Sadakath: A Research Bulletin

Observing Aggression of Adolescent: Om Meditation Followed by Surya

Namaskara as a Nostrum
Manoranjan Tripathy1
Abstract
Background: The aim of the present study is to observe the effect of Om Meditation
followed by Surya Namaskara practices on the aggression level in adolescents.
Aggression in adolescence is a key point of focus for psychologists, educationists,
parents, and teachers. On the other hand, interdisciplinary researches with special
reference to yoga and psychology are growing rapidly in this era of applied science.
Despite rapidly growing scientific literature on yoga and its application, there has
been no study conducted to determine whether Om Meditation followed by Surya
Namaskara practices affects the aggression level in adolescents. The paper explores
the effects of Om Meditation followed by Surya Namaskara controlling the
aggression level in adolescents. A sample consisting of 30 students from Gayatri
Vidyapeeth, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, respectively, was taken. The entire sample
belonged to the age group of 15- 17 years. Om Meditation followed by Surya
Namaskara practice was given to each and every subject of the group for a period of
45 days regularly. In this research, pre-post single-group design has been applied.
Participants were given a questionnaire named as "aggression scale" (A-scale) which
was developed by Pal and Naqvi (1983) for measurement of aggression score. Paired
sample t-test and eta-squared statistics have been used for comparing pre- and post-
mean scores and computing the magnitude of the effect of intervention, respectively.
There was a statistically significant decrease in the aggression score from pre-test (M
= 62.00, SD = 22.87) to post-test (M = 56.13, SD = 12.72), t (29) = 1.3291. The two-
tailed P value equals 0.1942. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to
be not statistically significant. The mean decrease in aggression score was 6.47 with
a 99% confidence interval. The findings revealed that the practice of Om Meditation
followed by Surya Namaskara is highly effective in reducing the aggression level in
adolescents, which was significant at 0.01 level of significance.
Keywords: Adolescents, Aggression, Om Meditation and Surya Namaskara
Introduction
This research work has attempted to observe how Surya Namaskara followed by Om
Meditation reduces the aggression level of the participants and to highlight the holistic
approach of yoga practices to reduce aggression. Aggression is any action or series of actions
in which the direct purpose is to cause to harm or damage. Aggression is nearly always

1 Research Scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar,

Uttarakhand, India – 249 411.
Sadakath: A Research Bulletin
Observing Aggression of Adolescent: Om Meditation Followed by Surya Namaskara as a
Nostrum 49
classed as antisocial behaviour caused by poor environmental conditions. Here are instances
when aggression has positive consequences, for example, when it may be used to bring about
positive social change in life. The major explanations of aggressive behaviour are biological.
For example, aggression may be a product of overcrowding and a need to establish a
territory. Recent research has established the possible role of the neurotransmitter serotonin
in aggressive behaviours of chimpanzees with a suggestion that same role may be observed
in humans. Psychological Theories like the frustration- aggression theory see as an as
inevitable consequence of blocked or frustrated goal. A typical example would be the driver
who gets stuck in traffic and takes it out on other road users, so called road rage. Social
theories recognize the importance of imitation in the acquisition of aggressive behaviour.
Children pick up their aggression through watching the aggression of others whom we
rewarded or not punished in some way.
The term "aggression" is a mode of frustration (Chauhan & Tiwari, 1971). Frustration is
the motivational and emotional state which results from persistent blockage of goal-directed
behaviour. It can lead to maladaptive behaviour (Pal & Naqvi, 1983).
The very famous hypothesis of "Frustration leads to Aggression" was formerly
advanced by Dollard & Miller (1950), and they defined aggressive behaviour as a logical and
expected consequence of frustration. At present, most of the mental deviations such as
frustration, aggression, inferiority, and insecurity have increased in adolescent and adulthood
stages. Clinical studies carried out by Masteron, Tucker & Berk (1963) have brought to light
the disturbing fact that in the normal adolescent population, the mentally ill and the doubtful
cases outnumber the mentally healthy adolescents.
Interdisciplinary researches (Yoga and Psychology) suggest that regular practice of
yoga promotes strength, endurance, and flexibility, cultivates a sense of calmness and well-
being (Mehta, Mehta, & Mehta, 1995), and reduces the psychological stress significantly
(Bhogal, 1997; Kocher, 1973; Kocher & Pratap, 1971).
Sharma (2012) reported in her scientific research that Kapālabhātiprān̟ ā yā ma reduces
the mental aberrations like anger, frustration, self-ego attachment, and aggression. She
studied the impact of different yogic practices like Kapālabhāti, Anuloma-viloma, and Om-
chanting in adolescents. She selected 100 school students for the experiment and employed
analysis of variance (ANOVA) in the order of 2 × 2 × 2 with repeated measure, and she
concluded that Kapālabhāti with positive visualization is highly beneficial to the individual in
overcoming the psychological problems.
Aggression is defined as "a sequence of behaviour, the goal response of which is the
injury to the person toward whom it is directed" (Dollard, Doob, Miller, Mowrer, & Sears,
1939). In psychology, the term aggression refers to a range of behaviours that can result in
both physical and psychological harm to oneself, others, or objects in the environment. The
expression of aggression can occur in a number of ways, including verbally, mentally, and
physically (Berkowitz, 1993).

