Effects Of A 13-week Yoga Class On University Student's Flexibility, Body Image, And Life Satisfaction

PURPOSE: Yoga has been practiced as a low to moderate intensity physical activity in recent years and evidence suggests that yoga practices can bring beneficial effects on physical and mental health. The present study examined whether a 13-week yoga practice of postures, breathing, and relaxation techniques can improve the flexibility, body image and life satisfaction of college aged students. METHODS: A sample of 80 students was recruited from university to participate in a 13-week yoga class. A pre-post test design was used for this study. Measurement on the physical aspects included the flexibility test and whereas the mental aspects included body image questionnaire (Body Appreciation Scale-2) and life satisfaction questionnaire (The Satisfaction with Life Scale). Data were analyzed at the significance level of p < .05 for one group pre- and post-test of two data sets. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney showed significance at the p < .01 for the sit and reach flexibility test and significance at the p < .05 for the body image and life satisfaction questionnaire. Eighty students (19 ± 3 years; 1.58 ± 0.2 m; 48 ± 8.4 kg;) reported improved flexibility (ranged from 3% to 8%) , increased body appreciation (mean value from 3.9 to 4.3) and increased life satisfaction (mean value from 3.9 to 4.3) after the 13-weeks class. The majority students desired to participate in more yoga classes in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a 13-week yoga class showed improvements of flexibility, increasing positive body image and enhancing life satisfaction who are novice yoga practitioners. Since the participants in this study were all girls and future study can examine the gender difference on the topic.