“A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life

Fern  Eleanor  Beauchamp; Hanna Kampman

doi:10.29333/ajqr/13080

Fern Eleanor Beauchamp ¹ ^* , Hanna Kampman ²

More Detail

AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 7, Issue 2, pp. 113-146

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

OPEN ACCESS 1358 Views 586 Downloads

Download Full Text (PDF)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the meaning and role of prāṇāyāma in mid-life adults, defined as between 30 and 50 years old. Wellbeing research has dominated the positive psychology field, with many studies citing U-shaped declines in middle age. Ways to intervene and enhance wellbeing have also piqued researcher interest, some looking to ancient eastern traditions for valuable learnings. Yoga is one such tradition readily considered for its ability to enhance wellbeing, however, within positive psychology, there is a dearth of research exploring its central element, prāṇāyāma (breath control or extension). With the breath intimately linked to human experience and research in other arenas evidencing its impact on the nervous system and emotions, its power should not be underestimated. Six participants (females) were interviewed using semi-structured techniques, which were subsequently transcribed. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three master themes were identified: (1) the discovery phase, (2) unearthing the “Diamond in the centre,” and (3) integration, each with three subordinate themes, and delineated the journey participants embarked in discovering prāṇāyāma. Conclusions: Results demonstrated low wellbeing experienced before discovering prāṇāyāma, the potential obstacles to overcome to start practicing and the importance of experiencing it to understand its benefits. Greatest benefits were achieved by committing to the practice. The experience of prāṇāyāma was also described, portraying its potential for flow, reduce negative emotions and produce positive emotions. Subsequent wider-reaching benefits of prāṇāyāma were evident with enhanced embodied self-awareness, resilience, and interpersonal relationships. The consequential meaning of prāṇāyāma to these participants was also highlighted. Potential for prāṇāyāma to be a positive psychology intervention (PPI) and future research are discussed.

Keywords: prāṇāyāma, breathing, wellbeing, yoga, positive psychology interventions.

