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On and Off the Mat: Yoga Experiences of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2016

Annette Wertman ,
Andrew V. Wister  and
Barbara A. Mitchell
Annette Wertman
Affiliation:
Registered Music Therapist & Certified Yoga Instructor, Vancouver
Andrew V. Wister*
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University
Barbara A. Mitchell
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology/Anthropology & Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University
*
†La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Andrew V. Wister, Ph.D. Department of Gerontology Simon Fraser University 2800-515 Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 (wister@sfu.ca)
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Abstract

This article explores potential differences in yoga practice between middle-and older-aged adults. A health belief – life course model frames this research, and a mixed-methods analytic strategy is employed to examine life course pathways into yoga and motivations to practice, as well as perceived barriers and health benefits. For the quantitative analyses, a convenience sample of 452 participants was collected using an online questionnaire. For the qualitative analyses, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sub-set of 20 participants. Unique differences between the age groups (both current age and age when started yoga) as well as by gender were found for selected pathways, reasons/motivations, and barriers to engage in yoga as well as for perceived health benefits. In addition, results underscore the importance of informational cues and social linkages that affect how individuals adopt and experience yoga. Implications for health promotion programs that target older adults are discussed.

Résumé

Cet article examine les différences potentielles dans la pratique du yoga entre les adultes d’âge moyen et les adultes plus âgés. Un modèle Croyance à Santé/Parcours de Vie encadre cette recherche, et une stratégie analytique de méthodes mixtes est utilisée pour examiner les voies de parcours de vie dans le yoga, et la motivation à la pratique, ainsi que les obstacles perçus et les bénéfices pour la santé. Pour les analyses quantitatives, un échantillon de convenance de 452 participants a été recueilli au moyen d’un questionnaire en ligne. Pour les analyses qualitatives, des entrevues en face-à-face ont été menées auprès d’un sous-ensemble de 20 participants. Des différences uniques se sont manifestées entre les groupes d’âge (à la fois à l’âge actuel et à l’âge du démarrage de yoga), ainsi que par sexe pour certaines voies, les raisons / motivations, et les obstacles à s’engager dans le yoga, ainsi que pour les bénéfices de santé perçues. En outre, les résultats soulignent l’importance des points de repère d’information et des liens sociaux qui affectent la façon dont les individus adoptent et éprouvent le yoga. On discute les implications en ce qui concern les programmes à la promotion de la santé qui ciblent les adultes âgés.

Keywords

agingyogamiddle and older age adultsmultiple methodologiesvieillissmentyogades adultes d’âge moyen et plus âgésméthodologie multiple
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 35 , Issue 2 , June 2016 , pp. 190 - 205
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Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2016 

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