JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is a well-established contributor to physical, psychological, and social well-being worldwide. Human touch also plays a vital role in life course health, yet opportunities for safe, consensual touch are often limited, particularly in LTPA settings. For gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GBTQ) men, barriers to affirming LTPA spaces can make it particularly difficult to access such benefits. In response, community-based approaches that integrate touch are needed, alongside systematic evaluations of such strategies. “The Studio” (pseudonym), a membership-based wellness community, addresses this gap by offering touch-centered partner yoga and bodywork programs designed to support the holistic health of GBTQ men.

Objective:

This protocol describes a mixed-methods evaluation of the Studio’s touch-based yoga programming in New York City. The evaluation aims to (1) assess individual health benefits (i.e., physical, emotional, and psychological) of partner-based yoga participation and (2) examine interpersonal outcomes of intentional touch in a GBTQ wellness community, including social connection, trust, and belonging.

Methods:

The evaluation employs a pre- and post-test mixed-methods design. A total of 40–50 participants will be recruited from new Studio members. Quantitative measures will include flexibility (sit-and-reach, goniometry), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), body awareness (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness), and resilience (Brief Resilience Scale). Social network analysis will map participant connections before and after program participation. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with 15–20 participants, or until saturation is reached, focusing on comfort with touch, emotional regulation, and experiences of community connectedness. Survey and interview guides will be co-developed with a Community Advisory Group to ensure cultural responsiveness and relevance. Findings will be integrated using triangulation methods to explore convergence across data sources.

Results:

As of October 2025, this study has not yet begun. Pending funding opportunities, Institutional Review Board submission is planned for Fall 2026. Afterward, study instruments will be finalized and pilot-tested with Studio teachers. Participant recruitment is projected to begin in Summer 2027, and data collection will include three time points (baseline, post-intervention, 4–6 week follow-up). Data analysis and dissemination of findings are expected in 2028. Preliminary pilot testing of the survey instruments with Studio employees and community advisory group members will indicate feasibility and cultural fit.

Conclusions:

This evaluation will be among the first to systematically examine touch-focused partner yoga for GBTQ men in a community wellness setting. Findings are expected to provide novel insights into the role of intentional touch in LTPA spaces, support trauma-informed and inclusive wellness practices, and contribute to broader discourse on GBTQ health promotion and intervention. Results will be disseminated to the Studio employees, members, and LGBTQ+-focused wellness organizations, as well as through peer-reviewed publications and conferences.