25 Annals of Applied Psychophysiology December 2024 Volume 11 ______________________________________________________________________________ Establishment of the Relationship Between Continued Practice of Hatha Yoga and Goal Attainment Amé Foster1, Published online: December 2024 © The Author(s) 2 Abstract Background: This original dissertation research explored the understanding as to why novice yoga students terminate participation. This research is important due to the fact that there is limited information and data available within this specific subject matter of yoga practice. Methodology: The relationship between continued yoga practice and goal attainment was examined through goal achievement, in addition to psychological inventories and assessments. The research was conducted among eighteen novice yoga participants both male and female. Results: The main results of the research study quantified the influences of the Hatha yoga intervention calculated through pre-post change scores in the psychological assessments. The outcomes revealed a strong inverse relationship between negative affect and relaxation state; and a moderate inverse relationship between positive affect and relaxation state for the non-drop-out subjects, which included six individuals. Furthermore, the subject goal information established that the type of goals varied between the drop-out and non-drop-out participants. Conclusion: The results of this research denote that individuals who develop goals more focused on mood enhancement and relaxation improvement as well as establishing a sense of community tend to continue yoga practice and attend classes in comparison to subjects with goals focused specifically related to only addressing health concerns. Keywords: Yoga, goal attainment, relaxation, mood and affect, drop-out 1. Amé Foster afoster1@saybrook.edu Saybrook University, Pasadena, CA USA Introduction Previous research conducted on Hatha yoga demonstrates that it is indeed a successful psychophysiological intervention. However, the limited amount of data observing the reasoning behind yoga practice cessation is significantly lacking. This research assessed the relationship between continued yoga practice and goal attainment examined through goal achievement, in addition to examinations of psychological inventories and assessments. This was completed with measurements before and after the intervention period. The assessments included Goal Attainment Scaling, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire, and the RMM (e) Inventory. The objective was to expand the knowledge currently understood between the relationship of yoga attendance and goal achievement as well as psychological and physical changes within the subjects. Methodology Research Method The information was acquired through a pre-post design model. The subjects included yoga students from two yoga studios in the state of Kansas. The participant inclusion conditions consisted of the following: (a) Subject candidates are at least 18 years of age, (b) Subject candidates are available to participate in an approximately 1-hour yoga session one to two times a week for two months, and (c) Subject candidates are beginners at the practice of yoga. The exclusion conditions contained the following: (a) Subject candidates do experience symptoms of a mental health disorder and are not currently seeking treatment by a professional, (b) Subject candidates are not 18 years or older, (c) Subject candidates are not available to participate in an approximately 1-hour yoga session one to two times a week for two months, (d) Subject candidates have previously practiced yoga, and (e) Subject candidates attend a different type of yoga class other than hatha yoga during participation in the study. Involvement in this study was for a period of two months for a minimum of eight yoga classes. The total subject number was eighteen. Measures Each participant provided information for the pre-participation survey. Correspondingly, a goal attainment scale, the positive and negative affect scale, the profile of mood states questionnaire, and the RMM-e tracker inventory were all completed before and after the two-month intervention period. Finally, the attendance of each participant was recorded. This research utilized a quantitative method data analysis approach. The quantitative data analyses included descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and linear regression and correlation analysis of the psychometric measurements. The significance levels within each appropriate analysis were measured utilizing the value of equal or less than (p ≤0.05) with a 95% confidence level. Subject Information Subjects included males and females all over the age of eighteen years. Each participant was categorized as a beginning level yoga student with no prior yoga practice experience. Subjects were gathered from two yoga studios in a rural Kansas area. Supplementary subject details included medications and treatments. Specifically mental health therapy for three individuals and an SSRI medication for one subject. Results The examination of the psychological elements was achieved through the analysis of pre and post change scores. These analyses were completed applying a linear regression and correlation analysis with a p-value (<0.05) among the data from non-dropout participants. The results revealed a moderate inverse relationship between positive affect and state relaxation, and a strong inverse relationship between negative affect and the state of relaxation. Table 1: Positive Affect Descriptive Statistics Positive Affect Group N Mean SD SE Median Minimum Maximum Total Participants (Pre) 10 37.2 9.508 3.007 40 22 49 Total Participants (Post) 10 36 9.201 2.91 38 18 46 Non-Dropout (Pre) 6 42.83 4.355 1.778 43 38 49 Non-Dropout (Post) 6 38 8.602 3.512 38.5 22 46 Table 2: Negative Affect Descriptive Statistics Negative Affect Group N Mean SD SE Median Minimum Maximum Total Participants (Pre) 10 12.6 4.169 1.318 11 8 21 Total Participants (Post) 10 13.8 5.287 