References

Acebedo, A. (2013). Phenomenological analysis of the transformational experience of self in ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice. [Doctoral Thesis]. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 73(9-B(E)). https://www.proquest.com/openview/f392279cc1825df4b30134848411b202/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 1269–1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x
Aristotle. (350 C.E.). Nicomachean ethics (T. Irwin, Trans., 3rd ed.). Hacket Publishing Company.
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2004). Understanding self-regulation: An introduction. In R. F. Baumeister & K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (pp. 1-9). The Guildford Press.
Benicewicz, A. J. (2015). Mechanisms of change of pranayama: A qualitative study exploring how voluntarily controlled breathing reduces depression. [Doctoral Dissertation, Alliant International University]. https://www.proquest.com/openview/2b40e499548714bcdc6ee664656329df/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
Benson, H., Beary, J. F., & Carol, M. P. (1974). The relaxation response. Psychiatry, 37, 37–46.
Bernardi, L., Spadacini, G., Bellwon, J., Hajric, R., Roskamm, H., & Frey, A. W. (1998). Effect of breathing rate on oxygen saturation and exercise performance in chronic heart failure. The Lancet, 351(9112), 1308–1311. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(97)10341-5
Birdee, G. S., Legedza, A. T., Saper, R. B., Bertisch, S. M., Eisenberg, D. M., & Phillips, R. S. (2008). Characteristics of yoga users: Results of a national survey. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(10), 1653–1658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0735-5
Blanchflower, D. G. (2021). Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries. Journal of Population Economics, 34, 575–624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-020-00797-z
Blanchflower, D. G., & Oswald, A. (2008). Is Well-being U-shaped over the life cycle? Social Science and Medicine, 66(8), 1733–1749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.01.030
Blood, S. K. (2005). Body work: The social construction of women’s body image. Routledge.
Bolier, L., Haverman, M., Westerhof, G. J., Riper, H., Smit, F., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2013). Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 119. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-119
Boniwell, I., & Tunariu, A. D. (2019). Positive psychology theory, research and applications (2nd ed.). Open University Press.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2020). Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should I not use TA? Comparing reflexive thematic analysis and other pattern‐based qualitative analytic approaches. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21, 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12360
Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2005a). Sudarshan kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part I—Neurophysiologic model. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(1), 189–201. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2005.11.189
Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2005b). Sudarshan kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part II—Clinical applications and guidelines. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(4), 711–717. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2005.11.711
Carman, T. (1999). The body in Husserl and Merleau-Ponty. Philosophical Topics, 27(2), 205–226. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43154321
Chmitorz, A., Kunzler, A., Helmreich, I., Tüscher, O., Kalisch, R., Kubiak, T., Wessa, M., & Lieb, K. (2018). Intervention studies to foster resilience—A systematic review and proposal for a resilience framework in future intervention studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 59, 78–100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.11.002
Clark, A., & Oswald, A. (1994). Unhappiness and unemployment. Economic Journal, 104, 648–659. https://doi.org/10.2307/2234639
Cohen, K., & Cairns, D. (2012). Is searching for meaning in life associated with reduced subjective well-being? Confirmation and possible moderators. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(2), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-011-9265-7
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). Flow. In S. Lopez (Ed.), The encyclopedia of positive psychology (pp. 394–400). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The ‘what’ and ‘why’ of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Hedonia, eudaimonia, and wellbeing: An introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007s/10902-006-9018-1
Delle Fave, A., Brdar, I., Freire, T., Vella-Brodrick, D., & Wissing, M. P. (2011). The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Social Indicators Research, 100(2), 185–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9632-5
Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.542
Diener, E., Lucas, R. E., & Oishi, S. (2002). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and life satisfaction. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 63–73). Oxford University Press.
Dodge, R., Daly, A. P., Huyton, J., & Sanders, L. D. (2012). The challenge of defining wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 2(3), 222–235. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v2i3.4
Eatough, V., & Smith, J. A. (2017). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In C. Willig & W. Stainton-Rogers (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative psychology (2nd ed., pp. 193–211). SAGE Publications Ltd.
Emmons, R. A. (2003). Personal goals, life meaning, and virtue: Wellsprings of a positive life. In C. Keyes & J. Haidt (Eds.), Flourishing: Positive psychology and the well-lived life (pp. 105–128). American Psychological Association.
Fegg, M. J., Kramer, M., Bausewein, C., & Borasio, G. D. (2007). Meaning in life in the Federal Republic of Germany: Results of a representative survey with the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 5(59), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-5-59
Field, T. (2016). Yoga research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 24, 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.06.005
Fogel, A. (2013). Body sense: The science and practice of embodied self-awareness. W.W. Norton.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2002). Happiness and economics: How the economy and institutions affect human well-being. Princeton University Press.
