A study at Aiman College of Arts and Science for Women examined yoga's effect on stress in 150 female college students aged 18–24. Participants were split into experimental and control groups; the experimental group completed an 8-week structured program of asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale. Results showed a significant reduction in stress levels for those who practiced yoga, leading the authors to conclude that yoga is an effective stress management method for college students.
Pranayama, the yogic art of breath regulation, is examined through a comparative analysis of two classical Upanishads. The Yoga Raj Upanishad treats pranayama as a subtle, inward practice for mental purification and meditative absorption, aligning with Raja Yoga. The Yoga Chudamani Upanishad emphasizes pranayama as a central Hatha Yoga technique for purifying nadis, regulating prana, and awakening kundalini through systematic breath control. Both texts converge on self-realization and transcendence, offering insights for contemporary mental health and holistic well-being.