Scientific Research

Scientific Research Department

The laboratories in the department are equipped with modern scientific instruments to carry out fundamental and applied research work in Yoga.

The Five Wings of the Department:

Research: Undertakes projects of scientific research in yoga in order to establish the relation between yoga and modern scientific disciplines, as well as, understand the underlying scientific mechanisms of yoga.
Awareness: Undertakes activities, events, and publications that foster awareness in common people about yoga and health.
Training: Undertakes training activities for community and faculty development, as well as, teaching and mentoring of institutional course students.
Service: Renders income-generating and non-paid services of bio-chemical, physiological and psychological investigations to institutional and external clients, as well as, provides the infrastructure for conducting scientific research.
Information: Undertakes activities and events that impart information to common people about scientific research in yoga conducted by the department.

Objectives

To investigate various yoga practices on modern scientific lines by using modern sophisticated equipment and techniques employed in Physiology, Bio-chemistry, Psychology, Physical Education, and allied disciplines like Ayurveda.
To develop methods to standardize the technique of various yogic practices on the basis of scientific investigation.
To critically review the literature on yoga in order understand yogic concepts available in related texts for facilitating scientific investigation on yoga.
To collect the published scientific work on yoga done in the department and elsewhere, and to prepare monograms, abstracts and bibliographies on selected yogic practices.
To project and disseminate the scientific information on yoga through publication, participation in conferences and also by organizing seminars and workshops.
To implement research findings and suggestions for updating the theoretical and the practical training aspects in yoga, imparted at G.S. College of Yoga and Cultural Synthesis as well as in the yoga programs organized by Kaivalyadhama, in the light of the scientific researches in yoga.
To collaborate and co-ordinate with the Philosophico-Literary Research Department and the Yogic Hospital of our institute, as well as, with other research institutions and agencies to facilitate generation and promotion of the scientific information relating to yogic practices.

Research Staff

Prof. R. S. Bhogal
Head

Dr. Praseeda Menon
Research Officer (Psychology)

Dr. Gargi Naidu
Pathologist

Shri Sanjay Shete
Research Assistant (Biochemistry)

Dr. Satish Pathak
Research Consultant

Ms. Anita Verma
Research Assistant (Physiology)

Shri D. D. Kulkarni
Research Officer (Physiology)

Mrs. Pratibha Rajbhoj
Scientific Assistant

Recent Projects

Yoga and MicroNutrient Absorption
Yoga for Intellectually Disabled Children
Yoga and Inflammatory Cytokins

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External Publications

Peer-reviewed journals, books and conference souvenirs

1. Tiwari, S., Telles S., Goel, A., & Verma, A. (2015). Beliefs about yoga: A survey in Mumbai. Journal of Biological and Scientific Opinion, 3(4), 176-180. [PDF]

2. Doddoli, S., Kulkarni, D. D., Shete, S. U., & Bhogal, R. S. (2015). Effect of yoga training on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body fat metabolism in the context of body constitution (prakriti). International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, 3(1), 14-21. [PDF]

3. Rajbhoj, P. H., Shete, S. U., Verma, A., & Bhogal, R. S. (2015). Effect of yoga module on pro and anti inflammatory cytokines among industrial workers of Lonavla: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 9(2), 1-5. [HTML] [PDF]

4. Kulkarni, D. D., Bhat, R., & Bhogal, R. S. (2015). Gayatri as Iso-Red-Shift of Astrophysical Event. Ancient Science, 2(2), 20-25. [PDF]

5. Kulkarni, D. D., Doddoli, S., & Bhogal, R. S. (2015). Effect of yoga training on bio-energy dynamics with reference to bioelectrical impedance and tridosha in dominant nostril breathing types – A pilot study. International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research, 3(10), 47-58. [PDF]

6. Bhogal, R.S. & Nagarajan, Karuna (2015). Yoga Education: B.Ed Yoga Programme. New Delhi: National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). [PDF]

