Enhancing Holistic Identity through Yoga: Investigating Body-Mind-Spirit Interventions on Mental Illness Stigma across Culture–A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: Mental illness stigma plagues many individuals with mental health issues such as depression. Labels attributed to the mentally ill focus on meeting diagnostic criterion, increase association with mental illness identities, and do not always promote greater wellbeing. Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) interventions for depression address mental health without promoting stigmatizing labels. This study identifies how yoga can help to reduce mental illness stigma, and examines the effectiveness of a yoga intervention conducted by an expatriate in a cross-cultural context. Methods: This study took a qualitative research approach to examine the effectiveness of a four-week yoga class as an alternative Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) intervention on participant Jenny (pseudonym) by a licensed yoga instructor and expatriate. Interpretive content analysis of post-intervention interviews, and subjective observational analysis throughout the yoga classes captured the movements of Body-Mind-Spirit as well as their impacts on the participant’s perceptions of mental illness and the change through yoga practice. Results: Some specific themes from the participant’s narratives were identified that could give light to the mechanism of change through yoga that stifles mental illness stigma, transforms identity, and enhances attention. Conclusion and implications for practice: Most notably, changes occurred through the physical to psychological axis of wellbeing, indicating some symbolic mechanism in yoga that facilitates the flow of information from the body to the mind. As Jenny’s awareness of her body deepened, her association with a stigmatizing mental illness identity decreased. Although this study was limited in its generalizability, it shows an increased understanding of how identity is an important link between BMS interventions and mental illness stigma. Furthermore these findings suggest that there is a need for rigorous research in the effectiveness of yoga on mental illnesses such as depression.