Froh, J. J., Fives, C. J., Fuller, J. R., Jacofsky, M. D., Terjesen, M. D., & Yurkewicz, C. (2007). Interpersonal relationships and irrationality as predictors of life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(1), 29–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760601069051
Gagnon, M.-C. J., Durand-Bush, N., & Young, B. W. (2016). Self-regulation capacity is linked to wellbeing and burnout in physicians and medical students: Implications for nurturing self-help skills. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(1), 101–116. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v6i1.425
Goyeche, J. R. M., Ago, Y., & Ikemi, Y. (1980). Asthma: The yoga perspective part I. Journal of Asthma Research, 17(3), 111–121. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770908009105671
Harms, P. D., Brady, L., Wood, D., & Silard, A. (2018). Resilience and well-being. In E. Diener, S. Oishi, & L. Tay (Eds.), Handbook of well-being (pp. 604-615). EF Publishers.
Holt-Lunstad, J. (2018). Why social relationships are important for physical health: A systems approach to understanding and modifying risk and protection. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1), 437–458. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011902
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLOS Medicine, 7(7), Article e1000316. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
Hopper, S. I., Murray, S. L., Ferrara, L. R., & Singleton, J. K. (2019). Effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing for reducing physiological and psychological stress in adults: A quantitative systematic review. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 17(9), 1855–1876. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003848
IJntema, R. C., Burger, Y. D., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2019). Reviewing the labyrinth of psychological resilience: Establishing criteria for resilience-building programs. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 71(4), 288–304. https://doi.org/. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000147
Ivtzan, I., & Jegatheeswaran, S. (2015). The yoga boom in western society: Practitioners’ spiritual vs. physical intentions and their impact on psychological wellbeing. Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, 5(3), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7595.1000204
Ivtzan, I., & Papantoniou, A. (2014). Yoga meets positive psychology: Examining the integration of hedonic (gratitude) and eudaimonic (meaning) wellbeing in relation to the extent of yoga practice. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 18(2), 183–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.11.005
Iyengar, B. K. S. (1981). Light on pranayama. The yogic art of breathing. Crossroad.
Kahya, H. H., & Raspin, C. G. (2017). Yoga therapy for the mind eight-week course: Participants׳ experiences. Explore, 13(2), 116–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2016.12.006
Kanchibhotla, D., Parekh, S. G., Harsora, P., & Kulkarni, S. (2021). The influence of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga on sleep quality in Indian adults: An open trial pilot study. Sleep and Vigilance, 5, 213–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41782-021-00146-4
Kidd, M., & Eatough, V. (2017). Yoga, well-being, and transcendence: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Humanistic Psychologist, 45(3), 258–280. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000068
Kumar, A., & Venkatesh, S. (2021). Effect of short-term practice of bhramari pranayama on sleep quality and perceived stress in school students. International Journal of Physiology, 9(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v9i1.2603
Lachman, M. E., Teshale, S., & Agrigoroaei, S. (2015). Midlife as a pivotal period in the life course: Balancing growth and decline at the crossroads of youth and old age. International Journal Behavioural Development, 39(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025414533223
Larkin, M., Watts, S., & Clifton, E. (2006). Giving voice and making sense in interpretative phenomenological analysis. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 102–120. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp062oa
Levitt, H. M., Motulsky, S. L., Wertz, F. J., Morrow, S. L., & Ponterotto, J. G. (2017). Recommendations for designing and reviewing qualitative research in psychology: Promoting methodological integrity. Qualitative Psychology, 4(1), 2–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000082
López Ulloa, B. F., Møller, V., & Sousa-Poza, A. (2013). How does subjective well-being evolve with age? A literature review. Journal of Population Ageing, 6(3), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-013-9085-0
Lyubomirsky, S., & Layous, K. (2013). How do simple positive activities increase well-being? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(1), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721412469809
Ma, X., Yue, Z.-Q., Gong, Z.-Q., Zhang, H., Duan, N.-Y., Shi, Y.-T., Wei, G.-X., & Li, Y.-F. (2017). The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, Article 874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874
Macneill, P. (2012). Yoga and ethics: The importance of practice. In F. Allhoff & L. Stillwaggon Swan (Eds.), Yoga-philosophy for everyone: Bending mind and body (pp. 187–200). Wiley-Blackwell.
Madill, A., Jordan, A., & Shirley, C. (2000). Objectivity and reliability in qualitative analysis: Realist, contextualist and radical constructionist epistemologies. British Journal of Psychology, 91(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712600161646
Marks, G. N., & Fleming, N. (1999). Influences and consequences of well-being among Australian young people: 1980–1995. Social Indicators Research, 46(3), 301–323. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006928507272
Marks, N., & Shah, H. (2004). A well‐being manifesto for a flourishing society. Journal of Public Mental Health, 3(4), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465729200400023
Merleau-Ponty, M. (2005). Phenomenology of perception (C. Smith, Trans.). Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. (Original work published 1945)
