Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Modern lifestyles have increasingly disconnected people from nature, contributing to ecological degradation and mental health challenges. Holistic practices like yoga may represent a pathway for addressing the human-nature detachment by raising self-awareness and a deeper connection to the natural world. This study investigated the relationship between yoga practice, nature connection and pro-environmental attitudes employing a mixed-methods approach. Three experienced yoga practitioners participated in semi-structured interviews, and a total of 28 participants completed a questionnaire measuring yoga practice, nature connection, eco-spiritual values and ecological attitudes. Interviews examined whether yoga is associated with participants’ connection and attitudes toward the natural world, while the questionnaire provided quantitative insights into these relationships.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed four main themes: nature as a space for mindful awareness, yoga as a transformative journey, yoga’s role in reconnecting with nature and self and, the influence of yoga and nature on environmental attitudes. Quantitative analyses showed that practicing yoga outdoors was positively associated with nature connection, eco-spiritual values and pro-environmental attitudes, emphasizing the importance of context in yoga practice. Notably, a strong correlation between nature connectedness and eco-spirituality values suggested that emotional and spiritual bonds with nature are closely linked, with a spiritual dimension appearing essential for authentic connection.
These findings suggest that yoga, particularly when practiced in natural settings, may support reconnection with both self and the environment. Although outdoor practice was less common, those who engaged in it described deeper emotional and spiritual experiences, highlighting the potential of natural settings to enhance yoga’s transformative impact.