Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of global mortality. Yoga is increasingly recognised as a cost-effective intervention for NCD prevention and management, yet public perceptions of its therapeutic potential remain under explored. Objective: To assess awareness, perceptions, practice patterns, and barriers related to Yoga as a therapeutic approach for NCDs among International Day of Yoga (IDY) participants in India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Multiple Indian states among adults (≥18 years) attending IDY 2025 events using convenience sampling. Participants completed a structured, pilot-tested questionnaire via QR code enabled Google Forms. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed for analysis. Results: Among 1,391 participants (91% aged 18–27 years; 79.4% female; 91.1% students), approximately 70% had attended IDY events previously. Awareness sources included educational institutions, family, and media. Education level was significantly associated with understanding Yoga as therapeutic (χ²=21.63, p=0.001). Over 95% endorsed Yoga for disease prevention, lifestyle disorder management, and mental health benefits. Among practitioners (93.2%), most practiced daily, primarily Asanas, Pranayama, and Meditation. Time constraints emerged as the primary barrier. Conclusion: IDY participants demonstrated high awareness, positive perceptions, and strong engagement with Yoga for NCD management, highlighting the effectiveness of public health initiatives.

Key words: Yoga, non-communicable diseases, International Day of Yoga, Public perception, Preventive health, India