Influence of Yoga on Mental Health among University Students

Description

Page: 291-297

Singini Sai Jashwanth and Mamata Mahapatra (Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh)

The present study explores the influence of yoga on mental health and emotional well-being among university students aged 18-25 years in urban India. Amid growing concerns over youth mental health globally, this qualitative inquiry adopts an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to understand the lived experiences of student yoga practitioners. Twelve participants with a minimum of three months of regular yoga practice were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Nine key themes emerged, including emotional regulation, increased self-awareness, better sleep, improved interpersonal relationships, enhanced self-confidence, spiritual connectedness, academic focus, physical fitness, and emotional release. The findings suggest that yoga offers holistic benefits by addressing both psychological and physical aspects of well-being. The integration of yogic practices in campus wellness programs, psychotherapy, and public mental health interventions is recommended. This study reinforces existing literature while highlighting the need for longitudinal and comparative research to further establish yoga’s efficacy as a complementary mental health strategy for young adults.