Yoga Therapists Research Articles

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<strong> </strong>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.

Association of Perception, Interest, and Barriers of Learning and Practicing Yoga with Levels of Stress in Life among Residents Living in Saudi Arabia.

Yoga as a mind-body activity and clinical studies on yoga's effects on physical and mental health have produced encouraging results. However, there is little research done on the population's perception and interest toward practicing yoga in KSA. Thus, the current study was undertaken to evaluate the perception, interest, and barriers of learning and practicing yoga with levels of stress in life among residents of Saudi Arabia. This is an observational, cross-sectional study in which people were polled using questionnaires. The study included people of both genders aged 18-70, and Google Forms were distributed through various online platforms. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The study included 906 subjects in total. Participants were mostly female (64%) and non-Saudi residents (70.9%) between the ages of 31 and 51 years, with moderate levels of stress in life. About 58.6% of the study participants were aware of the benefits of yoga. The Chi-square analysis shows low-stress subjects (67.5%) knew more about yoga and meditation, whereas no-stress subjects (35.7%) practiced yoga. About 14.9% of high-stressed people consulted a yoga therapist. The majority of high (15.3%), medium (12%), and no-stressed (19.6%) did yoga for mental health and focus, whereas the low-stressed (19.3%) did it for physical health. C. Most of the study population knew yoga's physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits. The study found a relationship between the everyday stress levels of Saudi Arabian citizens and their opinions about, interest in, and obstacles to taking up yoga. More experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Effectiveness of Om chanting on perceived stress, negative affectivity, and social inhibition in individuals with pre-hypertension

Background: Akara, Ukara, Makara (OUM) chanting regulates emotions and removes negative emotions by inactivating the processing in the amygdala. At the same time, the prefrontal complex was inhibited followed by chanting OUM. Further, there was an increase in the oxygenation levels followed by chanting OUM. Hence, OUM chanting has multiple benefits and offers improvement in the quality of life. Though there are multiple benefits followed by chanting OUM, the scientific evidence for the same is comparatively less. Hence, there is a need for more studies in this area. Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to find out the variations in the perceived stress, negative affectivity, and social inhibition in pre-hypertensive individuals and also to observe the effectiveness of Om chanting on perceived stress, negative affectivity, and social inhibition in pre-hypertensive individuals. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at the St Peter’s Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 50 young adults with pre-hypertension were recruited in the study after obtaining written informed consent. Age- and gender-matched 50 healthy participants were recruited after obtaining the voluntary, informed consent. Diamond digital sphygmomanometer was used to record the blood pressure. All the parameters were recorded at 9 am for the convenience of the participants and also to avoid diurnal variation. The perceived stress scale was used to assess the stress levels. Negative affectivity and social inhibition were recorded using a type D (DS-14) questionnaire. Cases practiced the OUM chanting for 6 weeks after they were trained by an expert yoga therapist. Results: Perceived stress scores were significantly decreased followed by the OUM chanting. There was a significant decrease in the scores of negative affectivity of cases after the intervention when compared with control group participants. There was a significant decrease in the scores of social inhibition of cases after the intervention when compared with control group participants. Conclusion: Perceived stress, negative affectivity, and social inhibition were significantly higher in the pre-hypertensive individuals. The study results provide further evidence that practicing OUM chanting causes stress relief and also decreases the negative emotions that is negative affectivity and social inhibition in pre-hypertensive individuals.

Yoga Therapy as an Intervention to Improve Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Adults After Treatment for Cancer: Preliminary Findings From a Trial Using Single-Subject Experimental Design.

