Impact of Yoga on High School Students' Academic Performance

Abstract

: The present study examined the impact of yoga on the academic performance of high school students and related psychological functioning. A quantitative, intervention-based pre-test – post-test control-group design was used with 100 high school students, comprising 50 students in an Experimental Group and 50 in a Control Group. The Experimental Group received a structured yoga programme for five days, with sessions lasting approximately 30 – 40 minutes, while the Control Group continued routine school activities. The programme included prayer/Om chanting, warm-up exercises, selected yoga asanas, pranayama, meditation and relaxation. Academic performance was assessed using a 12-item objective test. Stress, concentration and psychological well-being were also assessed using 15-item scales. Academic performance in the Experimental Group increased from M=6.22 (SD=1.66) at pre-test to M=9.20 (SD=1.56) at post-test, compared with an increase from M=5.86 (SD=1.62) to M=6.38 (SD=1.60) in the Control Group. The Experimental Group showed significant pre – post improvement in academic performance, t(49)=12.512, p<.001, and the improvement was significantly greater than that of the Control Group, t(98)=9.354, p<.001. The findings suggest that structured yoga may be a useful complementary school-based practice for supporting academic and psychological functioning, although the brief intervention and quasi-experimental design require cautious interpretation.