Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Perceptions of a Yoga Intervention at a Brazilian University: Self-Knowledge, Wellbeing, Mind-Body Balance, Relaxation, Thoughtfulness, and Body Awareness

Pamela Siegel and Nelson Filice de Barros

The incorporation of yoga into the national health systems has been encouraged by the World Health Organization. In Brazil yoga was included in the Unified Health System (SUS) through bill 719 which created the Academy of Health Program in April 2011. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the Yoga and Health Promotion Program which took place in the second semester of 2012 and of which 16 lecturers, workers and students of the State University of Campinas participated. The subjects received a trigger question to comment on. Thematic analysis was applied and six themes emerged from the participants’ narratives: self-knowledge; wellbeing; mind-body balance; relaxation; thoughtfulness and body awareness. In conclusion, although the results are not generalizable, none of the participants declared to have had a negative perception of the yoga practice.