Yoga and emotional intelligence

Pages: 1868-1872
Mamman C. Joseph (Department of Applied Psychology Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu)
Sreenivas P. Kammath and M.P. Fincy (Department of Psychology, Central university of Karnataka Kalaburagi, Karnataka)

Meaning of yoga is to achieve a balance within the internal and external environment, thereby seeking to attain mental, spiritual and physical well-being. It enhances mental health and subjective well-being or happiness. In this context, Yoga and Emotional Intelligence were investigated in the present study. The present study was conducted among 1200 participants selected through convenience sampling and out of which 600 were yoga practitioners and 600 were never practiced yoga. The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test and a semi-structured interview schedule were used to collect data. Spearman’s rank order correlation, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to analyse the data. The findings show that yoga practitioners and non-practitioners of yoga are significantly differs in Emotional Intelligence. Yoga practitioners are found to have a much better emotional intelligence level than the non-practitioners, irrespective of the duration and frequency of yoga practice.