Transformational Versus Transactional Mindsets in Long-Term Tele-Yoga Practice: A Five-Year Prospective Cohort Follow-Up Study with Mixed-Methods Analysis

<ns5:p>Background In 2020, we established a community-based tele-yoga cohort during COVID-19 and demonstrated short-term stress reduction benefits. Long-term outcomes and psychological mechanisms underlying differential adherence patterns remained unexplored. Objective To evaluate psychological outcomes at five-year follow-up and explore mechanisms differentiating regular from irregular practitioners in a prospectively followed tele-yoga cohort. Methods This mixed-methods prospective cohort follow-up study assessed participants from our 2020 tele-yoga program. Baseline assessments (PSS, SWLS, WHOQOL-BREF, Gunas) were collected at enrolment. Attendance was tracked continuously via session logs. At the five-year follow-up, we re-administered quantitative measures and conducted semi-structured interviews (30–45 minutes). Participants were classified as Regular (RTY; n = 20, >70% attendance) or Irregular (ITY; n = 20, <30% attendance) practitioners based on objective attendance records. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired tests; qualitative data using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Results RTY participants showed significant improvements from baseline in PSS (17.31 to 11.70, p = 0.01), SWLS (24.20 to 28.45, p = 0.004), and quality of life domains (Physical, Psychological, and Environmental; all p < 0.01). RTY showed significantly lower Rajas (p = 0.041) and Tamas (p = 0.01) than ITY. Within the RTY group, sessions attended correlated with improvement in PSS (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) and SWLS (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), indicating a dose-response relationship. ITY participants showed no improvements. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: intrapersonal transformation, interpersonal reorientation, facilitators of sustained engagement, and barriers to continuity. RTY participants demonstrated a “transformational mindset” characterized by mindful emotional awareness and intrinsic motivation, while ITY participants exhibited a “transactional mindset” emphasizing emotional control and instrumental yoga use. Conclusion This five-year prospective follow-up demonstrates sustained tele-yoga practice is associated with continued psychological benefits and transformational mindset development, while irregular practice shows stagnation or decline. The transformational-transactional framework provides insights for promoting long-term adherence to mind-body practices.</ns5:p>