Yoga Techniques Research Articles

Development and Validation of Yoga Program for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread health issue impacting millions globally. Recognizing the potential benefits of yoga in enhancing physical and mental well-being, this research aims to develop and validate a yoga module tailored for CKD patients, with a specific focus on improving their general health. The yoga module was meticulously crafted through an extensive review of traditional and contemporary literature, incorporating postures, breathing techniques and meditation practices deemed safe and beneficial for CKD patients. Content validity was established through input yoga experts with over 7 years of experience. The study spanned from January 2020 to December 2021. The final version of the yoga module retained 83.33% of the proposed yoga techniques, incorporating modifications suggested by experts. The content validity index for the entire yoga module averaged 0.83. This work establishes the viability, validity and practicality of a yoga module designed for CKD patients. With 35 out of 42 items retained, the module exhibited significant health improvements after 12 weeks of practice. The findings position yoga therapy as a potentially effective complementary treatment for CKD patients, offering improvements in general health and quality of life and potentially slowing disease progression.

Heart Rate Variability, Blood Pressure and Peripheral Oxygen Saturation during Yoga Adham and Mahat Breathing Techniques without Retention in Adult Practitioners.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the change in time intervals between heart beats, reflecting the autonomic nervous system's ability to adapt to psychological and physiological demands. Slow breathing enhances parasympathetic activity, increasing HRV. Pranayama, a yoga breathing technique, affords the conscious regulation of respiration frequency. This study aimed to characterize HRV, blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation of basic yoga breathing slow techniques with regular yoga practitioners. Methods: In total, 45 yoga practitioners were included in the study (including 7 males, mean age of 54.04 ± 11.97 years) with varying levels of yoga experience (minimum 3 months, maximum 37 years). Participants performed three breathing conditions: baseline (control) and two yoga techniques (abdominal (adham) and complete (mahat)) breathing, each for 10 min in the supine position (i.e., savasana). For each condition, respiratory frequency, heart rate (HR), blood pressure and peripheral oxygen levels were collected. Results: The findings revealed that both abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques promoted a decrease in respiratory frequency (p < 0.001, r = 0.61; p < 0.001, r = 0.61, respectively), and an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (p < 0.001, r = 0.50; p < 0.001, r = 0.46, respectively), along with blood pressure decreases in all mean values, and a significant decrease in systolic pressure, considering all conditions (p = 0.034, W = 0.08). There were significant increases in standard deviation of HR during abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques compared with the baseline (p = 0.003, r = 0.31; p < 0.001, r = 0.47, respectively), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Moreover, the complete breathing technique exhibited the greatest variability in HRV measures, with several significant differences compared with abdominal breathing (standard deviation of HR, p < 0.001, r = 0.42; SD2, standard deviation of points perpendicular to the Poincaré parallel line, p < 0.003, r = 0.31; SD1/SD2, p < 0.003, r = 0.31), suggesting a more profound impact on autonomic modulation. Conclusions: simple, inexpensive and non-intrusive abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques can effectively and momentarily enhance HRV and oxygen saturation in adults, mature adults and the elderly.

What can the psychoneuroimmunology of yoga teach us about depression's psychopathology?

