The effect of the yoga course on mindfulness and self‐compassion among nursing students

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga on mindfulness and self-compassion among nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: The quasiexperimental single-group pretest-posttest design study conducted with 47 nursing students. The data were collected using a "personal data form," the "mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS)," and the "self-compassion scale (SCS)." FINDINGS: While the mean score of the students from the "MAAS" was 60.51 (±11.35) in the pretest, it increased to 63.7 (±8.75) in the posttest (p < 0.05). While the mean score of the students from the SCS was 3.22 ± 0.69 in the pretest, it increased to 3.59 (±0.53) in the posttest (p < 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between mindfulness and SCS scores (r = 0.162). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: After the yoga course, mindfulness and self-compassion of the students were found to be higher than it was before the lessons. The higher the mindfulness level of the students is, the higher the level of self-compassion is.