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50 Manoranjan Tripathy
Biological and psychological theories, with their emphasis on biological inevitability or
psychological abnormality, may marginalize aggressive behaviour. Social psychological
theories, on the other hand, are far optimistic about the control and reduction of aggressive
behaviour. For young children to overcome their aggressive behaviour problem, they need
positive, pleasant, and nourishing environment. Recently, a new term "Helicopter Parenting"
has emerged for those parents who keep a watch on their children all the time, and research
suggests that this type of parenting style is not good for consistent and healthy child
development. It leads to aggressive behaviour because of frustration at childhood stage or
during adolescence. So, it is the responsibility of parents and teachers to create positive
surroundings and tackle their children intellectually and carefully. Kumar & Telles (2009)
studied in 35 male experienced mediators with experience ranging from 6 to 12 months
Performance in a six-letter cancellation task. Each participant was studied in four sessions,
two Meditation and two Control sessions. The Control sessions were (i) Cancalata or non
targeted thinking and (ii) Ekagrata or focusing on a single topic, in this case, meditation. The
Meditation sessions were (i) Dharana or focusing on the symbol "OM" and (ii) Dhyana or an
effortless single-thought (of OM) state. Ekagrata and dharana differ in that the former
involves focusing with multiple thoughts whereas the latter involves focusing with a single
thought, i.e., the significance of OM. The net scores on the six-letter cancellation task were
significantly higher after a session of Dharana and lower after the Cancalata session, while
there was no significant change after Ekagrata and Dhyana sessions. Focusing on the symbol
OM in Dharana may favourably influence selective attention, concentration, visual scanning
abilities, and a repetitive motor response compared to other sessions. Kumar et al. (2010)
explored the significance of the syllable OM from ancient texts and the effects of OM
meditation in contemporary science. The descriptions of Om have been taken from four
Upanisads (Mundaka, Mandukya, Svetasvatara, and Katha), the Bhagvad Gita, and Patanjali's
Yoga Sutras. Autonomic and respiratory studies suggest that there is a combination of mental
alertness with physiological rest during the practice of Ommeditation. Evoked potentials
studies suggest a decrease in sensory transmission time at the level of the auditory
association cortices, along with recruitment of more neurons at mesencephalic-diencephalic
levels. It is considered that a person, who realizes Om, merges with the Absolute. Scientific
studies on Om suggest that the mental repetition of Om results in physiological alertness and
increased sensitivity to sensory transmission. Telles & Bhat (2011) studied Meditation is
currently considered to be associated with increased awareness. In ancient yoga texts, two
separate meditative states have been described. These are meditative focusing (dharana) and
a state of mental expansiveness (dhyana). Two more mental states are described in another
yoga text. These are random thinking (cancalata) and focusing while not in meditation
(ekagrata). The physiological effects of these states have been assessed using autonomic
variables, evoked potentials, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and performance in a
cancellation task. The findings suggest that dhyana is associated with reduced sympathetic
activity and increased vagal tone, whereas dharana does indeed improve performance in an
attention task. Hence, correlating findings from ancient texts with contemporary science can
be useful. Kumar & Tiwary (2014) studied to observe the effect of Yogic intervention over
academic anxiety level among college going students. A pre- post research study was
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Observing Aggression of Adolescent: Om Meditation Followed by Surya Namaskara as a
Nostrum 51
conducted at a inter college of a developing town of Uttarakhand. Thirty students were
selected through random sampling for the Yogic intervention and were exposed to yogic
practice daily for half an hour for 45 days. The statistical results showed a significant
reduction in the academic anxiety level of the subjects. Academic anxiety is one of the major
problems with the young generation facing now-a-days. Yogic intervention was found to
reduce the academic anxiety level of the subjects. Sharma & Sahare (2014) experimented on
40 intermediate and undergraduate students. The entire sample belonged to the age group of
15-20 years. Kapālabhāti practice was given to each and every subject of the group for a
period of 30 days regularly. In this research, pre-post single-group design has been applied.
Paired sample t-test and eta-squared statistics have been used for comparing pre- and post-
mean scores and computing the magnitude of the effect of intervention, respectively. The
mean decrease in aggression score was 13.9 with a 99% confidence interval. The findings
revealed that the practice of Kapālabhāti is highly effective in reducing the aggression level in
participants. Tripathy & Sharma (2017) aimed at determining the aggression of adolescents
in relation to their academic achievement. The sample consisted of 100 adolescents from
