STUDENT RESEARCH bringing harmony and balance between body , mind and spirit . In Indian culture , it is considered an art and science of healthy living which typically consists of various methods and techniques including meditation , breathing techniques , physical exercises and postures , mindfulness techniques and relaxation . 16 Yoga could be an affordable and useful method for reducing the symptoms of anxiety in students .
Designing
Human trials are essential to study the effects of yoga on anxiety among students . More women than men are drawn to yoga , with women consequently practising yoga more often than men . 17 The proposed study will be conducted with female participants to further extend existing studies on females , looking specifically at female college students .
Baseline recruitment of participants will be one hundred female students from the University of New South Wales ( Sydney ). Participants must have at least two ongoing symptoms of anxiety lasting for at least one month , or a clinical diagnosis of anxiety , be willing to participate in the yoga class program , be able to attend all scheduled yoga classes during a two month period , follow the yoga teacher ’ s instructions during the class , be able to answer all questions , be able to rate symptoms and outcomes , and stay on any existing treatments for anxiety prior to the study and / or not introduce any new treatments for anxiety throughout the study .
The program will consist of 75-minute Hatha Vinyasa yoga classes conducted twice per week for 8 weeks . The classes will be conducted by experienced yoga instructors from My Wholistic Yoga School and held on campus for easy student access . Classes will include three to five minutes of breathing techniques , a 45-minute sequence of yoga poses , movements , stretching , five to ten minutes of relaxation , and finally 15 to 20 minutes of guided meditation and mindfulness techniques .
Interviewing
Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at baseline and upon completion of the intervention for comparison . In addition , all participants will be invited to complete questionnaires before and after the study to detect and evaluate changes in a list of outcomes using the Beck Anxiety Inventory . 18 Biometric indicators of anxiety will be measured at baseline and completion , including resting heart rate and blood pressure . The qualitative data attained from semistructured interviews are intended to add depth to the study of a physical and spiritual practice such as yoga , and further the understanding of the participants ’ experience in a real-life setting .
Pre-intervention questions ( Baseline ): 1 . How long have you been experiencing anxiety and in what ways has it affected your life ?
2 . What factors do you feel most significantly affect your level of anxiety ?
3 . What current methods , if any , do you employ for managing anxiety ?
4 . Have you participated in yoga or mindfulness practices in the past , and , if so , for what reason ( s )?
5 . Please rate your level of anxiety today out of 10 , 0 being no anxiety and 10 being extremely high levels of anxiety .
Post-intervention questions : 1 . Was the practice ( intervention ) easily assimilated into your university schedule without inducing further anxiety ?
2 . Were there other benefits noted other than effects on anxiety levels ( e . g . physical strength / fitness , mental focus , academic achievements )?
3 . To what capacity would you continue this practice beyond the study completion ?
4 . How would you describe the overall effects on your anxiety levels and overall quality of life ?
5 . Please rate your level of anxiety today out of 10 , 0 being no anxiety and 10 being extremely high levels of anxiety .
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons students seek mental health support , but many universities
Analysis
Each interview will be voice-recorded ( with permission ) to avoid interviewer recall bias . The recordings will later be transcribed and then checked against the recordings . Transcriptions will be thoroughly read and re-read by researchers for familiarisation of information and initial identification of patterns which relate directly to the perceived benefits of the intervention on anxiety . Emerging common phrases , behaviours , and themes will fail to provide adequate mental health services .
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