The Efficacy of Yoga in Enhancing Coping Mechanisms and Addressing Mental Health Challenges of Performing Artists: A Cross-sectional Study

Description

Page: 212-216

Jasmine Pradeep Gajare, Satyapriya Maharana, Mangesh Pandey, and Karuna Nagarajan (Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, S-VYASA Deemed to be University, Bengaluru,, Karnataka)

Performing artists, especially dancers, experience significant physical and psychological distress due to rigorous practice, performance anxiety, and challenging work environments, affecting their psychological well-being. Although yoga is known to enhance psychological measures in various populations, its effect on performing artists is not well-documented. This study investigates the role of yoga in improving the psychological well-being of dancers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 367 performing artists aged 18 years and older, all Indian residents with a minimum of three years of professional experience. Participants with mental disabilities were excluded. Measures of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and coping behaviour were obtained using the DASS-21, Perceived Stress Scale, and Coping Behaviour Scale. The Mann-Whitney test was used for between-group analysis. There were significant differences between the yoga and non-yoga groups in terms of stress (37.62%, p < 0.001), anxiety (31.46%, p < 0.001), depression (41.72%, p < 0.001), perceived stress (37.85%, p < 0.001), and coping behaviour (6.34%, p < 0.001). Yoga practice effectively reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhances coping strategies among performing artists, fostering resilience and optimizing performance. Incorporating yoga into their routines may substantially improve mental health and overall well-being.