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Trauma-Informed Yoga for Positive Mental Health: A qualitative study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Trauma-Informed Yoga for Positive Mental Health: A qualitative study

Tracey Mulvihill, Sandra Grace, Dr Joanne Bradbury and Dr Frances Doran
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, Vol.43, pp.435-442
09/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.011
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract

Empowerment Mindfulness Positive mental health Trauma-informed Yoga
Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of positive mental health (PMH) in adults who engaged in a 10-week online Trauma-Informed Yoga (TIY) program. Method: Participants engaged in weekly, 1-h, pre-recorded online TIY intervention sessions for 10 weeks. They completed weekly diaries, and seven participants took part in semi-structured interviews of up to 1-h. Data were thematically analysed. The theoretical framework was informed by Sprietzer, 1995 model of empowerment in the workplace. Findings: Fifteen participants (10 females; 5 males) aged between 27 and 65 years engaged in the program. Participants reported experiencing increased self-empowerment and increased PMH at the end of the study. The main themes were increases in the capacity to slow down, self-awareness and capacity for finding meaning in life, to choose one's best self, live truthfully and establish mutuality. Reports suggest the skills acquired could be extrapolated to other areas of their lives. Conclusion: The findings suggest a 10-week course of TIY was experienced as having a positive effect on PMH and a capacity to personally empower participants. A conceptual model of empowerment in TIY is proposed, based on participants’ capacity to slow down and thereby increase their self-awareness, to find meaning in their lives and make choices about how to live their lives that went beyond the practice of TIY. They chose their best self in their circumstances, tried to live truthfully in the world, and actively communicated with kindness. Further investigation is required to confirm these findings in other cohorts.

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