This project was made possible with the assistance of Willow Park Retirement Center, the Evansville Housing Authority, the Evansville Central Public Library, the Evansville Yoga Center, the Health Services Program and the College of Nursing Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana, the Major as Home Grant at USI, and the USI RISC/Endeavor Grant. Yoga for Seniors: A qualitative exploration Brandon M. Eggleston, PhD 1, Katie Ehlman, PhD 1 1 College of Nursing & Health Professions, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana Responses FrequenciesSources Acknowledgements Significance Purpose The purpose of study was to explore and identify the attitudes and beliefs of clinical health professionals and yoga therapists regarding yoga for older adults. Older adults (65 years of age and older) are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States (US Census Bureau, 2008). Yoga is activity that can increase balance and flexibility and thus possibly decrease the number of falls among older adults. More health care professionals should be educated about yoga programs for older adults. Yoga therapists who teach modified yoga programs for older adults such as chair yoga need to partner with more gerontology primary care physicians. ConclusionsMethods Fifteen health professionals (nurses, nurse practitioners, yoga instructors, and yoga therapists) were interviewed about their attitudes and opinions of older adults practicing yoga. *Questions (open and close ended) regarding the benefits of yoga for older adults *Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim *Descriptive content analysis strategies were used to identify and categorize the behavioral determinants *Themes included: -Some seniors may believe they cannot do yoga poses -Some older adults may view yoga as a strange religious practice that threatens their belief system -Chair yoga is an effective and common form of yoga “Yoga is beneficial to people of all ages. Seniors can improve their balance and that makes them less likely to fall.” –Yoga therapist/instructor “I would not recommend yoga to any older adult because they may have health problems. Yoga is only for those who are young and somewhat fit. Not senior citizens.” –Nurse practitioner (non-practicing yogi). “I have classes for older adults and they love there yoga. They come every week and we meet in the church basement. I don’t ‘ohm’ with them, but they love every other part of the practice.” “Master yogis for centuries were predominantly individuals who would be classified today as older adults. They were able to maintain an advanced physical practice and hold headstands for many, many minutes at a time.” Bennett, G. (2007, December). The benefits of yoga for older adults. Nursing & Residential Care, 9(12), Bonura, K. (2008). The Impact of Yoga on Psychological Health in Older Adults. Exercise and Sport Psychology Division 47 APA Newsletter, Fall Brown, K., Koziol, J., & Lotz, M. (2008). A yoga-based exercise program to reduce the risk of falls in seniors: a pilot and feasibility study. Journal of Alternative And Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 14(5), Retrieved from MEDLINE database. Kuei-Min Chen1, Wei-Shyuan Tseng2, Li-Fen Ting3 & Gwo-Feng Huang4 Development and evaluation of a yoga exercise programme for older adults The Authors. Journal compilation ( ). Russakonoff, D. (2010). The New Old Age. New York Times, Aug 5, Retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau (2008, n.d.). An older and more diverse nation by mid-century. Retrieved from Results of a National Survey. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 19: Williamson, T. (2008, September). Baby boomers in transition. Working with Older People: Community Care Policy & Practice, 12 (3), Concern/Barrier % (n) Fitness level 80% (12) Mobility60% (9) High Blood Pressure 40% (6) Glaucoma 20% (3) Benefit/Program % (n) Increase balance 80% (12) Increase well-being 93% (14) Chair Yoga/Modified Yoga 67% (10) Increase relaxation 73% (11) Demographic Variable Statistic Age Mean = 53.8, SD = 5.5 Race95% Caucasian Gender90% Female Position 53% Nursing 60% Yoga, 33% Yoga Therapy Demographics