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Effect of Pragya Yoga as a Holistic Practice in Promoting Psychological Well-being in Young Adults

Amrita Sharma, Chinmay Pandya

Dev Sanskriti: Interdisciplinary International Journal February 13, 2026 DOI: 10.36018/dsiij.27.405 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 83
Population Young adults aged 18–25 years (37 male, 46 female)
Interventions pranayama meditation relaxation
Duration 30-day intervention
Topics Anxiety
Keywords Young adult Mood Psychological distress Intervention counseling Cohort Emotional distress Clinical psychology
Key findings Pragya Yoga significantly improved psychological well-being in young adults, with large effects in males and moderate-large effects in females.

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults are now facing mounting emotional distress and mood instability, thus reviving academic interest in integrative meditation. The current study focused on the impact of 30 days Pragya Yoga intervention on the psychological well-being of young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Simple random sampling was used to distribute 83 respondents (37 male, 46 females) into experimental and control groups. The experimental group were subject to systematic Pragya Yoga program involving asanas, pranayama, meditation, relaxation, and self-reflection, but the control group got nothing. The grading of psychological well-being was done through the PGI General Well-Being Measure that was pre-intervention and post-intervention. The findings showed statistically significant improvements in the well-being of the yoga group. There was an increase of 25.6 to 28.6 with a large effect size (d=1.398) in the male participants. There was an improvement of female participants (25.4 to 27.2 with a moderate-large effect size (d=0.768). The standard deviations were declining across the genders, resulting more emotionally stable after the intervention. The control cohort was exhibited insignificant improvement and thus supporting specificity of the practice. Overall, the results indicate that Pragya Yoga produces significant improvements of emotional regulation, self-image, and well-being providing a viable and culture-specific mental-health source to young adults.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12

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