Journal article
Is this what a female yogi looks like? A content analysis of yoga images on Instagram
Body image, Vol.36, pp.117-126
2021
PMID: 33285384
Abstract
As yoga continues to increase in global popularity, idealized representations of a thin, athletic ‘yoga body’ have also become more prominent across commercial media. To examine how yoga is typically represented on social media, a content analysis of the posts of female yoga practitioners on Instagram was undertaken. Images were sourced using hashtags #yoga, #yogabody, #yogapractice, and #yogawoman, and 200 females per hashtag were then coded on demographic factors, body shape, activity, objectification, and practice of yoga. Results showed that over 90 % of women in the images were coded as being under 40 years of age with the vast majority in their 20 s. Almost three-quarters of women were perceived to be white, 100 % appeared able bodied. More than 80 % were classed as thin and/or athletic, while less than 15 % displayed average levels of visible body fat. More than 50 % of yoga poses were advanced while a quarter displayed potentially unsafe alignment. The findings demonstrate that the typical ‘yoga body’ on Instagram was perceived to conform to the young, thin/athletic ideal and that overall yoga is not being represented as an inclusive physical practice that can be adapted for women of diverse ages, body types, and abilities.
Details
- Title
- Is this what a female yogi looks like? A content analysis of yoga images on Instagram
- Authors
- Angela Hinz (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyKate Mulgrew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyTamara De Regt (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyGeoff Lovell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Body image, Vol.36, pp.117-126
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.11.003
- ISSN
- 1873-6807
- PMID
- 33285384
- Organisation Unit
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Cancer Research Cluster; Forest Research Institute; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99493808802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
90 Record Views
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs from InCites