A randomized experimental evaluation of a yoga-based body image intervention

Abstract

Recent literature argues that body image interventions need to become more embodied. This paper evaluates a brief yoga-based body image intervention which incorporates themes specifically tailored to focus on positive body image. Young women (Mage = 20.21, SDage = 2.15) were randomly allocated to a four-session yoga intervention (n = 22) or a control condition (n = 22). Compared to controls, participants in the yoga condition reported significant increases in body appreciation, body connectedness, body satisfaction, and positive mood at posttest and at 4-week follow-up. There were no significant changes in negative mood or body surveillance. These findings add to existing evidence that yoga can improve women’s body image and positive mood. In addition, they suggest that a strong thematic focus on positive body image can achieve benefits at relatively low yoga doses. These findings are important as intervention length impacts the potential for dissemination.