Short-Term Influence of Surya Namaskar on Trunk Musculature Flexibility in School-Going Children

Yoga, a holistic approach to enhancing physical and mental health, includes physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation, promoting a balance between body and mind. Surya Namaskar, a classical yogic sequence, is known for its benefits such as improved flexibility, strength, and mental focus. For school-going children, it is thought that regular practice of Surya Namaskar helps in improving posture, which is essential for long hours of sitting during school activities, improves attention, and reduces stress, which can help them to manage with improved concentration and develop better self-awareness. Over time, Surya Namaskar's practice has been found to support injury prevention, muscle relaxation, and overall wellness.

A total of 100 students in the sixth and eighth grades participated in this study. The modified-modified Schober test was used to assess trunk muscle flexibility before and after Surya Namaskar practice. The children were instructed to do a warm-up, followed by 10 slow Surya Namaskars with a 10-second hold for each asana, and finished with a cool-down session.

Out of the 100 participants, 36 (36%) were male and 64 (64%) were female. Thirty-three (33%) students were from the sixth grade, 35 (35%) from the seventh grade, and 32 (32%) from the eighth grade. The results from both tests showed improvement in post-values when compared to pre-values, demonstrating a positive effect of the intervention. Additionally, pre-post comparisons showed statistical significance for gender, standard, and BMI, with p < 0.05.

The findings of this study suggest that practicing Surya Namaskar has significant positive effects on promoting better posture and alignment of the whole body, improving flexibility in lumbar muscles, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Including Surya Namaskar in children's daily routines can help maintain their overall physical and mental well-being.