Development and Validation of a Scale Assessing University Lecturers' Perceptions of Benefits of Yoga and Meditation...

Yoga and meditation are increasingly recognized for enhancing physical and mental well-being. However, there is limited research on university lecturers' perceptions and willingness to incorporate these practices into their day-to-day teaching and learning activities. The present study explored the benefits of yoga and meditation perceived by university lecturers and their willingness to engage in these practices. A cross-sectional study involving 162 university lecturers selected through convenience sampling was conducted at a university in North India. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed and validated as part of this study. The questionnaire comprised demographic information, perceived benefits, and willingness to practice yoga and meditation. The questionnaire underwent reliability and content validity testing, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.854-0.881. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used to analyze the data. More than 95% of respondents perceived positive impacts of yoga and meditation on physical and mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, immune system strength, self-awareness, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. Despite these positive perceptions, only 11.1% of respondents practiced yoga and meditation daily. However, 89.8% expressed willingness to participate in university-provided sessions. The university lecturers recognized the significant benefits of yoga and meditation, yet their regular practice remained limited. The high willingness to engage in these practices suggests the potential for successfully implementing structured yoga and meditation programs within university settings. Future research should explore long-term impacts and tailor interventions to address specific demographic needs, potentially enhancing well-being and job satisfaction among academic staff.