1.672 11.5 9 24 Non-Dropout (Pre) 6 13.17 4.355 1.778 12.5 9 21 Non-Dropout (Post) 6 12.17 4.446 1.815 10.5 9 21 Table 3: Relaxation Mediation Mindfulness Inventory Descriptive Statistics RMM Group N Mean SD SE Median Minimum Maximum Total Participants (Pre) 10 2.98 0.5029 0.159 2.7 2.6 3.8 Total Participants (Post) 10 3.26 0.6603 0.2088 3.4 1.8 4 Non-Dropout (Pre) 6 3.167 0.5175 0.2333 3.1 2.6 3.8 Non-Dropout (Post) 6 3.467 0.4131 0.1687 3.4 2.8 4 Table 4: Profile of Mood States Descriptive Statistics Profile of Mood States Group N Mean SD SE Median Minimum Maximum Total Participants (Pre) 5 13 26.95 12.05 14 -27 49 Total Participants (Post) 5 6.4 27.63 12.36 3 -26 50 Non-Dropout (Pre) 4 4 20.704 10.35 13.5 -27 16 Non-Dropout (Post) 4 -8.5 12.503 6.251 -5.5 -26 3 Table 5 Goal Attainment Scale Results Participant Attainment Level ______________________________________________________________________________ (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Improve Flexibility 1 Greater than Expected Enhance relaxation Improve shoulder mobility Post-Intervention Goals Improve flexibility Enhance relaxation Improve shoulder mobility Become more Fit ______________________________________________________________________________ (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Community 2 Expected Keep of recent weight loss Improve mobility Post-Intervention Goals Community Keep of recent weight loss Improve overall health Reduce stress level ______________________________________________________________________________ (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Flexibility 3 Not Selected Improve upper body strength Improve core muscles Improve mindfulness Post-Intervention Goals Flexibility Improve upper body strength Improve core muscles Improve mindfulness ______________________________________________________________________________ (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Community 4 Greater than Expected Improve flexibility Improve mindfulness Improve emotional stability Post-Intervention Goals Increase a sense of Community Increase physical activity Improve flexibility Enhance relaxation and calm ______________________________________________________________________________ (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Body appreciation 5 Not Selected Better sleep and stress relief Improve flexibility Injury Prevention Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals No Data 6 Not Selected Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Self-improvement and self-care 7 Not Selected Improve range of motion Success in college and Clarity Marathon preparation Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Attend yoga twice per week 8 Not Selected Move body everyday Book 5 photo shoots Become a Yoga Instructor Post-Intervention Goals No Data (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals More active 9 Greater than Expected Enhance relaxation and peace Improve muscle tone Become a Yoga Instructor Post-Intervention Goals Self-awareness Muscle tone (Non-DO) Pre-Intervention Goals More active 10 Greater than Expected Improve breathing Improve motivation Post-Intervention Goals More active Improve breathing Improve motivation (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Stay in movement 11 Not Selected Improve flexibility Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Improve breathing 12 Not Selected Improve flexibility Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Relaxation 13 Not Selected Muscle tone Weight loss Post-Intervention Goals Relaxation Muscle tone Weight loss ______________________________________________________________________________ (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Relaxation 14 Not Selected Improve teaching lessons Relax muscles Post-Intervention Goals Relaxation Improve teaching lessons Relax muscles ______________________________________________________________________________ (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Enhance mood 15 Not Selected Improve flexibility Increase core strength Relaxation and focus on breathing Post-Intervention Goals Enhance mood Improve flexibility Increase core strength Relaxation and focus on breathing ______________________________________________________________________________ (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Improve balance 16 Not Selected Improve flexibility Stay calm and balanced Relaxation and positive mood Post-Intervention Goals Delay aging Maintain health and flexibility Increase mental health and focus Relaxation and positive mood (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Improve balance 17 Not Selected Improve flexibility Stay calm and balanced Post-Intervention Goals No Data (DO) Pre-Intervention Goals Improve balance 18 Not Selected Improve flexibility More strength Decrease stress and improve breathing Post-Intervention Goals No Data Note. Participants determined and recorded individual goals for attending and practicing yoga on a goal attainment scale. Additionally, the goal attainment level was reported in the post-intervention GAS results. The results which state Not Selected or No Data for the attainment level and goal content are due to incomplete outcomes reported by the subjects who dropped out. The dropout status is indicated in parentheses above the participant number. Non-DO represents non-dropout and DO represents dropout. The attainment levels are measured to determine if the participant has met their individualized goals and expectations for the yoga practice. Figure 1 Positive Affect and Relaxation State Pre-Post Change Scores Correlation Note. The data as gathered from the pre-post change scores of the positive affect (PA) and the Relaxation Meditation and Mindfulness (RMM) Inventory results of non-dropout participants to calculate a linear regression and correlation analysis. This analysis examined the relationship between the two variables with the aim to establish the connection among the fluctuations within the psychological measurement