In October, Dr. Mona Flynn, a 2024 graduate of the Ed.D. program, had the opportunity to present her research at two yoga conferences: the Symposium on Yoga Research and the Midwest Yoga Conference.
The Symposium on Yoga Research (SYR) was held on October 14 -16, 2024 at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The SYR is the academic conference for the professional organization, International Association of Yoga Therapists. Mona’s poster was titled Impact of a Community-Based Yoga Program on Quality of Life for Immigrant and Refugee Women. Mona was encouraged to submit her research for publication and to seek grants to continue her research. Mona credits Dr. Diane Gill, Dr. Pam Brown, and the Ed.D. in KIN program for preparing her for the presentation. She credits her dissertation work for not only helping her to gain valuable research experience, but also improve her business, Life Fit Yoga. Learning about qualitative research methods, such as Sort & Sift and Think & Shift (Maietta et.al, 2021), boosted her confidence in sharing how these qualitative research methods align with the profession of yoga therapy and the desire to grow research using these types of methods.
Additionally, Mona was the keynote speaker at the Iowa Midwest Yoga Conference on October 26, 2024. The theme for the conference was “Inclusion”, which fit with Mona’s work with the community program, The Yoga Connection. She was excited to share her passion for the community program, her research, and encourage replication of such programs that are tailored to the needs of underserved populations. Mona shared that “every single course (in the Ed.D. in KIN program) provided insight which moved the needle forward in this community program I founded.” Coursework in program design, strategic planning, effective leadership, and more guided her program development, including becoming a non-profit. Furthermore, Mona believes that incorporating research into a community program is a great way to bring together healthcare, physical education, community enrichment, and successful resettlement.
Mona Flynn hopes to continue her work as as she finds her way in community-engaged research.
Visit the Ed.D. in KIN website to learn about how the program can help you make a community impact.