A Study on the Effect of Yoga Practice on Women's Physical Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Women's health is influenced by a combination of physical, psychological, hormonal, and lifestyle-related factors, particularly during the age group of 35–45 years. Increasing occupational responsibilities, family commitments, sedentary lifestyles, and stress often contribute to reduced physical fitness, obesity, hormonal imbalance, fatigue, and decreased overall well-being. In recent years, yoga has gained considerable recognition as a holistic health intervention that combines physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation to improve both physical and mental health. The present study aimed to examine the effect of regular yoga practice on the physical health and overall well-being of women through a structured yoga intervention programme. The study employed an experimental pre-test and post-test research design involving 15 women aged 35–45 years, selected using the simple random sampling technique. A structured yoga programme consisting of selected yogic practices was administered regularly for a period of 30 days. Data were collected before and after the intervention using a researcher-developed questionnaire and selected physical health indicators, including flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, haemoglobin level, and perceived well-being. The collected data were analyzed using the paired sample t-test to determine the significance of differences between the pre-test and post-test scores. The findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in the physical health and overall well-being of the participants following the yoga intervention. The results indicate that regular yoga practice enhances physical fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance, emotional stability, stress management, and general health status among women. The study concludes that yoga is a safe, cost-effective, and scientifically supported holistic approach for promoting women's health and improving quality of life. It recommends incorporating structured yoga programmes into community health initiatives, workplace wellness programmes, and women's health promotion activities to encourage long-term physical and psychological well-being.