Yoga leisure and identity development of Chinese second-time mothers

Abstract

This study explores the role of yoga leisure in shaping identity of Chinese second-time mothers under the universal two-child policy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants. The results showed that (a) Chinese second-time mothers’ maternal identity was in conflicts with their career identity and personal identity; (b) yoga leisure was positively related with Chinese second-time mothers’ identity development in four ways: affirming self, approaching self, transforming self, and balancing self; (c) with a balanced development of different aspects of life, the previous identity conflicts were largely mitigated. The study has a theoretical contribution in developing a model interpreting the role of yoga in identity development and practical implications on policy making and leisure activity programming for Chinese second-time mothers.