Effect of Nadanusandana Versus Normal Breath Awareness on Stress and Cognitive Function in Students - A Comparative Study

Stress is a state of disharmony or threatened homeostasis, living beings survive by maintaining a complex dynamic and harmonious equilibrium, or homeostasis that is constantly challenged or threatened by intrinsic or extrinsic disturbing forces which can be called as stressors and the steady state required for good adaption over them is maintained by mental reactions that attempt to counteract in order to re-establish homeostasis. Based on viability and duration of stressor, stress is classified in to acute stress which is termed as body’s immediate reaction to stressor, episodic stress where acute stress is seen frequently and chronic stress which is caused by unresolved and long lasting stressors. About 41 million (71%) of the 55 million deaths that occurred globally were related to NCDs and stress is known to be major contributing factor for it.  Hatha Yoga, which has its roots in ancient India, is a holistic approach to body, mind, and soul purification. This study examines the effect of yoga on stress reduction and improved cognitive functions.