Cancer is a chronic condition associated with a substantial symptom burden, which can impair recovery after treatment. Investigating interventions with potential to improve self-reported disease and/or treatment effects-known as patient-reported outcomes (PROs)-is paramount to inform cancer care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga therapy (YT) intervention on key PROs (ie, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, cognitive function, depression, stress, quality of life [QoL]) among adults after treatment for cancer. Data from 20 adults (Mage = 55.74 years, 85% female; Mtime since diagnosis = 2.83 years) who had completed treatment for cancer were analyzed for this study. In this single-subject exploratory experimental study, the YT intervention comprised a 1:1 YT session (ie, 1 participant with 1 yoga therapist) followed by 6 weekly small (ie, 2-3 participants) group YT sessions. Group sessions were facilitated by the same yoga therapist who delivered participants' 1:1 session to ensure an in-depth personalized approach. PROs were assessed before (ie, pre-intervention) and after the 1:1 YT session (ie, during the intervention), as well as after the last group YT session (ie, post-intervention). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data. Participants showed improvements in cancer-related fatigue, state anxiety, trait anxiety, perceived cognitive impairments, impacts of perceived cognitive impairments on QoL, and 1 dimension of QoL (ie, functional wellbeing) over time. Notably, cancer-related fatigue and state anxiety increased immediately after the 1:1 session, but showed greater improvements over time afterward (ie, during the intervention phase). No changes were observed for the remaining PROs. Although results require confirmation in future trials, this study highlights the importance of continuing to investigate YT as an intervention to enhance important PROs (ie, cancer-related fatigue and state anxiety) after treatment for cancer. More research is needed to identify additional beneficial effects and factors that influence participants' responses to 1:1 and group YT (ie, moderators and mediators). ISRCTN64763228. December 12, 2021. This trial was registered retrospectively. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN64763228. Brunet, J., Wurz, A., Hussien, J., Pitman, A., Conte, E., Ennis, J. K., . . . & Seely, D. (2022). Exploring the Effects of Yoga Therapy on Heart Rate Variability and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Cancer Treatment: A Study Protocol. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 21, 15347354221075576.

Yoga as an Adjuvant with Multimodal Psychological Interventions for Excessive Use of Technology: A Randomized Controlled Trial from India.

Multimodal approach of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for managing the excessive use of technology. Yoga, a holistic mind-body therapy, has been observed to be a useful adjuvant in managing substance use disorders. Yoga is also known to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being. The aim of this study was to examine whether yoga as an adjuvant treatment to psychotherapy is better than psychotherapy alone in reducing dysfunction and severity due to excessive technology use. A two-arm randomized controlled prospective study design was followed with assessor blinding and allocation concealment. Thirty consenting young adults (22 males), scoring above 36 on the Internet Addiction Test, were randomly allocated to either: Group A = psychotherapy + yoga or Group B = psychotherapy alone. Both groups received 8 sessions of psychotherapy in the 1st month. In addition, Group A received additional 10 sessions a specific yoga program (by trained professionals). After that, monthly booster sessions (supervised yoga sessions performed with direct one-on-one contact with the yoga therapist) were organized and post-assessment was conducted at 12 weeks. Each subject was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test-Short Form, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale at baseline and after 12 weeks. As compared to Group B, Group A had significantly reduced Internet use (F = 5.61, P = 0.02, ηp 2 = 0.17), smartphone use (F = 4.76, P = 0.03, ηp 2 = 0.15), psychological distress (F = 7.71, P = 0.01, ηp 2 = 0.22), and weekday use (Z = -2.0, P = 0.05, ηp 2 = 0.15) along with enhanced treatment adherence and retention. Yoga as an adjuvant therapy with multimodal psychological intervention for excessive use of technology was found to be effective. This carries clinical implications for mental health professionals.

Patients' Choices for Yoga Therapy: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional, Convenience-Sampling Survey from India.