7. Bhogal, R.S. & Shinde,C.G.(2015). Yoga for the Middle Aged, New Delhi: Souvenir of National Yoga Week, MDNIY, 64-67.

8. Verma, Anita., Shete, S.U., Thakur, G.S., Kulkarni, D.D., & Bhogal, R.S. (2014). The effect of yoga practices on micronutrient absorption and physical fitness in rural residential school children: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 5(2), 179-184. [PDF]

9. Verma, Anita., Shete, S.U., Thakur, G.S., Kulkarni, D.D., & Bhogal, R.S. (2014). The effect of yoga practices on cognitive development in rural residential school children in India. National Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 3(3), 15-19. [PDF]

10. Kulkarni, D.D., Doddoli, S., Shete, S.U., Verma, A., & Bhogal, R. (2014). A bio-electrical model for physiological evaluation of nadi pariksha (Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis). International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 2(4), 25-31. [PDF]

11. Shepal, A.V., & Shete, S. U. (2013). Effect of yoga on bio- markers linked with development of diabetes complications in type 2 diabetes patients: a preliminary study. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 4(4), 401-404. [PDF]

12. Pant Gaurav, Bera T. K, Shete S. U. (2013). Yoga for controlling examination anxiety, depression and academic stress among students appearing for Indian board examination. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 4(8),1216-1219. [PDF]

13. Shete, S. U., Kulkarni, D. D., & Thakur, G. S., (2012). Effect of yoga practices on hs-CRP in Indian railway engine drivers of metropolis. Recent Research in Science and Technology, 4(2), 30-33. [PDF]

14. Shete, S. U., Thakur, G. S., & Kulkarni, D. D. (2012). Residential yoga and diet on lipid profile in police officers. International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 3(9), 155-158. [PDF]

15.Thakur, G. S., Kulkarni, D. D., & Pant, G. (2011). Immediate Effect of Nostril Breathing on Memory Performance. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 55(1), 89-93. [PDF]

16. Kulkarni, D. D., & Bera, T .K. (2009).Yogic exercise and health -A psycho-neuro immunological approach. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 53 (1), 3-15. [PDF]

17. Mahapure, H. H., Shete, S. U., & Bera, T. K. (2008). Effect of yogic exercise on superoxide dismutase levels in diabetics. International Journal of Yoga, 1(1), 21-26. [HTML]

Citations received by research papers of SRD staff since 2008: Thirty-four

Research Advisory Committee

Chairman:
Dr. Naresh Chandra, Principal, Birla College, Mumbai; Former Pro-VC,University of Mumbai

Members:

Dr. Smita Sharma, Anesthesiologist, Bombay Hospital
Dr. Arun Jamkar, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS)

Institutional Ethics Committee

Chairman:
Dr. B. B. Singh, IPR Attorney; Scientific Advisor & Advocate, High Court

Members:

Mrs. Renuka Kotak, Social Activist, Lonavla
Dr. Prakash Agarwal, Medical Officer, Lonavla
Shri. Subodh Tiwari, CEO, Kaivalyadhama
Shri. R. S. Bhogal, ADR, SRD

Internal Publications

1. Bhogal, R. S. (2015). Scientific Research in Yoga: Recent Trends, Pradigmatic Stalemate & Future Hopes. Lonavla: Souvenir of 8th International Conference on Yoga & Education: Principles & Practice.

2. Tiwari, S., Telles S., Goel, A., & Verma, A. (2014). Beliefs of yoga practitioners about yoga as a science: A survey in Mumbai. Yoga Mimamsa, 46, 15-19.

3. Doddoli, S., Shete, S. U., Patil, S., & Doddoli, G. (2014). Possible effects of hot yoga: An objective approach. Yoga Mimamsa, 46(1), 9-14.

4. Menon, P., Doddoli, S., Singh, S., & Bhogal, R. S. (2014). Personality correlates of mindfulness: A study in an Indian setting. Yoga Mimamsa, 46, 29-36.

