The Africa Yoga Project and Well‐Being: A Concept Map of Students’ Perceptions

Background Concept mapping methodology was used to explore the perceived impact of practicing yoga with the Africa Yoga Project (AYP)—an organisation created to increase health and well‐being by providing community‐based yoga classes throughout Kenya. AYP's mission fit with theoretical models o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied psychology : health and well-being 2018-03, Vol.10 (1), p.149-170
Main Authors: Giambrone, Carla A., Cook‐Cottone, Catherine P., Klein, Jessalyn E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult students
Brainstorms
Cluster analysis
Concept mapping
Kenya
Mapping
Perceptions
Personal development
Poverty
poverty‐related stress
Qualitative research
Resilience
Self concept
Stress management
Stress management training
Well being
Yoga
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Summary:Background Concept mapping methodology was used to explore the perceived impact of practicing yoga with the Africa Yoga Project (AYP)—an organisation created to increase health and well‐being by providing community‐based yoga classes throughout Kenya. AYP's mission fit with theoretical models of well‐being is discussed. Anecdotal evidence and initial qualitative research suggested the AYP meaningfully impacted adult students. Methods Of the hundreds of AYP's adult students, 56 and 82 students participated in Phases I and II, respectively. Phase I brainstorming resulted in 94 student‐generated statements about their perceived change. Phase II participants sorted and rated statements in terms of importance. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis of sort data was utilised to map and group statements into clusters. Results Based on statistical and interpretive criteria, a five‐cluster solution with the following concepts was identified as the best model of students’ change: Personal Growth; Interpersonal Effectiveness (lowest importance); Physical and Social Benefits; Emotional Resiliency; and Improved Self‐Concept (highest importance). Conclusions Overall, students reported positive perceptions of the AYP. Additional research is needed to quantify students’ change, and to compare the AYP outcomes to those of other programs aimed at poverty‐related stress reduction and well‐being.
ISSN:1758-0846
1758-0854
DOI:10.1111/aphw.12124