CHICANX*SPIRITUALITY*YOGA*SOCIOLOGY
Yoga as therapy - Qualitative Research Methods
My research idea is yoga as therapy. As a yoga instructor and student, I myself have benefitted greatly from the therapeutic effects of yoga both mentally and physically. I've also seen this in students as well. I want to explore further this growing niche. Because I've only taught yoga for a year, I want to interview and refer to my yoga teachers/mentors as well as students, as to the benefits of yoga as a therapeutic tool. I'm currently in the process of collecting my literature reviews and setting up my interviews. This page will be dedicated to my research process concerning my topic.
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(3-3-17) I've turned in my research proposal regarding my topic yoga as therapy. Here are my goals concerning this project.
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Sarah De La Rosa-FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL OUTLINE
IDEA- My idea is Yoga as Therapy. I will explore the effects of yoga as therapy in regards to both physical and mental well-being. Yoga offers many techniques to maintain the body both physically and emotionally. These practices can be modified to be made available to any person, any age. I plan to speak to both students of yoga who benefit from their yoga practice as well as certified yoga therapists
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-A randomized controlled trial comparing yoga, physical, therapy, and education for chronic low back pain in predominantly low income minorities by Robert Saper
-This article is comparing the effects of yoga vs. physical therapy to treat chronic lower back pain in a random controlled trial. They focused on minorities with low incomes, who were middle aged. Results found yoga to be non-inferior to physical therapy when used to treat chronic lower back pain for 12 weeks.
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-Effect of a 12 week yoga therapy program on mental health status in elderly women inmates of a hospice
By Meena Ramanathan, Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Madanmohan Trakroo
-This article is about a study that implements yoga practice twice a week in a hospice setting with elderly patients. Yoga was modified to meet the elderly subjects’ physical needs/limitations. Results found that yoga as therapy in the elderly can be a great alternative to pharmaceuticals to treat certain physical ailments, and produces no harsh effects. A complimentary yoga practice can enhance their physical and mental outlook. Study found a reduction in both mental symptoms such as depression and physical symptoms like lower back pain, amongst other issues.
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-Salute to the sun: a new dawn in yoga therapy for breast cancer
By Melissa Galliford
This article explores the inclusion of yoga therapy to the treatment of breast cancer, used to improve patient’s physical and psychosocial quality of life. Improved psychosocial benefits included anxiety, social functioning, stress, and depression. Reported physical benefits were better sleep quality, lymphocyte apoptosis, and salivary cortisol readings. Evidence suggests the use of yoga therapy to improve physical and psychosocial quality of life for breast cancer patients. Long term follow up is necessary to determine the efficacy of these yoga intervention in these patients.
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Theoretical Perspective- I’d like to frame this research through identity theory. Identity theory explores relationship between our identity and behavior within the social world. Research shows that yoga can help with one’s esteem, self-awareness and self-care behavior. When an individual can care for themselves first, then they are capable to contribute to society as a whole, in a positive manner. I will also utilize symbolic interaction theory as this project focuses on social interaction through practice of yoga therapy and the meanings within that working relationship.
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Research Methods- I intend to conduct interviews, a focus group, and observations. My hopes are to collect practitioner’s experiences as to why they use yoga as a mental or physical therapy. Over spring break, I will conduct an hour-long yoga practice with some of my regular students and conduct a focus group after said session. I also intend to interview yoga therapy professionals who do this kind of work for a living.
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Research Design- I will obtain informed consent from participants. The ten participants I will be working with will be a mix of 5 people who as yoga students, keep a consistent practice. The other 5 participants will be professional yoga instructors, 3 of which currently, certifiably practice yoga therapy. I will be conducting a yoga class and inviting some of my regular students who have an interest in participating in my project. The yoga professionals were either teachers/mentors of mine, or recommended through current yoga friends. See attached questionnaire to review interview questions. If time allows, I’d like to observe my mentors or yoga instructors within a yoga therapy session. I will observe my students during yoga practice/focus group session. Included may be some visual data of yoga students before/during/after practice or session.
Collect Data/Conduct Research- I will get informed consent from participants. I will interview my participants, conduct a focus group with my participants, observe my participants and write field notes. I will collect visuals.
Data Analysis- I will organize and analyze the data I have collected through my literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, observations etc.
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Finding- I will write up my findings for my research/reflection paper citing the texts, scholarly literature, data gathered from my research participants and my personal reflection on the topic.
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Dissemination- I will upload final paper to Blackboard.
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Age ?
Gender/Sex ?
Race/Ethnicity ?
Level of Educational Attainment ?
Relationship Status ?
Employment Status (FT/PT/Unemployed) ?
Type of Employment ?
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(1). Why do you practice yoga?
(2.) Does practicing yoga benefit you physically? Explain.
(3.) Does practicing yoga benefit you mentally? Explain.
(4.) While engaging in yoga practice, are you able to stop outside distractions? (silence inner voices)
(5.) Can you describe how you feel before to after a yoga session?
(6.) What is your quality of sleep when practicing yoga vs. not practicing yoga?
(7.) How have your feelings towards yoga changed since you first began practicing yoga?
(8.) How have your feelings towards yourself changed since you first began practicing yoga?
(9.) Does the breath awareness in class affect you? How?
(10.) Would you recommend yoga as therapy to friends or family suffering from physical or mental ailments?
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I will be conducting individual interviews as well as leading a 1 hour yoga class. After the class, I will have a focus group session with individuals that participated. I will update here with some insight as to how research goes, as this is my first time conducting a focus group. Wish me luck!
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(3-8-2017) I posted a flyer for the yoga class/focus group that I will be conducting next week. Here is the basic info for the event. The response has been well.
WED. 3/15/17
Yoga flow
Yoga and conversation
Join us for a one hour, beginner friendly yoga session. The session is free and you are encouraged to engage in a short group discussion after practice. Why do you practice yoga? What brings you to your mat? Refreshments provided.
Sarah De La Rosa RYT-200
6:30-8:00pm
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Casa de la Cultura Annex building
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716 W. Garza St.
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Bring your mat
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All are welcome!
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