Menopause, a natural transition for women, often brings about a multitude of physical, psychological, and emotional challenges. As life expectancy rises, a significant portion of a woman's life is spent post-menopause. This thesis explores the potential of yoga therapy as a complementary approach to enhance well-being and improve quality of life during this significant phase. It describes IRB research about Yoga Therapy for Menopause- a salutogenic program that aims to create a safe and educational platform for women who are navigating the changes that menopause brings. This research underscores the effectiveness of yoga therapy as a complementary approach to coping with menopausal symptoms. It further emphasizes the importance of creating supportive spaces for women navigating this transition.

SAMMANFATTNING Bakgrund: Att drabbas av cancer innebär för många en dramatisk upplevelse som påverkar de fysiska, psykiska, sociala och andliga/existentiella dimensionerna hos människan. Syftet med studien var att undersöka upplevelser av medicinsk yoga som rehabiliteringsform bland personer som drabbats av cancer. Syftet var också att beskriva vilken uppfattning personerna hade angående deras psykiska och andliga/existentiella hälsa, samt den medicinska yogans eventuella betydelse för detta. Metod: Explorativ kvalitativ metod med individuella intervjuer där åtta informanter deltog. Rekryteringen utgick från en cancerrehabiliteringsverksamhet på Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala Läns landsting. Rehabiliteringsformen var inriktad på medicinsk yoga. Resultat: Den psykiska hälsan upplevdes förhållandevis god hos personerna men den hade varierat under tiden. Samtalsstöd var viktigt för den psykiska och andliga/existentiella hälsan. Beträffande andliga och existentiella frågor funderade många över sin sjukdom, död och meningen med livet. Den medicinska yogan gav positiva upplevelser. Samtliga informanter kände av och erhöll känsla av lugn och avslappning samt både under och efter yogapassen. Gruppträningen bidrog även till socialt umgänge som var betydelsefullt för flera av informanterna. Det framkom även andliga och existentiella upplevelser i samband med yogapassen. Slutsats: En cancersjukdom medför ofta att den psykiska och andliga/existentiella hälsan påverkas. Den medicinska yogan var betydelsefull som en del av cancerrehabiliteringen och berörde deras fysiska, psykiska, sociala och andliga/existentiella dimensioner. Med informanternas upplevelser i åtanke kan den medicinska yogan vara ett viktigt bidrag till sjukvården och bidra till en bättre hälsa hos personer som drabbas av cancer. / ABSTRACT Background: To suffer from cancer often means a dramatic experience that affects the physical, psychological, social and spiritual/existential dimensions. The purpose of this study was to examine experiences of medical yoga as a part of the rehabilitation for people who suffer from cancer. The purpose was also to describe what perception the people had concerning their psychological and spiritual/existential health, and the eventual significance of the medical yoga related to that. Method: Explorative qualitative method with individual interviews where eight informants participated. The recruitment emanated from a cancer rehabilitation center at the Academic hospital, Uppsala county council. The rehabilitation form was focused on medical yoga. Result: The psychological health was experienced as relatively good but it had varied over time. Therapeutic talks were important regarding the psychological and spiritual/existential health. Regarding the spiritual and existential issues many of the informants thought about their disease, death and the meaning of life. The medical yoga brought positive experiences. All of the informants felt and received a feeling of calmness and relaxation both during and after the yoga sessions. The group training lead to social interaction which was meaningful to several of the informants. Spiritual and existential experiences in connection with the yoga sessions arose. Conclusion: A cancer disease often affects the psychological and spiritual/existential health. The medical yoga was a meaningful part of the cancer rehabilitation and affected their physical, psychological, social and spiritual/existential dimensions. With the informants experiences in mind the medical yoga could be able as an important contribution to the health care and contribute to a better health among persons who suffers from cancer.

