Comparative Study Of Three Different Yoga Art Forms On Attitude Towards Yoga Amongst Adolescents

Abstract

Yoga is more than just physical exercises; it involves a holistic approach to harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. The study aimed to explore how different yoga practices – asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and power yoga (a more dynamic form) – might influence students' attitudes towards yoga. Lawshe method was used to establish the content validity of the three yoga protocols. The current study's total sample consisted of 116 male students (mean age, 14.28 ± 1.32). Using a random sampling technique, data was collected from students residing and studying in Delhi, NCR. For data collection, Mahesh Kumar Muchhal’s Yoga Attitude Scale (YAS– M) was used. The data was statistically treated using the Mean, SD, and ANCOVA test. The study's findings indicated that the students who practiced power yoga (M = 45.88) developed a significantly high attitude towards yoga as compared to those who practiced asana only (M = 42.30), and Pranayama only (M = 42.75) after accounting for pre-intervention yoga attitude scores. There was no significant change in the yoga attitude of the asana only and pranayama only groups. Partial eta squared value showed that 43% of the total variance in yoga attitude scores was accounted for by the three types of yoga protocols controlling for the effect of the students’ pre intervention yoga attitude scores. The researchers concluded that the type of yoga practice plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's attitude towards yoga. Power yoga, with its dynamic and intense nature, seemed to have a more profound impact on the students' attitudes compared to the more traditional practices of asanas and pranayama alone. This study highlights the importance of considering various yoga styles and their potential effects on individuals' perceptions and attitudes towards this ancient practice. It suggests that a more vigorous and engaging form of yoga, such as power yoga, may be particularly effective in fostering a positive attitude towards yoga among younger practitioners.