When the data obtained from the Personal Information Form were evaluated, it was found that the age range of the participants was between 23 and 68 years, 6/18 of them were between 40–50 years old and 16/18 of them were women. Considering the occupations of the participants, it was determined that 4/18 were lecturers, 3/18 were civil servants, 2/18 were students, teachers and retired teachers, 1/18 were nurse, painter, administrative assistant, massage therapist and housewive. With respect to the disease state of the participants, it was revealed that 15/18 of them had a history of chronic disease, 11/18 of them had chronic pain and 3/18 of them had anxiety disorder. Participants duration of yoga practice varied between 2–5 years (Table 1).
Table 1
Sociodemographic data of participants (n = 18).
Participant
|
Gender
|
Age
|
Education
|
Occupations
|
Chronic disease
|
Chronic pain
|
Duration of yoga practice (years)
|
P1
|
Female
|
23
|
High school
|
Student
|
Yes
|
No
|
2
|
P2
|
Female
|
68
|
University
|
Teacher
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3
|
P3
|
Male
|
27
|
University
|
Students
|
No
|
No
|
2
|
P4
|
Female
|
59
|
University
|
Lecturer
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3
|
P5
|
Female
|
50
|
University
|
Administrative assistants
|
Yes
|
No
|
4
|
P6
|
Male
|
39
|
University
|
Massage therapists
|
No
|
No
|
5
|
P7
|
Female
|
41
|
University
|
Civil servants
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3
|
P8
|
Female
|
51
|
University
|
Painter
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2
|
P9
|
Female
|
28
|
University
|
Lecturer
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2
|
P10
|
Female
|
40
|
University
|
Teacher
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2
|
P11
|
Female
|
35
|
University
|
Lecturer
|
No
|
No
|
2
|
P12
|
Female
|
45
|
University
|
Nurse
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
5
|
P13
|
Female
|
67
|
University
|
Retired teacher
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2
|
P14
|
Female
|
64
|
University
|
Retired teacher
|
Yes
|
No
|
2
|
P15
|
Female
|
47
|
University
|
Lecturer
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3
|
P16
|
Female
|
50
|
University
|
Civil servants
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2
|
P17
|
Female
|
60
|
University
|
Civil servants
|
Yes
|
No
|
2
|
P18
|
Female
|
59
|
Primary school
|
Housewive
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3
|
We created five themes. Themes coded by researchers: meaning of the concept of yoga (theme 1), physical, mental and social state before starting yoga (theme 2), reasons for practising yoga (theme 3), the participants' experiences of related to their physical and mental health and social relationships (theme 4), difficulties of doing yoga (theme 5). In addition, individuals in the study their perceptions of the concept of "yoga", their mental “yoga is like …… in order to reveal the images and their causes. Because ……” metaphor were asked to complete their sentences. A justification for the metaphors produced by the research participants or the concept of “because” is included to provide a basis.
Table 2
Theme and sub-theme experiences of the participants who practice yoga
Themes/ *sub-themes
|
n = 18 (The number of participants)
|
Theme 1. Meaning of the Concept of Yoga
*Healthy life
*Exercise
*Awareness
*Balance
*Calmness
*Harmoy
|
18
5
11
2
2
5
3
|
Theme 2. Physical, Mental and Social State before Starting Yoga
*Physical ailments
*Sedentary life
*Doing sports other than yoga
*Feeling negative emotions
*Fatigue
*Social isolation
*Coping difficulty
*Anxiety
|
18
3
3
6
3
4
1
4
1
|
Theme 3. Reasons for Practising Yoga
* Healthy life
* Reducing chronic pain
*Coping with stress
* Raising awareness
*Increasing positive thinking and belief
* Being calm
|
18
8
9
1
6
1
3
|
Theme 4. Experiences of the Participants' Physical, Mental and Social State
* Reducing chronic pain
*Increasing sleep quality
*Increasing positive personality traits
*Increasing self-esteem
*Raising awareness
*Increasing positive emotions
*Relieving
*Coping with stress
|
18
9
4
5
4
5
12
11
2
|
Theme 5. Difficulties of Doing Yoga
*Physical difficulty
*Mental difficulty
|
18
10
1
|
Theme 1: Meaning of the Concept of Yoga
11/18 of the participants in the study expressed the meaning of the concept of yoga with the theme “exercise”, while 5/18 used the theme “healthy life” and “calmness”, 3/18 used the theme ‘harmony’, 2/18 used the theme "awareness" and “balance” (Table 2). Some of the participants' statements regarding the meaning of the concept of yoga are as follows:
For me, the concept of yoga means standing against the speed culture created by our current age, and the calmness that occurs as a result this stance (P3) (Theme-calmness)
Yoga means ensuring harmony between the inner world and the outer world for me (P12) (Theme-harmony-balance).
It is a form of physical exercise that focuses on breathing and protects our physical and mental health through stretching movements (P4) (Theme-exercise-healthy life)
It's the best time I spare to myself. I become aware of my whole body (P13) (Theme-awareness)
It is the movements and rest that calm your mind and make you feel mentally fit while stretching and resting the body through relevant body movements (P9) (Theme-exercise).
