International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education 2019; 4(2): 11-13

ISSN: 2456-0057
IJPNPE 2019; 4(2): 11-13
© 2019 IJPNPE
Effect of shatkarma on happiness
www.journalofsports.com
Received: 07-05-2019
Accepted: 09-06-2019 Dr. Amanendra Mann and Hemant Balodi
Dr. Amanendra Mann
Associate Professor (D.A.V
Abstract
College, Chandigarh, India The wide variety of yogic exercises has been associated with physical and psychological benefits. The
current research also aims at the beneficial effects of Shatkarma on Happiness. For the said purpose, 60
Hemant Balodi subjects of age 19.7±2.2 years were randomly assigned into two groups called Experimental group and
Research Scholar, Panjab Control group equally. The data was collected from both the groups applying Happiness Questionnaire
University, Chandigarh, India by Peterson Park and Seligman on control group research design i.e. before the commencement of 12
week Shatkarma exercise programme and post-test was done after completion of training by
experimental group. Other than descriptive statistics, the effect of 12 week Shatkarma training was
assessed by applying t-test. The pre-test and post-test mean values for happiness were found to be 60.97
± 7.27 and 64.45 ± 7.74 respectively for all subjects. The calculated t-value was -5.471 found statistically
significant at 0.05 level of significance (two tailed). The mean value for difference in pre and post-test
against experimental and control group for happiness were found to be -5.933 ± 5.6381 and -1.033 ±
2.2967 respectively. The calculated t-value was -4.408 found statistically significant at 0.05 level of
significance (two tailed). The result obtained above clearly represent that the selected yogic exercises for
this study i.e. Sharkarma (Kapalabhati, Jal Neti, Vastra Dhauti, Basti-Shanka Prakshalana, Trataka and
Nauli Agnisara) has positive reliable effect on Happiness of people as the improvement in happiness of
subjects from experimental group was observed reliably more in comparison to control group. This fact
ensures the positive influence of shatkarma exercises on happiness.

Keywords: Shatkarma, happiness, yogic exercises.

Introduction
Various research studies revealed that Participation in physical activities and various games
and sports in improving the Physical and mental wellbeing of human. Yoga is not the
exception as well. However, scientifically proved evidences are yet to establish as far as
positive psychological health of an individual is concerned.
Yoga plays an important role and has made unlimited Contribution in the modern age as it
caters to the biological, Sociological, Spiritual and Physiological necessities of the man. The
word ‘yoga’ is derived from the roots of Sanskrit’ Yuj’ which means to join, to attach, to bind,
yoke, and a concentrate or one attention. It also means Union. Yoga is true union of our will
with the will have had. The literal meaning of the word ‘Yoga’ is ‘yoke’. It means for uniting
the individual spirit with the Universal spirit, or God. Yoga means the Experience of oneness
or unity with inner being. It is a science by which the individual approaches truth. Yoga is not
religion it is a method by which one obtain Control of one’s latent powers. It is the means to
reach complete Self-Realization. Yoga is a reduction of one’s mental process, along with the
physical. The practice of Yoga in the Indian subcontinent has been documented as early as
B.C. Regular practice of variety of Yoga techniques have been shown to lower heart rate and
blood pressure in various population (Lakshmikanthan et al. 1979; Mahajan et al. 1999).
Yoga exercise are scientific means for strengthen of all living or atrophying muscle fibbers and
tissues. This system teaches how to a make new life pulsation in active tissues. In this context
it much as it is different from other sys of exercise in as much as it is different from other
system of exercise in as much as it teaches one how to concentrate his attention on the
awakened energy which is the direct gives of power, strength and vitality to all the parts of the
Correspondence body. It develops the will power long with bodily strength. This aspect of yoga is technically
Dr. Amanendra Mann known as “ASANAS” which was developed by the hatha yogic into a well-organized system
Associate Professor (D.A.V of physical culture. One very important part of yoga is Shatkrma or Shatkriya as described in
College, Chandigarh, India
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International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education

