The practicability and relevance of developing a yoga intervention for mental health consumers: A qualitative study

The aim of the study was to understand the perspectives of mental health consumers, staff, and yoga teachers on the characteristics of a yoga-based intervention to be developed for consumers with a long-term mental health condition, in addition to anxiety and/or depression. Two focus groups were held with mental health consumers (n = 8), two focus groups with mental health staff (n = 13) from a metropolitan community mental health setting, and five one-on-one interviews with yoga teachers. Participants were asked about the feasibility and appropriateness of a range of yoga practice features to be tested as a newly developed yoga-based intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Findings included the following consumer themes: Mental health understanding and experience of teachers and participants is important, Creating a safe space and Yoga practice elements. Staff themes included Mental health understanding and experience of teachers is important, Environmental design, and Yoga practice elements. Yoga teacher themes included Environmental design and Yoga practice elements. Mental health understanding and experience of the yoga teacher, and trauma-informed care were consistently emphasized by consumers and staff. Teachers focused less on specific mental health considerations, which may be reflective of a broader knowledge gap. Recommendations regarding yoga practice elements, including pre-information, regular and consistent practice, modifications, breathwork, mindfulness and guided practice, and environmental design features, were consistent with current trauma-informed yoga research. Findings will be used to guide the development of a yoga-based intervention for consumers with a long-term mental health condition, in addition to anxiety and/or depression.