Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Positive Psychology
&
Appreciative Inquiry

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 Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study and promotion of
positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being, and flourishing. In the context of
wellness coaching, positive psychology plays a crucial role in helping individuals enhance their
overall quality of life by building on their strengths and fostering a positive mindset.
Here’s how positive psychology is applied in wellness coaching:
Key Principles
Strengths-Based Approach: Focusing on clients' inherent strengths and how they can be
leveraged to achieve wellness goals.
Positive Emotions: Encouraging practices that increase positive emotions, such as gratitude,
optimism, and joy.
Engagement: Helping clients find activities that fully engage them, leading to a state of flow and
fulfillment.
Relationships: Emphasizing the importance of healthy, supportive relationships in promoting
well-being.
Meaning and Purpose: Assisting clients in identifying and pursuing meaningful goals that align
with their values.
Accomplishment: Celebrating achievements and progress, no matter how small, to build a
sense of competence and confidence.
Applications in Wellness Coaching
Strengths Identification: Coaches help clients identify their strengths using tools like the VIA
Character Strengths Survey and encourage them to apply these strengths in their daily lives and
wellness practices.
Example: A client discovers they have a strength in creativity. The coach helps them design a
personalized, enjoyable workout routine that incorporates creative elements, making exercise
more engaging and sustainable.
Gratitude Practices: Incorporating exercises that promote gratitude, such as keeping a
gratitude journal or writing thank-you notes, to enhance positive emotions and overall well-
being.
Example: A client starts a daily gratitude journal, noting three things they are thankful for each
day. This practice shifts their focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in their life,
improving their outlook and motivation.
Goal Setting and Achievement: Working with clients to set meaningful, attainable goals and
celebrate their accomplishments to foster a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

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 Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Example: A client sets a goal to run a 5K. The coach helps them create a realistic training plan,
providing support and celebrating milestones along the way, boosting the client's confidence
and sense of achievement.
Mindfulness and Positive Interventions: Teaching mindfulness techniques and positive
interventions, such as savoring positive experiences and practicing self-compassion, to enhance
present-moment awareness and overall happiness.
Example: A coach guides a client through mindfulness meditation sessions to help them
manage stress and become more present, leading to a greater sense of peace and well-being.
Enhancing Relationships: Encouraging clients to build and maintain supportive relationships,
which are crucial for emotional health and resilience.
Example: A coach might suggest ways for a client to connect more deeply with friends and
family, such as planning regular social activities or improving communication skills.
Outcome
The integration of positive psychology in wellness coaching aims to help clients not just survive,
but thrive. By focusing on strengths, positive emotions, meaningful goals, and healthy
relationships, wellness coaches can support clients in achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.

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 Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a positive approach to organizational and individual change that
focuses on identifying and building on what works well. In wellness coaching, AI can be used to
inspire and empower clients by concentrating on their strengths and successes.
Here are the five principles of Appreciative Inquiry applied to wellness coaching, along with
examples:
1. The Constructionist Principle
Definition: Our reality is socially constructed through language and conversations. Positive
change begins with positive conversations.
Example: A wellness coach encourages a client to share stories of past successes in their health
journey. By focusing on positive experiences, the coach helps the client construct a more
empowering narrative about their abilities and potential.
Conversation: "Can you tell me about a time when you felt really proud of your progress? What
did you do that contributed to that success?"
2. The Simultaneity Principle
Definition: Inquiry and change are not separate moments but occur simultaneously. The very
act of asking questions influences the individual and their perception.
Example: During a coaching session, the coach asks a client, "What is the best thing that
happened to you this week in terms of your wellness goals?" This question not only gathers
information but also shifts the client's focus to positive outcomes, sparking immediate positive
change in their mindset.
Conversation: "What recent achievement, no matter how small, has made you feel good about
your wellness journey?"
3. The Poetic Principle
Definition: We can choose what we focus on and talk about, just as a poet chooses what to
write about. This principle suggests that our narratives are continuously rewritten.
Example: A client is feeling down about a minor setback. The coach helps them reframe the
situation by focusing on what they have learned and how they can use this knowledge to move
forward.
Conversation: "Every experience is like a page in a book. What can you take from this
experience that will help you write a more successful next chapter?"
4. The Anticipatory Principle
Definition: Our actions are guided by our visions of the future. Positive images of the future
lead to positive actions.

