Impact of Yoga on Happiness and Quality of Life among Post Graduate Students

The present study aimed to examine the influence of regular yoga practice on happiness and quality of life among postgraduate students in Aurangabad City. The sample comprised 80 students aged 22 to 28 years, including 50 regular yoga practitioners and 30 non-practitioners. The study utilized two standardized tools: the Happiness Scale (HS-RHMJ) by Rastogi and Moorjani (2017) and the Quality-of-Life Scale by Sharma and Nasreen (2014). The independent variable was the type of postgraduate students (regular vs. non-regular yoga practitioners), while the dependent variables were happiness and quality of life. The results revealed significant differences in both variables. Regular yoga practitioners scored significantly higher on happiness (M = 264.36, SD = 6.58) compared to non-practitioners (M = 248.74, SD = 7.11), with a t-value of 10.19 (p < 0.01). Similarly, quality of life scores were higher among yoga practitioners (M = 90.57, SD = 6.33) than non-practitioners (M = 79.70, SD = 5.40), with a t-value of 8.26 (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that regular yoga practice significantly enhances emotional well-being, stress management, and overall life satisfaction. In conclusion, incorporating yoga into daily routines can effectively improve happiness and quality of life among students. Future research could explore the long-term effects of yoga and investigate moderating factors such as gender and socioeconomic status.