5. Maheshananda, S., Bera, T. K., Gore, M. M., Bhogal, R. S., Kulkarni, D. D., Oak, J. P., Shete, S. U., & Thakur, G. S. (2012). Management of suicidal tendency through yoga amongst adolescent students. Yoga-Mimamsa, 44(3), 162-179.

6. Verma, A. (2012). Micronutrient absorption and yoga : A critical bibliographic study. Yoga-Mimamsa, 44(1), 31-40.

7. Shepal, A. V. (2012). Global prevalence of diabetes and role of yoga: Evaluative annotations. Yoga-Mimamsa, 44(1), 41-51.

8. Bhogal, R. S. (2012). Evolving a synthesis of modern and yogic interventional strategies for personality development of holistic nature. Yoga-Mimamsa, 44(1), 52-62.

9. Thakur G.S. (2012). Suicidal tendency in adolescent students of India: A survey study. Yoga-Mimamsa, 43 (4), 265-274.

10. Thakur, G. S., Shete, S. U., & Kulkarni, D. D. (2012). Effect of yoga training on hand steadiness in school students. Yoga-Mimamsa, 43(4), 297-303.

11. Thakur, G. S., Shete, S. U., & Verma, A. (2011). Short term yoga intervention on occupational stress and quality of sleep in Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers. Yoga- Mimamsa, 43(3), 205-214.

12. Kulkarni, D. D. (2011). Understanding HIP of yoga practice effects: A neuropsychological approach. Yoga-Mimamsa, 43(2), 152-164.

Prospective Publications

Shete, S.U., Verma, Anita., & Bhogal, R. S. (2016). Effect of yoga training on inflammatory cytokines and c-reactive protein in employees of small scale industries: a randomized controlled trial.
Kulkarni, D. D., Bhogal, R.S., & Verma, A. (2016). Bio-Electrical activity: A Variable in Yoga Research.
Bhogal, R.S., Thakur, G., & Shete, S. (2016). Differential impact of Shavasana and meditation on memory scores in healthy college students: A randomized control study.
Menon, P. (2016). The scope of participatory research in yoga for intellectually disabled children.
Rajbhoj, P. H., Menon, P., Kulkarni, R., & Bhogal, R. S. (2016). A randomized controlled study on the effect of yoga on the immune status and occupational stress of iron and steel industry personnel
Kulkarni, D. D., Suchitra, D. & Bhogal, R. S. (2016). An Objective Measure of Holistic Health Diagnosis: A HIP and Bioelectric Approach.
Kulkarni, D. D., Bhat, R. & Bhogal, R. S. (2016). Gayatri on Origin of Universe: A Cosmic AUM Modulation Model.
Doddoli, S., Shete, S., Kulkarni, D., & Bhogal, R. (2016). Effect of yoga training on lipid metabolism in industrial workers with reference to body constitution (prakriti).

RECOGNITIONS

Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (SIRO), the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India has accorded recognition to Kaivalyadhama, since, 1988 as an Institute of Scientific Research.
The institute has been recognized by the University of Pune, as a Research Centre from the year 1984. Looking at the research activities of the institute University of Pune has granted permanent recognition from the year 2007.
Kaivalyadhama has been approved by the Central Government for the purpose of clause (ii) of subsection (1) of section 35 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 with effect from 1.4.2008. In the category of ‘Other Institution’, partly engaged in research activities.

COLLABORATIONS

Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology, Jnana Prabodhini Bhavan, 510 Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411030.
Kridakul, Jnana Prabodhini Nigdi, Pune.
International Society for Scientific Interdisciplinary Researches in the Field of Yoga, represented by the President Prof. Predrag K. Nikic, New Belgrade, Serbia.
Centre for Yoga Therapy Education & Research (CYTER), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
SNDT University, Mumbai & Pune
GeneOmbio Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Pune
Indian Red Cross Society, Lonavala,branch
KEM Hospital, Mumbai
National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Mumbai
Dr. R.N. Cooper Hospital, Mumbai
Samwad Shaala, Lonavala
Talegaon Medical College