Mind-Body-Spirit: Exploring Motivations behind Yoga Practice

Background: Yoga is a mind-body practice that has grown exponentially in the United States over the past 20 years. Yoga, like other forms of physical activity, should be practiced on a regular basis in order to achieve the many benefits. However, little research has been conducted to analyze the psychological and social determinants underscoring individuals' motivations to practice yoga. Methods: To further understand the behavioral determinants associated with yoga, a qualitative study was conducted with individuals who practice yoga from across the United States. Individuals were interviewed and responded to thirty questions related to their yoga practice, health, and demographic characteristics. Interviews were transcribed and transcripts were coded for motivations based on emergent themes. Results: To date 26 the expected 101 individuals have been interviewed and preliminary results have shown that the primary motivating factors for practicing yoga were related to improved mental and emotional health, including feeling relaxed, calm, and centered. Physical health benefits, however, were rarely listed as a primary motivating factor for practicing yoga. Conclusions: Public health professionals can use various strategies for addressing potential barriers to yoga practice, including: 1)educating individuals about what yoga practicing is (not a religious activity), 2)making wellness activities such as yoga a higher priority, and 3)decreasing financial costs related to yoga classes (employers providing free classes on site at the worksite). Overall yoga practice was an activity that improved and maintained multiple dimensions of wellness for participants (not just physical) and may be an ideal complementary tool for many individuals who are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and manic depression illnesses.