van Stom, Hayley2024-01-282024-01-282023https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/69332This thesis aimed to understand the lived experiences of those who practice yoga regularly and how this has impacted their daily lives. Six participants (3 female and 3 male) were asked to observe their personal yoga practice over the course of 4-weeks. They were given a journal and thought-provoking journal prompts to help them reflect on how their practice may or may not be influencing their general health and wellbeing. Following the observation period, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with each participant. Phenomenological thematic analysis was undertaken with each transcript before comparing and contrasting these themes across the six data sets. Findings showed deep and meaningful data with eleven themes highlighting the healing power of yoga and how this practice may ripple into one’s daily life. Themes included being able to notice thought patterns, present-moment awareness, the importance of yoga, taking yoga off the mat and the physical, mental and emotional benefits of a regular yoga practice. Concluding that the participants experience a healing power to the practice of yoga that they are able to observe, reflect upon and articulate.enThe AuthorThesis520304 Health psychology