In conventional healthcare, patients' preferences for their treatment are determined, though this practice has not been reported for yoga therapy. The present convenience sampling exploratory survey attempted to determine whether those seeking yoga therapy would report preferences for the way yoga therapy is implemented, the therapist's knowledge, and related aspects of yoga therapy. Responses from 426 people attending a yoga therapy institution in India were analyzed. Based on the chi-square test (p < 0.05) and Cramer's V (> 0.10), most people wished to receive yoga therapy in a group of others with a similar disease (42.25%), in a yoga institution (83.57%), and as in-person sessions (48.83%). Patients preferred yoga therapists to know about the principles of yoga (40.38%), to be well-informed generally (61.97%), and to be able to give suggestions for emotional well-being. For the majority of participants (59.4%), the reason for selecting yoga therapy was "a belief in yoga as therapy" (rather than as an add-on therapy or as a last resort). Patients' expectations of yoga therapy were positive, namely a cure of disease (79.34%) and improvement after 1 year (95.8%). Most patients (91.6%) wanted their conventional medicine practitioner to know that they were receiving yoga therapy. Although limited by the study design, survey design, and participant details available, overall results suggest that patients (1) reported specific preferences (for the implementation of yoga therapy and for yoga therapists' knowledge), (2) had expectations of yoga therapy, and (3) most often were interested in their conventional care physicians being informed about the yoga therapy they received.

Patient, Caregiver, and Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Therapies for Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Pain is the main cause of poor quality of life among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). While opioid therapy is the mainstay of treatment for acute SCD pain, it can be complicated by side effects and toxicities. A multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to pain management that promotes non-pharmacologic therapies can improve the quality of care for patients with SCD by addressing biopsychosocial components of the pain experience. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study utilized qualitative interviews with patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers at our institution to assess barriers to the use of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies for pain in SCD. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with adolescents and young adults (AYAs; ages 13-21) with SCD, caregivers of AYAs with SCD, and healthcare providers at our institution. AYAs had either a documented history of chronic pain and/or ≥1 admission/year for vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) for at least one year from 2016-2022. After informed assent and/or consent were obtained, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Open-ended interview questions explored existing knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies for pain in SCD. Interviews proceeded until no new themes emerged in each group (i.e., thematic saturation). Interviews were analyzed using descriptive content analysis facilitated by Dedoose software. The CFIR and prior research informed a preliminary codebook, which was revised as new themes emerged. The coders independently coded transcripts and then met to discuss and resolve any discrepancies in coding. Results: Demographics: Eighteen AYAs, 17 caregivers, and 22 healthcare providers were interviewed. Of the AYAs, 61% were female, mean age was 17 years, and the most common SCD genotype was HgbSS (56%). Of the caregivers, 88% were mothers, with a mean age of 43 years. There were 15 AYA/caregiver dyads who participated. The following healthcare providers who care for patients with SCD were interviewed: physicians (31%), nurse practitioners (14%), nurses (14%), child life specialists (14%), psychologists (9%), art therapists (4.5%), healing touch providers (4.5%), physical therapists (4.5%), and social work (4.5%). Themes: Barriers to the use of non-pharmacologic therapies for pain management in SCD can broadly be grouped into two major themes: lack of knowledge about options and lack of access to non-pharmacologic options. Regarding lack of knowledge, most AYAs and caregivers endorsed a lack of knowledge about specific non-pharmacologic therapies (e.g., yoga therapy, healing touch, acupuncture), including their benefits, risks, and their abilities to reduce pain. Like AYAs and caregivers, many healthcare providers had limited knowledge about specific non-pharmacologic therapies and the evidence in support of their usage. Regarding lack of access to specific options, the majority of participants questioned the ability of patients to access non-pharmacologic options for pain management including availability of options and cost of access. Additional themes included a desire for more education about pain and pain management options. AYAs and caregivers were particularly interested in more information about yoga. Additionally, AYAs and caregivers were interested in education early in life before pain episodes occurred. Conclusions: Emerging themes among all groups include an interest in non-pharmacologic therapies for pain in SCD, but with limited knowledge on benefits, risks, options, and access to these therapies. As the American Society of Hematology (ASH) guidelines recommend non-pharmacologic therapies for sickle cell pain, it is crucial to implement these therapies into the management of pain in SCD. Education about different options paired with implementation options for ways to incorporate non-pharmacologic therapies is necessary to optimize pain control and improve quality of life. A particular focus on yoga therapy, with availability of a yoga therapist in medical settings, and organized yoga education events specific for SCD may be beneficial to engage individuals in yoga therapy with a trained yoga-therapist. As a next step, evaluation of these potential implementation strategies will occur within our health system.

