Yoga as medicine: Understanding Bhutanese refugee perspectives on health and healthcare.

ABSTRACT

Bhutanese refugees in the U.S. often struggle to access culturally competent health treatment. Addressing this problem requires understanding how refugees perceive their health and healthcare needs. Since 2015, a community agency has implemented community-based, peer-led support groups for Bhutanese refugees, with 17 groups in 2018-2019. This study describes the agency's quality assurance evaluation through group leader feedback, observation reports, and focus groups. The results of 46 quality assurance documents show that this group of Bhutanese refugees perceive their health through the mind-body connection, viewing physical and mental health as linked and supported by yoga, mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and creative expression.