IAETSD JOURNAL FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH IN APPLIED SCIENCES ISSN NO: 2394-8442

Effect of yoga on Gunas among healthy individuals- A controlled

wait list comparative study
Dr. Shiva Prasad Shetty1, Dr. Nandeesh N.S2, Dr. Prashanth Shetty3
1(Dean, Division of Yoga therapy, Department of Post Graduate Studies, SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, India)
2(Assistant professor, Yoga Department, SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic sciences, India)
3(Principal, SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, India)
1drshivapshetty70@gmail.com, 2nsnandeesh@gmail.com, 3drprashanth9@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Yoga is the science of right living by harmonizing the body, mind and emotion to develop the inner and universal
consciousness is rooted in this concept of tribunes (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) having impact on persons behavior and health. Hence
the present study is designed to establish the relation between yoga and the gunas.

METHODS: 180 subjects were screened and 90 were selected for this study and divided into two groups yoga group (n=45) practiced
yoga for 9 months and waitlist control group (n=45) did routine day to day activity. Base line data and the post data were collected
from both the groups and analyzed

RESULTS: There was an improvement in the post score of tridoshas, trigunas, positive assessment and negative assessment,
happiness and memory in yoga group compare to the control group.

CONCLUSION: Yoga balances the doshas and helps in the improvement in the gunas which brings happiness, positivity and built
the memory of an individual.

Keywords- Yoga, Trigunas, Sattva, Rajas, Tamas.

INTRODUCTION
Yoga is the science of right living which is incorporated in daily life. It works on the physical, vital, mental, emotional, psychic and
spiritual aspects of the person. yoga balance and harmonize the body, mind and emotions through the practice of asana, pranayama,
mudra, bandha, shatkarma and meditation The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj which means 'to join. This joining is the
union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness [1]. The development of this inner and universal consciousness
is rooted in this concept of trigunas, which is explained in the ancient scriptures like Atharva veda, Bhagwath Gita and later also
explained in sankhya Dharshana. Bhagawad Gita describes three gunas and says that every creature is the combination of these three
gunas (characteristics) which are Tamas, Rajas and Sattwa[2].

Tatra sattwam nirmalatwaat prakaashakam anaamayam;

Sukhasangena badhnaati jnaanasangena chaanagha (The Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter XIV, Shloka 6)

Sattvic types cultivate awareness of others, of their surrounding and environment. They have mild desires, and strong will. They are
noble, forgiving, generous, and free from anger, passion, conceit, ego, greed or jealousy. (Kapadia, 2004)
Rajo raagaatmakam viddhi trishnaasangasamudbhavam;
Tannibadhnaati kaunteya karmasangena dehinam. (The Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter XIV, Shloka 7)

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IAETSD JOURNAL FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH IN APPLIED SCIENCES ISSN NO: 2394-8442

Rajasics are characterized by motion, stimulation and overcoming resistance. Rajasic minds are usually agitataed and seldom at peace.
Impatience and impulsiveness are their weaknesses, they do not forgive easily. Self-praise, cruelty, ruthlessness, intolerance, envy, sharp
reactions and passion comes naturally to them.
Tamastwajnaanajam viddhi mohanam sarvadehinaam;
Pramaadaalasyanidraabhis tannibadhnaati bhaarata. (The Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter XIV, Shloka 8)

Tamasics have disturbances in the process of perception and activities of the mind. Their emotions and energy tend to be stagnant and
repressed; they do not know what their problems really are. They are lazy types who prefer easy, relaxed life. Fear is the driving force
for them. They have no motivation to initiate a physical or mental action. There is no clear focus. They are stubborn and refuse to
shake off dullness, fear, grief, low spirits or vanity (Kajriwal and Krishnan, 2004)

The three patterns are Sattva (gentle and controlled), Rajas (violent and uncontrolled) and Tamas (dull and uncontrolled) having impact
on persons behavior and health [3]. In sankhya darshana the most important principle are Purusha and Prakriti, which are
consciousness and primordial matter. Prakruthi is the manifestation of All the levels of the human (gross and subtle), but it has life
due to the infusion of Purusha. Prakriti manifests as three characteristics or attributes of lightness (sattvas), activity (rajas), and stability
(tamas). These three combine and recombine to form the various aspects of mind, senses, and the five elements: Earth, water, fire, air,
and space [2].

