Yoga practices: yoga poses (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) & mindfulness meditation (MBSR) have shown to reduce symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) comparable to other therapeutic and pharmacologic approaches as well as being effective in combination. Research indicates yoga helps to: improve mood improve tolerance of physical & sensory experiences improve self-efficacy improve self-esteem increase emotional awareness increase psychological […]
Tag: research
Yoga & sleep
30-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia & 10% have chronic insomnia. Yoga therapy has been shown to be beneficial & has fewer side effects as other conventional therapies. Yoga is an effective treatment option for patients with insomnia. There was a significant improvement in the stress scores & the self confidence scores […]
Yoga & Multiple Sclerosis

March is MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Awareness Month. While the search goes on to find a cure, yoga can help MS patients improve their quality of life.
Research: yoga & pain
65% of patients with depression come to the doctor with physical symptoms with pain being the most common. Yoga has shown to improve symptoms of depression including pain.

I created a YOGA PI based on a review of available literature to help healthcare providers and prospective yogis get an idea about the risks and benefits of yoga practice. Disclaimer: none of these statements have been approved by the FDA. While yoga is not a panacea for all disease, yoga should be considered an adjunct to other existing treatments to help improve overall health and quality of life.
Research: yoga & the heart

RESOURCES Bharshankar JR et al. Effect of yoga on cardiovascular system in subjects above 40 years. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003;47:202–6 Cramer H et al. A systematic review of yoga for heart disease. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2015;22(3):284–295. Cramer H et al. Effects of yoga on CVD risk factors: a systematic review & meta-analysis. Int […]

Yoga practice improves pulmonary function in healthy individuals. Following yoga training in this study, there was statistically significant increases in: vital capacity tidal volume expiratory reserve volume breath holding time endurance & peak expiratory flow rate (Birkel 2000) Birkel D.A. et al. Hatha yoga: Improved vital capacity of college students. Alt Ther Health Med. 2000;6:55–63. […]
Yoga & anxiety

If you are living with anxiety, you are not alone: 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders 80% of the time anxiety & depression are co-occur Anxiety (GAD) is a medical condition characterized by a persistent, excessive and unrealistic worry about the future. Other symptoms include: trouble sleeping stressed out burned out feeling scared worried […]

Patients undergoing radiotherapy who practiced a 60 minute yoga class 3 time per week for 6 weeks experienced: reduced cortisol levels improved physical functioning less fatigue (Chandwani, 2014) Cancer survivors who practiced 12 weeks of Hatha yoga for 90 minutes 2x’s a week experienced: improved sleep reduced inflammation (Kiecolt-Glaser 2014) After 7-weeks of yoga, cancer survivors experienced: reduced mood disturbance & […]
Research: yoga & sex
Chant OM can help you with your Oh-face! Yoga has been shown to significantly improve the sexual function scores in men & women.