Depression, the most prevailing mental health condition, remains untreated in over 30% of patients. This cluster presents with sub-clinical inflammation. Investigations trialling anti-inflammatory medications had mixed results. The lack of results may result from inflammation's complexity and targeting only a few of depression's abnormal pathways. Mind-body therapies' biological and neuro-imaging studies offer valuable insights into depression psychopathology. Interestingly, mind-body therapies, like yoga, reverse the aberrant pathways in depression. These aberrant pathways include decreased cognitive function, interoception, neuroplasticity, salience and default mode networks connectivity, parasympathetic tone, increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and metabolic hyper/hypofunction. Abundant evidence found yogic techniques improving self-reported depressive symptoms across various populations. Yoga may be more effective in treating depression in conjunction with pharmacological and cognitive therapies. Yoga's psychoneuroimmunology teaches us that reducing allostatic load is crucial in improving depressive symptoms. Mind-body therapies promote parasympathetic tone, downregulate the HPA axis, reduce inflammation and boost immunity. The reduced inflammation promotes neuroplasticity and, subsequently, neurogenesis. Improving interoception resolves the metabolic needs prediction error and restores homeostasis. Additionally, by improving functional connectivity within the salience network, they restore the dynamic switching between the default mode and central executive networks, reducing rumination and mind-wandering. Future investigations should engineer therapies targeting the mechanisms mentioned above. The creation of multi-disciplinary health teams offering a combination of pharmacological, gene, neurofeedback, behavioural, mind-body and psychological therapies may treat treatment-resistant depression.

LEVEL OF STRESS LEVELS AMONG THE SCHOOL GOING STUDENTS AND COPING MECHANISMS: A CASE STUDY AT SELECTED SIX DIFFERENT SCHOOLS

Stress is the state of worry or mental situation caused due to the situations that everyone faces in everyday life, sometimes it seems to be minor, however, shows an unidentified impact. The present generation is witnessing the stress as a part of life and unavoidable. The main objective of this study was to study and understand the stress levels of the current generation students, particularly, school going students, as they will become the roots of the future. This study was also aimed at studying the relationship between stress and coping strategies adopted by the students and propose appropriate stress coping mechanisms, with respect to the schools visited. The results suggest that there is a need for the schools to operate hybrid-counseling centers for the students apart from their parents support to provide necessary support in effectively handling the stressful conditions. The results further suggest that the teachers employ information and communication technology (ICT) tools to instill conceptual learning, ultimately aiming to minimize stress in the academics. Furthermore, it is also suggested that the schools should encourage the students and make it mandatory to implement yoga techniques, which would instill self-controlling techniques, discipline and help in combating the stressful conditions.

The Impact of Therapeutic Viniyoga on State Change

While many studies have discussed the effectiveness of interventions using different yoga techniques and teachings with various populations, there has been less research on the effectiveness of yoga therapy. Viniyoga therapists utilize the principles of Viniyoga, a type of yoga developed by Krishnamacharya, to provide therapeutic yogic interventions to individual clients in order to improve functioning and relieve suffering. This qualitative study conducted interviews with fourteen Viniyoga trained yoga therapists to understand the impact of Viniyoga therapy on state change. State change is defined as either a physical or psychological change that improved well-being, ameliorated suffering, or increased insight for the client. The researchers used an in-depth semi-structured interview while utilizing open-ended questioning. A definition of Viniyoga Therapy was developed, and distinctions were made between yoga therapists and yoga teachers. Subjects interviewed discussed the results of their interventions using the 5-dimensional pañcamaya model, which considers a client’s structure, physiology, mind, personality, and emotions. Viniyoga therapists interviewed drew from their own observations, as well as clients’ self-reported data. Results were analyzed using NVivo software and based on Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis principles. Five important themes emerged: 1) Viniyoga empowers clients to participate in their own process of state change by training their self-observation skills and providing tools for influencing their state 2) Intentionally engineered experiences are the tools of Viniyoga&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;3) Viniyoga takes a highly individualized approach to supporting state change 4) The relationship between the client and the Viniyoga therapist itself promotes state change, and is very important to the state change process 5) State change is foundational to the healing process of Viniyoga. The study concluded that Viniyoga therapy can be helpful in creating state change and alleviating distress related to a wide range of physical and psychological conditions. Implications for yoga therapy as an integrative and complementary health approach are discussed.

Efficacy of a Therapeutic Pelvic Yoga Program Versus a Physical Conditioning Program on Urinary Incontinence in Women : A Randomized Trial.

