1. Mind-Body-Spirit: Exploring Motivations behind Yoga Practice
Brandon M. Eggleston, PhD1 , Amanda E. Tanner, PhD2
1College of Nursing & Health Professions, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana
2Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
Background
Frequencies
Demographics
Discussion
Yoga is an activity/lifestyle that has been practiced for over 5,000 years (NCCAM 2010).
Yoga is practiced by over 20 million individuals in the United States (Yoga Alliance, 2010).
Yoga is a mind-body activity that leads to improved fitness and greater levels of well-being (NCCAM, 2010)
However, little research has been conducted about the behavioral determinants of practicing yoga (Eggleston, et.al 2009).
Salient Circumstance
% (n)
I always feel better after yoga
88% (61)
The location of the yoga studio is
convenient
60% (42)
I don't have time in my schedule
40% (28)
I don't have the money to go to classes
20% (14)
Salient Consequence
I feel relaxed.
84% (59)
I am more flexible.
90% (62)
I am more focused.
67% (46)
I feel more balanced.
75% (52)
Salient Referents
No one disapproves
80% (56)
Where do you prefer to practice?
I prefer to practice in a studio
Demographic Variable
Statistic
Age
Mean = 43.8 yrs,
SD = 7.5yrs
Race
95% Caucasian (n=65)
Gender
96% Female
(n=66)
Education
51% MS/JD/PhD
(n=35)
80% BA/BS (n=56)
Length of current yoga practice
Mean = 6.2yrs
SD = 4.5yrs
Yoga practitioners reported that the primary facilitator was always feeling better after practicing yoga.
Barriers preventing individuals from practicing were: time in schedule; having a convenient place to practice; and having the money to pay for yoga classes.
Consequences of practicing yoga were all positive except for a few responses of injury and having less money.
Most yoga practitioners report that no one disapproves of their yoga practice and that there are no disadvantages to practicing yoga.
Many yoga practitioners practice yoga throughout the day and not just at a set time.
Yoga for nearly all interviewees is an activity that helps create meaning and purpose in their lives.
Purpose
* The purpose of this study was to identify the psychological and social determinants of practicing yoga in the United States among individuals who had regularly (at least two times a week) practiced yoga (for at least three months).
Sources
Methods
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50,
Eggleston B, Middlestadt S, Lindeman A, McCormick B, and Koceja D. (2009). Psychosocial Determinants of Attending Yoga Classes. Proquest Dissertation Abstracts.
NCCAM, Health Information About Yoga . Retrieved from
Saper, R., Eisenberg, D., Davis, R., Culpepper, L., & Phillips, R. (2004). Prevalence and patterns of adult yoga use in the United States: Results of a national survey. Alternative Therapies 10(2),
Yoga Alliance (2010). Yoga Insight Survey Results. Retrieved from
Sixty-nine semi-structured phone interviews were conducted Four geographic areas:          *Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD; Evansville, IN; Central Indiana.     *Questions (open and close ended) regarding the behavioral determinants of practicing yoga          *Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991)     *Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim     *Descriptive content analysis strategies were used to identify and categorize the behavioral determinants     *Themes included:
-Feeling better every time after practicing yoga
-Finding time to practice yoga can be a challenge
-Feeling relaxed during and after yoga practice (calm, less anxious)
-Improving fitness (strength, balance, and flexibility)
-Practice yoga independent of others (salient referents)
Results
Salient Circumstance
“I know I need yoga”-regarding how someone maintains their yoga practice for many years.
“It’s hard to turn down something that works 100% of the time and has no side effects.”
Salient Consequences
“I can’t really think of any disadvantages of practicing yoga.”
“I am less affected by my emotions because of yoga. My perspective is much better because of yoga.” “Five years ago I was on medication for arthritis, now I am on no medication and feel much less pain. Plus I keep my sanity. Yoga is something I have to do.”
Salient Referents
“My family’s support helps me maintain my yoga practice.”
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible with the assistance of the University of Southern Indiana’s Summer Research Fellowship Program. Additional support was made possible by the Health Services Program at the University of Southern Indiana. Namaste.