The Impact of Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Practices on Self-Compassion: A Mixed - Methods Study

Abstract

Through encouraging self-acceptance, focused, nonjudgmental observation, and heightened awareness of physical markers, yoga has the capacity to create an environment and experiences that empower people to value, respect, and connect with their bodies. Dysregulation affects many people for a variety of reasons. Our bodies are continuously absorbing information and detecting our surroundings. One of the most rapidly developing therapeutic modalities in psychology and related disciplines is mindfulness-based therapy. It is used to promote health and wellness as well as to treat a variety of medical conditions and psychological and psychiatric distress. Being self-conscious (mindfulness), self-kind in the face of suffering (self-kindness), and aware that you are not alone in your suffering (common humanity) are all components of self-compassion. It is hard to identify one's emotional needs without the knowledge that mindfulness provides, making self-compassion impossible. One important aspect of how self-compassion and mindfulness practices have outstanding results is that they both rely on neuroplasticity, which is the idea that repeated practice may change the structure of our brains. The impact of yoga and mindfulness-based activities on adults' self-compassion is examined in this mixed-methods study. This study uses qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals and quantitative measures from 100 persons, including the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and Self-Compassion Scale, to investigate correlations and subjective experiences. Quantitative results show that self-compassion and practice frequency are strongly positively correlated, with practice frequency significantly predicting self-compassion scores. The main mechanisms identified by thematic qualitative analysis were decreased self-judgment, better emotional regulation, and present-moment awareness. These results highlight the complementary benefits of yoga and mindfulness as easily accessible therapies to foster self-compassion and psychological resilience.