Flowing in the Path of Flourishing: Implementing a PERMA-Vinyasa Yoga Wellness Program
Authors
School of Health and Sciences, Mapua University, Philippines (Philippines)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1303000131
Subject Category: Yoga Wellness
Volume/Issue: 13/3 | Page No: 1527-1538
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-03-13
Accepted: 2026-03-23
Published: 2026-04-08
Abstract
This study examined the effects of a five-week wellness program integrating Vinyasa Yoga and PERMA-based activities on well-being. Utilizing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, participants’ flourishing was assessed using the Flourishing Scale before and after the intervention. Paired t-test results indicated significant improvements in well-being scores. Subsequent narrative interviews with participants demonstrating the highest gains revealed themes of increased mindfulness, stress reduction, emotional resilience, and strengthened social connections. Findings suggest that combining mind-body practices with positive psychology strategies effectively enhances flourishing. These results offer valuable implications for developing holistic mental health and public health interventions that integrate embodied practices with evidence-based well-being strategies
Keywords
Vinyasa yoga, PERMA model, well-being, positive psychology, wellness program
Downloads
References
1. Acharya, R., Mahapatra, G. P., & Acharya, K. (2021). Yoga and wellness—Key insights from the study on general yoga programme. NHRD Network Journal, 14(1), 51–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/2631454120979763 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Birdee, G. S., Legedza, A. T., Saper, R. B., Bertisch, S. M., Eisenberg, D. M., & Phillips, R. S. (2008). Characteristics of yoga users: Results of a national survey. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(10), 1653–1658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0735-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Büssing, A., Michalsen, A., Khalsa, S., Telles, S., & Sherman, K. (2012). Effects of yoga on mental and physical health: A summary of reviews. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, Article 165410. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/165410 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Butler, J., & Kern, M. L. (2016). The PERMA-profiler: A brief multidimensional measure of flourishing. International Journal of Well-being, 6(3), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v6i3.526 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Cramer, H., Ward, L., Steel, A., Lauche, R., Dobos, G., & Zhang, Y. (2016). Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of yoga use: Results of a U.S. nationally representative survey. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(2), 230–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.037 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 97(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A.-G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Gaiswinkler, L., & Unterrainer, H. F. (2016). The relationship between yoga involvement, mindfulness, and psychological well-being. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 26, 123–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.011 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Gard, T., Noggle, J. J., Park, C. L., Vago, D. R., & Wilson, A. (2014). Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 770. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Gothe, N. P., & McAuley, E. (2016). Yoga is as good as stretching–strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness outcomes: Results from a randomized controlled trial. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 71(3), 406–411. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv127 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Guetterman, T. C., Fetters, M. D., & Creswell, J. W. (2015). Integrating quantitative and qualitative results in health science mixed methods research through joint displays. Annals of Family Medicine, 13(6), 554–561. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1865 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Impett, E. A., Daubenmier, J. J., & Hirschman, A. L. (2006). Minding the body: Yoga, embodiment, and well-being. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 3(4), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1525/srsp.2006.3.4.39 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Ivtzan, I., & Papantoniou, A. (2014). Yoga meets positive psychology: Examining the integration of hedonic (gratitude) and eudaimonic (meaning) well-being in relation to the extent of yoga practice. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 18(2), 183–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.11.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Kishida, M., Mama, S. K., Larkey, L. K., & Elavsky, S. (2018). "Yoga resets my inner peace barometer": A qualitative study illuminating the pathways of how yoga impacts one's relationship to oneself and others. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 40, 215–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Larson-Meyer, D. E. (2016). A systematic review of the energy cost and metabolic intensity of yoga. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(8), 1558–1569. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000922 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Madeson, M. (2024, August 5). Seligman’s PERMA+ model explained: A theory of wellbeing. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. McCall, T., & McCall, T. (2024, May 16). The benefits of yoga: 19 ways your practice can improve your life. Yoga Journal. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/womens-health/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Morales-Rodríguez, F. M., Espigares-López, I., Brown, T., & Pérez-Mármol, J. M. (2020). The relationship between psychological well-being and psychosocial factors in university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 4778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134778 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Park, C. L., Braun, T., & Siegel, T. (2015). Who practices yoga? A systematic review of demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors associated with yoga practice. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9618-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Patel, N. K., Newstead, A. H., & Ferrer, R. L. (2012). The effects of yoga on physical functioning and health-related quality of life in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(10), 902–917. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0473 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Positive Psychology Center. (n.d.). PERMA™ theory of well-being and PERMA™ workshops. https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Riley, K. E., & Park, C. L. (2015). How does yoga reduce stress? A systematic review of mechanisms of change and guide to future inquiry. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 379–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2014.981778 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Romualdo, A. V. P. (2017, July 25). Shaping minds, shaping bodies. University of the Philippines. https://up.edu.ph/shaping-minds-shaping-bodies/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Ross, A., Brooks, A., Touchton-Leonard, K., & Wallen, G. (2016). A different weight loss experience: A qualitative study exploring the behavioral, physical, and psychosocial changes associated with yoga that promote weight loss. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2914745 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Ross, A., & Thomas, S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: A review of comparison studies. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0044 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Rusk, R. D., & Waters, L. E. (2015). A psycho-social system approach to well-being: Empirically deriving the five domains of positive functioning. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(2), 141–152. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Seligman, M. (n.d.). Flourish: Positive psychology and positive interventions [The Tanner Lectures on Human Values]. https://tannerlectures.utah.edu/_resources/documents/a-to-z/s/Seligman_10.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Streeter, C. C., Whitfield, T. H., Owen, L., Rein, T., Karri, S. K., Yakhkind, A., Perlmutter, R., Prescot, A., Renshaw, P. F., Ciraulo, D. A., & Jensen, J. E. (2010). Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: A randomized controlled MRS study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(11), 1145–1152. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Thrower, A., Gibbs, B. B., Alansare, A., Sherman, S., & Davis, K. (2023). Blood pressure and heart rate variability responses following an acute bout of vinyasa yoga and a prolonged seated control: A randomized crossover trial. PLOS ONE, 18(11), e0294945. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294945 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Tulloch, A., Bombell, H., Dean, C., & Tiedemann, A. (2018). Yoga-based exercise improves health-related quality of life and mental well-being in older people: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Age and Ageing, 47(4), 537–544. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy044 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Wachholtz, A. B., & Pargament, K. I. (2005). Is spirituality a critical ingredient of meditation? Comparing the effects of spiritual meditation, secular meditation, and relaxation on spiritual, psychological, cardiac, and pain outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(4), 369–384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-9008-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Walters, S. (n.d.). 12.1 The history of positive psychology. Pressbooks. https://psychology.pressbooks.tru.ca/chapter/12-1-the-history-of-positive-psychology/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Woodyard, C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International Journal of Yoga, 4(2), 49. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Woolery, A., Myers, H., Sternlieb, B., & Zeltzer, L. (2004). A yoga intervention for young adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 10(2), 60–63. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]