Merleau-Ponty, M. (2005). Eye and mind. In J. M. Edie (Ed.), & C. Dallery (Trans.), The primacy of perception: And other essays on phenomenological psychology, the philosophy of art, history, and politics (pp. 159–192). North Western University Press. (Original work published 1964)
Morley, J. (2001). Inspiration and expiration: Yoga practice through Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of the body. Philosophy East and West, 51(1), 73–82.
Moses, J., Bradley, G. L., & O’Callaghan, F. V. (2016). When college students look after themselves: Self-care practices and well-being. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 53(3), 346–359. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2016.1157488
Musich, S., Wang, S. S., Schaeffer, J. A., Kraemer, S., Wicker, E., & Yeh, C. S. (2021). The additive impact of multiple psychosocial protective factors on selected health outcomes among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 42(2), 502–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.09.007
Neumark-Sztainer, D., Watts, A. W., & Rydell, S. (2018). Yoga and body image: How do young adults practicing yoga describe its impact on their body image? Body Image, 27, 156–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.09.001
Nizza, I. E., Farr, J., & Smith, J. A. (2021). Achieving excellence in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): Four markers of high quality. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 369–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1854404
Novaes, M. M., Palhano-Fontes, F., Onias, H., Andrade, K. C., Lobão-Soares, B., Arruda-Sanchez, T., Kozasa, E. H., Santaella, D. F., & de Araujo, D. B. (2020). Effects of yoga respiratory practice (bhastrika pranayama) on anxiety, affect, and brain functional connectivity and activity: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, Article 467. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00467
Park, C. L., Braun, T., & Siegel, T. (2015). Who practices yoga? A systematic review of demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors associated with yoga practice. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9618-5
Parks, A. C., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2013). Positive interventions: Past, present, and future. In T. B. Kashdan & J. Ciarrochi (Eds.), Mindfulness, acceptance, and positive psychology: The seven foundations of well-being (pp. 140–165). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Pawelski, J. O. (2020). The elements model: Toward a new generation of positive psychology interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 675–679. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1789710
Peper, E., Harvey, R., Cuellar, Y., & Membrila, C. (2022). Reduce anxiety. NeuroRegulation, 9(2), 91–91. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.9.2.91
Peper, E., Harvey, R., & Hamiel, D. (2019). Transforming thoughts with postural awareness to increase therapeutic and teaching efficacy. NeuroRegulation, 6(3), 153–153. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.6.3.153
Peper, E., Lin, I.-M., Harvey, R., & Perez, J. (2017). How posture affects memory recall and mood. Biofeedback, 45(2), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-45.2.01
Peterson, C. T., Bauer, S. M., Chopra, D., Mills, P. J., & Maturi, R. K. (2017). Effects of shambhavi mahamudra kriya, a multicomponent breath-based yogic practice (pranayama), on perceived stress and general well-being. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 788–797. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217730934
Philippot, P., Chapelle, G., & Blairy, S. (2002). Respiratory feedback in the generation of emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 16(5), 605–627. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930143000392
Pietkiewicz, I., & Smith, J. A. (2012). A practical guide to using interpretative phenomenological analysis in qualitative research psychology. Czasopismo Psychologiczne, 18(2), 361–369. https://doi.org/10.14691/CPPJ.20.1.7
Piran, N. (2016). Embodied possibilities and disruptions: The emergence of the Experience of Embodiment construct from qualitative studies with girls and women | Elsevier Enhanced Reader. Body Image, 18, 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.04.007
Piran, N. (2017). Journeys of embodiment at the intersection of body and culture: The developmental theory of embodiment. Academic Press.
Piran, N., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2020). Yoga and the experience of embodiment: A discussion of possible links. Eating Disorders, 28(4), 330–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2019.1701350
Pooley, J. A., & Cohen, L. (2010). Resilience: A definition in context. The Australian Community Psychologist, 22(1), 30–37.
Posadzki, P., Ernst, E., Terry, R., & Lee, M. S. (2011). Is yoga effective for pain? A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 19(5), 281–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2011.07.004
Proyer, R. T., Wellenzohn, S., Gander, F., & Ruch, W. (2015). Toward a better understanding of what makes positive psychology interventions work: Predicting happiness and depression from the person × intervention fit in a follow-up after 3.5 years. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 7(1), 108–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12039
Ramirez-Duran, D., Kern, M. L., & Stokes, H. (2022). More than a feeling: Perceptions of wellbeing in regular Ashtanga Yoga practitioners. International Journal of Wellbeing, 12(2), 88–113. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v12i2.2027
Rivest-Gadbois, E., & Boudrias, M.-H. (2019). What are the known effects of yoga on the brain in relation to motor performances, body awareness and pain? A narrative review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, 129–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.021
Roland, K., Jakobi, J., & Jones, G. (2011). Does yoga engender fitness in older adults? A critical review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 19(1), 62–79. https://doi.org/10.1123/JAPA.19.1.62
Roos, S. (2016). The experience of principals at Catholic schools implementing a pranayama practice for stress coping [Doctoral Dissertation, University of San Francisco]. https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/325
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
Ryff, C. D. (1989a). In the eye of the beholder: Views of psychological well-being among middle-aged and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 4(2), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.4.2.195
