Exploring Yoga Immersion and Gratitude as Pathways to Enhanced Well-Being.

INTRODUCTION

The popularity of yoga practice is steadily increasing. Previous studies have highlighted numerous beneficial effects of yoga. The present study aimed to investigate gratitude as a mediator of the relationship between yoga and well-being. Additionally, we examined the role of the involvement in yoga philosophy.

METHODS

A total of 344 yoga practitioners aged between 19 and 87 years completed an online survey. Yoga practice was operationalized via the frequency of practice in days per week. The Yoga Immersion Scale was used to measure the respondents' involvement in yoga philosophy.

RESULTS

We found positive associations between yoga frequency and well-being and between gratitude and well-being. There was no evidence for the hypothesized mediating effect of gratitude. Furthermore, yoga immersion did neither moderate the direct relationship between yoga and well-being nor the indirect relationship via gratitude; however, significant correlations between yoga immersion and gratitude and between yoga immersion and well-being were found.

CONCLUSION

The results underscore the relevance of yoga immersion for yoga practice, but at the same time, new questions arise, particularly concerning the role of gratitude. Future research is needed to further gain a better understanding of these relationships.