Pelvic floor yoga has been recommended as a complementary treatment strategy for urinary incontinence (UI) in women, but evidence of its efficacy is lacking. To evaluate the effects of a therapeutic pelvic floor yoga program versus a nonspecific physical conditioning program on UI in women. Randomized trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03672461). Three study sites in California, United States. Ambulatory women aged 45 years or older reporting daily urgency-, stress-, or mixed-type UI. Twelve-week program of twice-weekly group instruction and once-weekly self-directed practice of pelvic floor-specific Hatha yoga techniques (pelvic yoga) versus equivalent-time instruction and practice of general skeletal muscle stretching and strengthening exercises (physical conditioning). Total and type-specific UI frequency assessed by 3-day voiding diaries. Among the 240 randomly assigned women (age range, 45 to 90 years), mean baseline UI frequency was 3.4 episodes per day (SD, 2.2), including 1.9 urgency-type episodes per day (SD, 1.9) and 1.4 stress-type episodes per day (SD, 1.7). Over a 12-week time period, total UI frequency (primary outcome) decreased by an average of 2.3 episodes per day with pelvic yoga and 1.9 episodes per day with physical conditioning (between-group difference of -0.3 episodes per day [95% CI, -0.7 to 0.0]). Urgency-type UI frequency decreased by 1.2 episodes per day in the pelvic yoga group and 1.0 episode per day in the physical conditioning group (between-group difference of -0.3 episodes per day [CI, -0.5 to 0.0]). Reductions in stress-type UI frequency did not differ between groups (-0.1 episodes per day [CI, -0.3 to 0.3]). No comparison to no treatment or other clinical UI treatments; conversion to videoconference-based intervention instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 12-week pelvic yoga program was not superior to a general muscle stretching and strengthening program in reducing clinically important UI in midlife and older women with daily UI. National Institutes of Health.

Pilot randomized trial of efficacy and safety of yogic technique versus polyethylene glycol solution for bowel preparation in colonoscopy

Pilot randomized trial of efficacy and safety of yogic technique versus polyethylene glycol solution for bowel preparation in colonoscopy

Migrant Techniques and Subversive Milieus

How do we conceive diversification in the milieu of technics? Though associated-milieu is a useful concept, the Indian terrain of techniques impels one to underscore the notion as a milieu of subversion. The paper begins with a reading of the seminal work done by Debiprasad Chattopadhaya analyzing the impediments in writing a history of ancient Indian science and technology. Whether his effort resuscitating a history of materialism succeeds in interpolating a history of techniques in India is a critique this paper explores, taking cues from Yuk Hui’s incisive reading of the perceived absence of traditions of technical thinking in China, or broadly Asia. Present paper builds on Hui’s concept of “cosmotechnics” alongside the notion of “associated milieus” of counter-cultural techniques of Yoga and Tantra. In the second half, the paper brings into view how these Indian thought and practice traditions of Tantra and Yoga as techniques of the cosmic self and the body are woven into counter-cultures eliciting a critical framework for thinking these associated-milieus as exiled and migrated milieus.

Effectiveness of Yoga on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of life among Menopausal women: A Systematic Review

Background: Yoga is considered one of the preferred non-pharmacological mind–body interventions to manage menopausal symptoms among menopausal women. Objective: The primary aim of this review is to summarize the findings on the effectiveness of yoga as an intervention for menopausal symptoms and quality of life among menopausal women. Methods: The researchers systematically searched the literature using electronic databases including PubMed central, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Proquest, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google scholar for articles published in English. Direct searches of specific journal articles published were done between January 2011 and December 2022. Results: The systematic review results were reported using PRISMA guidelines. In total, 10 full-text published studies were found, and these were included for qualitative synthesis. All the 10 articles were randomized controlled trials. It included 1463 menopausal woman participants with the sample size ranging from 30 to 335. Conclusion: Research evidence, based on these 10 trials, prove yoga to be a safe and effective intervention for managing menopausal symptoms. The authors conclude that yoga is a safe alternative therapy, free from untoward effects, and a recommended choice for reducing menopausal symptoms and promoting quality of life. This recommendation is based on the evidence that consistent practice of yoga techniques will have a positive impact on most of the prevalent menopausal symptoms. Implications for practice: Yoga is an evidence-based intervention that alleviates the menopausal symptoms and promotes quality of life of menopausal women. Therefore, the healthcare providers shall encourage the menopausal women to perform yoga on a regular basis.