Theme 2: Physical, Mental and Social State before Starting Yoga
Once the participants were asked about their physical, mental and social state before starting yoga, they gave the following responses: 6/18 of them were "doing sports other than yoga"; 4/18 were "fatigued" and had "coping difficulty"; 3/18 had " physical ailments', 'sedentary life' and felt 'negative emotions', and 1/18 of them had 'social isolation' (Table 2).
Some of the participants' statements about their physical, spiritual and social state before starting yoga are as follows:
I couldn't find time to rest, I often had neck pain, and I had lung disease in the winters (P10) (Theme - physical ailments).
I had fatigue, leg pain and oedema, as well as varicose pain that did not go away (P17) (Theme - physical ailments).
I had a monotonous life, I was a fairy godmother, I always said yes to everyone, and I did not have time to spare to myself and to be on my own (P18) (Theme-sedentary life).
I was interested in sports that required more speed. I didn't know the importance of slowing down and awareness of body (P11) (Theme-sports other than yoga).
I was in a stressful state with difficult-to-cope emotions (P1) (Theme-feeling negative emotions- coping difficulty)
Before starting yoga, I was less tolerant of events and feeling more lonely, and thanks to yoga, I believe that I have overcome these negative emotions, and my presence in the universe is so pleasant and I am grateful for being a part of the universe (P5) (Theme-feeling negative emotions).
Before I started doing Yoga, especially my mind was like a machine running full-time (P3) (Theme-fatigue).
I had a very intense pace of work. Since my husband worked out of the city, it was really exhausting and wearing to assume the responsibility of two children, to be both a mother and father, to run a large hospital and to attend classes at school (P15) (Theme-Coping difficulty)
I've been trying to do yoga with you for two years. During this period, I had angio ablation because of rhythm disturbance, but it was not successful and drug treatment was started. Meanwhile, I had anxiety and a fear that I didn't know about, I started yoga at this very moment, my fears decreased every day, I felt my soul healed, and after five months, I stopped taking antidepressants. I felt relief in my heart (P16) (Theme-anxiety).
Theme 3: Reasons for Practising Yoga
Participants stated that they practised yoga for a healthy life (8/18), to raise awareness (6/18), to reduce pain (9/18) and to be calm (3/18), to cope with stress, and to increase positive thinking (1/18) (Table 2).
Some of the participants' statements regarding their reasons for practising yoga are as follows:
Yoga strengthens the immune system, allows you to have a healthy skeletal system, and even strong and flexible muscles, and it regulates the circulatory system, positively affects the digestive system, reduces stress, improves sleep quality, and improves communication skills and self-confidence (P6) (Theme - healthy life)
When I do yoga, I feel that I think in a healthier way and my body is healthier. I also feel mentally and spiritually purified (P9) (Theme - healthy life).
Severe cricks started in my back. I had crick in my back for five times in a year, I stayed in bed for months and had injections. The quality of my life decreased so much that I was afraid to even go for a walk. I went to a doctor and the doctor said I was having a heavy muscle spasm, and he recommended yoga. My brother had been practising yoga for about a year and he was so happy, I started it thanks to him. I was in a lot of pain on the first day when I started yoga. And when I got out of the yoga hall, a miracle happened. I felt so good, I can't describe it. I got healthy again (P8) (Theme - Reducing pains).
I started yoga because I thought it would relax my mind. I thought it would help me relax and get me out of the stressful situation. And it helped as I thought (P15) (Theme - coping with stress).
Being able to be on my own and integrating with myself mentally and physically, I feel my calm and peaceful mood in my daily life increased, and I feel my muscles relax and my body relax (P16) (Theme- raising awareness)
Events that used to worry me for days and make me nervous now make me laugh. I can focus better now. And most importantly, my energy has gone up. Now I can easily get rid of the usual negativities around me (P10) (Theme - increasing positive thinking).
Theme 4: Experiences of the Participants' Physical, Mental and Social State
Participants stated the effects of yoga on their physical, mental and social states as follows: increasing positive emotions (12/18), relieving (11/18), reducing pain (9/18), increasing positive personality traits and raising awareness (5/18), increasing sleep quality and self-esteem (4/18).
Some of the participants' statements about the effects of yoga on their physical, mental and social states are as follows:
I had back and neck pain due to working at a desk and stress. I had less pain for 2 years (P10) (Theme-reducing pain).
Physically, my muscle structure has been strengthened, and I can see it clearly. My spinal posture has improved. I feel it is good for my herniated disc. It relieved my back pain (P12) (Theme- reducing pain).
My back pain has decreased, I have become more flexible and I feel more peaceful. (P4) (Theme- reducing pain)
My back pain with which I had struggled before yoga is over... I have not taken a single muscle relaxant for 7 months, I have not had an injection... I had headaches like migraine and they decreased greatly (P8) (Theme- reducing pain)
Thanks to the breathing exercises, the quality of my sleeping pattern got better (P13) (Theme- increasing sleep quality).
