Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults.
Christine E Spadola, Rebecca Rottapel, Neha Khandpur and 7 others
PMID 29122272WHAT IT FOUND
Low-income adults commonly saw yoga as relaxing and flexibility-focused, but injury fears, class timing, and unclear expectations limited participation; beginner classes and personable instructors were facilitators.
Key findings
01Participants commonly viewed yoga as a mind-body practice with mental health, physical health, and well-being benefits.
02Barriers included injury concerns and conflicts with work and family schedules.
03Facilitators included beginner-friendly classes and personable, knowledgeable instructors.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The findings come from 24 people in one low-income housing community, so they may not apply to other populations. The community had an on-site gym, free or subsidized yoga classes, and childcare, which may have reduced cost and childcare barriers seen elsewhere. The study did not quantify prior yoga experience for the whole sample. The moderator's race/ethnicity and the mixed racial/ethnic makeup of focus groups may have influenced what was discussed. No clinical outcomes were measured, so the study cannot show that yoga works.
Declared interests
The authors declared they have no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that yoga improves sleep or that these barriers apply to all low-income adults. The study reports perceptions and themes from 24 adults in one housing community with free or subsidized yoga classes.