Efficacy and Importance of the Techniques of Hatha Yoga in the Modern Therapeutic World

Efficacy and Importance of the Techniques of Hatha Yoga in the Modern Therapeutic World

Reduce stress and the risk of burnout by using yoga techniques. Pilot study.

This article examines the effectiveness of yoga in managing stress, with a particular focus on work-related stress. Yoga combines physical postures, breath control, and meditation, and has gained recognition for its potential to relieve stress. This study aimed to investigate the motivating factors behind individuals adopting yoga exercises and to assess the effects of regular yoga practice, with a particular focus on age-related differences. Additionally, we aimed to compare participants' expectations with the actual results of their yoga practice. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive survey using an online form, which was completed by 520 yoga practitioners. Participants were surveyed about their motivation, the effects they experienced, and the type of yoga they practiced. The results showed that the most common motivation for individuals practicing yoga was stress reduction. Additionally, the analysis of the effects of regular yoga practice demonstrated a significant reduction in stress levels, with experienced practitioners reporting lower stress levels compared to beginners. In conclusion, the study suggests that regular yoga practice can be an effective way to reduce stress levels. Dynamic forms of yoga, which incorporate fluid movements and synchronized breathing techniques, are highly effective approaches to stress management and relief. These findings highlight the value of yoga as a tool for individuals of all ages seeking stress relief and overall well-being. Another advantage of yoga practice is its affordability and lack of negative side effects.

Effects of the Brief Simha Kriya Breathing Practice for Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) experienced increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other mental health issues. HCWs need additional resources to cope with the mental health impact of their work. Yoga techniques could be helpful strategies to manage different stressors during times of uncertainty. Methods: This prospective, single-arm, trial examined the effects of a brief pranayama yoga practice on the wellbeing of HCWs during the height of COVID-19. HCWs were recruited through announcements and institutional websites at a large major cancer center in the southern United States. A short, prerecorded, 5-min breathwork video intervention called "Simha Kriya" was provided to participants, and they were encouraged to practice one to two times daily for 4 weeks. Participants completed self-report instruments at baseline and weeks 1 and 4, including: (1) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (2) Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS); and (3) a questionnaire assessing the experience of COVID-19 among HCWs that had five subscales. HCWs also conducted a measure of breath holding time. Paired sample t-tests and mixed-effects analysis of variance models examined changes over time. Results: One hundred participants consented to the study, with 88 female, 60 white, 39 worked remotely, and 27 were clinical staff. Sixty-nine participants provided data at week 1 and 56 at week 4. Participants' adherence to the breathing exercises between weeks 1 and 4 was similar, with a mean of six times per week. At week 4, there were significant decreases in the COVID-19 Distress score (p < 0.0001) and COVID-19 Disruption (p = 0.013), yet no changes in the PSS. There were also significant increases in COVID-19 Stress Management (p = 0.0001) and BRCS scores (p = 0.012), but no changes in Perceived Benefits of COVID-19 and no changes in breath holding time. Discussion: Brief yoga-based breathing practices helped reduce pandemic-specific stress, improved resilience, and stress management skills in HCWs. Trial Registration Number: NCT04482647.

