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Teaching Group Yoga-For-Wellness Classes via Video-Based Telehealth: Perspectives From Veterans Health Administration
Tony O Pomales1, Mary K Good1, Molly Delzio1,2
1VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center - Iowa City (VRHRC-IC), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Background:
Online yoga offers significant potential for healthcare systems. As efforts to incorporate online yoga in healthcare settings have grown, research in this area has mostly focused on the perspectives of patients and clinicians. Although yoga teachers are crucial to the implementation and delivery of telehealth yoga (tele-yoga), their views on this topic have not yet been adequately considered. This study examined the perspectives of Veterans Health Administration (VA) yoga teachers regarding a VA Office of Rural Health-funded multi-site tele-yoga implementation study.
Objectives:
This qualitative study aims to explore VA yoga teachers' perspectives and experiences with regards to implementing and delivering synchronous, remote, group yoga-for-wellness classes via video-based telehealth and provide lessons learned.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted with 13 yoga teachers from 6 different VA healthcare systems included in a multi-site tele-yoga implementation study. Interviews covered experience with teaching in an online format, program implementation and delivery, and equity considerations. Interviews were conducted and recorded using Microsoft Teams. Transcripts were coded using MAXQDA 2022 and analyzed via thematic content analysis.
Results:
VA tele-yoga teachers identified 4 categories impacting tele-yoga implementation and delivery: (1) equipment and information technology needs; (2) physical space (particularly for teachers teaching onsite in a hospital or clinic setting); (3) accessibility and safety; and (4) administrative responsibilities and end-user support. Findings highlight key considerations and potential solutions for teachers and healthcare settings, and resources needed to provide a safe, accessible, and effective experience for participants.
Conclusion:
Learning from tele-yoga teachers' experiences at VA can inform best practices for teaching yoga to groups in a synchronous, remote, online format within healthcare settings. The ways in which VA tele-yoga teachers surmounted barriers and harnessed opportunities for success can inform program recommendations as tele-yoga programs expand across VA and become incorporated in other healthcare systems and facilities.