outcomes. Specifically, for the subjects that maintained extended yoga class attendance. R2 = .27, F(1,4) = 1.47, p = .292. β = -.04, p = .292. R-Squared (R2) equals 0.2684. Meaning that 26.8% of the variability of Relaxation is explained by Positive Affect. Correlation (R) equals -0.5181. Denoting that there is a moderate inverse relationship between Positive Affect and Relaxation. This is considered a paradoxical finding. Figure 2 Negative Affect and Relaxation State Pre-Post Change Scores Correlation Note. The data as gathered from the pre-post change scores of the Negative Affect (NA) and the Relaxation Meditation and Mindfulness (RMM) Inventory results of non-dropout participants to calculate a linear regression and correlation analysis. This analysis examined the relationship between the two variables with the aim to establish the connection among the fluctuations within the psychological measurement outcomes. Specifically, for the subjects that maintained extended yoga class attendance. R2 = .41, F(1,4) = 2.81, p = .169. β = .18, p = .169. R-Squared (R2) equals 0.4129. This means that 41.3% of the variability of increased Relaxation is explained by Negative Affect reduction. Correlation (R) equals 0.6426, denoting that there is a strong inverse relationship between Negative Affect and Relaxation. Figure 3 Positive Affect and POMS Pre-Post Change Scores Correlation Note. The data as gathered from the pre-post change scores of the Positive Affect (PA) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) results of non-dropout participants to calculate a linear regression and correlation analysis. This analysis examined the relationship between the two variables with the aim to establish the connection among the fluctuations within the psychological measurement outcomes. Specifically, for the subjects that maintained extended yoga class attendance. R2 = .0045, F(1,2) = 0.009, p = .933. β = .068, p = .933. R-Squared (R2) equals 0.004495. This means that 0.4% of the variability of POMS is explained by Positive Affect. Correlation (R) equals 0.06705, denoting that there is a very weak direct relationship between Positive Affect and POMS. This is considered a paradoxical finding. Figure 4 Negative Affect and POMS Pre-Post Change Scores Correlation Note. The data as gathered from the pre-post change scores of the Negative Affect (NA) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) results of non-dropout participants to calculate a linear regression and correlation analysis. This analysis examined the relationship between the two variables with the aim to establish the connection among the fluctuations within the psychological measurement outcomes. Specifically, for the subjects that maintained extended yoga class attendance. R2 = .16, F(1,2) = 0.37, p = .603. β = 2.9, p = .603. R-Squared (R2) equals 0.1576. This means that 15.8% of the variability of POMS is explained by Negative Affect. Correlation (R) equals 0.397, denoting that there is a weak direct relationship between Negative Affect and POMS. Figure 5 Relaxation State and POMS Pre-Post Change Scores Correlation RMM Note. The data as gathered from the pre-post change scores of the Relaxation Meditation and Mindfulness (RMM) Inventory and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) results of non-dropout participants to calculate a linear regression and correlation analysis. This analysis examined the relationship between the two variables with the aim to establish the connection among the fluctuations within the psychological measurement outcomes. Specifically, for the subjects that maintained extended yoga class attendance. R2 = .0011, F(1,2) = 0.0021, p = .967. β = .81, p = .967. R-Squared (R2) equals 0.001068, meaning that 0.1% of the variability of POMS is explained by RMM. Correlation (R) equals 0.03268, and denoting that there is a very weak direct relationship between the RMM and POMS. Discussion Ancillary data was obtained regarding attendance and dropout rates. This information includes the narratives of four out of the eighteen subjects in the study that dropped out. These subjects replied to the investigator during the post-research data collection. Each subject claimed that attendance cessation occurred due to non-availability. The total dropout percentage was 66.6%. There was an important correlation between attendance and the goal content among the subjects who maintained attendance. The goal attainment scaling content results demonstrate that the goal content is significant and presents a connection between the participants who completed the intervention period and continued to practice yoga in contrast to those participants who did not. The goals of the non-drop-out subjects who maintained yoga class attendance incorporated goals focused on improved relaxation and mood as well as decreased levels of stress, and the importance of community. Moreover, these subjects completed the goal attainment scaling level detailing that the goals were achieved. Furthermore, each subject who maintained attendance in the yoga classes demonstrated an increase of relaxation state and a reduction in the total mood disturbance score as well as decrease of negative affect. Nevertheless, the paradoxical findings between the particular change scores are notable due to the opposite nature of the expected outcomes. Limitations The main limitation of this research includes the small number of subjects. This was most likely due to a limited sample population in a rural area. The second critical limitation was the high drop-out rate. Finally, incomplete data is available outside of the utilized assessments concerning the individual subject experience of the yoga practice. Conclusion The outcomes of this research provide more detailed information behind the reasoning for yoga practice cessation. Existing research provides only minimal explanations regarding this topic and includes results from yoga attendance within medical group research studies and group therapy treatments. 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