the early yoga Upanishads was made up of the shatkarmas gone through various experimental designs and Control group
and is a very precise and systematic science. That means six design was selected for the presented research.
and karma means action; shatkarma consist of six groups of
purification. Main aim of shatkarma is harmony between two Administration of test
major pranic flows ida and pingla, it is the purification of The variable Happiness was tested by administering the
mental and physical and balance. The six shatkarma are neti, standardized questionnaires namely Happiness Questionnaire
dhauti, nauli, basti, trataka and Kapalabhati. by Peterson Park and Seligman before the commencement of
Various studies have shown that yogic exercises enhance Shatkarma training programme that were named Pre-test and
psychological well-being and relieve symptoms of depression after the completion of the same training and it was named
and anxiety. Here are some of the factors describing the effect Post-test.
of yogic exercises on Happiness:
1. Regular Yoga helps one to feel in control. This sense of Data collection
control over the body may translate to an improved sense The data was collected from students of Deshbandhu College,
of control over other aspects of life. University of Delhi. Subjects were informed about the study
2. Exercise promotes well-being and relaxation. It and its purpose and their consent was taken before
demonstrates higher levels of self-esteem and confidence administering questionnaire and Shatkarma training
and maintains a sense of self discipline. The person feels, programme.
“I am in charge of myself and can improve my health and
fitness”. Statistical technique
3. Besides, Yogic exercises are natural, physiological outlet The data was analysed by Descriptive Analysis (Mean and
for a body in the “fight or flight” state of arousal SD) whereas the effect of Shatkarma training on happiness in
frequently associated with stress. comparison to control group who were not given any training
4. Exercise produces neurotransmitters called endorphins in was analysed by t-test.
the brain. These are the body’s own natural tranquilizer
which produces calming effect and relaxes the body. Result and Discussion
5. Yogic exercisers give up unhealthy and stressful habits The pre-test and post-test mean values for happiness were
that interfere with exercise. They cut down smoking found to be 60.97 ± 7.27 and 64.45 ± 7.74 respectively for all
habit, eats nutritious food etc. subjects. The calculated t-value was -5.471 found statistically
6. Exercise done in group provides social support, another significant at 0.05 level of significance (two tailed). However,
stress reliever. the observed t-value was found negative but it actually
Undoubtedly, the above discussion has shown the inevitable represent the improvement in happiness of the subjects.
relationship between Yogic exercises and various physical
and physiological benefits. But, no study has conducted to Table 1: Result of pre-test and post-test on happiness
assess whether Yogic exercises (shatkarma in specific term) Mean Std. Deviation N T Sig.
improves our happiness status. This motivated Research PRE 60.97 7.279 60
Scholar to explore the effect of shatkarma on happiness. -5.471 0.00*
POST 64.45 7.745 60
* = significant at 0.05 level
Procedure and Methodology
Selection of subjects The mean value for difference in pre and post-test against
60 students from Deshbandhu College Delhi University, New experimental and control group for happiness were found to
Delhi were selected for current research. The age of subjects be -5.933 ± 5.6381 and -1.033 ± 2.2967 respectively. The
was ranging from 17 years to 23 years. 30 subjects was calculated t-value was -4.408 found statistically significant at
assigned in experimental group and 30 subjects in non- 0.05 level of significance (two tailed).
experimental (Control) group. However, the observed t-value was found negative but it
actually represents the improvement in happiness of the
Research design subjects.
With keeping the objectives in mind, the research scholar

Table 2: Result of experimental and control group on happiness

Mean Std. Deviation N Mean Difference T Sig.
Experimental Group -5.933 5.6381 30
-4.90 -4.408 0.00*
Control Group -1.033 2.2967 30
* = significant at 0.05 level

The result obtained above clearly represent that the selected possible to conclude that practising shatkarma for 12 weeks
yogic exercises for this study i.e. Sharkarma (Kapalabhati, Jal leads to improvement in happiness. Also, it can be recommended
Neti, Vastra Dhauti, Basti-Shanka Prakshalana, Trataka and to practice on daily basis. Furthermore, effect of these
Nauli Agnisara) has positive reliable effect on Happiness of exercises need to be studied on different age group to ensure
an individual as the improvement in happiness of subjects the similar result. Other variables of positive psychology can
from experimental group was observed reliably more in also be studied under such research. In the last, other yogic
comparison to control group. This fact ensures the positive exercises can also be included in training programme to
influence of shatkarma exercises on happiness. assess their outcome in factors of positive psychology.

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