Yoga for Mind and Spirit

This survey-based observational study was designed to study an individual's Yoga
experience as it relates to psychological wellness, physical wellness, and subjective wellbeing.
Men and women ages 18-85 were recruited though Yoga studio participation and
through word of mouth. They answered demographic question as well as items from
four differential scales. Dependent variables included physical wellness, life satisfaction,
mindfulness, and subjective vitality.
Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results indicated that Yoga
participants perceive higher levels of mental wellness, physical wellness, and subjective
well-being. Additionally, Yoga participants, as compared to non-Yoga participants,
were more likely to perceive higher levels of perceived wellness, in almost all domains
tested, than exercisers versus nonexercisers.
The results of this study bring merit to Yoga participants' perception of wellness.
Further studies could investigate a variety of topics. Understanding how long it takes a
Yoga participant to feel higher levels of perceived wellness may be useful in designing
intervention studies. Additionally, looking at different styles of Yoga, specifically āsana,
meditation, and pranayama techniques, and implementation (home versus studio) would
be useful in the design of future research studies.