Physical, mental and social health of the people who practice yoga and meditation-A comparative study

Background: Yoga and meditation is a new way of life. Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word (yolk) which means to unite. Yoga is now being portrayed as a remedy for several illnesses including the physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. Material and Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional online comparative study was conducted across yoga centres and other societies in urban Bengaluru. Data was collected by convenient sampling technique from 98 study subjects who practiced yoga and meditation and 98 subjects who do not practice yoga and meditation using predesigned structured proforma by sharing online google forms via various platforms like watsapp, mail.The data analyzed using SPSS version 23.Data was expressed in frequency, percentages, mean,Standard deviation and logistic regression.Mann Whitney U test was used to compare mean difference between two study groups.Results:Out of 176 participants surveyed, majority participants were in age group of 41-60 years. Among 98 study subjects who practice yoga and meditation majority were females 48%.It was observed in present study that by using WHOQOL BREF questionnaire, regular yoga and meditation practice was associated with a positive impact on all 4 domains of HRQOL (Mann-Whitney P<.05). Conclusions:There was significant difference in means scores in all domains of WHO HRQOL among study subjects who practice yoga and meditation and study subjects who do not practice yoga and meditation.The odds of comorbidities were lower among those who practice yoga and meditation.Overall, a yoga and meditation practice was found to be an effective tool for promotingHRQOL.