Effect of Yoga (Pranayam) on Stress among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim to find out the effect of yoga (Pranayam) on stress among undergraduate students, C.M.P. Degree College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj. Sheldon Cohen (1994) Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure perceived stress. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It is a measure of the degree to which situations in one’s life are appraised as stressful. The demographic variables comprised 3 items such as age, gender and class of participants. The study was conducted on a sample of 9 participants, 6 were male and 3 were female undergraduate student. The data have been collected among undergraduate student, C.M.P. Degree College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj and analyzed by using SPSS 16 software. Results showed that out of total 9 participants, 8 participants perceived stress score was decrease after Pranayam training. Results also showed that there were significant differences in perceived stress score before and after Pranayama training (t=2.64; p<.05). The participants mean score of perceived stress score by before and after Pranayam was 23.44 and 19.88 respectively. It was also observed that perceived stress score was decrease after Pranayam training. In Conclusion, Yoga (Pranayam) helps to reduce stress among undergraduate students.