Abstract
Background: Yoga as a mind–body activity and clinical studies on yoga’s effects on physical and mental health have produced encouraging
results. However, there is little research done on the population’s perception and interest toward practicing yoga in KSA. Thus, the current study
was undertaken to evaluate the perception, interest, and barriers of learning and practicing yoga with levels of stress in life among residents of
Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is an observational, cross‑sectional study in which people were polled using questionnaires. The study included
people of both genders aged 18–70, and Google Forms were distributed through various online platforms. The collected data were statistically
analyzed. Results: The study included 906 subjects in total. Participants were mostly female (64%) and non‑Saudi residents (70.9%) between
the ages of 31 and 51 years, with moderate levels of stress in life. About 58.6% of the study participants were aware of the benefits of yoga. The
Chi‑square analysis shows low‑stress subjects (67.5%) knew more about yoga and meditation, whereas no‑stress subjects (35.7%) practiced yoga.
About 14.9% of high‑stressed people consulted a yoga therapist. The majority of high (15.3%), medium (12%), and no‑stressed (19.6%) did yoga
for mental health and focus, whereas the low‑stressed (19.3%) did it for physical health. Conclusion: Most of the study population knew yoga’s
physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits. The study found a relationship between the everyday stress levels of Saudi Arabian citizens and
their opinions about, interest in, and obstacles to taking up yoga. More experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
results. However, there is little research done on the population’s perception and interest toward practicing yoga in KSA. Thus, the current study
was undertaken to evaluate the perception, interest, and barriers of learning and practicing yoga with levels of stress in life among residents of
Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is an observational, cross‑sectional study in which people were polled using questionnaires. The study included
people of both genders aged 18–70, and Google Forms were distributed through various online platforms. The collected data were statistically
analyzed. Results: The study included 906 subjects in total. Participants were mostly female (64%) and non‑Saudi residents (70.9%) between
the ages of 31 and 51 years, with moderate levels of stress in life. About 58.6% of the study participants were aware of the benefits of yoga. The
Chi‑square analysis shows low‑stress subjects (67.5%) knew more about yoga and meditation, whereas no‑stress subjects (35.7%) practiced yoga.
About 14.9% of high‑stressed people consulted a yoga therapist. The majority of high (15.3%), medium (12%), and no‑stressed (19.6%) did yoga
for mental health and focus, whereas the low‑stressed (19.3%) did it for physical health. Conclusion: Most of the study population knew yoga’s
physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits. The study found a relationship between the everyday stress levels of Saudi Arabian citizens and
their opinions about, interest in, and obstacles to taking up yoga. More experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 580-585 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Annals of African Medicine |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 May 2024 |