Yoga ,Philosophy, Psychology ,Parapsychology

Seeing the truth: Yoga for health and harmony HR Nagendra International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology 2019 7(1):1-2

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome: A relook into the challenge from an integrated, yogic perspective BP Harichandra, Mavathur N Ramesh, HR Nagendra International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology 2019 7(1):3-9 HIV/AIDS is said to be one of the deadliest disease of modern times, incurable. The disease, is taking fortune out of the victims physically, mentally, psychologically, socially and economically. Efforts are being made at global level to control the deadly disease. In spite of all the efforts and the money spent, the disease is still a challenging one. UNAIDS has strategized year 2030 to end HIV/AIDS. In this background there is a need to relook the way the challenge of HIV/AIDS is addressed. This paper relooks into the various issues both from preventive and combating perspectives, by providing conceptual notes not well discussed among the scientific community. Taking hints from Ayurvedic texts the paper discusses a multidimensional approach involving food, sexual attitudes, condoms, behavioral, education; all with yogic (yoga based) approach as the base to address the challenge faster and better.

Assessment of dreams in context to health and disease: Traditional Indian understanding Divya Sahu Munishwar, Abhinav Pandey, Mona Srivastava, Rani Singh International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology 2019 7(1):10-16 Background and Aims: Ayurveda is one of the most ancient prevailing medical sciences. The interpretation of dreams to understand one's mind is a valid concept in modern literature and has been extensively mentioned in treatises of Ayurveda. Study of Swapna (dream) in Ayurveda can be helpful for understanding prakriti (personality) and prognosticating an illness. We aim to study swapna on healthy volunteers to identify prakriti and to see if there is any relation between prakriti and dreams; also, to understand the auspicious and inauspicious Swapna in persons suffering from the psychiatric disorder for the assessment of prognosis. Methodology: Two study groups, Group 1 comprising of 100 healthy volunteers assessed using questionnaires based on dreams for the assessment of prakriti (QBD-AP) and self-report questionnaire to assess prakriti (SQ-AP), as defined in Ayurveda; and Group 2 comprised 60 patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. QBD for A-auspicious dreams and B-inauspicious dreams (QBD-A and B) was administered. The cases were given clinical prognosis (CP) as good, fair, and bad based on the experience of the treating psychiatrist. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tool. Results: No statistical significance was seen on prakriti assessment by both methods, QBD-AP and SQ-AP (χ2 = 2.81, P = 0.093). No statistical significance was seen on two methods of disease prognosis based on QBD-A and B and CP (χ2 = 0.667, P = 0.414), suggesting convergence of two assessment methods. Conclusion: Prakriti assessment based on dream analysis and traditional ayurvedic methods converge and prakriti assessment can be done by observing dreams in healthy persons. Furthermore, auspicious and inauspicious dreams can be used as a prognostic marker for psychiatric disorders.

Transformative effects of yoga nidra on hedonic and eudemonic dimensions of well-being: A qualitative study in trainee teachers Bhalendu Suryakant Vaishnav, Smruti Bhalendu Vaishnav, Vibha Suryakant Vaishnav, Neepa D Bharucha, Jagdish R Varma International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology 2019 7(1):17-23 Context: Incorporation of educational measures which enhance well-being is one of the priority needs of mainstream education in the 21st century. Yoga nidra is an ancient Indian practice which enhances well-being through the release of stress on physical, emotional, and mental planes of one's being through the creation of an experiential state of inner awareness with simultaneous detachment. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess qualitative effects of yoga nidra on physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions of well-being in trainee teachers. Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven students received yoga nidra sessions over for 3 months. About 86% of students (n = 66) submitted their diary notes containing their observations and experiences about yoga nidra sessions, which were thematically analyzed. Results: Key observations captured from 475 individual observation notes were experience of quietude, freshness, and relief from fatigue, clarity of thoughts, enhanced concentration, memory and reduction of anxiety, depression, and worries. As the weeks of the study progressed, the transformative effects of yoga nidra were noticed in the forms of enhanced capacity for self-reflection, self-awareness, and behavioral modification. Conclusion: Yoga nidra sessions enhance hedonic and eudemonic dimensions of well-being through minimizing negative emotions such as stress and anxiety, enhancing positive emotions such as happiness, enthusiasm, and alertness, and bringing about an experience of cognitive, emotional and behavioral stability, and clarity. It can be considered as a useful tool for enhancing well-being.

"How to Interpret Integral Area Variable of Gas Discharge Visualization?" – Response to the Letter to Editor Suman Bista, Nishitha Jasti, Hemant Bhargav International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology 2019 7(1):24-25