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the experiences of school counselors who implement yoga into a comprehensive school counseling program. Over the past decade, yoga has gained popularity as a prevention and intervention tool in public school settings. Prior to this study, the role of the school counselor in this process has not been explored. This study investigated the lived experiences of 10 school counselors who integrate yoga into a comprehensive school counseling program. Through data analysis, five significant themes and subsequent subthemes emerged: 1) intentionality (personal experiences with yoga impacts professional intentions, yoga intentionally tied with comprehensive school counseling goal); 2) yoga integration (organic commonalities between school counseling and yoga, methods of yoga delivery, overlap of yoga philosophies and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors standards); 3) logistics of yoga integration (accessibility of yoga, managing yoga myths and stereotypes, program supports); 4) perception of yoga impact, (overall impact on school, impact on student, examples of students taking yoga “off the mat”); and 5) impact of yoga integration on school counselor (yoga as a self-care strategy, yoga is a meaningful aspect of school counselor role). Findings from this study suggest that yoga is a viable and valuable tool to include in a comprehensive school counseling program. Moreover, as the yoga in schools movement continues to grow, school counselors should be regarded as essential stakeholders in the development, implementation, and evaluation process. Results from this study provide a foundation for future research concerning school counselors and yoga.

Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos do Hatha Yoga em estresse, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida de mulheres climatéricas. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, com abordagem analítica de ensaio controlado antes-edepois realizado no Centro Médico Social Comunitário (CMSC) Vila Lobato em Ribeirão Preto - SP, no período de julho a novembro de 2016. Foram incluídas no estudo mulheres entre 40 e 65 anos, que se consideravam estressadas, ansiosas ou depressivas e que desejavam praticar Yoga. Foram excluídas mulheres em fase aguda de qualquer condição clínica, grávidas, não alfabetizadas, não residentes em Ribeirão Preto, e que tinham praticado Yoga nos últimos seis meses. O período de intervenção foi de nove semanas. As participantes responderam um questionário sócio-demográfico para caracterização da amostra, e dois instrumentos: Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (EADS-21) para avaliar os níveis de estresse, ansiedade e depressão e Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL-BR) para avaliar a qualidade de vida no climatério. Ambos instrumentos foram aplicados em dois momentos; antes da primeira intervenção e uma semana após a última intervenção. Resultados: Um total de 27 participantes completaram todas as etapas do estudo com frequência média de 8,2 ± 0,7 aulas. As mulheres tinham em média 54,0± 8,0 anos. De acordo com o instrumento EADS-21, houve redução nos escores de depressão (Diferença das Médias: 2,7 IC95% 0,5 ; 4,9), ansiedade (Diferença das Médias: 1,5 IC95% 0,0 ; 3,1) e estresse (Diferença das Médias: 4,7 IC95% 3,3 ; 6,2). Quanto aos domínios de qualidade de vida avaliados no instrumento UQOL, observouse melhora no escore total de qualidade de vida (Diferença das Médias: -8,4 IC?95% -12,1 ; -4,5), nos aspectos ocupacional (Diferença das Médias: -2,8 IC?95% -4,4 ; - 1,2), saúde (Diferença das Médias: -2,8 IC? 95% -4,2 ; -1,3) e emocional (Diferença das Médias: -2,1 IC? 95% -3,7 ; -0,5). Não houve diferença no aspecto sexual de qualidade de vida (Diferença das Médias: -0,4 IC? 95% -1,4 ; 0,5). Ao analisar osresultados do EADS-21 na primeira etapa de coleta, foi identificado que 10 participantes não apresentavam escores compatíveis com estresse, ansiedade ou depressão. Logo foi realizado uma análise com 17 mulheres do grupo que tinham EADS-21 mostrando algum nível de estresse, ansiedade e depressão. O resultado do EADS-21 para esse subgrupo mostrou que houve melhora significativa nos níveis depressão (Dif. Médias: 4,2, IC 95% 0,9;7,5), ansiedade (Dif. Médias: 2,9 IC 95% 0,7;5,0) e estresse (Dif. Médias: 6,3 IC 95% 4,4;8,2). Quanto a melhora da qualidade de vida, a análise dos resultados do questionário UQOL-BR, apresentou melhora significativa no escore total de qualidade de vida (Dif. Médias -6,3 IC 95% -11,7;-0,2) e no aspecto emocional (Antes: 20,3 ± 1,1; Depois: 22,8 ± 0,7; Dif. Médias -2,5 IC 95% -4,8;-0,2). