extensive literature survey was taken up.A lot of research was scanned and compiled which proves how Yoga affects system immunity and gives improved flexibility, correct posture, stress free routine of life and an increased sense of detachment, peace and contentment. Literature survey about how Yoga helps to build strength, to increase energy levels, activity levels and also helps to bring down anxiety, restlessness and other such aspects things, especially in elders, was studied. The review was including different approaches needed and tried for going from basics to practices for dealing with chronic illnesses  and non-communicable diseases.

The present paper is about a part of this whole project wherein a study was carried out for 95 participants above 60 years of age. Yoga intervention went for a month with integrated practices for one hour, six days in a week by yoga trainers.Considering the age factor of participants, loosening exercises, yogasanas and pranayama taught as per their need.Demographic factors, medical history, symptomatic indicators of immunity and their performance has been taken into consideration.Participants have been divided into three categories: independent, dependent, and despondent category.Asanas is one part of yoga. Mental health is the most influential paradigm in old age which has been neglected. So, considering mental health factor, spiritual retreat programs were also arranged. This was added with weekend sessions by eminent speakers on the Jnanyoga, or Yoga path of Knowledge. This was to emphasize on the elders that Yoga is not just for having a fit and healthy body, but also to nurture mind, emotions, and intellect. After this a methodology was developed by the core team to have a Yoga Protocol for daily practice. The three categories were defined for study as independent, dependent and despondent. The most effective combination of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation for each category and their daily routine, practices, and parameters for testing the key variables were defined and tested on a trial basis. As per research the intensity and duration required was fixed at daily practice of these protocols and its teaching and monitoring for minimum four weeks.

Apart from the one-hour practice of protocol for six days in a week under the guidance of yoga trainers for a period of one month, a pre and post impact study of the protocol practice is also done to know the effect of this through a set of well thought and administered mobility and immunity tests.  This data then was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical tools including SPSS for assessing the results.

The findings / results :

The results show that there is a considerable positive impact of the standardized yoga practice and it has shown desirable change in their immunity and mobility levels resulting in the wellbeing. The feedback received from elders and their testimonies are highly inspiring and satisfying. In such testing times, we were able to bring some happiness, hope and fulfillment in the lives of so many elders and they have voiced it. The volunteers, research and secretariat team and  trainers all have been benefitted in this process as a way of doing their own yoga of knowledge, action, devotion and psychic control.

Key Words : Elders, Protocol, Immunity **