Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on yoga instruction: Examining teaching methodology, class components, and injury patterns in the Northeastern US

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the perspectives of yoga instructors (YIs) regarding teaching methodology, class components, and yoga-related injuries among their clients

Design

A cross-sectional design in this study.

Setting

A total of 407 YIs from Northeastern United States completed a customized, web-based survey.

Main outcome measures

Chi-square tests were carried out to determine changes in yoga teaching format before and during the pandemic, as well as the counts of yoga related injuries between face-to-face (FtoF) and online teaching format. Independent t tests were used to compare the characteristics of yoga teaching elements.

Results

During the pandemic, 47 % of YIs adopted online teaching, followed by a mixed (45.9 %) format and FtoF (7.1 %) instruction. Both online and FtoF classes showed similar trends, with most reporting class sizes of 4–6, followed by 7–9 and then 1–3 students. Regardless of the teaching format, most YIs performed sun salutations and practiced mixed yoga styles. Among the YIs teaching yoga online, 84.6 % expressed their willingness to continue offering online classes post-pandemic and perceived the quality of online yoga teaching as high. Importantly, the number of injuries was low, and there were no significant differences in injury counts between FtoF (3.6 %) and online (4.2 %) teaching formats (p > 0.05). The most common injury in all forms of teaching yoga was a sprain/strain (42.9 %).

Conclusions

These findings could inform the development of research studies to examine the long-term feasibility and effectiveness of delivering online yoga since short-term benefits, safety, and YI acceptance appear favorable.