Ayurvedic management of Bipolar affective disorder: A case report

Abstract: Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) is a recurrent and chronic disorder that is characterized by episodes of depression and elevated mood with intervening periods of normal mood. This disorder is associated with severely debilitating symptoms that hamper the quality of life of both patients and their caregivers as well. Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and can have life-long adverse effects on the patient’s mental and physical health, educational and occupational functioning, and also on interpersonal relationships. A 25-year-old female presented with primary concerns of frequent speech which was occasionally incoherent, elevated mood, wandering nature, increased social mingling, increased thoughts, increased anger, irritable nature and feeling that her mother is the “devil,” and thoughts of killing her repeatedly coming to her mind for six months. A detailed interview with her parents revealed the presence of similar symptoms and irritable nature most of the time. The observations were made in the level of affective and behavioral domains of BPAD I. In Ayurveda, the condition was diagnosed as Vatikonmada (~Vata predominant insanity) with Pittanubandha (~association of Pitta) based on the clinical symptoms. Shodhana (~purificatory therapies)-based treatment protocols including Virechana (~therapeutic purgation), Snehapana (~internal oleation), Vamana (~therapeutic emesis), Basti (~enema), and Nasya (~medication through nose) followed by Shamana (~palliative procedure) were planned and administered. Psychological supportive measures such as Satvavajaya (~psychotherapy) and Yoga therapy were also sought under the supervision of Manasa roga (~psychiatric disorder) experts and qualified yoga therapists, and the mental status of the patient was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale. The case showed considerable relief after the treatment with Shodhana and Shamana based therapies and the psychological supportive measures.

Motivators, Preferences, and Aspirations of University Students about Studying Yoga: A Survey from India.

University students' motivators and preferences for yoga as their course of study can influence their future as yoga instructors and therapists. Six hundred and thirty-six students of both genders (251:385, male: female) from four North Indian universities offering graduate and postgraduate courses in yoga were the respondents to a convenience sampling survey about their preferences and motivators. The three most common reasons why students chose to study yoga were (i) "I can help many people through knowledge of yoga" (32.2%), (ii) "I will become a better person by studying yoga" (21.9%), and (iii) "I find yoga interesting" (18.9%). After completion of the course, most students wished (i) "to study another course in yoga" (28.8%), (ii) "to work in yoga and education in a university" (17.5%), and (iii) "to work in yoga and research" (14.3%). Students appreciated positive effects which they attributed to yoga (e.g. good health, feeling peaceful, and positive behavior changes). Students did not like regulations such as early wakening and dietary restrictions. The available information about the scope, benefits, safety considerations, and requirements of yoga can help student aspirants make an informed choice about their future careers. Students of yoga can be further motivated by evidence informed interactive sessions.

Ayurveda and Yoga in the Modern World

Ayurveda and Yoga have a new medium to be witnessed, and this is where Internet comes in.Internet take on many different forms including social media, magazines, blogs, podcasts, photos, videos and Internet forums. This study aims to find out the impact of web in sensitizing and creating awareness amongst the masses on following Yoga and Ayurveda.Yoga has been around for roughly 5,000 years with its origins in India. Online platform has helped people establish their names while practicing Yoga at their place. People like Meera Watts, the owner and founder of Siddhi Yoga, Singapore, a yoga teacher and yoga therapist, blogger is known around the world for her thought leadership in the wellness industry and was also recognized as a Top 20 International Yoga Blogger. Her writing on holistic health has appeared in Elephant Journal, Cure Joy, FunTimesGuide, OMtimes and other international magazines. On the other hand, Mia Park based in Chicago, teaches yoga to facilitate self integration and personal transformation. She draws from Vedic, Yogic and Tantric techniques that use the breath, body, energy and meditation to cultivate focus, awareness and purpose. To find out the effect of internet on audience, methodological triangulation is done using content analysis, a qualitative method and a survey conducted with 45 respondents of Amritsar to collect the data quantitatively.

