Effect of yoga on memory under academic examination stress

The present study is an attempt to determine whether yoga has an effect on memory under academic examination stress. The sample comprises of 122 Class X students between 14 and 17 years of age, who were randomized into two groups. One group practiced yoga for one hour per day, five days a week, while control group carried on with their usual routine. Memory was assessed by means of standard spatial and verbal memory tests twice during the study-the first, at the time of enrolment (baseline levels when no examination stress was there) and the second, 12 weeks later on the day of examination (examination stress). The results show that the verbal memory scores and spatial memory scores are significantly higher in the yoga group than in the control group. The results suggest that yoga improves memory under academic examination stress.