Yoga and Positive Education for Student Mental Health, Self-Compassion, and Vitality: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Yoga practice was associated with improved trait well-being outcomes over the 6-week program period.

• Study used a mixed-methods single-case experimental A1BA2 design with 7 volunteer undergraduate students enrolled in a positive education course.
• Trait variables (mental health, trait self-compassion, and trait subjective vitality) were assessed via validated questionnaires during the 2-week baseline phases preceding (A1) and following (A2) the yoga program.
• Visual, stability, level, and trend analyses were used to evaluate changes in trait outcomes across baseline phases.
• The 6-week yoga program consisted of two approximately 45-minute weekly virtual yoga classes (hatha yoga).

Yoga practice was associated with improved state self-compassion and state subjective vitality immediately following a yoga session.

• State variables were assessed immediately before and after one of the weekly yoga sessions.
• State self-compassion and state subjective vitality were measured using validated questionnaires.
• Reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended journal prompts also supported improvements in state well-being outcomes.
• Participants responded to open-ended journal prompts related to outcome variables following one of the sessions.

Qualitative journal responses supported and elaborated on the quantitative findings regarding self-compassion, mental health, and vitality.

• Participants responded to open-ended journal prompts related to mental health, self-compassion, and vitality following one yoga session.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data.
• The mixed-methods approach allowed triangulation of quantitative and qualitative findings.
• Qualitative findings were interpreted alongside visual, stability, level, and trend analyses of quantitative data.

The study design involved a small sample of 7 volunteer undergraduate students in a positive education course completing yoga concurrently with their coursework.

• Seven volunteer students enrolled in a positive education course participated.
• The A1BA2 single-case experimental design included a 2-week baseline (A1), a 6-week yoga intervention (B), and a 2-week post-yoga baseline (A2).
• All participants took their positive education course throughout the entire study period.
• The yoga program was delivered virtually with approximately 45-minute sessions twice weekly.

The study provides preliminary evidence that combining yoga with a positive education course may serve as a mental health promotion strategy for university students.

• The authors describe this as 'preliminary evidence for yoga and positive education courses as a means of increasing university students' mental health, self-compassion, and vitality both immediately and over time.'
• The research was framed in the context of a growing mental health crisis on university campuses.
• Positive education was defined as 'the teaching of applied positive psychology.'
• Suggestions for yoga program implementation and future research were discussed based on findings.