The objective of this study is to determine whether the practice of yoga is associated with enhanced emotion regulation and empathy, and if the relationship between these variables is mediated by mindfulness. It was hypothesized that the participants with more yoga experience will show more skillful emotion regulation, more mindfulness, and higher empathetic ability. The relationship of exercise experience to the dependent variables was also examined to evaluate if it differed from the relationship of yoga experience to the dependent variables. It was also hypothesized that mindfulness mediates the effect of yoga experience on the other variables. The study sampled both a college students (n =185) and individuals in the community (n =81) with a range of yoga experience, from no experience to experts. Yoga experience was measured with three independent variables in the community sample, including lifetime number of hours of yoga, frequency of yoga practice, and importance of yoga practice. In the college student sample, individuals who practiced yoga were compared to those who had never practiced yoga in a dichotomous independent variable. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ; Godin & Shepard, 1985), Five Factor Mindfulness Measure (FFMQ; Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ; Gross & John, 2003), and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI; Davis, 1980) were used to assess the study constructs. Preliminary analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity/race, religion, religious attendance, income, education, and relationship status) with the dependent variables, and demographic variables that were found to be significantly related to dependent variables were controlled for in the primary analyses. The hypotheses were analyzed using hierarchical regression, simple regression, and mediation. The study hypotheses were partially supported by the study findings. In the community sample, those with more yoga experience exhibited increased mindfulness, improved emotion regulation, and higher perspective taking. Mindfulness was found to mediate the relationship between yoga experience and suppression and the relationship between yoga experience and reappraisal. The results of the college student sample yielded non-significant findings. The implications of the study findings are discussed. / text

This research assessed the role of Hatha yoga in the modulation of vascular health. In study one, Hatha yoga practitioners were compared to sedentary controls to whom they were matched for age and body mass index. Practitioners of Hatha yoga were no different from sedentary individuals in terms of arterial stiffness or vascular endothelial function. Yoga practitioners possessed lower HbA1c (P < 0.05) levels and lower pulse pressure (P < 0.05) than their sedentary counterparts. Practitioners of Hatha yoga had lower body fat percentages, but this observed trend did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.052). In study two, a 12-week Hatha yoga intervention resulted in reductions in HbA1c levels (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.05) in previously sedentary adults. No changes were observed in carotid artery compliance or brachial artery flow-mediated dilation as a result of the intervention. In study three, obese and lean, apparently healthy adults completed an 8-week Bikram yoga intervention. Reductions in total- and LDL-cholesterol were observed in the lean subjects (P < 0.05), with no changes in lipid profiles in the obese group. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased in the lean subjects, but this trend did not attain statistical significance (P = 0.06). Although an observed trend was shown at 60 minutes during the oral glucose tolerance test (P = 0.07), glucose tolerance remained unchanged in the obese subjects. Brachial artery flow-mediated improved by approximately 2% in the obese subjects, but this observed change did reach statistical significance (P = 0.10). Flexibility increased in both groups as a result of the Bikram yoga intervention. Therefore Hatha yoga improved lipid profiles and glycemic control in sedentary adults, but no effects on vascular health were demonstrated. / text

Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-80). / Electronic reproduction. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / vii, 93 leaves, bound col. ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Title from file title page. Kathryn McClymond, committee chair; Cristopher White,Timothy Renick, committee members. Electronic text (57 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Mar. 25, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-57).

