Barriers in the path of yoga practice: An online survey

CONTEXT: Clinical benefits of yoga have been well explored, but factors contributing to adherence to regular yoga practice are not well studied. AIMS: To study the factors influencing adherence to yoga practices on those participants who have completed 1-month Yoga Instructors’ course from a yoga university. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Online survey was conducted on participants who had finished 1-month Yoga Instructors’ course at a yoga university. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online survey was conducted using Survey Monkey web portal with response rate of 42.5%. A total of 1355 participants were approached. Demographic items and a checklist of 21 items on a 5-point likert scale were prepared based on traditional yoga texts. A few items to assess modern lifestyle barriers were also included. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-sample proportion test with chi square statistics was used for analysis. RESULTS: Irregularity in lifestyle, family commitments, and occupational commitments are perceived as significant strong barriers. Dullness, excessive talking, strictly adhering to rules, laziness, physical and mental overexertion, fickleness and wandering of mind, unsteadiness of mind, procrastination, and oversleeping are considered as significant barriers of moderate nature. CONCLUSIONS: Modern lifestyle is the major challenge for yoga practitioners to adhere to regular practice of yoga. To address this, attention is required in strengthening the lifestyle management and the spiritual dimension of yoga practice as the spiritual component seems to be side-tracked.