Clarity and inclusivity as precursors to translating yoga health evidence: a diverse cross-sectional study on barriers, facilitators, and associations of yoga.

BACKGROUND: Translating evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to advance health behaviors and well-being takes 15-17 years. This translational gap is lengthened for specific EBI and populations, such as yoga for people of color, with higher weight, or who live in rural areas. Yoga principles have positively impacted myriad populations and outcomes and align with scientific rigor, but misinformation persists. Applying a translational lens to input from under-represented yoga end-users may speed the gap. PURPOSE: To examine how underrepresented yoga end-users perceive yoga with consideration to yoga associations, facilitators, and barriers. METHODS: We utilized mixed methods in a cross-sectional survey with a large, diverse sample to explore yoga end-user input for communicating yoga-based health information and interventions. We used an inductive approach to qualitatively analyze responses to four prompts on perceptions of yoga. RESULTS: We surveyed 150 end-users (mean age 36 years; 50% female; 54% people of color; 29% with higher body weight) with 28 open-ended questions. Of more than 5000 meaning units, we present a subset of data (31% of total data) that includes associations of yoga (e.g. physical components) as well as present and future yoga facilitators (e.g. benefits) and barriers (e.g. lack of belonging in yoga spaces). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from end-users provided insights on how to comprehensively communicate behavioral medicine evidence using clear, inclusive language and representative imagery. Applying precursors of clarity and inclusivity is thus key to translation of yoga-based health information and interventions. Furthermore, these findings can be expanded and applied to bridge translation of other health evidence and interventions.