Western part of Odisha. The study revealed that negative correlation between academic
achievement and aggression of school students. Academic achievement of boys and girls were
found to have negative correlation with aggression. The average and low aggressive
secondary school students were found to be significant in their academic achievement. The
high and average aggressive secondary school students were found to be not significant in
their academic achievement. The high and low aggressive secondary school students were
found to be significant in their academic achievement. Tripathy (2017) investigated the effect
of Chandra Namaskrar on the aggression level of adolescents. A sample consisting of 40
intermediate and undergraduate students from Gayatri Vidyapeeth and Dev Sanskriti
Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, respectively, was taken. The entire sample
belonged to the age group of 15-20 years. Chandra Namaskrar practice was given to each and
every subject of the group for a period of 30 days regularly. In this research, pre-post single-
group design has been applied. There was a statistically significant decrease in the
aggression. The findings revealed that the practice of Chandra Namaskrar is highly effective
in reducing the aggression level in participants. Tripathy (2018)was to compare aggression
and self confidence level between the students of Computer Science, Journalism & Mass
Communication and Tour & Travel Management of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar.
The subjects for this study were randomly selected. A total of 90 students (30 from Computer
Science, 30 from Journalism & Mass Communication and 30 from Tour & Travel
Management) were selected as a subject for this study. The results indicate that the
significant difference was found among different disciplines of University male students in
relation to self-confidence. On the basis of the findings it was concluded that the mean score
of aggression of Computer Science students is more than the Journalism & Mass
Communication and Tour & Travel Management students and the mean score of self-
confidence of Journalism & Mass Communication students is more than the Computer Science
and Tour & Travel Management students. Tripathy (2018) observed the effect of practicing
Pragya Yog with chanting Gayatri Mantra on the aggression level of male adolescents. For this
Sadakath: A Research Bulletin
52 Manoranjan Tripathy
study 30 subjects (college boys) were randomly selected from Bhawanipatna Central School,
Kalahandi, (Odisha) by using simple random sampling without replacement. To collect the
data before intervention and after giving intervention of one month. Results indicated that
the Pragya Yog with chanting of Gayatri Mantra significantly decrease the aggression level of
the participants. Tripathy (2018)was to observe the effect of Chandra Namaskaraand Om
Meditation on the aggression level of male adolescents. For this study 45 subjects (college
boys) were randomly selected from Bhawanipatna Government College, Bhawanipatna,
Kalahandi (Odisha) by using simple random sampling without replacement. Results indicated
that the Chandra Namaskara and Om Meditation significantly decrease the aggression level of
the participants.
The present research was designed to study the effect of Suryanamskara and Om
Meditation practice on controlling aggression in adolescents. In this scientific study, an
attempt was made to reduce or manage the aggression level with the help of Surya
Namaskara and Om Meditation. Many researchers have shown the positive effect of yogic
practices on physical and mental well-being. But researches directly related to
Suryanamskara, Om Meditation and aggression are not found or have not been attempted in
the scientific world, or perhaps did not catch the attention of the researchers.
Methods
Hypothesis: Om Meditation followed by Surya Namaskara have significant effects on the
aggression level among adolescents."
Design of the study: In order to study the impact of intervention on aggression, "single-
group pre-post design" was applied. Pre and post-test measurements on aggression were
correspondingly conducted before and after the intervention. The above-mentioned design is
symbolized as A Q1 X Q2, where A means the experimental group, Q1 represents pre-test, X
means the intervention program (Surya Namaskara and Om Meditation practice for 45 days),
and Q2 represents post-test.
Participants: In the present study, the researcher used simple random sampling method to
select participants from the population. A total of 30 intermediate and undergraduate
students from Gayatri Vidyapeeth, Haridwar, Uttarakhand participated. The age ranged
between 14 and 17 years.
Research Tool: In this research work, the researcher has used the aggression scale
questionnaire for measuring the aggression level, which was developed by Pal & Naqvi
(1983).
Procedure: First, by using the aggression scale questionnaire, the aggression level of each
subject was measured, and the group average was found to be 62.60. Post-test measurements
of aggression level for the same subject were taken after following the practice Om
Meditation followed by Surya Namaskara was given as intervention to the subjects for 30
days and scale was administered among them avoiding time bar for its completion, but in
direct observation.

