Question
Do clients that participate in yoga show improvement in occupational performance?
Answer
I get super excited about this. One, I think yoga is great, but it is not enough. It is best when it is merged with occupational therapy. Most of our studies have been yoga only, but now we are shifting to yoga and OT. What we have found over and over is a dramatic change in the quality of life. Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), we see significant changes and satisfaction with performance for many diagnoses like chronic pain, brain injury, and Parkinson's. Using this tool, we are looking at activities that are important but challenging to the client.
In yogic philosophy, the physical body changes first with yoga and then moves forward. When people feel better in their bodies with more range of motion and increased balance, it allows them to do more things they want. We also see a change in confidence. We started thinking it was balance confidence, and it turns out it is overall confidence. They feel like a different person, and they can do more things. This spirals quickly as most of our studies are only eight weeks, and we see these changes in occupational performance and satisfaction.
The other exciting thing is that while we tend to see a change in performance, the change in satisfaction is what is more significant. They acknowledge that they have changed and can do things better, but it also seems they have shifted their attitude. They are more satisfied as they are less worried or anxious. This is part of the trouble with yoga research. People tell us so many positive things, but we may not always have an outcome to go with it. People say, "You've changed my life," or "You've rocked my world." I love those quotes, but I cannot measure that.