The earth and man are made up of five elements prithvi aap tej vayu & akash which combine with each other to form the three
humors of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (also called as the Tridoshas in unison)[2].

Swami Abhedanand (1979) in his book True Psychology has described Mental condition. In the chapter Power of concentration
he has discussed 4 states of mind. 1. Ksipta 2. Mudha 3. Vikshipta. 4. Ekagra state. In all these 4 states there is different proportion of
sattva, Raja, Tama. In vikshipta state (3rd state) Sattva Guna starts increasing and overpowers Raja and Tama [4].

Kolhatkar Krushnaji Keshav (1981) in his book Bhartiya Manasshastra athwa sarth aani vivran pathanjalaya yoga darshan has
described the views of Indian Psychology. He has presented different Patanjali Sutras about Yoga. In the chapter Samadhipad Sutra-
2., he has described about Trigunas. That Sutra is // Yoga Chittah Vritti Nirodha //. He has explained that Sattva, Rajas, Tamas are
(Gunas) traits of chitta (mind). There are different states of chitta depending upon which trait is dominant. In Kshipta & Mudha state
Rajas & Tamas Guna are dominant By studying different Yoga practices like Dhyan & Manan, a person can change his state of Chitta
(mind). In the chapter Samadhipad sutra- 10, the author has described characteristics of Gunas. That Sutra is // Bhav Pratyaya
Alambana Vritti Nidra //. He has explained that, when Rajas & Tamas subsides sattva guna becomes dominant and chitta is
illuminating with knowledge. This is very useful to a person [5]. Hence the present study is designed to establish the relation between
yoga and the gunas.

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METHODOLOGY
180 subjects were screened of either gender of the age group of 17 to 25 years from SDM College of naturopathy and yogic sciences,
Ujire and SDM institute of technology, Ujire. 90 healthy subjects were recruited for this study according to inclusion and exclusion
criteria, they were divided into two groups by using random sampling method yoga group (Test group) and wait list group (Control
group). All the subjects were participated in this study had no experience of exercise and yoga training and were not diagnosed with
any disorder or disease and were not under any medication. Ethical clearance were obtained from the institutional ethical committee.
Informed consent were obtained from each subject after explaining the procedure and giving the assurance that they could withdraw
from the study whenever they wanted. Both the group subjects were asked to assembled in the yoga hall SDMCNYS, Ujire. A brief
introduction were given about the study to the test group and control group respectively. After this base line data were collected for
both the group by G Inventory of personality, Subjective happiness scale (SHS), Positive effective and negative effective
questionnaires, Tridoshas questionnaires, Personal growth initiative scale (PGIS), Symbol digit modalities test. Test group were
practiced 9 month of general yoga which contains prayer, asanas, pranayama, relaxation and meditation then the post data were
collected from the test group and control group did regular activity except yoga for 9 months then the post were collected from the
control group.

RESULTS
The data were checked for normality groups by Kolmogorov Smirnov test. The pre and post levels of tridosha and its components
(VATTA, PITTA and KAPHA) were not follow the normal distribution so non-parametric test were applied and others parameters
scores were followed the normal distribution so parametric test were applied. After applying the non-parametric test Wilcoxon
matched pair test, there were significant decrease in post tridosha scores and its components (Vatta, Pitta and Kapha) in both the
groups (Table 1) compared to the baseline.

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The data showed after applying the Mann-Whitney U test, there were significant decrease in scores of tridosha and it components in
the test group compared to control group (table 2). Table 3 showed there were a significant increase in post scores of G inventory,
PANAS, PGIS, SDMT, SHS compared to the baseline after applying the parametric test dependent t test and a significant increase in
the score of PANAS, SDMT, SHS in the test group compared to the control group after applying the independent t test and no
significant changes in g inventory and PGIS score but degree of improvement was seen more in the test group compared to control
group. (Table 4).

Table 1 Comparison of pretest and posttest vatta, pitta, kapha and Tridosha scores in test and control groups by Wilcoxon matched
pairs test.

Table 2 Comparison of test group and control group with respect to pre and post levels of vatta, pitta and Kapha gunas and tridosha
gunas by using Mann-Whitney U test.

Table 3 Comparison of pretest and posttest G Inventory, PANAS, PGIS, SDMT, SHS scores in test and control groups by dependent
t test.

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IAETSD JOURNAL FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH IN APPLIED SCIENCES ISSN NO: 2394-8442

Table 4 comparison of test group and control group with respect to pre and post scores of G inventory, PANAS, PGIS, SDMT and
SHS questionnaires by using independent t test.