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que um programa de Hatha Yoga pode contribuir para a redução de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em mulheres no climatério com melhora na qualidade de vida. / Objectives: Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Hatha Yoga on stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life of climacteric women. Methods: This is a quasiexperimental study, with an analytical approach of a before-and-after controlled trial conducted at the \"Centro Médico Social Comunitário (CMSC) Vila Lobato\" in Ribeirão Preto, SP, from July to November 2016. Women aged 40 to 65 years, who considered themselves stressed, anxious or depressed and who wanted to practice Yoga, were included in the study. Women in the acute phase of any clinical condition, pregnant, non-literate, not resident in Ribeirão Preto, and who had practiced Yoga in the last six months were excluded. The intervention period was nine weeks. The participants answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and were assessed through the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (EADS-21) and the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL-BR). Both instruments were applied before the first and after the last Yoga class. Results: A total of 27 participants completed all proposed Yoga classes. The women had on average 54.0 ± 8.0 years. According to the EADS-21 instrument, there was a reduction in the depression scores (Mean Difference: 2.7 IC95% 0.5; 4.9), anxiety (Mean Difference: 1.5 95% CI 0.0 ; 3.1) and stress (Mean Difference: 4.7 IC95% 3.3, 6.2). Regarding the domains of quality of life evaluated in the UQOL instrument, there was an improvement in the total quality of life score (Mean Difference: -8.4 IC?95% -12.1; -4.5), in the occupational aspects (Mean Difference: -2.8 IC?95% - 4,4; -1,2), health (Mean Difference: -2.8 IC? 95% -4,2; -1,3) and emotional (Mean Difference: -2.1 IC 95% -3.7, -0.5). There was no difference in the sexual aspect of quality of life (Mean Difference: -0.4 IC? 95% -1.4; 0.5). Ten participants did not present increased EADS-21 before the intervention. A subgroup analysis of women with initial EADS-21 suggesting increased stress, anxiety and depression was performed. This subgroup analysis showed that there was a significant improvement in the EADS-21 domains: depression (Mean Difference: 4.2, 95% CI 0.9, 7.5), anxiety (MeanDifference: 2.9, CI 95% 0.7, 5.0) and stress (Mean Difference: 6.3, 95% CI 4.4, 8.2). Regarding the improvement of the quality of life, the analysis of the results of the UQOL-BR questionnaire showed a significant improvement in the total quality of life score (Mean Difference -6.3, CI 95% -11.7; -0.2) and in the emotional aspect (Before: 20.3 ± 1.1, After: 22.8 ± 0.7, Mean Difference -2.5 IC 95% -4.8, -0.2). Conclusion: The results suggest that a Hatha Yoga program may contribute to the reduction of depression, anxiety and stress in climacteric women with improvement in quality of life

Thesis advisor: Belle Liang / The study of treatments for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), especially in cases of chronic childhood abuse, has revealed that traditional trauma treatments often lack success due to the complexity of symptom presentation. CPTSD often manifests as a lack of integration between the self and the body. While certain coping strategies used by survivors during the trauma experiences, such as dissociation, may be adaptive in the short-term, prolonged use posttrauma comes at a cost--resulting in a loss of awareness of one's emotional and physical being in the present moment. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as hatha yoga, show promise as alternative or complementary treatments for CPTSD. Furthermore, current trauma treatments have been criticized for their primary focus on psychopathology. More recent conceptualizations of trauma recovery call for a paradigm shift that recognizes not only the need for symptom-reduction, but also the encouragement of positive development and personal growth (i.e., stronger sense of self, relationships with others, and perspective on life). This qualitative study explored the experiences of women with CPTSD in a 10-week, trauma-informed hatha yoga class, specifically examining perceived changes with regard to symptom reduction and personal growth. Six themes were identified through qualitative content analysis. Theme 1 describes the yoga practice and study design characteristics that influenced participants' experiences. Themes 2 through 6 reflect participants' increased feelings of Gratitude and compassion, Relatedness, Acceptance, Centeredness, and Empowerment (referred to as G.R.A.C.E. themes). Findings are discussed in the context of current literature. Limitations of the study are also presented along with recommendations for future research and clinical work. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology.

Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos do Hatha Yoga em estresse, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida de mulheres climatéricas. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, com abordagem analítica de ensaio controlado antes-edepois realizado no Centro Médico Social Comunitário (CMSC) Vila Lobato em Ribeirão Preto - SP, no período de julho a novembro de 2016. Foram incluídas no estudo mulheres entre 40 e 65 anos, que se consideravam estressadas, ansiosas ou depressivas e que desejavam praticar Yoga. Foram excluídas mulheres em fase aguda de qualquer condição clínica, grávidas, não alfabetizadas, não residentes em Ribeirão Preto, e que tinham praticado Yoga nos últimos seis meses. O período de intervenção foi de nove semanas. As participantes responderam um questionário sócio-demográfico para caracterização da amostra, e dois instrumentos: Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (EADS-21) para avaliar os níveis de estresse, ansiedade e depressão e Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL-BR) para avaliar a qualidade de vida no climatério. Ambos instrumentos foram aplicados em dois momentos; antes da primeira intervenção e uma semana após a última intervenção. Resultados: Um total de 27 participantes completaram todas as etapas do estudo com frequência média de 8,2 ± 0,7 aulas. As mulheres tinham em média 54,0± 8,0 anos. De acordo com o instrumento EADS-21, houve redução nos escores de depressão (Diferença das Médias: 2,7 IC95% 0,5 ; 4,9), ansiedade (Diferença das Médias: 1,5 IC95% 0,0 ; 3,1) e estresse (Diferença das Médias: 4,7 IC95% 3,3 ; 6,2). Quanto aos domínios de qualidade de vida avaliados no instrumento UQOL, observouse melhora no escore total de qualidade de vida (Diferença das Médias: -8,4 IC?95% -12,1 ; -4,5), nos aspectos ocupacional (Diferença das Médias: -2,8 IC?95% -4,4 ; - 1,2), saúde (Diferença das Médias: -2,8 IC? 95% -4,2 ; -1,3) e emocional (Diferença das Médias: -2,1 IC? 95% -3,7 ; -0,5). Não houve diferença no aspecto sexual de qualidade de vida (Diferença das Médias: -0,4 IC? 95% -1,4 ; 0,5). Ao analisar osresultados do EADS-21 na primeira etapa de coleta, foi identificado que 10 participantes não apresentavam escores compatíveis com estresse, ansiedade ou depressão. Logo foi realizado uma análise com 17 mulheres do grupo que tinham EADS-21 mostrando algum nível de estresse, ansiedade e depressão. O resultado do EADS-21 para esse subgrupo mostrou que houve melhora significativa nos níveis depressão (Dif. Médias: 4,2, IC 95% 0,9;7,5), ansiedade (Dif. Médias: 2,9 IC 95% 0,7;5,0) e estresse (Dif. Médias: 6,3 IC 95% 4,4;8,2). Quanto a melhora da qualidade de vida, a análise dos resultados do questionário UQOL-BR, apresentou melhora significativa no escore total de qualidade de vida (Dif. Médias -6,3 IC 95% -11,7;-0,2) e no aspecto emocional (Antes: 20,3 ± 1,1; Depois: 22,8 ± 0,7; Dif. Médias -2,5 IC 95% -4,8;-0,2). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que um programa de Hatha Yoga pode contribuir para a redução de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em mulheres no climatério com melhora na qualidade de vida. / Objectives: Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Hatha Yoga on stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life of climacteric women. Methods: This is a quasiexperimental study, with an analytical approach of a before-and-after controlled trial conducted at the \"Centro Médico Social Comunitário (CMSC) Vila Lobato\" in Ribeirão Preto, SP, from July to November 2016. Women aged 40 to 65 years, who considered themselves stressed, anxious or depressed and who wanted to practice Yoga, were included in the study. Women in the acute phase of any clinical condition, pregnant, non-literate, not resident in Ribeirão Preto, and who had practiced Yoga in the last six months were excluded. The intervention period was nine weeks. The participants answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and were assessed through the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (EADS-21) and the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL-BR). Both instruments were applied before