Is the “Yoga Bod” the new skinny?

Webb, Jennifer B.; Vinoski, Erin; Warren‐Findlow, Jan; Padro, Meagan; Burris, Elizabeth N.; Suddreth, Elizabeth M.

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.11.005

Cited by 51 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…The literature indicates that yoga practitioners are commonly perceived as mostly non-Hispanic white, athletic females of upper socio-economic status (Atkinson & Permuth-Levine, 2009; Smith & Atencio, 2017), potentially serving as a barrier to marginalized populations. The media can engender these beliefs as non-Hispanic white female models most commonly appear in yoga-related advertisements and magazines (Vinoski et al, 2017; Webb et al, 2017). Notably, race per se is not a strong predictor of willingness to participate in research studies (Durant et al, 2011); thus, yoga researchers should consider racial/ethnic barriers specific to yoga participation to enhance study recruitment and minority representation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults

Spadola

Rottapel

Khandpur

et al. 2017

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

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Yoga is underutilized among racial/ethnic minorities and low-income populations. To enhance participation among these demographic groups and to inform a future clinical trial, we conducted a qualitative formative investigation, informed by the Social Contextual Model of health behavior change, to identify barriers and facilitators to yoga that could impact study participation. We recruited twenty-four racially/ethnically diverse adults, with and without prior yoga experience, from a low-income, urban housing community to participate in either an individual interview or focus group. A thematic data analysis approach was employed. Barriers to yoga engagement included the perception that yoga lacks physicality and weight loss benefits, fear of injury, lack of ability/self-efficacy to perform the practices, preference for other physical activities, and scheduling difficulties. Facilitators of yoga engagement included a quality yoga instructor who provides individualized instruction, beginner level classes, and promotional messaging that highlights the potential benefits of yoga, such as stress reduction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults

Spadola

Rottapel

Khandpur

et al. 2017

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

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“…However, yoga may also present unique challenges and barriers for larger individuals or those with body image concerns such as the use of mirrors in yoga facilities, which can exacerbate negative feelings and may be a barrier to participation [ 25 ]. The mainstream portrayal of yoga often includes slim women wearing tight fitting clothing that might limit participation by those who believe they do not fit that stereotypical image and lead to greater body dissatisfaction [ 26 ]. Since body image concerns [ 27 ], social stigma [ 28 ], physical activity preferences [ 29 , 30 ], and perceptions/benefits of yoga may differ according to weight status, it is of interest to hear the perspectives of both overweight and non-overweight individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yoga’s potential for promoting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among young adults: a mixed-methods study

Watts

Rydell

Eisenberg

et al. 2018

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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BackgroundA regular yoga practice may have benefits for young adult health, however, there is limited evidence available to guide yoga interventions targeting weight-related health. The present study explored the relationship between participation in yoga, healthy eating behaviors and physical activity among young adults.MethodsThe present mixed-methods study used data collected as part of wave 4 of Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), a population-based cohort study in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Young adults (n = 1820) completed the Project EAT survey and a food frequency questionnaire, and a subset who reported practicing yoga additionally participated in semi-structured interviews (n = 46). Analyses of survey data were used to examine cross-sectional associations between the frequency of yoga practice, dietary behaviors (servings of fruits and vegetables (FV), sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and snack foods and frequency of fast food consumption), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Thematic analysis of interview discussions further explored yoga’s perceived influence on eating and activity behaviors among interview participants.ResultsRegular yoga practice was associated with more servings of FV, fewer servings of SSBs and snack foods, less frequent fast food consumption, and more hours of MVPA. Interviews revealed that yoga supported healthy eating through motivation to eat healthfully, greater mindfulness, management of emotional eating, more healthy food cravings, and the influence of the yoga community. Yoga supported physical activity through activity as part of yoga practice, motivation to do other forms of activity, increased capacity to be active, and by complementing an active lifestyle.ConclusionsYoung adult yoga practitioners reported healthier eating behaviors and higher levels of physical activity than non-practitioners. Yoga should be investigated as an intervention for young adult health promotion and healthy weight management.

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“…[2122] Previous researches examining representations of diversity (e.g., racial/ethnic, body size, and age diversity) and in-text inclusion of yogic philosophies have used YJ . [181923]…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite yoga's numerous potential benefits, scholars and activists are concerned that dominant media representations of yoga and its practitioners may limit the perceived accessibility of the practice. Previous analyses of mainstream yoga print media suggest that these outlets contain limited visual representations of men, older adults, people of color, and people of larger body size, and that these representations have become increasingly narrow over the past four decades,[1819] potentially discouraging people from trying yoga despite its health benefits. [20]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yoga is for every (able) body: A content analysis of disability themes within mainstream yoga media

Thomas¹,

Warren‐Findlow²,

Webb

2019

Int J Yoga

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Yoga is increasingly being recommended as a health self-management strategy for people with a range of disabilities. Mainstream yoga media have been criticized for limited representation of racial/ethnic, gender, age, and body size diversity within their publications; however, it is not known how these media outlets include visual representations of or textual information relevant for people with disabilities (PWDs). The purpose of this research was to understand if and how mainstream yoga media visually represent and include information for PWDs. We conducted a content analysis of the “Yogapedia” section of each Yoga Journal magazine published in 2015 and 2016 (n = 17). Two independent coders rated all of the images and text in these sections. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach informed by a prominent theoretical model of disablement. Results suggest that images contained no representation of disability. In contrast, magazine text included an abundance of references to disability; however, these mentions predominately aligned with constructs found early in the disablement process and strongly focused on physical and mobility limitations. These findings expand upon previous research examining the underrepresentation of marginalized groups within yoga media and illuminate a paucity of relevant information for individuals with disabilities who are interested in and may benefit from yoga practice.

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Is the “Yoga Bod” the new skinny?

Cited by 51 publications

References 50 publications

Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults

Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults

Yoga’s potential for promoting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among young adults: a mixed-methods study

Yoga is for every (able) body: A content analysis of disability themes within mainstream yoga media

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