Effect of shatkarma on happiness

Abstract

The wide variety of yogic exercises has been associated with physical and psychological benefits. The current research also aims at the beneficial effects of Shatkarma on Happiness. For the said purpose, 60 subjects of age 19.7±2.2 years were randomly assigned into two groups called Experimental group and Control group equally. The data was collected from both the groups applying Happiness Questionnaire by Peterson Park and Seligman on control group research design i.e. before the commencement of 12 week Shatkarma exercise programme and post-test was done after completion of training by experimental group. Other than descriptive statistics, the effect of 12 week Shatkarma training was assessed by applying t-test. The pre-test and post-test mean values for happiness were found to be 60.97 ± 7.27 and 64.45 ± 7.74 respectively for all subjects. The calculated t-value was -5.471 found statistically significant at 0.05 level of significance (two tailed). The mean value for difference in pre and post-test against experimental and control group for happiness were found to be -5.933 ± 5.6381 and -1.033 ± 2.2967 respectively. The calculated t-value was -4.408 found statistically significant at 0.05 level of significance (two tailed). The result obtained above clearly represent that the selected yogic exercises for this study i.e. Sharkarma (Kapalabhati, Jal Neti, Vastra Dhauti, Basti-Shanka Prakshalana, Trataka and Nauli Agnisara) has positive reliable effect on Happiness of people as the improvement in happiness of subjects from experimental group was observed reliably more in comparison to control group. This fact ensures the positive influence of shatkarma exercises on happiness.