Impact of yoga prana vidya (ypv) intervention on exam anxiety and academic performance: a quasi-experimental study

Background: Exam anxiety is a common psychological challenge among adolescents, often impairing concentration and academic performance. Conventional interventions exist, but complementary approaches such as Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of YPV protocols in reducing exam anxiety and improving academic performance among high school students. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was employed with 22 students aged 13–19 reporting high exam anxiety. The intervention consisted of 30 days of daily YPV healing (20 minutes each) delivered remotely by two Certified YPV Healers. Anxiety was measured using the Westside Test Anxiety Scale, and academic performance was assessed through exam scores. Results: Mean anxiety scores reduced from 2.59 (high-normal) to 1.83 (comfortably low). Academic scores improved by 14.7%, with mean scores increasing from 74.4 to 85.4. Qualitative feedback highlighted improved focus, confidence, emotional stability, and lifestyle changes. Conclusion: YPV intervention significantly reduced exam anxiety and enhanced academic performance. It offers a promising complementary strategy for stress management in educational contexts.