Zugl.: Leipzig, Univ., Habil.-Schr., 2007

Thesis (M. Ed.) -- University of Alberta, 2010. / "A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, University of Alberta." Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on May 14, 2010) Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Henrique Luiz Monteiro / Banca: Silvia Deutsch / Banca: Danilo Forghieri Santaella / Resumo: Introdução: O número de indivíduos acometidos pela hipertensão arterial é alarmante em todo o mundo, por isso, a busca por estratégias eficazes para a redução dos valores de pressão arterial e suas consequências, são objetos de inúmeros estudos. As práticas de ioga vêm sendo incentivadas por meio da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no SUS, por se mostrar eficaz na prevenção e tratamento de diversas patologias, entre elas a hipertensão arterial, apresentando efeito hipotensor significativo. Podendo ser utilizado com todas as técnicas (princípios éticos, asanas, pranayamas, relaxamento, meditação) em conjunto em uma mesma sessão ou de forma isolada, como muitos estudos investigando apenas relaxamentos e/ou pranayamas. Objetivos: a) Levantar os estudos que abordam os efeitos dos exercícios de controle respiratório (pranayamas) sobre a pressão arterial; b) Verificar o efeito de intervenção com pranayamas com ritmo lento na pressão arterial de hipertensos, sob tratamento em Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS). Métodos: Para isso, foram conduzidos dois estudos principais. a) Uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos que buscaram verificar os efeitos dos pranayamas na pressão arterial. Foram pesquisadas três bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed/Medline, Scopus e Bireme, a análise de viés foi avaliada pela escala PEDro. b) Um ensaio clínico randomizado e controlado, composto por dois grupos (ioga - GI e exercício controle ativo - GCA). O programa foi composto de 1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: The number of individuals affected by arterial hypertension is alarming worldwide, so the search for effective strategies to reduce blood pressure values and their consequences are the subject of numerous studies. The practices of yoga have been encouraged through the National Politics of Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS, for being effective in the prevention and treatment of several pathologies, including arterial hypertension, with a significant hypotensive effect. It can be used with all techniques (ethical principles, asanas, pranayamas, relaxation, meditation) together in the same session or in isolation, as many studies investigating only relaxation and / or pranayamas. Objectives: a) Raise studies that address the effects of respiratory control exercises (pranayamas) on blood pressure; b) To verify the effect of intervention with pranayamas with slow rhythm in the hypertensive blood pressure, under treatment in Basic Health Unit (UBS). Methods: Two main studies were conducted. a) A systematic review of clinical trials that sought to verify the effects of pranayamas on blood pressure. We searched three electronic databases PubMed / Medline, Scopus and Bireme, the bias analysis was evaluated by the PEDro scale. b) A randomized controlled trial, composed of two groups (yoga - GI and exercise control active - GCA). The program consisted of 16 sessions lasting 30 minutes and the analyzes were composed of blood pressure measurements at the beg... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Studiens syfte vara att med hjälp av kvalitativ forskningsmetod undersöka om kvinnors och mäns upplevelse av yoga i relation till stress skiljer sig åt. Sex personer, tre kvinnor och tre män intervjuades och underlaget från intervjuerna analyserades inspirerat av tematisk analys. Studiens resultat antyder att de kvinnliga respondenterna i högre utsträckning relaterar upplevd stress till situationer i hemmet eller kopplat till familjen och privatlivet än männen. Känslan, eller upplevelsen av stressen förefaller dock vara lika för män och kvinnor. Resultatet i studien indikerar att det finns en skillnad emellan könen i hur man använder teknikerna från yoga. I gruppen kvinnor visar resultaten att teknikerna används främst för att lindra en pågående upplevelse och känsla av stress. I gruppen män visar resultatet att man använder teknikerna för att undvika eller förhindra en situation som innebär stress. Slutsatsen är män och kvinnor, i viss uträckning, verkar ha olika bakomliggande faktorer (stressorer) till stress och att de tenderar att delvis använda yogateknikerna olika för att reglera och hantera stress.

Recent studies have shown the efficacy and practicality of the integration of complementary and alternative therapies and biomedical treatments for various diseases and illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer. Saper et al. (2013) demonstrated that once-weekly yoga classes were equally as effective for relieving chronic low back pain in low-income, minority populations than twice-weekly yoga classes. Pain medication data collected from this 12-week study was used to examine the effect of yoga on analgesic use. Pain medications were categorized into four major groups: (1) acetaminophen, (2) opiates, (3) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and (4) other. The average number of NSAID pills taken daily decreased from baseline to 12 weeks. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the average number of any type of analgesic taken between once- and twice-weekly yoga groups from baseline to 12 weeks. Our findings suggest that yoga is most useful for individuals with mild to moderate chronic low back pain; however, further studies with more powerful sample sizes must be conducted in order to make more precise conclusions.

Bakgrund: Inom svensk sjukvård används medicinsk yoga som behandling. Tidigare forskning har visat på positiva effekter hos patienter med olika symtom och sjukdomstillstånd men den tillgängliga evidensen är låg till måttlig. Fysioterapeuters erfarenhet av behandlingen har tidigare inte studerats.  Syfte: Att beskriva fysioterapeuters erfarenheter och tankar om yoga som behandling inom primärvården. Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie med semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes under 2023 med fem kvinnliga fysioterapeuter med 7-10 års erfarenhet av yoga som behandling inom primärvården i Östergötland. Studiens intervjumaterial analyserades enligt en kvalitativ innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats.  Resultat: Analysen resulterade i huvudkategorierna; “Fysioterapeutens roll vid yoga”, “Genomförande av yoga som behandling”, “Patienten beskriven utifrån fysioterapeutens perspektiv” och “Yoga som behandling”, med tillhörande underkategorier. Yoga beskrevs som en tillåtande behandling som passar flera patientgrupper då den går att individanpassa. Kunskapen om yoga behöver stärkas för att öka förståelsen av behandlingsformen. Konklusion: Fysioterapeuterna uppfattar yoga som en tillåtande behandlingsform med ett biopsykosocialt perspektiv som är användbar vid behandling av flertalet patientgrupper. Fysioterapeuterna ser att de har en viktig roll i att individanpassa behandling och att personliga egenskaper och pedagogisk förmåga är betydande för upplevelsen av behandlingen. Det finns ett värde i att öka kunskapen om yogans effekter.