Baker, Graham

Fitzsimons, Claire

Mutrie, Nanette

Sivaramakrishnan, Divya

A very low percentage of older adults in Scotland meet the musclestrengthening, balance and co-ordination guidelines. Practicing yoga hasbenefits for older adults including improved strength, flexibility, mobility andbalance. To develop an appropriate yoga programme for older adults, it isimportant to get an in-depth understanding of their perceptions of yoga. Weconducted focus group discussions and interviews with a total of 19 male andfemale older adult participants, both with and without prior yoga experience.Thematic and framework analysis were used to analyze the transcripts, andexplore the differences in perceptions between the yoga and non-yogaparticipants. The study offers insights into how older adults perceive yogaincluding knowledge of yoga, thoughts on the features and perceived intensity of yoga practice, the gendered nature of participation, benefits, and apprehensions.Guidelines for instructors while working with older adults include being audible,giving clear instructions and demonstrating in class. Creating a non-threateningenvironment, being aware of the level of the class, and offering alternative postures are other suggestions to aid the effective delivery of a yoga class.Strategies such as providing more information on yoga and its benefits, andorganizing taster sessions or introductory classes were suggested to promoteyoga in this population. These findings would be useful to persons interested inyoga for an older population, and should be considered while developing a yogaprogramme

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Perceptions of Yoga among older adults:A qualitative approach

https://www.pure.ed.ac.uk/ws/files/59585493/fulltext_aypt_v2_id1035_1.pdf

Perceptions of Yoga among older adults:A qualitative approach

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