the first and after the last Yoga class. Results: A total of 27 participants completed all proposed Yoga classes. The women had on average 54.0 ± 8.0 years. According to the EADS-21 instrument, there was a reduction in the depression scores (Mean Difference: 2.7 IC95% 0.5; 4.9), anxiety (Mean Difference: 1.5 95% CI 0.0 ; 3.1) and stress (Mean Difference: 4.7 IC95% 3.3, 6.2). Regarding the domains of quality of life evaluated in the UQOL instrument, there was an improvement in the total quality of life score (Mean Difference: -8.4 IC?95% -12.1; -4.5), in the occupational aspects (Mean Difference: -2.8 IC?95% - 4,4; -1,2), health (Mean Difference: -2.8 IC? 95% -4,2; -1,3) and emotional (Mean Difference: -2.1 IC 95% -3.7, -0.5). There was no difference in the sexual aspect of quality of life (Mean Difference: -0.4 IC? 95% -1.4; 0.5). Ten participants did not present increased EADS-21 before the intervention. A subgroup analysis of women with initial EADS-21 suggesting increased stress, anxiety and depression was performed. This subgroup analysis showed that there was a significant improvement in the EADS-21 domains: depression (Mean Difference: 4.2, 95% CI 0.9, 7.5), anxiety (MeanDifference: 2.9, CI 95% 0.7, 5.0) and stress (Mean Difference: 6.3, 95% CI 4.4, 8.2). Regarding the improvement of the quality of life, the analysis of the results of the UQOL-BR questionnaire showed a significant improvement in the total quality of life score (Mean Difference -6.3, CI 95% -11.7; -0.2) and in the emotional aspect (Before: 20.3 ± 1.1, After: 22.8 ± 0.7, Mean Difference -2.5 IC 95% -4.8, -0.2). Conclusion: The results suggest that a Hatha Yoga program may contribute to the reduction of depression, anxiety and stress in climacteric women with improvement in quality of life

Cette recherche s’intéresse au travail de yoga, tel qu’il est enseigné à des adultes amateurs dans le cadre de l’enseignement de la danse contemporaine de Toni D’Amelio, à l’école Peter Goss (Paris 10e). C’est la nature de l’expérience corporelle vécue par les élèves ainsi que les modalités de sa construction qui font l’objet de cette analyse. Ancrée dans une approche anthropologique, elle se caractérise par l’utilisation de la technique de l’entretien d’explicitation – méthodologie inédite dans la recherche en danse – pour interroger l’expérience subjective des acteurs.Les propos des élèves ont fait émerger le rôle central des consignes, ainsi que la manière dont ce travail de yoga s’articule autour d’un « dispositif savant », qui cristallise pour les élèves l’idée d’un savoir adéquat. Or, ce dispositif s’est avéré insuffisant pour expliquer la nature de l’expérience corporelle qu’il produit. L’étude met ainsi en évidence la manière dont ce dispositif est concrètement mis en œuvre et dont les consignes fonctionnent, dans la pratique, comme « embrayeurs d’action et de perception ». Enfin, l’analyse montre comment la parole de l’enseignante, à l’insu pour ainsi dire des élèves et d’elle-même, crée un véritable enchantement du dispositif. / This research focuses on the work of yoga, as taught to amateur adult pupils in the context of the contemporary dance teaching of Toni D’Amelio, at the Peter Goss school in Paris. It is the nature of this corporeal experience as lived by the pupils, as well as the modes of its construction, which form the subject of this analysis. Grounded in an anthropological approach, this analysis is characterized by the use of the explicitation interview to investigate the subjective experience of the pupils.The central role of the teacher’s instructions emerged from the pupils’ own words, as well as the way this yoga work is articulated around a scholarly “apparatus”, which crystallizes for the pupils the idea of an adequate knowledge. However, this “apparatus” proved insufficient to explain the nature of the corporeal experience it produces. The study thus underscores the way this “apparatus” is brought into play and the way the instructions function as triggers for action and perception. Finally, this analysis demonstrates how the speech act of the teacher, without either the pupils’ or her own knowledge, creates a real enchantment of the “apparatus”.

