Kundalini yoga in women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: A qualitative research

Abstract

Treatment for eating disorders should be multidisciplinary and may be complemented by new techniques. Some studies have shown that yoga practice make patients feel better with their bodies, improve their sensations, have healthier attitudes towards food and feel more satisfied with themselves. This study seeks to know and describe the practical experience of Kundalini yoga in women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The intervention consisted of eight sessions of Kundalini yoga with a sample of nine women. The design was descriptive with a qualitative approach, based on the Grounded Theory, using semi-structured interviews and written self-reports. The data was analyzed using open coding and the main results were grouped in six categories: 1. Change to a positive view, 2. Appreciation of themselves, 3. Opening up to the experience of new emotions and sensations, 4. Development of psychological capabilities, 5. Changes in the recovery process, and 6. Relevance of the workshop to the recovery process. In conclusion, the patients reported as relevant the benefits of the practice of Kundalini yoga, which grounds the importance of including this intervention in the multidisciplinary treatment of eating disorders.