An experimental investigation of yoga as cultivator of Ahamkara and Anasakti

Abstract

In a world where an individual's self-perception may be obstructed by either an exaggerated or lessened self-image, shaped by the complex web of contemporary relationships. The Patanjali Yoga Sutra, a renowned Indian text, posits that practicing yoga is advantageous for achieving an optimal comprehension of oneself in connection to the cosmos. Yogic teachings assert that the practice of Yoga facilitates the integration of individual consciousness with Universal Consciousness, establishing a condition of total equilibrium between the mind and body, as well as between humanity and nature. This study aimed to investigate the impact of yoga on ahamkara (self-perception) and anasakti (non-attachment). An experimental approach was utilised in the present study to examine the effects of Yoga on Ahamkara and Anasakti. A sample of 80 college students from Delhi was utilised. A yoga-based intervention program was administered in which participants practiced yoga for one hour daily over the course of a month. The pre-and post-intervention design was utilised. Following one month of yoga practice, their Ahamkara and Anasakti were reassessed. The hypothesis was tested using a Paired t-test conducted with SPSS-21. Scores of participants on several dimensions of Ahamkara were recorded before and after the intervention. A considerable increase in the Ahamkara of individuals practicing yoga was observed. Similarly, The magnitude of Anasakti was enhanced following the practice of Yoga. It indicates that Yoga positively influences Anasakti. Consequently, it became evident that yoga significantly impacts individuals' lives and aids them in achieving a better existence.