Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part D (2015)

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of Yoga practices and Meditation on selected psychological variables of college women. In this study statistical population included 90 selected subjects from St.Thomas College Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. The selected subjected were not involved in any kind of physical activity before. The necessary data was collected from the criterion measures- Self-esteem inventory questioner and Profile of mood states. Random group design was used in this study. The subjects numbering ninety female students were divided in to Experiment group I (N: 30) Yoga experiment group, II (N:30) Meditation experiment group and a control group III (N:30). The experimental group I was given a set of 12 yogic asanas and experimental group II was given a meditation training for a period of 3 months. The subjects had under gone the training 3 days in a week. Twelve selected yogic asanas suitable for women subjects selected are Suriyanamkar, Virabhradrasana II, Vrikshasana, Trikonasana, Vijrasana, Naukasana, Bhnjanjgasana, Ushtrasana, Salabhasana, Virasana, Paschimotasana, Savasana were included in the training programme. In the training programme the experimental group II underwent the listening meditation. In the first 2 weeks of the training programme the subject were made to relax for 10 minutes in Savasana by deep breathing and then gave them 15 minute listening meditation. The next weeks they were allowed to sit in any of meditative posture and then allowed to concentrate towards relaxation music for 15 minutes after 5 minutes savasana relaxation. To determine the difference between pre- test and post test results ‘t’ test was computed for each of the selected variables. Analysis of t ratio for the data pre and post- test of experimental group and control group in variables among yoga practice revealed the following conclusions. Yoga training group shows significant differences in Profiles of mood state and self- esteem as compared to the control group. All the factors of Profiles of mood state such as tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and confusion shows much higher significant differences. When considering the Meditation practice group shows significant difference in Profiles of mood state and self-esteem. As in Yoga practice group, the Meditation practice group also shows higher significant difference in terms of all the six factors of profiles of mood state such as tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and confusion. On the basis of analysis of data of 3 month training programme of Yoga and Meditation had significant effect on selected Psychological variables. The result of the study also reveals that there will be significant changes in self- esteem variables. It may be the reason that the involvement in yoga and meditation training programme, improves the individuals personality or physical appearance.