‘It stretches your body but makes you feel good too’: A qualitative study exploring young people’s perceptions and experiences of yoga

Whilst research suggests that yoga can positively impact physical and psychological wellbeing, understanding of youth’s experiences is limited with no non-clinical studies in the UK. Ten focus groups explored perceptions and experiences of yoga among 35 youth (10–18 years). Inductive thematic analys...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health psychology 2023-08, Vol.28 (9), p.789-803
Main Authors: Cartwright, Tina, Doronda, Tatjana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biopsychosocial aspects
Emotional regulation
Emotions
Focus Groups
Humans
Mind and body
Perceptions
Psychological well being
Qualitative Research
Self regulation
Uptake
Yoga
Yoga - psychology
Youth
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Summary:Whilst research suggests that yoga can positively impact physical and psychological wellbeing, understanding of youth’s experiences is limited with no non-clinical studies in the UK. Ten focus groups explored perceptions and experiences of yoga among 35 youth (10–18 years). Inductive thematic analysis revealed that yoga was viewed as a holistic mind-body practice cultivating greater awareness and enhanced physical performance. Youth described yoga as providing tools that developed confidence, stress-management and emotional self-regulation. Social and relational impacts of yoga were highly valued. Despite the perceived biopsychosocial benefits of yoga, gendered and media representations of yoga may serve as a barrier to uptake.
ISSN:1359-1053
1461-7277
DOI:10.1177/13591053221146840