Exploring the Effect of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM) on Physical and Mental Health of Female School Teachers

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Jayalakshmi P, Vandana Balakrishnan, Anand Sadasivan

Abstract

Teaching is a very challenging job, which can be deleterious to the physical and mental health of teachers in all levels of educational sector. Hence there are attempts underway to develop practices and initiatives that may improve the effectiveness of school teachers. Mindfulness-based interventions are at the forefront of the present global scenario educational system. This paper presents a report on an alternative approach, the Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM), on healthful nurture of the mind, promotion of compassion blended with stress reduction among teachers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of IAM by examining its main outcome such as stress reduction, mindfulness and compassion. The study also explored teacher’s perception of the impact of IAM practice regarding their physical health. The study had two arms, a cross sectional as well as a follow up analysis. In the cross-sectional study, out of 129 teachers, 53 teachers who are practising IAM on a regular basis were selected to IAM group and 76 to control group. In the follow up study, 20 teachers were randomly assigned to IAM/control conditions and tested before and after intervention. Test results of study showed that IAM has a positive effect on lowering stress and enhancing mindfulness and compassion level of teachers. In addition, Paired t test among IAM group showed that IAM had a significant and positive effect (P<0.001) on the physical health of teachers. The findings from this investigation underscore the potential role of IAM practices among school teacher population for the improvement in their physical as well as mental health.

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