Acceptability of Online Yoga Among Individuals With Chronic Conditions and Their Caregivers: Qualitative Study.

The online delivery of yoga interventions rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and preliminary studies indicate that online yoga is feasible across multiple chronic conditions. However, few yoga studies provide synchronous online yoga sessions and rarely target the caregiving dyad. Online chronic disease management interventions have been evaluated across conditions, life spans, and diverse samples. However, the perceived acceptability of online yoga, including self-reported satisfaction and online delivery preferences, is underexplored among individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers. Understanding user preferences is essential for successful and safe online yoga implementation. We aimed to qualitatively examine the perceived acceptability of online yoga among individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers who participated in an online dyadic intervention that merged yoga and self-management education to develop skills (MY-Skills) to manage persistent pain. We conducted a qualitative study among 9 dyads (>18 years of age; individuals experiencing persistent moderate pain) who participated in MY-Skills online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention consisted of 16 online, synchronous yoga sessions over 8 weeks for both dyad members. After the completion of the intervention, participants (N=18) participated in semistructured telephone interviews for around 20 minutes, discussing their preferences, challenges, and recommendations for improved online delivery. Interviews were analyzed by using a rapid analytic approach. MY-Skills participants were, on average, aged 62.7 (SD 19) years; were primarily women; were primarily White; and had a mean of 5.5 (SD 3) chronic conditions. Both participants and caregivers reported moderate pain severity scores (mean 6.02, SD 1.3) on the Brief Pain Inventory. The following three themes were identified related to online delivery: (1) participants indicated a preference for the intervention to be in person rather than online because they were distracted in the home setting, because they felt that in-person yoga would be more engaging, because the yoga therapist could physically correct positions, and because of safety concerns (eg, fear of falling); (2) participants indicated good acceptability of online MY-Skills delivery due to convenience, access, and comfort with being in their home; and (3) recommendations for improving online delivery highlighted a need for additional and accessible technical support. Both individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers find online yoga to be an acceptable intervention. Participants who preferred in-person yoga did so due to distractions in the home and group dynamics. Some participants preferred in-person corrections to ensure correct positioning, while others felt safe with verbal modifications in their homes. Convenience and access were the primary reasons for preferring online delivery. To improve online delivery, future yoga studies should include specific activities for fostering group engagement, enhancing safety protocols, and increasing technical support. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03440320; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03440320.

Experiencing COMFORT: Perceptions of Virtually-delivered Nonpharmacologic Therapies in Adults Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain

BackgroundAn opioid task force within an urban public health district sought to increase access to, and utilization of, non-opioid, nonpharmacologic alternatives for pain management. AimsThe COMFORT (Community-engaged Options to Maximize and Facilitate Opioid ReducTion) study was designed to provide virtual multidimensional integrated nonpharmacologic therapies via a cloud-based videoconferencing platform over six weeks to adults with chronic pain who were prescribed an opioid to investigate measurable health improvements. MethodsA qualitative descriptive analysis explored participants’ experiences of a novel pain management intervention. A total of 19 participants consented to participate in the study and 15 completed six virtual consultations with either yoga, massage, chiropractic, or physical therapists. Semi-structured exit interviews were conducted, and data analyzed using content analysis. ResultsFive main themes were identified, including unmet pain needs, self-care practices, incentive for participation, perception of a virtual environment, and benefits of the intervention. All participants reported at least minor benefits, with about half reporting improvement in pain levels, and some were able to reduce their opioid use. A virtual environment posed challenges for a few participants who found it more difficult to engage with than in-person therapy; others found the platform easy to navigate. ConclusionsParticipants with chronic pain were open and willing to try a novel way to access nonpharmacologic consultations to address unmet pain needs. Virtual consultations with pain management experts may increase access to, and utilization of, complementary and integrative treatment modalities.

