Regular practice of yoga and psychological well-being among adults: A comparative study

Pages: 952-957
Dimpal Bhal and C. Gnanaprakash (Department of Psychology (PG), Jain University, Bangalore, Karnataka)

The practice of various forms of yoga has many proven benefits for an individual’s physical and psychological well-being from claiming mind to ease and improves quality of life. Yoga can increase physical and psychological relaxation, balanced emotional reactivity; improve concentration, academic performance, improved self-awareness, more energy, and positive outlook in life among heterosexual adults (University of Southern Mississippi, 2007). However, little is known about the beneficial effects of regular practice of yoga on self-concept and self-esteem in an individual. This manuscript is an attempt to assess the relationship among regular practices of any form of yoga, general health and psychological aspects (self-concept & self-esteem) among male and female adults practicing and not practicing yoga as regular exercise. The sample consists of 184 adults residing in Bangalore city, India (90 practicing yoga & 94 not practicing yoga) selected through purposive sampling, aged between 22-30 years. The instruments used for the study, General health questionnaire-12 (Goldberg, 1978), Self-esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and Self-concept questionnaire (Kumar, 2005). Findings conclude that there is difference across genders with respect to perceived benefits. However, there is a difference between yoga practicing and non-yoga practicing individuals, this difference are moderate.