Exploring changes in mindfulness and body appreciation during yoga participation

Abstract

Evidence supports the positive role that yoga participation can play in predicting positive body image experiences. However, less is known about the mechanisms that might explain this relationship. The purpose of this study was to test for change in state and trait mindfulness and body appreciation as well as the relationship between change in trait mindfulness and change in body appreciation across 16 weeks of yoga participation. Participants (N = 376; Mage = 20.45; 87% female) were recruited from for-credit yoga classes at a university. They completed measures of trait mindfulness and body appreciation at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the 16-week course. They also completed a measure of state mindfulness of the body that targeted their experience during yoga every other week after class. Latent growth curves were estimated for each variable and demonstrated significant (p < .001) positive change in trait mindfulness and body appreciation. The full structural model showed that the rate of change in trait mindfulness associated positively with the rate of change in body appreciation. This significant relationship supports the role that mindfulness may play in supporting growth in positive body image during yoga participation.