English

Abstract

The present study was conducted with two main objectives. First it aims to experiment whether the ancient system of yoga can bring about change in the quality of life of its practitioners. The second objective was to study the cumulative impact of yoga practice on Quality of Life. The study was conducted on four independent groups of yoga practitioners that varied in their length of experience in yoga practice. The first group comprised of 76 subjects (49 male and 27 female) with a mean age of 39 years (SD=9.8). All the participants in this group are novice practitioners. They have participated in the study immediately after their admission into yoga class. The second group comprised of 23 subjects (14 male and 9 female) with a mean age of 34.2 years (SD= 11.07). Their length of experience in yoga practice is 3 months. The third group comprised of 18 subjects (11male and 7 female) with a mean age of 33.83 years (SD=9.33). Their length of experience in yoga practice is six months. The fourth group comprised of 17 subjects (11 male and 6 female) with a mean age of 32.8 years (SD=9.5). Their length experience is 12 months. All the four independent groups were administered a questionnaire on Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). The results on QOL gave scores on total quality of life and separate scores on Domain 1 (dealing with physical health) Domain 2 (dealing with psychological aspects), Domain 3 (dealing with social relationships) and Domain 4 (dealing with environmental aspects). The obtained data was statistically analyzed. The results revealed that novice yoga practitioners and short-term yoga practitioners who have three months and six months experience in yoga practice did not differ significantly on any of the quality of life scores. However, there is statistically significant difference between novice yoga practitioners and twelve months experience group. These two groups differed on the total quality of life score (p <0.01), and also on all the four domains of quality of life (Domain1 p<0.01, Domain2 p<0.01, Domain3 P<0.01and Domain4 p<0.01). Statistical analysis revealed that three months experience group and twelve months experience group also differed significantly on their total quality of life scores (p<0.05) and all the domains of quality of life (Domain1 p<0.01, Domain2 p<0.01, Domain3 P<0.01and Domain4 p<0.05). From the results obtained in the present study it appears that yoga practice has cumulative impact on Quality of Life. Long-term yoga practice improves quality of life in its practitioners. People who practice yoga for longer duration have a better quality of life than novice practitioners and short-term yoga practitioners as measured by WHO Quality of Life – BREF Questionnaire.