Summary:

Stress among college students has become a major health concern, particularly due to academic pressures and the competitive environment. Stress levels among Indian students are reported to range from 30-60%, often manifesting as sleeplessness, anxiety, and somatic symptoms during high-intensity study periods. Ayurveda links stress to various health issues, such as immune system depletion, and describes it as "Sahasa," with different stressors contributing to health problems. Surya Namaskar, a traditional yogic practice involving physical postures and mantras, has been shown to reduce stress and improve cardiovascular health. However, the comparative effectiveness of Surya Namaskar with and without mantras has not been fully explored, particularly from an Ayurvedic perspective.

Ayurveda suggests that different Prakruti (body constitution) types, based on dosha predominance, experience stress differently, with Vata and Pitta types being more prone to stress. This study aims to compare the effects of Surya Namaskar with and without mantras on stress levels in college students, considering their unique Prakruti types.

The study is an open-labeled, randomized controlled trial with 60 college students, aged 18-25, categorized based on their stress levels. Thirty students will practice Surya Namaskar with mantras, while the other thirty will perform the physical postures without mantras. The effectiveness of these practices will be evaluated using stress assessment tools, and the study will be conducted over a period of 3 months. The study aims to determine whether Surya Namaskar with mantras has a greater impact on stress reduction compared to the physical sequence alone, considering individual Prakruti types.

The hypothesis is that there will be a significant difference in the efficacy of Surya Namaskar with and without mantras in alleviating stress. The study will provide insights into personalized stress management approaches based on Ayurvedic principles.