Bakgrund: Mer än 300 miljoner människor i världen lider av depression vilket skapar ett stort lidande. Den psykiatriska hälso- och sjukvården bör arbeta enligt ett holistiskt förhållningssätt och sjuksköterskan ska stödja patientens egenvårdsförmåga. Yoga och mindfulness har visat sig ha en hälsofrämjande effekt på många somatiska tillstånd.  Syfte: Att beskriva betydelsen av yoga och mindfulness för patienter med depression. Resultat: Litteraturstudie baserad på tio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ, kvantitativ och mixad design. Data analyserades med utgångspunkt från Wittenmore och Knafls (2005) metod för integrativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet om yogan och mindfulness betydelse utmynnade i två teman; ”Inre process” och ”Återhämtning” och åtta kategorier; Copingverktyg, Empowerment, Depressiva symtom, Kunskap och kompetens, Psykisk förändring, Fysisk hälsa, Holistisk upplevelse och Upplevda svårigheter. Yogan upplevdes som ett copingverktyg för symtomlindring och ledde till en ökad inre styrka och empowerment. Den minskade de depressiva symtomen. Deltagarna fick kunskap om hur kropp och sinne samverkar och de fick en ökad självacceptans. Yogaträningen gav lugn och avslappning samt fysiska hälsoförbättringar. Många upplevde en samhörighet och att vara del i ett större sammanhang. Upplevda svårigheter var fysiska begränsningar, koncentrationssvårigheter, inre press, dåligt samvete och planering. Diskussion: Resultatet diskuteras utifrån Phil Barkers Tidvattenmodell samt relevant forskning. / Background: More than 300 million people in the world suffer from depression, which creates a great deal suffering. The psychiatric health care system should work according to a holistic approach and the nurse should support the patient's self-care ability. Yoga and mindfulness have shown to have a health-promoting effect on many somatic states. Aim: To describe the importance of yoga and mindfulness for patients with depression. Method: Literature review based on ten scientific articles with qualitative, quantitative and mixed design. Data was analyzed based on the Wittenmore and Knafls (2005) method for integrative content analysis. Results: The result of the yoga's significance resulted in two themes; “Internal Process” and “Recovery” and eight categories; Coping tools, Empowerment, Depressive symptoms, Knowledge and competence, Mental change, Physical health, Holistic experience and Perceived difficulties.   The yoga was experienced as a coping tool for symptom relief and led to increased internal strength and empowerment. It reduced the depressive symptoms. The participants gained knowledge of how the body and mind interact and they gained an increased self-acceptance. Yoga training provided peace and relaxation as well as physical health improvements. Many experienced a sense of belonging and to be part of a larger context. Experienced difficulties were physical limitations, concentration difficulties, internal pressures, poor conscience and planning. Discussion: The results are discussed based on Phil Barker's Tide Model and relevant research.

