Published Paper Details:

The current study focuses on assessing the influence of a 12-week Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) practice on cognitive flexibility and decision-making abilities in adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years. Surya Namaskar, a classical yogic technique integrating physical movement, breath control, and mindfulness, is believed to contribute positively to cognitive and emotional functioning. For this purpose, sixty school-going teenagers were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group engaged in daily Surya Namaskar practice for 30 minutes, while the control group continued their routine without any yoga intervention. Standardized psychological tools were used to evaluate the participants' cognitive flexibility and decision-making both before and after the intervention. The outcomes revealed a statistically significant improvement in both measured cognitive areas among students who practiced Surya Namaskar. These findings suggest that integrating Surya Namaskar into adolescents' daily routines may enhance their mental adaptability and judgment skills, contributing to overall cognitive development and better academic and social decision-making.