Ryff, C. D. (1989b). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (1998). The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry, 9(1), 1–28.
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-006-9019-0
Saraswati, S. S. (2006). Four chapters on freedom. Commentary on the yoga sutras of Sage Patanjali. Yoga Publications Trust.
Saraswati, S. S. (2008). Asana, pranayama, mudra bandha (4th ed.). Yoga Publications Trust.
Schaefer, S. M., Morozink Boylan, J., van Reekum, C. M., Lapate, R. C., Norris, C. J., Ryff, C. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2013). Purpose in life predicts better emotional recovery from negative stimuli. PLoS ONE, 8(11), Article e80329. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080329
Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and well-being - and how to achieve them. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Settersten, R. A. (2002). Social sources of meaning in later life. In R. S. Weiss & S. A. Bass (Eds.), Challenges of the third age: Meaning and purpose in later life (pp. 55–79). Oxford University Press.
Sharma, G., & Goodwin, J. (2006). Effect of aging on respiratory system physiology and immunology. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(3), 253–260.
Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice-friendly meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 467–487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20593
Singh, S., & Sharma, N. R. (2018). Self-regulation as a correlate of psychological well-being—ProQuest. Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, 9(3), 441–444.
Sinha, A., Deepak, D., & Gusain, V. (2013). Assessment of the effects of pranayama/alternate nostril breathing on the parasympathetic nervous system in young adults. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 7(5), 821–823. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2013/4750.2948
Sivaramakrishnan, D., Fitzsimons, C., Kelly, P., Ludwig, K., Mutrie, N., Saunders, D. H., & Baker, G. (2019). The effects of yoga compared to active and inactive controls on physical function and health related quality of life in older adults—Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16, Article 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0789-2
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. SAGE Publications.
Smith, J. A., & Osborn, M. (2007). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In J. A. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to methods. (pp. 53–80). SAGE Publications.
Staudinger, U. M. (2001). Life reflection: A social–cognitive analysis of life review. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 148–160. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.148
Steger, M. F. (2012). Making meaning in life. Psychological Inquiry, 23(4), 381–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840X.2012.720832
Steger, M. F. (2018). Meaning and well-being. In E. Diener, S. Oishi, & L. Tay (Eds.), Handbook of well-being (544-553). DEF Publishers.
Steger, M. F., Shim, Y., Barenz, J., & Shin, J. Y. (2014). Through the windows of the soul: A pilot study using photography to enhance meaning in life. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3, 27–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.11.002
Steptoe, A., Deaton, A., & Stone, A. A. (2015). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet, 385(9968), 640–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61489-0
Tellhed, U., Daukantaitė, D., Maddux, R. E., Svensson, T., & Melander, O. (2019). Yogic breathing and mindfulness as stress coping mediate positive health outcomes of yoga. Mindfulness, 10(12), 2703–2715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01225-4
Tornstam, L. (1997). Gerotranscendence: The contemplative dimensions of aging. Journal of Aging Studies, 11, 143–154.
Tornstam, L. (2005). Gerotranscendence: A developmental theory of positive aging. Springer.
Tornstam, L. (2011). Maturing into gerotranscendence. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 43(2), 166–180.
Weymouth, W. B. (2007). Breathing interventions in psychology: An overview of the theoretical and empirical literature [Master’s Thesis, Pacific University]. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48843115.pdf
Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology (3rd ed.). Open University Press.
Yardley, L. (2015). Demonstrating validity in qualitative psychology. In J. A. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods (3rd ed., pp. 235–251). SAGE Publications.
Yardley, L. (2017). Demonstrating validity of qualitative research. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(3), 295–296.
Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, Article 353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353
Zafar, H., Albarrati, A., Alghadir, A. H., & Iqbal, Z. A. (2018). Effect of different head-neck postures on the respiratory function in healthy males. BioMed Research International, 2018, Article 4518269. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4518269
Zelano, C., Jiang, H., Zhou, G., Arora, N., Schuele, S., Rosenow, J., & Gottfried, J. A. (2016). Nasal respiration entrains human limbic oscillations and modulates cognitive function. The Journal of Neuroscience, 36(49), 12448–12467. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2586-16.2016

Citation

Beauchamp, F. E., & Kampman, H. (2023). “A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(2), 113-146. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

Beauchamp, F. E., and Kampman, H. (2023). “A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(2), pp. 113-146. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

Beauchamp FE, Kampman H. “A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2023;7(2), 113-146. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

Beauchamp, Fern Eleanor, and Hanna Kampman. "“A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2023 7 no. 2 (2023): 113-146. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

Beauchamp, Fern Eleanor et al. "“A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 7, no. 2, 2023, pp. 113-146. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080

Beauchamp FE, Kampman H. “A Little Superpower That I Know is There”: Exploring the Meaning and Role of Prāṇāyāma in the Wellbeing of Adults in Mid-life. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2023;7(2):113-46. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13080