Yoga as Coping: A Conceptual Framework for Meaningful Participation in Yoga.

Yoga, which combines breathing, meditation, and physical postures, is widely linked to decreased stress and considered a therapeutic intervention, yet few theories explain this link. This article proposes the leisure-stress coping conceptual framework as a model for understanding yoga's benefits. The framework suggests that leisure participation, including yoga, can decrease stress and build mental and physical capacities through three coping strategies: palliative coping, mood enhancement, and companionship. The authors argue that this framework may explain how yoga improves stress management.

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Abstract

Yoga facilitates relaxation and connection of mind, body, and spirit through the use of breathing, meditation, and physical postures. Participation in yoga has been extensively linked to decreased stress, and as a result, is considered a therapeutic intervention by many. However, few theories exist that explain the link between yoga participation and improved psychosocial wellbeing. The leisure-stress coping conceptual framework suggests that through participation in leisure, an individual can decrease stress while concurrently restoring and building up sustainable mental and physical capacities. Three types of leisure coping strategies exist: palliative coping, mood enhancement, and companionship. The purpose of this article is to propose the leisure-stress coping conceptual framework as a model for explaining benefits received from yoga participation via leisure coping strategies, which may explain or support improved ability to manage stress.