Is Yoga effective in well-being sensation?

Introduction: Yoga means unity of body and mind which has been as traditional medicine in the East for 3-5 thousands years and recently it is utilized as a complementary/alternative medicine in the West. Many surveys have been undertaken to evaluate the physiologic function and positive effects of yoga in physical, mental and social health. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 107 volunteers attending yoga classes (44 male, 63 female) in yoga society center (Fars province) with mean age of 34±7. The participants filled SF-36 questionnaire before yoga exercise and then attended classes 2 days a week for 6 months. After final session, they again answered the questionnaire. Data was analyzed by paired t-test, one way ANOVA and SPSS software (ver.11) regarding P<0.05 as significant. Results: According to statistics, significant improvement was observed in all 8 items related to physical, mental and social health and also general physical and mental health indices in SF-36 questionnaire (in which validity and reliability was defined previously). This improvement was in all age, gender and educational groups. There was no statistically significant difference between various age, gender and educational groups. Conclusion: As reported in other studies, Yoga as a subjective, mental and physical practice can improve well-being sensation. For more definite results, controlled trials should be undertaken