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 Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Example: A wellness coach asks the client to visualize their ideal future state of health and well-
being. This positive vision motivates the client and guides their actions towards achieving that
future.
Conversation: "Imagine yourself six months from now, having achieved your wellness goals.
What does that look like? How do you feel? What steps did you take to get there?"
5. The Positive Principle
Definition: Positive questions and conversations lead to positive change. Focusing on strengths
and successes generates momentum for more positive outcomes.
Example: Instead of asking a client what challenges they faced during the week, the coach asks
about their successes and what they enjoyed most. This keeps the focus on positive
experiences and builds the client's confidence and motivation.
Conversation: "What was the highlight of your week in terms of your wellness goals? What
made it so special, and how can we create more moments like that?"
Summary
Applying the principles of Appreciative Inquiry in wellness coaching involves focusing on
strengths, positive experiences, and future possibilities. This approach helps clients construct
empowering narratives, stay motivated, and make continuous positive changes in their
wellness journey.
The 5D Cycle of Appreciative Inquiry is a framework used to facilitate positive change by
focusing on strengths and envisioning a desired future. In wellness coaching, this cycle can be
applied to help clients identify their best moments, dream about their ideal wellness state,
design pathways to achieve it, and deliver on those plans while continuing to discover new
opportunities for growth.
Here are the five stages of the 5D Cycle with examples:
1. Define
Purpose: Clarify the focus of the inquiry and identify the central topic that will guide the
coaching process.
Example: A client and coach collaboratively define the main focus of their sessions as improving
overall physical fitness and mental well-being.
Conversation: "What is the main area of your wellness you’d like to improve? What specific
goals are most important to you right now?"
2. Discover

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 Bodhi School of Yoga | Health & Wellness Coach

Purpose: Identify and appreciate the client's strengths, successes, and positive experiences
related to the defined focus.
Example: The coach helps the client explore past achievements in their fitness journey,
identifying what worked well and what they enjoyed most.
Conversation: "Tell me about a time when you felt most energized and healthy. What were you
doing? What factors contributed to that success?"
3. Dream
Purpose: Envision the ideal future and what it would look like if the client’s wellness goals were
fully realized.
Example: The client imagines their ideal state of health and well-being, describing in detail how
they feel, what activities they engage in, and how their daily life has improved.
Conversation: "Imagine it’s a year from now, and you’ve achieved all your wellness goals. What
does your ideal day look like? How do you feel physically and mentally?"
4. Design
Purpose: Co-create actionable plans and strategies to achieve the envisioned future. Focus on
building the systems and structures needed to support the desired outcomes.
Example: The client and coach create a detailed wellness plan, including specific fitness
routines, nutritional changes, and stress management techniques.
Conversation: "Based on your ideal wellness vision, what steps can we take to get you there?
What resources and support will you need to implement these changes?"
5. Deliver (or Destiny)
Purpose: Implement the plans and sustain momentum towards achieving the wellness goals.
Continuously learn and adapt as progress is made.
Example: The client starts following their personalized wellness plan, regularly checking in with
the coach to celebrate successes, address challenges, and adjust strategies as needed.
Conversation: "How are you feeling about your progress so far? What’s working well, and what
adjustments do we need to make to keep moving forward?"
Summary
By following the 5D Cycle of Appreciative Inquiry, wellness coaches can help clients build on
their strengths, create a compelling vision for their future, design effective strategies, and
maintain momentum towards their goals. This positive, strengths-based approach encourages
clients to stay motivated and engaged in their wellness journey.