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Observing Aggression of Adolescent: Om Meditation Followed by Surya Namaskara as a
Nostrum 53
Results: A single-group paired sample t-test was conducted to evaluate the impact of
intervention on students' scores on the aggression scale. [Table 2] and [Graph 1 [Additional
file 1] ] shows that there was a statistically significant decrease in the aggression score from
pre-test (M = 62.00, SD = 22.87) to post-test (M = 56.13, SD = 12.72), t (29) = 1.3291, The
two-tailed P value equals 0.1942 By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be
not statistically significant. The mean decrease in aggression score was 6.47 with a 99%
confidence interval.
Table

Test N M SD SEM Mean Diff. SED t-Value

Pre-test 30 62.60 22.87 4.17

6.47 4.865 1.3291
Post-test 30 56.13 12.72 2.32

df=29

Discussion and Interpretation: It is observed from the results that Om Meditation followed
by Surya Namaskara practices have reduced the aggression level in adolescents.
When the categories in [Table 1] are compared with the obtained results in [Table 2],
the researcher finds that all the participants lie in the 'Average' category on aggression before
intervention (M1 = 62.60) and the levels of aggression of all the participants were decreased
after completion of intervention course as they lie in the 'Low' category (M2 = 56.13).
In the present research, Om Meditation followed by Surya Namaskara were applied
with a positive visualization like feeling of throwing out all the negative and injurious
elements along with the air exhaled, and as a result, subjects reported that it was much more
useful than what they expected.
Thus, researchers have come to know that reduced aggression of respondents met at
the post test is not due to sampling fluctuation or chance factor but is due to the practice of
Om Meditation followed by Surya Namaskara.
Limitation of the study
In this study, single-group pre-post design was applied. Lack of control group is the
limitation of this research. The findings of the current study may have limited generalizbility
as the population of the current sample was limited to one institution.
Summation
The present study shows that there is a significant positive effect of Om Meditation
followed by Surya Namaskara practice in reducing aggression. The practice of Om Meditation
followed by Surya Namaskara significantly decrease the aggression levels of adolescent
students and relieve them from tension, stress and anxiety.

Sadakath: A Research Bulletin

54 Manoranjan Tripathy
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