My sleeping pattern has become regular by proper breathing since I started practicing yoga, (P17) (Theme- increasing sleep quality).
Psychologically, yoga has transformed me into a more balanced and calm person (P1) (Theme-increasing positive personality traits).
On the days when I practice yoga, my brain works harder, and I'm more humorous and tolerant, smiling and less forgetful (P2) (Theme-increasing positive personality traits).
Yoga allowed me to become stronger psychologically, and it increased my quality of life, and since it motivated me positively, based on the belief that I could do whatever I wanted, positive thoughts in my soul were reflected on my body and created an integrity (P10) (Theme- increasing self-esteem-increasing positive emotions).
Being aware of my body and emotions has been good for my physical and mental health (P11) (Theme - increasing awareness).
For me, yoga takes you on a journey into your inner world. It raises awareness of your body, your inner world, and your essence. It teaches to be unified with the body, to listen to it and to perceive the messages coming from it (P12) (Theme- raising awareness).
I feel much more energetic, I do not get sick, I do not feel pain in my body, I do not get tired, I do not get angry, I am calmer when communicating with people and I can understand them. Since I feel stronger, I have no difficulty in performing my work and I can work with pleasure (P6) (Theme- increasing positive emotions).
I feel energetic thanks to the deep breath I take in yoga. The feeling of fatigue is over (P16) (Theme - relieving).
I feel a relief in my joints, and I do not feel fatigue (P2) (Theme- relieving).
But I think yoga decreases the stress level and increases the happiness hormone, and ensures spiritual, mental and physical balance (P16) (Theme - coping with stress).
I can say that it allows me to control my anxiety because it calms my mind psychologically (P9) (Theme - coping with stress) (Table 2).
Theme 5: Difficulties of Doing Yoga
Participants described, their difficulties in practising yoga, with the themes of physical difficulty (10/18) and mental difficulty (1/18).
Some of the participants' statements about the difficulties of practicing yoga are as follows:
While practising yoga, you have to throw away the thoughts in our head for 1-1.5 hours, and if you push yourself away for a moment, you will break from the group in yoga because the movements are coordinated with commands. This is of course difficult after a certain age (P2) (Theme- mental difficulty).
Some of the movements we do physically are difficult for me, which is because I didn't do yoga and I do any sports when I was a child, so it can sometimes be difficult for me to manage my muscles (P10) (Theme - physical difficulty) (Table 2).
Metaphors About Doing Yoga
When participants were asked to compare their experience of doing yoga to something thirteen metaphor emerged (Figure 1). The responses to the question about the metaphor for practicing yoga were generally collected within the framework of supporting and guiding (teacher, sports, lighthouse, energy source), relaxing and peaceful (worshipping, lightning rod, nature, sea, sun), flexibility and elegance (swan, flamingo, butterfly, child) themes.
Worshipping: I can compare yoga to worshipping because I think it is a spiritual and meditative action. I feel that I am getting closer to God. (P1).
Sports: The human body is an excellent machine. Yoga is a sport that makes this machine work most perfectly for many years. All organs support each other physically and chemically. The brain governs it (P2).
Lightning rod: I would compare it to a lightning rod. Because I think that yoga grounds the tense energy accumulated on the body, just as the lightning rod provides grounding without damaging the building where the lightning strikes (P9).
Nature: The only thing which I can compare yoga to is nature's own cycle. Because while we are practising yoga as a part of nature, we begin to stretch at first, and move slowly with breathing exercises. Then we get caught up in the flow of yoga, just like the flow of nature. Finally, we finish the action of yoga as nothing in nature is infinite. However, since there is no end in nature, yoga is also completely unfinished, and we turn into another type, mood and energy frequency (P3).
Sun: I compare yoga to the sun because it warms me inside (P4).
Sea: I think of yoga practice as the peace/infinite happiness that the still/calm blue sea gives me (P5). I compare yoga to the deep blue sea with its visible bottom, creating waves towards the golden sand, containing cleanliness, clarity and peace in it (P10).
Lighthouse: Yoga prevents you from getting lost by allowing you to find your direction like a lighthouse (P6).
Energy source: I would say yoga is an energy source of life because I would change my whole life according to yoga. This has been my belief. (P8).
Flamingo: I compare practising yoga to a flamingo standing on one leg. Flamingos regulate their body temperature by being able to stand on one leg for a long time (P11).
Child: I compare yoga to a child. Because they can make every move with their flexible body (P13).
Butterfly: I would compare yoga to flying like a butterfly over the fragrant coloured flowers in a lush environment on the river bank. Because that's how I feel when I practise yoga (P15).
Teacher: I compare yoga to a teacher. It teaches us our spiritual and physical body. It teaches the spiritual depths of the body to turn back to the essence (P16).
Swan: I feel like a swan while practising yoga, the climax of emotions, elegant movements, movements as if you are evolving into nature (P18).