Table 2.

Themes, Categories, Subcategories, and Exemplar Statements

Theme	Category	Subcategory	Exemplar Statement
Yoga leads to personal  transformation	A new person		“I am a new person … I notice an improvement in  my attitude, which of course makes my  relationships with others better.”
	More positive psychological  traits		“Yoga puts me in a better frame of mind to interact  with others and deal with life in general.”
		Feel better	“I am stronger, calmer, and in less pain so that  improves my relationships.”
		Insightful, self-aware,  mindful	“I am able to live in the moment more … I am  more present with others.”
		Calm, peaceful,  happy, kind	“Yoga gives me a peace and calm that helps me be  better in my interpersonal relationships.”
		Tolerant, respectful,  compassionate	“Yoga helps me accept people the way they are  most of the time.”
	Fewer negative traits		“Yoga makes me much less cranky.”
		Less intolerant,  judgmental	“Because of yoga I am less judgmental and don’t  expect myself and others to be perfect.”
		Less reactive	“Yoga engenders a nonreactive nature; this  improves relationships.”
Yoga increases  social interaction	An activity we do together		“My husband and I do yoga together.”
	A method of meeting people		“I met a woman at a yoga retreat who introduced  me to a wonderful man and we are in love!”
	A sense of community		“I love my yoga community. We are a social  network of caring friends.”
		Love my teacher	“I love my yoga classes and teacher.”
	Decreased isolation		“I am having some very specific problems with  isolation right now, but yoga helps.”
Yoga provides  coping mechanisms to  weather relationship  difficulties and losses	Tool for coping		“I deal with life better.”
		Helps with  relationship  difficulties	“Yoga has saved my life and my marriage.”
		Helps with loss	“My husband died and I have recently moved … I  do know that yoga is the thing that keeps me  feeling as good as I do. Without it I would be sad  all of the time.”
Yoga leads to spiritual  transcendence and  connection	Transcendence of self		“I have a great sense of purpose.”
	Sense of oneness/  connection to all		“It takes me to my inner reality and feelings of  oneness with others.”