Improved Self-Acceptance, Quality of Life, and Stress Level from Participation in a Worksite Yoga Foundations Program: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Yoga is increasing in popularity in the United States and across the globe. However, most yoga programs are provided outside the worksite; although many companies offer worksite wellness programs, at present there is limited documentation regarding the potential benefits of participating in a worksite yoga program. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to examine the potential effect of a worksite yoga program on self-acceptance, quality of life, and perceived stress. A prospective cohort pilot study that examined a structured worksite yoga program was designed and tailored to individuals new to yoga. The 8-week Yoga Foundations program was conducted at an academic medical center's worksite wellness center with 86 subjects. Outcome measures were the 36-item Self-Acceptance Scale; a six-item quality-of-life measure that assesses overall, social, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; and the ten-item Perceived Stress Scale. Participants demonstrated significant improvement in their overall self-acceptance ( p < 0.001), quality of life ( p < 0.001), and perceived stress ( p < 0.001) levels. They also highly rated the yoga instructors and the weekly format of the program. Participation in a Yoga Foundations program was associated with improvements in self-acceptance, quality of life and stress levels in worksite wellness center members. Future studies should use randomized designs and examine other wellness domains to learn more about the potential benefits of worksite yoga programs.

Improvements in Psychological and Occupational Well-Being in a Pragmatic Controlled Trial of a Yoga-Based Program for Professionals

“…[16][17][18] Recent previous studies of yoga programs for frontline professionals have reported improved psychological and occupational well-being, including stress and resilience in university and government employees, 19,20 stress and mood in police officer trainees, 21 self-care, mindfulness, and burnout in nurses, 22 resilience, work engagement, and stress in intensive care unit workers, 23,24 work-related stress in mental health professionals, 25,26 anger and anxiety in active and retired armed forces members, 27 and stress and quality of life in academic medical center employees. 28 Recently, a Kripalu yoga-based program resulted in improvements in stress, depression, mindfulness, and aspects of self-compassion in mental health care professionals. 26 Despite these promising results, few studies have investigated the impact of brief, residential yoga-based programs developed specifically for professionals.…”

Adverse childhood experiences and yoga as “a practice of liberation”.

“…Similarly, the adversities that many of the participants faced in their childhood often contributed to a lack of self-worth. This was corrected for many of the participants through yoga, as the practice promoted self-acceptance, self-knowledge, self-trust, and self-compassion, which has been supported by prior literature (Casey et al, 2018; West et al, 2017). The development of these capacities transformed feelings of anger, shame, and criticism that had generated as a result of their ACEs among the participants in this study.…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial in the Evaluation of a Novel Stress Management Tool: A Lounge Chair Experience

“…These interventions have generally been found to be effective in reducing stress when routinely practiced. 7,8 Unfortunately, many Americans find it difficult to engage in such practices on a regular basis. The discipline to develop a regular practice (where positive effects can be felt) is not common in U.S. adults and only a relatively small proportion of individuals adhere to a resiliency practice over a lifetime, where the benefits would be clinically meaningful.…”