Adler University, Vancouver, Canada.
Int J Yoga Therap. 2021 Jan 1;31(1). doi: 10.17761/2020-D-19-00043.
The practice of yoga was born in India thousands of years ago and brought to North America gradually beginning in the 20th century. The traditional practice of yoga is spiritual in nature with an intention of purifying the mind and body, leading to an alleviation of suffering through connection with the Divine (i.e., liberation). Yoga has gained widespread popularity in North America, but whether North American yoga practice includes an intention on the purification of the mind-body, in contemporary practice often described as a mind-body connection, has yet to be explored. This research study investigated North American yoga practitioners' experiences of mind-body connection in their practices. Six yoga practitioners residing in North America were interviewed for this study. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. Phenomenological analysis was conducted to produce the essence data, and thematic analysis was conducted to produce the contextual data. Phenomenological themes regarding the co-researchers' experiences of mind-body connection in their yoga practices were identified and grouped into four textural essences: (1) the experience of breath, (2) local or internal experiences, (3) an increased sense of awareness and mindfulness, and (4) transcendental and spiritual qualities. Four structural conditions that allow practitioners to experience mind-body connection during yoga practice were identified: (1) breath, (2) physical asana, (3) practitioner intentionality, and (4) environmental conditions. Findings of the current study suggest a capacity for North American yoga practitioners to experience mind-body connection that is essential to traditional yoga practice.
瑜伽的实践起源于几千年前的印度，于 20 世纪逐渐传入北美。瑜伽的传统实践本质上是精神性的，旨在净化身心，通过与神性的联系（即解脱）来减轻痛苦。瑜伽在北美广受欢迎，但北美瑜伽实践是否包含净化身心的意图，在当代实践中常被描述为身心联系，尚未得到探索。本研究调查了北美的瑜伽练习者在练习中身心联系的体验。本研究对 6 名居住在北美的瑜伽练习者进行了访谈。访谈进行了录音和转录。采用现象学分析产生本质数据，采用主题分析产生情境数据。确定了关于共同研究者在瑜伽实践中身心联系体验的现象学主题，并将其分为四个文本本质：（1）呼吸体验，（2）局部或内部体验，（3）增强的意识和正念，以及（4）超越和精神品质。确定了在瑜伽练习中允许练习者体验身心联系的四个结构条件：（1）呼吸，（2）身体姿势，（3）练习者的意图，以及（4）环境条件。本研究的结果表明，北美的瑜伽练习者有能力体验到身心联系，这是传统瑜伽实践的关键。
