INFLUENCE OF YOGA PRACTICE ON ANXIETY LEVEL OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY FEMALE SUBJECTS OF BIJAPUR (KARNATAKA)

Abstract

Background and Objective: Stress and anxiety influences physical and mental health. There is a need for simple and cost effective treatment for anxiety to alleviate the burden on the health caused by anxiety. All over the world the scientists have extensively studied about yoga and claimed that it increases longevity and has therapeutic and rehabilitative effects. This study was undertaken seeking the specific effects of yoga therapy on anxiety. This study was undertaken to determine and compare the effects of Yoga on anxiety levels of apparently healthy female subjects. Methods and Material: Study conducted on 50 healthy females aged 20-50 years. Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) Scale was used to evaluate anxiety levels before and at the end of the yoga camp. Results: Before yoga subjects having mild moderate and severe anxiety were 12.12%, 24.24% and 63.63% respectively. After yoga training subjects having mild, moderate and severe anxiety were 24.24%, 33.33% and 42.42% respectively. There was highly significant (p=0.001) difference in the mean values of total score before (32.0+ 6.10) and after (28.54+ 6.0) yoga. These results indicate that there was a reduction in the severity of anxiety from severe to moderate and mild indicating improvement in general well being following yoga. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, one may conclude that regular yogic practices and adapting and implementing the principals and philosophy of yoga in day to day life reduces the anxiety level and improve the subjective feeling of well being.