KOMUNIKASI TERAPEUTIK MELALUI PRAKTIK YOGA HEALING DI WISUDA YOGA KABUPATEN KLUNGKUNG

Health maintenance is the most important factor in human life, for health is life itself. There are numerous methods practiced to maintain health, both physical, psychological, and spiritual, one of which is in the form of yoga healing the practice of yoga healing cannot be separated from the success of a communication process. Such therapeutic communication process is carried out in Wisuda Yoga Therapist Ashram in Klungkung Regency. Wisuda Yoga has their own training module on yoga healing as well as communication strategy with the clients which enables the healing process to work on not just the clients’ physical body but also, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects. The present study is urgent to be conducted due to the swift changes within the society. Said changes are sometimes are not readily accepted by the members of society and this caused shockwaves which reverberated to all aspect of life. This healing practice considered to provide an alternative in dealing with the intended shock.&#x0D; Keywords: Therapeutic Communication, Yoga Healing

Effect of Yogic intervention on Premenstrual Syndrome among Adolescence

Background: Premenstrual Syndromes (PMS) are major public health issues that have a significant impact on one's mental health. Additional healthcare costs, absenteeism from work, and activity restrictions all add to the economic burden of such a disorder. Yoga as a therapeutic regimen has been shown to be useful to individuals with mental health and premenstrual syndrome. Aim of the study: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Yogic intervention on Premenstrual syndrome among Adolescence. Methodology: 30 students were selected from the Government Girls Higher secondary school with ages ranging from 14 to 17 years (group average age±SD 38.37±5.52 years). They all filled Modified Moos menstrual Distress questionnaire before and after the yogic intervention. They were randomly divided into Control and Experimental group. The participants in experimental group did Yoga for 45 minutes each day for 10 weeks under supervision of a female yoga therapist whereas those in control group did not do any such specific activity. Results: Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test. There was a statistically significant reduction in the pain, water retention, autonomic reactions, negative effect, impaired concentration, behavior change, arousal, Control in yoga group as compared to control group. Computed t-value for all participants (i.e., 6.31) has been found significant for df = 28, P&lt;0.01. Conclusion: Premenstrual syndrome can be alleviated by the Yogic Intervention. It is therefore possible to administer yogic intervention (asans and breathing exercises) to help alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in Adolescence girls.

Effects of Short-term Intensive Yoga Program on Yoga Instructors or Therapist

Impacts of Yoga are recognizing day by day. Accordingly, the job has been created for Yoga Instructors and Therapist. Although many studies have already been published and elaborate the effects of Yogic practice on normal healthy population as well as disease population, effects of short-term intensive Yogic practice on Yoga Instructors or Therapist are rare. Yoga Instructors were randomly chosen from a 06 days intensive training course to find out the impacts of short-term intensive Yoga training on blood pressure (BP), muscle strength, flexibility body composition, and psychological parameters. BP decreased significantly. Body composition, muscle strength, and flexibility did not show any significant change. Exercise-induced efficiency increased significantly. This particular 06 day intensive Yoga program may relax mind and body, participants goes toward parasympathodominance as a result BP component reduced significantly. Short-term Yoga program may increase exercise induced efficiency in Yoga Instructors or Therapist. Short-term Yoga practices is beneficial for Yoga Instructors and Therapist in terms to reduce BP and enhance exercise-induced efficiency.

