Examining the use of props to assist undergraduates in developing a sustainable yoga practice

Introduction

While shown to have physical and mental benefits, yoga practice can be challenging and result in injury. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no known study conducted on the use of props to aid college students in learning yoga, including more difficult poses. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of using props involving three poses on overall satisfaction and sustainability of practice.

Method

Quasi-experimental study was conducted with 220 undergraduate students in physical education courses at a research-intensive university. Data were collected on participants’ experiences performing three yoga poses with and without prop assistance over two semesters.

Results

There were significant impacts in participants’ reporting the benefit of using props for moderately difficult poses (t 3.793 = , P = 0.001) and more difficult poses (t 2.876 = , P = 0.002), but no significant difference for when they utilized props for a less demanding pose. An outcome of overall satisfaction, a change in variance (0.355), can be explained by the use of the props with three poses.

Conclusion

Prop usage aided participants with more difficult poses that required additional balance and flexibility and contributed to the overall satisfaction and sustainability of practice.