Table 1.

Overview of the results of phase one of the SAGE process evaluation

Program theories	Who did the interventions strategies work best for?	How did they work (mechanisms)?
1. It’s worth the effort	• SAGE attracted people who believed in the efficacy of yoga and who had interests in healthy ageing /or fall prevention • Experienced instructors encouraged everyone to practice at their own level, but it best suited those with physical capabilities in the moderate range who had manageable levels of pain	Value expectancy Therapeutic alliance Achievement/Mastery
2. In expert hands
3. A communal experience	• Group classes suited those who valued social interaction and/or shared experiences • Studio-based classes suited those who liked to benchmark their physical competence and/or peer-check their poses	Shared experience Social connection Social comparison Position checking
4. Finding yoga within reach	• Free classes enabled people with financial constraints to try yoga and continue with it • Studio classes only worked for those with easy access to a participating yoga studio • Online classes required suitable home environments and willingness to use video conferencing software (Zoom) (with support)	Accessibility Convenience Gratitude
5. Building yoga habits	• Twice-weekly classes over 12 months plus homework suited people who could prioritise SAGE and were keen to progress • Flexible classes suited those with carer commitments, travel plans, injury or illness • Goal-setting was seldom adopted by participants in SAGE	Purposeful structure Momentum Accountability Continuity
6. Yoga’s special properties	• The SAGE program utilises traditional yoga practices which worked most effectively for those who were open to yoga as a disciplined and holistic practice	Embodiment Mindfulness