A Survey of Mental Toughness Effects in Yoga Practice

Aims: In order to have a healthy life after the COVID-19 pandemic, not only athletes but also ordinary people need to keep their mental strength up. Yoga is easy for various people and has the common goals such as self-control and goal-oriented personal development with mental toughness training. Yoga can lead to acquisition of mental strength. The aim of this study is to find elements of yoga which improve the general public’s mental toughness. Background: Mental toughness is the ability to control oneself with quick determination, focus, and confidence when encountering difficulties or crises. In business and education, performing well requires coping with the demands of difficult and pressurized situations, with or without competitors. In recent years, yoga has gained attention as a method to maintain and promote health, accessible to all ages. One reason is its versatility, as it can be practiced at various intensities. Objective: This study clarified the effects of yoga on ordinary people’s mental toughness through a questionnaire and an interview. Method: This study examined the effects of yoga on ordinary people’s mental toughness through a questionnaire and an interview with yoga therapists certified by the Japan Yoga Therapy Society. Among the participants, 17 were yoga therapists providing instruction to increase mental toughness for people working in companies, and 15 were yoga therapists who instructed children. The questionnaire included questions about the goals, form, time, and content of yoga practices, innovations and points of concern with teaching, and the effects of yoga practices. The participants’ responses to the questionnaire were classified into some categories by 3 experimenters. A semi-structured 30-minute interview was also conducted online with 8 yoga therapists who taught yoga therapy for mental toughness to workers and children. These therapists were asked to answer questions about the therapy (participants, form, and time of yoga practice), innovations and points of concern, and the effects of the yoga practice. Result and Discussion: The effects of yoga which is stated in the interview were divided into the following categories: Improvement of comfort, calmness, relaxation, approach to the unconscious, increased motivation, awareness of physical sensations, improvement of communication, self-efficacy, goal setting, increased concentration, self-control, control of emotions, happiness, self-control, and social skills. The results of the questionnaires and interviews suggested that yoga practice is useful for improving ordinary people’s mental toughness as it has effects in common with the factors constituting mental toughness. The yoga practice for mental toughness included mindfulness in asana and breathing exercises and taught awareness of the body and breath. In addition, the use of techniques such as Vedic meditation in yoga practice might lead to positive cognitive changes and improved goal-setting ability and social skills. Conclusion: Some characteristics of yoga, such as awareness of and control over the senses and meditation on the cognitive aspects of the body, can also contribute to improvement of mental toughness. It is assumed that combination of asana and meditation can give people the power to overcome the stress of ordinary life.

The Use of Yoga in Clinical Practice: A Descriptive Study

The purpose of this descriptive survey was to explore how, and for what purpose, health care practitioners use yoga in clinical practice. A survey was administered to professionals who identified as healthcare practitioners who used yoga in their practice. There were 205 completed responses from a combination of healthcare practitioners including occupational therapists, physical therapists, yoga therapists, recreational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and mental health counselors. Practitioners worked in outpatient, community, and acute rehab settings. Open-ended survey questions were analyzed using directed content analysis. Themes included how to discuss and document yoga, selecting yoga based on patient preference and clinical judgment, and finally, practitioners’ recommendations for implementing yoga into practice. Implications of the study are further discussed.

Exploring the Effects of Yoga Therapy on Heart Rate Variability and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Cancer Treatment: A Study Protocol.

