Emotion regulation and rumination mediate the relation between yoga experience and psychological health in a non-clinical Indian population

Abstract: This study was conducted in India, and the research plan was initially developed to provide further knowledge and perspective to the rapidly increased issues of psychological conditions in the country, regarding alternative treatments such as yoga and underlying mechanisms in the effects of yoga practice. The purpose of the study was to examine if emotion regulation and rumination may act as mediators between yoga experience and anxiety respectively depression. The study included 320 participants from eight different indian cities, four of the cities located in the north, three in the south and one city in the western part of India. This study had a quantitative design and had a questionnaire as a method for the data collecting. The results indicated that both emotion regulation and rumination at a significant level mediated the relationship between yoga experience and anxiety and depression respectively. These results can potentially bring further knowledge for countries (and individuals) that have higher levels of anxiety and depression in their populations, such as India, by providing a alternative perspective in the treatment and prevention of these conditions. In addition, the results can be beneficial for individuals that suffer from symptoms of anxiety, depression, difficulties with emotion regulation, and rumination.