Comparison of the Effect of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Nurses' Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There is evidence of yoga and aerobic exercises as an effective therapy for nurse burnout; however, these methods have yet to be compared. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of yoga and aerobic exercises on burnout among nurses. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test and post-test design. The study was conducted in two medical and educational hospitals in the south of Iran (February 2019 to April 2019). A total of 81 female nurses were randomized to yoga (n = 27), aerobics (n = 27), and control (n = 27) groups. In this study, 24 sessions of yoga and aerobic practices were run. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was filled out before the intervention, immediately after, and one month later. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software 16.0. Shapiro test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, chi-square test, Friedman test, and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis test were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 71 participants remained and continued the study, and 56% were married. The participants’ mean age and mean work history were 35.78 ± 3.94 and 11.65 ± 5.10 years, respectively. The mean of overtime work in the month was 35.67 ± 23.85 hours. There were no significant differences between the three groups before intervention (T0) and one month after intervention (T2), although the mean scores of the aerobic and yoga groups were reduced, compared to the control group. Immediately after intervention (T1), a significant difference was observed in emotional exhaustion (P = 0.007, Df = 2, Kruskal-Wallis x2 = 10.016, size effect = 0.95 - 2.26). The mean score of emotional exhaustion in the yoga group (23.13 ± 4.13) was reduced compared to the aerobic (36.00 ± 5.65) and control (38.44 ± 10.96) groups. Conclusions: Both yoga and aerobics reduced burnout, compared to the control group. Yoga was better than aerobics in the emotional exhaustion dimension. Although further research is needed to compare these two interventions, using each of them can reduce the burnout of nurses. Nursing managers can use yoga as an effective method to reduce job burnout. For future research, it is suggested to use other yoga techniques with longer intervention time and long-term follow-up.

Conceptual Study of Heart Disease and its Management: An Ayurvedic Perspective

Heart diseases have a large share amongst non-communicable diseases. India is currently heading towards becoming a heart disease capital of world. This puts a tremendous pressure on available resources of medical and surgical management. Thus, it would be a great asset if these diseases could be managed through traditional system of medicine like Ayurveda. According to latest data of American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke remain the No. 1 killer of men and women causing 36 percent of all the deaths per year. Changes in diet pattern, dietary habits and lifestyle, certain social and environmental changes have led to us in the era of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, cardiac diseases and many more diseases. There are a number of drugs and medicinal preparations described in the texts of Ayurveda like Arjuna, Tagara, Haritaki, Tambula, Brahmi etc, having wonderful effects in CVD. Various techniques of Yoga, Pranayama (breathing practices), spiritual upliftment are having excellent preventive and therapeutic effects on anxiety, hypertension etc. which are main risk factors of heart disorders.

CLINICAL STUDY OF YOGASANA AND PATHYAAHARA IN MANAGEMENT OF MADHUMEHA (DIABETES MELLITUS-2)

Introduction: About 422 million people worldwide, most of whom reside in low and middle-income nations, have diabetes (metabolic lifestyle disorder), according to the World Health Organisation, contributing to 1.5 mil-lion deaths annually. Aahara (diet) and Yoga asanas are essential for controlling and preventing lifestyle disor-ders. Thus, this study assessed how yoga techniques and the Aahara contribute to managing diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A single arm open randomised clinical study was conducted on 30 clinically diagnosed patients with diabetes mellitus 2 for Yoga asanas (Mandukasana, Kurmasana, Vakrasana, and Ardhamatsyendrasana) and Ayurvedic Aahara plan in the Postgraduate Institute of Ayurved, DSRRAU, Jodhpur. The study evaluates their role in the management of Prabhoot Mutrata (Polyuria), Avila Mutrata (Urine turbidity), Pipasadhikya (Polydipsia), Kshuda Adhikya (Polyphagia), Sweda Adhikya (The excessive sweating) The, Dourbalya The (Weakness The/Tiredness The), The Alasya (The Laziness) The, Atinidra (Excessive sleep), Karpada Daha (Burning sensation in hands and feet) and blood sugar level (i.e. FBS and PPBS, HbA1c). Result: The result of the study depicts that Yoga asanas and Ayurvedic Aahara have significantly helped in reducing the Prabhoot Mutrata, Avila Mutrata, Pipasadhikya, Kshuda Adhikya, Sweda Adhikya, Dourbalya, Alasya, Atinidra, Karpada Daha and blood sugar level. Conclusion: The study concluded that Yoga therapy and the Aahara plan have a role in managing diabetes mellitus by lowering medication dosages, increasing physical and mental alertness, and preventing complications. Results should be validated in larger sample sizes and multicentric models to es-tablish it as a well-known treatment.

