A Study of Yogic Practices on Mental Health of Prospective Teachers
Keywords:
Emotional Resilience, Mental Health, Teacher Education, Yoga, Yogic PracticeAbstract
Background: The teaching profession demands high emotional and psychological resilience, making mental health a critical concern for prospective teachers. This study examines the effects of Yogic practices on mental health among future educators. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a structured Yoga intervention on the mental health of prospective teachers. Intervention: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 60 participants from the Government College of Education in Chandigarh, randomly divided into an intervention group (30) practicing structured Yoga for nine weeks and a control group (30) receiving no intervention. Results: Mental health was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI). Results indicated a significant improvement in the mental health scores of the experimental group, with mean scores rising from 143.73 to 151.30. In contrast, the control group demonstrated minimal change, with scores shifting from 144.80 to 145.45. Descriptive statistics revealed increased variability in the experimental group’s scores, indicating a diverse range of responses to the intervention. Discussion: These findings support the hypothesis that Yogic practice can significantly enhance mental health among prospective teachers. The diverse responses highlight the potential benefits of tailored Yoga programs for emotional well-being. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of integrating Yogic practices into teacher education programs to foster emotional resilience. Future research should explore the long-term benefits and scalability of such interventions in diverse educational settings
Downloads
References
1. World Health Organization. Mental Health: Strengthening Our Response. WHO Fact Sheet; 2018. Available from: https://www. who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening our-response [Last accessed on 2024 Aug 12].
2. Friedman IA. Burnout in teaching: Shattered dreams of impeccable professional performance. J Clin Psychol 2013;69:252-9. 3. Streeter CC, Gerbarg PL, Saper RB, Ciraulo DA, Brown RP. Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Med Hypotheses 2012;78:571-9.
4. Khalsa SB, editor. Yoga in education: Principles and practices. In: Principles and Practice of Yoga in Education. India: Yoga Education Publications; 2013. p. 45-67.
5. Telles S, Singh N, Balkrishna A. Managing mental health disorders resulting from trauma through Yoga: A review. Depress Res Treat 2014;2014:740781.
6. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part I-Neurophysiologic model. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11:189-201.
7. Jagdish, Srivastava AK. Mental Health Inventory (MHI). Agra: National Psychological Corporation; 1992.
8. Smith MT, Haythornthwaite JA, McQuaid JR. Non-pharmacological interventions for pain and stress management. Pain Manag Nurs 2019;20:486-501.
9. Sharma M, Gupta R. The role of Yoga in stress management: A review of the literature. Int J Yoga 2021;14:1-7.
10. Khalsa SB, Cohen L, McCall T, McLean S. The effects of a Yoga
10 Samita and Sharma: Yogic Practices on Mental Health 2024; 7(10):6-12
intervention on the mental health and well-being of healthcare professionals: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2020;53:102546.
11. Khalsa SB. Yoga for psychiatry and mental health: An ancient practice with modern relevance. Indian J Psychiatry 2013;55:S334-6.
12. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EM, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and
well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med 2014;174:357-68.