" You Focus Only on Your Breath and Heart Experiences of Individuals With Mental Disorders Participating in Nurse-Led Group Yoga Practice in an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit "


TUNCER G. Z., Kargin K.

JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3928/02793695-20260618-03
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, DIALNET, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of individuals with mental disorders participating in a nurse-led group yoga practice in an acute psychiatric inpatient setting. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative design was used. The study sample comprised patients with mental disorders hospitalized in a psychiatric unit of a university hospital in T & uuml;rkiye; 26 patients participated in the yoga program, and interviews were conducted with 14 participants who attended at least eight sessions over 4 weeks. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by a analytic framework. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged: Emotional and Mental Well-Being, Reflecting Relaxation, Emotional Regulation, and Enhanced Self-Awareness; Physical Effects and Body Awareness (including increased bodily awareness and breath control); The Power of Shared Experience (highlighting motivation and social connectedness fostered through group practice); and Challenges and Recommendations (addressing physical strain, environmental limitations, and suggestions for structured and supportive implementation). CONCLUSION: Nurse-led group yoga appears to be a holistic and supportive intervention for psychiatric inpatients, improving psychological well-being, physical awareness, and social connectedness. Integrating structured, nurse-led yoga sessions into psychiatric wards can promote recovery-oriented, holistic care.