Background:Following cancer treatment, adults commonly report worsened patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as anxiety, stress, depression, persistent and upsetting cognitive complaints, unrelenting fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Poorer PROs are associated with disrupted autonomic nervous system functioning as measured by heart rate variability (HRV), both of which have been associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Interventions to improve HRV and PROs among adults following cancer treatment are needed. Yoga therapy holds promise as an intervention to improve HRV and PROs. Therefore, we conducted a single-subject exploratory experimental study to investigate the effects of yoga therapy on HRV and specific PROs (ie, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, cognitive function, depression, stress, quality of life) in adults treated for cancer. To reduce publication bias, improve reproducibility, and serve as a reference for forthcoming reporting of study results, we present the study protocol for this study herein.Methods:Participants were adults who completed cancer treatment that were recruited from the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Consenting and eligible participants received one 1:1 yoga therapy session (ie, 1 participant, 1 Yoga Therapist) and 6 weekly group-based yoga therapy sessions (ie, 2-3 participants, 1 Yoga Therapist). Participants completed assessments 7 times: 3 times prior to the program (ie, −6 weeks, −3 weeks, immediately prior to the 1:1 yoga therapy session), immediately following the 1:1 yoga therapy session, prior to the first group-based yoga therapy session, after the last group-based yoga therapy session, and at a 6-week follow-up. Hierarchical linear modeling will be used to test the average effects of the yoga therapy program across participants.Discussion:This study will explore several novel hypotheses, including whether yoga therapy can improve HRV and/or specific PROs among adults treated for cancer acutely (ie, during a 1:1 yoga therapy session) and/or through repeated exposure (ie, after completing 6 weeks of group-based yoga therapy). Although the findings will require confirmation or refutation in future trials, they may provide initial evidence that YT may benefit adults treated for cancer.Trial registration:ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN64763228. Registered on December 12, 2021. This trial was registered retrospectively. URL of trial registry record: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN64763228

Coping and Adapting to Climate Change in Australia: Yoga Perspectives

Scientists caution against ignoring human-induced climate change and related health repercussions, with a growing body of literature highlighting the mental health effects of climate change and the importance of understanding coping and adaptation strategies. Less is known, however, about sustainable personal practices fortifying mental health in the context of climate change. The present study sought to investigate how long-term yoga practitioners (yoga therapists or yoga teachers) in Australia with a lived experience of climate change-related events are coping and adapting. The aim was to better understand participants' reports of climate change-related experiences and how yoga influences their mental health and choices in the face of climate change. Eleven in-depth telephone interviews were conducted and analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological methodology. Participants reported that their ongoing relationship with yoga influences how they cope with climate change-related stressors and their being-in-the-world, and how concern for all life bolsters their responses to climate change. The results illustrate the part yoga may play in supporting long-term practitioners to prepare for, cope with, and respond to climate change events and impacts. Offering inclusive, interdisciplinary yoga therapy and community-based networks fostering ethical living and response flexibility may prove beneficial not only for the mental health and coping ability of participants, but for the planet.

Development, validation, and feasibility of a generic yoga-based intervention for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

ContextEvidence suggests that yoga effectively manages anxiety, but techniques are derived from different yoga schools. This paper describes the development, validation, and feasibility of a generic yoga-based intervention in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). MethodsThe first part of the study consisted of designing a generic yoga module from the traditional and contemporary yogic literature and inputs from ten experienced yoga practitioners. The content was validated using a case-vignette method from 28 yoga experts. These yoga experts rated the usefulness of the practices on a scale of 1–5 (5-extremely useful). The second part consisted of testing the feasibility of this validated generic yoga intervention in an open-label clinical trial in patients with GAD. Two weeks of ten supervised yoga sessions (SYS) were offered by a trained yoga therapist to the recruited participants and subsequently advised for home practice. A weekly booster SYS was also provided for three months after 10SYS. ResultsYoga experts (n = 28) opined that the yoga intervention would be helpful in patients with GAD with minimal modifications. All experts opined that the module was easy to teach, learn and practice. The final yoga module retained 97.7% (42 out of 43) items of the initial module. In the feasibility study, (n = 20) patients were recruited, and fifteen followed-up after one month. All patients were able to learn and practice the final yoga module within ten sessions without any significant adverse effects. The severity of anxiety reduced substantially after the ten days of SYS and this improvement was sustained for the next 4 weeks. ConclusionThe designed generic yoga intervention was validated by yoga experts and found safe and feasible in patients with GAD. Patients obtained significant symptom reductions which need to be confirmed in randomized controlled trials.