Syftet med föreliggande självstudie har varit att undersöka huruvida yoga kan hjälpa mig att få ordning på min oregelbundna bröstkorgsandning samt om en förbättrad viloandning skulle kunna underlätta andningen i mitt sångutövande. Studien genomsyras av ett fenomenologiskt perspektiv med livsvärldsteorin och kroppens fenomenologi som grund. Eftersom perspektivet ses som en erfarenhetsfilosofi ställs mina egna upplevelser i fokus, vilket motiverar dokumentationssmetoden loggbok.  Resultatet grundar sig således på egna loggboksanteckningar, vilka efter en 15 veckors projektperiod bearbetats och analyserats för att försöka synliggöra yogans effekt. Vidare presenteras resultatet i två teman, varpå det första ringar in upplevelser kopplade till stress och andning medan det andra inriktar sig på sångupplevelsen och hur denna förändrats under projektperiodens gång. Resultatet visar att yogan haft en stressreducerande effekt, vilket påverkat andningen positivt samt att sjungandet upplevs lättare, vilket leder till ökad motivation. För att söka förstå dessa fenomen förs avslutningsvis en diskussion där resultatet kopplas till tidigare forskning och litteratur. Diskussionen leder fram till slutsatsen att flera faktorer, så som ökad aktivitet i det parasympatiska nervsystemet, ökad energiproduktion som ett resultat av en förbättrad andning, ökad avslappning samt ökad kropps- och röstkontroll som ett resultat av ett medvetet handlande, haft en samverkande påverkan på utfallet. / The purpose of this self-study has been to investigate whether yoga can help improve my irregular thoracic breathing and if an improved respiration could facilitate better breathing in my vocal exercise. The study is permeated by a phenomenology perspective with focus on phenomenology of the body and Husserl's life-world theory. As the perspective is viewed as an experience philosophy, my own experiences are in focus, which motivates logbook as documentation method. The result is therefore based on my own notes, which were processed and analysed after a 15-week project-period, with the purpose to make the effects of the practised yoga visible. The result is presented in two themes, were the first one focuses on experiences related to stress and breathing, and the other one on the singing experience and how this experience changed during the project period. The result shows that the exercise of yoga had a stress-reducing effect, which positively affected my breathing. In addition, it shows that I found it easier to sing, which leads to increased motivation. To understand these phenomena, a discussion is held, linking the results to previous research and literature. The discussion leads to the conclusion that several factors, such as increased activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, increased energy production as in part of an improved breathing, increased relaxation, and increased body and voice control as a result of conscious acts, had a coherent impact on the outcome.

The purpose of writing this essay has been to find out what shape yoga has been given in Stockholm, as social processes have left their mark. With a mixed method we've performed a qualitative research to figure out how people reason regarding the subject and how the discourse forms by the active community. We have interviewed people who either teach yoga or performs yoga on a daily basis. We have also analyzed webpages belonging to yoga studios which are active in Stockholm. The central theories have been Durkheim’s theory about the holy and profane, also his theory about the ritual which has been reworked by Collins who added the theory about the symbol. McLeod’s theory about postcolonialism and Said’s theories about orientalism, exotification and the positioned superiority, has together with Askegaard and Eckhardt’s theory about the shapes of yoga also been important in this thesis. We have discovered that yoga has been shaped into two forms; a holiness which the yoga performers finds within themselves and the second form: a product of consumption which modifies to fit the market. / Syftet med att skriva denna uppsats är att ta reda på vad yoga har fått för form i Stockholm allteftersom sociala processer satt sin prägel. Vi har med blandad kvalitativ metod utfört en undersökning för att ta reda på hur centrala aktörer själva resonerar samt hur diskursen formas av aktörer. Vi har utfört intervjuer med personer som är aktiva som yogalärare alternativt utövar yoga på daglig basis. Vi har även utfört analyser av hemsidor tillhörande yogastudios som är verksamma i Stockholm. De teorier som varit centrala i arbetet är Durkheims teori om det heliga och det profana, samt hans teori om ritualen vilken utarbetats av Collins som även adderat teorin om symboler. Ytterligare teorier som varit centrala är McLeods beskrivning av den postkoloniala värld vi lever i, tillsammans med Saids teori om orientalism, exotifiering och den västerländska positionerade överlägsenheten. Slutligen har vi använt Askegaard och Eckhardts teorier om yogans skepnader. Vår studie resulterade i att vi identifierat två former yoga fått i Stockholm, ena formen är yoga som helighet utövare upplever inom sig och den andra formen är yoga som konsumtionsprodukt med exotiska inslag vilken anpassar sig efter marknaden.