*P<0.005

DISCUSSION
This was a randomized, waitlist controlled, prospective study, to see the efficacy of the yoga compare to waitlist control on tridoshas
and its component as well as in the improvement of self-esteem and personality development. The present study showed that there
was an improvement in gunas in the test group compared to the waitlist control group. Sudheer Deshpanday et al also showed
improvements in the trigunas, positive health and self-esteem in yoga group in comparison to a physical exercise group6. Another study
by Rajeeev Mishra et al explained in his research, mental attitude or MANAS prakrithi rest on three gunas i.e. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
He also explained that mind is a miniature of the entire universe and trigunas i.e. Vatta, Pitta, Kapha are the main base for the prime
matter i.e. Prakrithi which determine the body type of an individual regulates the person's character, conviction & perception7. The
present study also showed significant improvements in the tridoshas in the test group compare to the waitlist control group as yoga
improves trigunas and balances satva, rajas and tamas leading to improvement of health and happiness6. The control group also got
significant improvement in the tridoshas probably because of explanation on this study leading to awareness of their health but no
improvement in the gunas in the control group.

In this present study there is significant improvement in the positive effects and positive ratio in the test group compared to waitlist
control group. This result is similar to the study conducted by Lakshmi Narasimhan et al where he explained that integrated yoga
reduces the negative effect and increases the positive effect without any harmful effect in normal individual within a week due to the
stress reducing effect of yoga8. Significant improvement of PGI memory scale (PGIS) was noticed in the pre and post in test group as
compared to control group in this present study. The similar result found by Ram Kalap Tiwari, 2015 concluded that yoga practices
enhance the memory, concentration and attention among exam going students because of reduction in stress level 9. In a study done by
Bahram Sangelaji et al show significant increase in the SDMT scores among Multiple sclerosis patients by improving the concentration,
working memory and information processing rate10. Present study reveals the same result improvement in the SDMT scores in test
group compared to control group.

Previously no studies conducted on yoga on Scores of SHS (Subjective Happiness Score). An improvement in the Scores of SHS in
test group compared to the control group may be due to improvement of gunas, Tridosha, positive effect, memory, concentration,
working memory and information processing rate due to reduction in stress level. The improvement noticed in the control group in
Positive effect of PANAS, scores of SDMT and Scores of SHS due to the explanation about this study so they may be aware of their
health. There is no improvement in the score of PGI memory scale in control group.

CONCLUSION
Yoga balances the doshas and helps in the improvement in the gunas which brings happiness, positivity and built the memory of an
individual.

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IAETSD JOURNAL FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH IN APPLIED SCIENCES ISSN NO: 2394-8442

REFERENCES

1. Swami satyananda saraswathi, Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, 2002, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India
2. Kalpana Srivastava, Concept of personality: Indian perspective, Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 2012:Vol 21:Issue 2.
3. Mukta Rani Rastogi and Soni Kewalramani, Emotional Intelligence and Tirguna, , Publish by Global Vision Publishing House.
4. Abhedananda Swami, True Psychology (our relation to the absolute), 1954, Abhedenanda memorial series 2; Ramakrishna Vedanta Math,
Calcutta.
5. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/23551/8/08_chapter_02.pdf
6. Sudheer Deshpande, H R Nagendra, and Raghuram Nagarathna. A randomized control trial of the effect of yoga on Gunas (personality) and Self
esteem in normal healthy volunteers, International Journal of Yoga. 2009: 2(1): 1321.
7. Rajeev Mishra, Suchi Dubey Mishra, Subodh Dubey. CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF PERSONALITIES BASED ON TRIGUNAS
(Trividh Manas Prakriti). Pharmacia: An International Journal of Pharmacology Science. 2016, 2(3): 131-135.
8. Lakshmi Narasimhan, R Nagarathna, and HR Nagendra. Effect of integrated yogic practices on positive and negative emotions in healthy adults.
Intrnational Journal of Yoga. 2011: 4(1): 1319.
9. Dr. Ram Kalap Tiwari. Benefits of Yoga Practices on High school students memory and concentration in relation to Examination stress.
International Journal of Yoga and Allied Sciences. 2015: 4(2); 77-81.
10. Bahram Sangelaji. The effect of exercise therapy on cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis patients: A pilot study. Medical Journal of Islam
Repubic of Iran. 2015; 29: 205.

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