Yoga

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A study published in the latest issue of Psychology of Women

Quarterly reports that mind-body exercise, such as yoga, is

associated with greater body satisfaction and fewer symptoms of

eating disorders than traditional aerobic exercise like jogging or

using cardio machines. Yoga practitioners reported less self-

objectification, greater satisfaction with physical appearance, and

fewer disordered eating attitudes compared to non-yoga practitioners.

In yoga class, a woman develops sensitivity to bodily sensations and

practices listening to her body's feedback. " This heightened

sensitivity and responsiveness to bodily sensations is associated

with less preoccupation of physical appearance, more positive views

of the body, and more healthy regulation of food intake, " author

Jennifer Daubenmier states. The greater the number of hours a woman

practiced yoga in a week was associated with even less self-

objectification and greater satisfaction with her body, while the

more hours a woman spent performing aerobic activity was linked with

greater disordered eating.

 

The article discusses two studies. Study 1 consisted of three types

of women: those currently taking yoga classes, those partaking in

aerobic classes, and those who had not participated in either for the

past two years. Participants were asked to complete a survey

on " women and exercise " that they completed at home and mailed back.

Study one consisted of women who, on average, were thirty-seven years

old. Study two consisted of undergraduates, a population known to be

at greater risk for self-objectification and eating disorders. The

results were consistent in both studies. " Through yoga, this study

suggests that women may have intuitively discovered a way to buffer

themselves against messages that tell them that only a thin

and 'beautiful' body will lead to happiness and success, " the author

explains.

 

This study is published in the current issue of Psychology of Women

Quarterly. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article please

contact journalnews

 

Psychology of Women Quarterly publishes primarily qualitative and

quantitative research with substantive and theoretical merit, along

with critical reviews, theoretical articles, and invited book reviews

related to the psychology of women and gender. It is published on

behalf of the Society for the Psychology of Women, Division 35 of the

American Psychological Association.

 

Jennifer Daubenmier is postdoctoral scholar at the Preventive

Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California. She is the 2005

recipient of the Practice Relevant Abstract from the American

Psychosomatic Society.