Effect of Mudgadi Kashaya Peya and Selected Yoga Techniques in Overweight

Overweight is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Once considered a problem only in high-income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. Overweight and obesity are the fifth greatest risk factors for death worldwide. Due to secondary consequences including obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, etc., the morbidity and mortality of overweight people are rising. Obesity and overweight are primarily caused by an imbalance in energy between calories consumed and calories burned. To maintain balance between the two, the management approach attempts to reduce energy intake while boosting energy expenditure. In Ayurveda, overweight can be correlated to Sthoulya. In this study an intervention along with addition of one dietary intervention was made into the daily routine of subjects. Here yoga is most suitable adaptation of physical activity and Mudgadi kashaya peya is a dietary preparation having Kapha medohara property which can reduce the over gaining weight and presence health.

Longitudinal Investigation into the Specific Psychological Benefits of Yogic Interventions for Performance Enhancement in Vijayanagar Sri Krishna Devaraya University Ballari’s Kho-Kho Athletes

Abstract: This longitudinal study explores the psychological benefits of yogic interventions on performance enhancement among Kho-Kho athletes at Vijayanagar Sri Krishna Devaraya University Ballari. The research focuses on the impact of sustained yogic practices on the psychological well-being and athletic performance of these athletes over an extended period. The study employs a rigorous methodology, Including pre- and post-intervention assessments, to measure psychological variables such as stress levels, concentration, and emotional resilience. Participants engage in a structured yogic program tailored to their specific needs, incorporating various yogic techniques such as asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Preliminary findings indicate a significant positive correlation between consistent yogic interventions and improvements in psychological aspects, contributing to enhanced performance on the Kho-Kho field. Participants report reduced stress, heightened concentration, and increased emotional stability, suggesting the potential of yogic practices as a holistic approach to athletic development. As the study progresses, a comprehensive understanding of the sustained impact of yogic interventions on these athletes emerges, providing valuable insights for sports science and coaching methodologies

Application of Yoga in Adolescent/Teens to increase Resilience &amp; Improve Emotional Well-Being with Emphasis on Yogic Principles - A Study

Aim: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and this tender age between the ages of 12 - 19 years is usually riddled with uncertainties and difficulties as the children are faced with peer pressures, social media, career choices and parents' expectations. According to UNICEF and other research publications, ensuring emotional well-being and resilience in adolescents' formative years can foster a better transition from childhood to adulthood. This is the time when our youth is most prone to emotional imbalances. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2020, 50% of the youth will be under-served. World bodies like the United Nations estimates that at-least 1 billion school going children have been affected globally by the closure of schools due to the Covid pandemic. The mental health and wellbeing of at least 332 million children are at risk, warns UNICEF. So there is an urgent need to take appropriate steps so that adolescents can attain normal, healthy growth and become productive and positive contributors to society. Yoga is proposed to offer methods for regulation and resilience through the integrated practices of yama and niyama (ethical intentional principals) asana ( physical exercise), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. This study aims to introduce and establish the seeds of Yoga in young minds, and how the practice of simple Yoga techniques can help manage stress, maintain emotional well-being and resilience. Methodology: The approach incorporates methods on how to engage children and gradually introduce the Yogic practices and convince them to use Yoga to manage stress, emotional well-being and build resilience to maintain a healthy body and mind. The methodology inculcates our age-old wisdom from classical texts like Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Yoga Vasishta and Bhagavad Gita, and combined with contemporary techniques to suit the current generation of youngsters. Classical texts were thoroughly investigated for references to yogic principles apt for today's modern world and these are verified on a group of young children using Hypothesis testing and statistical analysis. Conclusion: Youth is a valuable asset for any country. The consequences of not addressing the emotional well-being and mental health of adolescence extends into adulthood, thereby impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Scientific research studies all over the world have revealed that following yogic practices can play an important role to manage stress, emotional well-being and thereby improve resilience. The methodology used showed positive results with a group of 50+ children to introduce yoga and help maintain lower stress and emotional wellbeing, and boost immunity and build resilience. Highly resilient people are flexible, adapt to new circumstances quickly and thrive in constant change. Keywords: Emotional Well-Being, Resilience, Yoga, Teens, Adolescence

