Abstract
This pilot study evaluated the impact of Bikram Yoga on subjective and objective sleep parameters. We compared subjective (diary) and objective (headband sleep monitor) sleep measures on yoga versus nonyoga days during a 14-day period. Subjects (n = 13) were not constrained regarding yoga-practice days, other exercise, caffeine, alcohol, or naps. These activities did not segregate by choice of yoga days. Standard sleep metrics were unaffected by yoga, including sleep latency, total sleep time, and percentage of time spent in rapid eye movement (REM), light non-REM, deep non-REM, or wake after sleep onset (WASO). Consistent with prior work, transition probability analysis was a more sensitive index of sleep architecture changes than standard metrics. Specifically, Bikram Yoga was associated with significantly faster return to sleep after nocturnal awakenings. We conclude that objective home sleep monitoring is feasible in a low-constraint, real-world study design. Further studies on patients with insomnia will determine whether the results generalize or not.
Highlights
Yoga is a technique of spiritual development originating in Ancient India which was first documented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written around 500–100 BC [1]
Bikram Yoga is a modern style introduced in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury that is more focused on creating physical wellness than spiritual development
The baseline scores were in the normal range for the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) [14], and the Horne and Ostberg chronotype scale [15]
Summary
Yoga is a technique of spiritual development originating in Ancient India which was first documented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written around 500–100 BC [1] It describes eight essential limbs, two of which are stretching and breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is a modern style introduced in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury that is more focused on creating physical wellness than spiritual development It utilizes a specific sequence of 26 stretching postures and 2 breathing exercises, which are performed over a 90 minutes session at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% humidity. Anecdotal evidence of a relationship between Bikram practice and quality of sleep has circulated for some time within communities of practitioners, but this has not been formally studied
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