As we move further into the 21st century, social observers are increasingly aware of the individual yet collective forms of spiritual practices emerging globally. In this study, I focus on two specific practices, yoga and Buddhism, as framed in the teachings of Master Thich Nhat Hanh, which have significant impacts on individuals in the late modern city of Hong Kong. This research investigates the implications these practices pose for self-identity in late modernity. Using semi-structured, face-to-face, in-depth interviews of forty individuals who have been engaging in these practices in Hong Kong during 2008-2009, I investigate the self-identity of these individuals using Anthony Giddens’ theoretical framework of selfhood. I propose the following questions: (1) How do these individuals respond to the conditions of late modernity in Hong Kong? (2) How do these individuals experience Giddens’ four dilemmas of late modernity (unification versus fragmentation, powerlessness versus appropriation, authority versus uncertainty, personalization versus fragmentation) and in what ways do they cope with these dilemmas? (3) How do these individuals engagement with these practices interact with their life trajectories and manifest the main features of Giddens’ reflexive project (lifestyles and life plans, the pure relationship, the body and self-actualization)? Several findings have emerged from the data that empirically affirm Giddens’ self-reflexivity framework: (1) the self-identity of individuals engaging in yoga and/or Master Thick Nhat Hanh’s teachings is reflexively understood in terms of their personal biographies; (2) from each distinctive biography, individuals use these practices to find a balance of the four dilemmas outlined in Giddens’ theoretical framework, namely, unification versus fragmentation, powerlessness versus appropriation, authority versus uncertainty and personalization versus commoditication; (3) three trajectories emerge from the data: the “healing self”; the “health/exercise self”; and the “lifestyle/re-emerging self.” These patterns show how individuals manage threats to selfhood in a late modern society while finding ways to achieve personal development and increased self-awareness. By empirically testing the applicability of Giddens’ theory through the study of these two mind/body practices in Hong Kong, this research has contributed to the field of modern sociology by: (1) offering an in-depth and systematic qualitative inquiry into practices of spirituality that are undertaken on both the individual and global level, (2) addressing the prevailing research gap by empirically supporting and expanding the utility of Giddens’ self-reflexive project and (3) presenting an accessible analysis of the concepts informing the idea of self-identity and how conditions of late modernity influence this process. / published_or_final_version / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This study will attempt to integrate mindfulness meditation and yoga to take advantage of the benefits of both interventions and the popularity of yoga, proposing a pilot of a mindful yoga intervention. The second purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of mindful yoga at increasing mindfulness, as measured by the Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale, and to assess mindfulness as the mechanism of change through which well-being is enhanced. One hundred adults, who are yoga and meditation beginners and between the ages of 35 and 45, would be recruited from the community to participate in this study. The study utilizes a walking group control and a mindful yoga intervention group. Before treatment condition effects would be assessed, a one-way ANOVA would be conducted with the pre-test outcome scores as the dependent variable and treatment group as the independent variable to assess potential pre-test differences. It is not expected that the two groups will differ significantly at baseline, so it is expected that the ANOVA will not be significant. In order to investigate possible differences between participants on the five dependent variables (satisfaction with life, perceived stress, blood pressure, medical symptom checklist, mindfulness awareness) a repeated measures MANOVA would be conducted with one between-subjects factor and one-within subjects factor. The present study predicts that increases in mindfulness will mediate the effect of treatment on perceived stress, satisfaction with life, physical symptoms, and blood pressure (measures of well-being). In order to analyze this effect, change scores will be created for the mindfulness and the well-being outcome measures for the change from pretest to posttest. While there is limited research supporting this integration, both yoga and mindfulness interventions have shown to be beneficial for the reduction of stress and the enhancement of various measures of well-being (Grossman et al., 2004; Baer, 2003). It is predicted that mindfulness will mediate the relationship between treatment and increase in measures of well-being. Support of this hypothesis indicates that the mindful yoga intervention will likely increase mindfulness, and it will provide further empirical evidence that mindfulness is the therapeutic factor responsible for enhancing well-being. / text

Many who suffer with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) fear the stigma associated with seeking treatment. Often the stigma even prevents sufferers from reaching out for support, resources, or education. The purpose of this project was to design an application (app) to bridge the gap between patient and provider by supplementing patient learning and teaching a yogic breathing technique to overcome an acute stress state. To accomplish this, an extensive literature review sought to determine the viability of pairing complimentary alternative methods (CAM) of treatment with application-based interventions. A specific aim also included evaluation of an app available on the market using industry standard tools, the Systems Usability Scale and HONcode measures, to determine areas for improvement. Applications can present a viable alternative to reaching patients who are unable or refuse to seek provider assistance. There are few apps to address mental health concerns; furthermore, patients may not use applications because they fear bias within the content or the lack of a quality product. Of the applications available on the market created by professional providers, there is a noted lack of aesthetics, user-friendliness, and reliability. To address aesthetics and user-friendliness, the new application is module based and incorporates basic web-application design principles. To address reliability, the new application answered all the objective criteria in the HONcode and scored higher on the subjective Systems Usability Scale than a leading app on the market, as evaluated by the project lead. This application presents an opportunity to determine the success of pairing patient education and CAM with technology. While it is beyond the scope of this project, the new application is ready for a pilot testing to obtain feedback on the content, structure, and usability, before launching on GoogleApps™ for open access.

No description available.

This study investigates the relationship between the practice of Kundalini yoga and the development of interpersonal and intrapersonal awareness in Middle Years students. Secondary aims were to provide reflection time for students in their school day and to find out whether the participants were better able to cope with stress. A qualitative method was applied. Two consent forms were sent to the participants’ parents. One granted permission to participate in the yoga sessions, the other requested permission to use the students’ journals as data. There were 16 yoga sessions over three weeks. After each session, the participants and the instructor/researcher wrote reflective journal entries. Twenty-nine students participated in the yoga sessions, but only 15 student journals were used for data collection. Results included growth in interpersonal and intrapersonal awareness, growth in physical flexibility and awareness, and a desire to have relaxation during the regular school day.

This study investigates the relationship between the practice of Kundalini yoga and the development of interpersonal and intrapersonal awareness in Middle Years students. Secondary aims were to provide reflection time for students in their school day and to find out whether the participants were better able to cope with stress. A qualitative method was applied. Two consent forms were sent to the participants’ parents. One granted permission to participate in the yoga sessions, the other requested permission to use the students’ journals as data. There were 16 yoga sessions over three weeks. After each session, the participants and the instructor/researcher wrote reflective journal entries. Twenty-nine students participated in the yoga sessions, but only 15 student journals were used for data collection. Results included growth in interpersonal and intrapersonal awareness, growth in physical flexibility and awareness, and a desire to have relaxation during the regular school day.

Thesis (M.S. in exercise science)--Washington State University, December 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Zugl.: Berlin, Humboldt-Univ., Habil.-Schr. D. Schlingloff, 1961 / Text Sanskrit und dt.

On basic energy in the psycho-yogic nervous complex known as kundalini. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Memphis, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-42).