Abstract: Social-emotional development encompasses self-awareness, emotional regulation, social skills, and empathy—elements vital for psychological resilience and interpersonal effectiveness. In the face of rising stress and mental health issues, there is growing interest in holistic practices such as yoga to promote mental and emotional well-being. Yoga, a discipline rooted in Indian philosophy, integrates physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana), offering a comprehensive mind-body approach to self-regulation and emotional balance.
This study investigates the impact of yogic practices on social-emotional development among adult practitioners. Using a comparative cross-sectional design, the study includes 150 participants—75 regular yoga practitioners (minimum one year of continuous practice) and 75 non-practitioners, selected from wellness centers and community organizations in Delhi NCR, India. The Social Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SECQ) and Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) were used to assess competencies such as self-regulation, emotional awareness, and social interaction. Qualitative data were also collected through semi-structured interviews.
Findings indicate that yoga practitioners scored significantly higher in emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal communication. Qualitative narratives revealed that regular engagement with yoga improved stress management, increased patience, and fostered deeper self-reflection. These results align with previous studies highlighting yoga's benefits in enhancing mental and emotional health (Riley & Park, 2015; Telles et al., 2019).
This study supports the integration of yogic interventions into mental health and educational programs, suggesting that regular practice contributes positively to social-emotional growth. It also underscores yoga’s potential role in fostering community well-being and emotional literacy. Further longitudinal research is recommended to examine causality and broader applicability across populations.
Keywords: Social-emotional development, Yoga practitioners, Emotional intelligence, Mindfulness, Self-regulation
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