The effects of yoga on functionality appreciation and additional facets of positive body image

Jessica M Alleva*, Tracy L Tylka, Kim van Oorsouw, Erika Montanaro, Iris Perey, Cheyenne Bolle, Jantine Boselie, Madelon Peters, Jennifer B Webb

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of yoga on functionality appreciation, and the potential mechanisms that could explain the impact of yoga on additional facets of positive body image. Young adult women (N = 114; Mage = 22.19) were randomised to a 10-week Hatha yoga programme or waitlist control group. Participants completed measures of functionality appreciation, body appreciation, body compassion, appearance evaluation, self-objectification, and embodiment at Pretest, Midtest, Posttest, and 1-month Follow-Up. Follow-up data could not be analysed due to high levels of attrition. The remaining data showed that, compared to the control group, women in the yoga programme experienced lower self-objectification at Midtest and greater embodiment over time. Further, all participants experienced improvements in body appreciation, body compassion, and appearance evaluation over time, regardless of their assigned group. Lower self-objectification contributed to improvements in body appreciation and body compassion. In addition, greater embodiment contributed to improvements in body appreciation, body compassion, and appearance evaluation. Contrary to our expectations, yoga did not lead to increased functionality appreciation, nor was functionality appreciation a mediator of the impact of yoga on positive body image. Instead, lower self-objectification, and greater embodiment, drove improvements in positive body image.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)184-195
Number of pages12
JournalBody Image
Volume34
Early online date1 Jul 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2020

Keywords

  • Functionality appreciation
  • Yoga
  • Positive body image
  • Body appreciation
  • Self-objectification
  • Embodiment
  • SELF-OBJECTIFICATION
  • PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION
  • PROTECT WOMEN
  • FIT INDEXES
  • SATISFACTION
  • PROGRAM
  • TRIAL
  • DISSATISFACTION
  • INTERVENTION
  • MINDFULNESS

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