Development of generic yoga therapy protocol for nonspecific chronic low back pain

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop a generic yoga therapy protocol for nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) on the basis of previous research studies. Methods: A comprehensive PubMed search was done using keywords of “yoga” and “back pain” for English-language articles published till November 2022. PubMed showed 332 results for the keywords from 1977 to 2022. Twenty-nine studies were found eligible and the consolidation of yogic techniques were used in the studies. The study compiled 72 yogic techniques, including Asana and Pranayama, from 332 articles on yoga and back pain. Out of these, 151 were not relevant to yoga or back pain. After analyzing 181 articles, 33 were selected for review for a yoga therapy protocol, with four excluded due to inability to access full-text articles. The protocol was later validated by 14 eminent yoga therapy experts across the globe from countries including Australia, France, USA, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, and India, who had a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field. The validation of the techniques was done based on a questionnaire that required classification under three categories: (1) not necessary, (2) useful but not essential, and (3) essential. All the three categories were then segregated in decreasing order of “Essential percentage” and “Weightage percentage” and the final list developed. The cutoff was that the yogic techniques must have ≥50% of acceptance by all experts. The practices were then sequenced in order of performance and cross referenced with traditional teachings. Results: The Generic Yoga Therapy Protocol for NCLBP that has been developed through this rational and logical mechanism has 18 yogic techniques selected on the basis of weightage and essential percentage. It includes 13 standing, sitting, prone, and supine postures (Asanas), four energy modulating breathing practices (Pranayamas), and one relaxation. The Shavasan relaxation received 100% approval by all experts. Conclusion: This generic yoga therapy protocol for NCLBP was developed through a comprehensive methodology that took into account the techniques used in previous research studies and was consolidated after a method of scientific validation by 14 eminent yoga therapy experts.

YOGA, TAI CHI, AND PILATES AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING: FINDINGS FROM MIDUS

Abstract Being an informal caregiver has been associated with stress and lower levels of subjective well-being. Exercise/movement therapy techniques of yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are physical activities that also incorporate stress reducing practices. The current study aimed to examine the association of exercise/movement therapy techniques on family caregivers’ subjective well-being assessed by life satisfaction and mindfulness. Participants were part of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (wave 2, N = 507 aged 35-86 years; Mage = 56±11, 68% women) who provided informal care in the past 12 months. We recoded the aforementioned exercise/movement therapy activities into three categories, based on the distributions in MIDUS, including regular practice (defined as participating in one or more of them “a lot” or “often”), irregular practice (participating “sometimes” and “rarely”), and no practice (“never”). Subjective well-being was measured using the 5-item global life satisfaction scale and the 9-item mindfulness scale. We considered sociodemographic factors and health as covariates. We used multivariate linear regression models to examine associations between practice and caregivers’ subjective well-being. After controlling for covariates, the findings indicated that regular practice was associated with both better mindfulness-related well-being (b = 2.26, p &amp;lt; .05) and better life satisfaction (b = 0.43, p &amp;lt; .05). Future research should examine whether there is a selection effect of caregivers with higher well-being being more likely to choose these activities, and/or if exercise/movement therapies are effective non-pharmacological interventions to improve family caregivers’ overall quality of life.