EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE YOGA SESSIONS ON WELLBEING OF UNDERGRADUATE HEALTH CARE STUDENTS: STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Context: A regular Yoga program for undergraduate healthcare students transitioned into an online mode due to restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic. All participants underwent six months of weekly Yoga training, of which three months were through online mode.

Aim: To study the perception of undergraduate healthcare students on the effectiveness of online Yoga sessions on physical and mental wellbeing.

Materials and Method: After six months of Yoga training, a survey questionnaire was developed, validated and shared with the participants as a Google form to assess the perceived effectiveness of online yoga sessions. A five-point Likert scale was used to assess the perceived effectiveness of the online Yoga sessions on physical and mental wellbeing, and open-ended questions assessed its perceived benefits and limitations, which were analysed thematically.

Results: 124 undergraduate healthcare students completed the survey. The majority of participants rated online Yoga as beneficial for both mental and physical well-being, with 79.8% finding it helpful for their mental health and also 78.2% finding it helpful for their physical health. When comparing formats, 54.8% found online sessions helpful but less effective than offline ones, while 25.8% rated them equally effective. Thematic analysis revealed perceived advantages such as mental stability, convenience, and safety from practicing at home, as well as drawbacks like connectivity problems, distractions, space constraints, and a lack of in-person guidance.

Conclusion: Participants found online Yoga sessions during the lockdown helpful for their physical and mental wellbeing. The majority of the participants felt that though the online Yoga sessions are helpful, they are less effective than offline, face-to-face interactive Yoga sessions.