TY - JOUR
T1 - “Yoga resets my inner peace barometer”
T2 - A qualitative study illuminating the pathways of how yoga impacts one's relationship to oneself and to others
AU - Kishida, Moé
AU - Mama, Scherezade K.
AU - Larkey, Linda K.
AU - Elavsky, Steriani
PY - 2018/10
Y1 - 2018/10
N2 - Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to better understand how yoga practitioners perceive intra- and interpersonal outcomes of their yoga practice, and (2) to develop a conceptual model of yoga effects on intra- and interpersonal outcomes that may underlie the “relational” influences of yoga. Design: As part of a larger study, 107 community-dwelling yoga practitioners (age M = 41.2 ± 15.9 years) completed open-ended questions which asked questions focusing on whether yoga influences one's relationship to oneself and to others. A subsample (n = 12) completed in-depth interviews. The open-ended responses were analyzed using content analysis, and verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes using a constant comparison approach. Results: Four emerging themes were identified such that practitioners talked about the ability of yoga to generate calm states, mindfulness, (self-)compassion, and a sense of connectedness. Throughout the themes, a common pattern emerged such that yoga practice first led to positive intrapersonal changes, which then influenced one's interpersonal relationships. Based on these results, a conceptual model was developed depicting potential pathways of how yoga works to enhance relational outcomes. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the promise yoga holds to improve one's relationship to oneself (intrapersonal) through mindfulness and self-compassion, and to others (interpersonal), through the enhancement of compassion and social connectedness, which may potentially lead to enhanced health and wellbeing outcomes. Further empirical testing of the model is warranted.
AB - Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to better understand how yoga practitioners perceive intra- and interpersonal outcomes of their yoga practice, and (2) to develop a conceptual model of yoga effects on intra- and interpersonal outcomes that may underlie the “relational” influences of yoga. Design: As part of a larger study, 107 community-dwelling yoga practitioners (age M = 41.2 ± 15.9 years) completed open-ended questions which asked questions focusing on whether yoga influences one's relationship to oneself and to others. A subsample (n = 12) completed in-depth interviews. The open-ended responses were analyzed using content analysis, and verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes using a constant comparison approach. Results: Four emerging themes were identified such that practitioners talked about the ability of yoga to generate calm states, mindfulness, (self-)compassion, and a sense of connectedness. Throughout the themes, a common pattern emerged such that yoga practice first led to positive intrapersonal changes, which then influenced one's interpersonal relationships. Based on these results, a conceptual model was developed depicting potential pathways of how yoga works to enhance relational outcomes. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the promise yoga holds to improve one's relationship to oneself (intrapersonal) through mindfulness and self-compassion, and to others (interpersonal), through the enhancement of compassion and social connectedness, which may potentially lead to enhanced health and wellbeing outcomes. Further empirical testing of the model is warranted.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 30219453
AN - SCOPUS:85031433157
SN - 0965-2299
VL - 40
SP - 215
EP - 221
JO - Complementary Therapies in Medicine
JF - Complementary Therapies in Medicine
ER -