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General Well-Being Scale (GWBS) scores at baseline and follow-up by meditation intensity group. GWBS scores range from 10 to 50.
Source publication
Stress-induced disorders such as anxiety represent the leading causes of adult disability worldwide. Previous studies indicate that yoga and other contemplative practices such as pranayama, or controlled yogic breathing techniques, may be effective in the treatment of mood disorders and stress. In this study, 142 individuals (mean age = 43 years; S...
Citations
... Mudras were also known to influence different body functions by n enhancing connections with the cortex and influencing autonomic reflexes in these areas (Health, 2015) (Hirschi).Mudra science is an ancient science that which connect certain energy flows in mind body system .The literal meaning of mudra is the expression of internal feelings by way of different postures of hands ,feet or body (Asan and yoga vigyan by Bhartiya YogaSansthan).This is an integral part of yoga and a scientific knowledge of spirituality and physical well. Mudra involves the entire body by doing mudra, subtle hand and finger movements and make important connection in the nervous system and stimulate specific energy pathway ("Ashwini Mudra and Abundant Siddhis"., 2019) .There are mudras to address headaches ,pain, anxiety, depression, stress the health of lungs and heart ,cholesterol pain any body part and almost every system of the body (Peterson, Bauer, Chopra, P.Mills, & Maturi, 2017).Mudras is a practice which reduces the stress ,anxiety, burnout and depression and improve the body pain and increase the active movement of body. Mudra also plays an important role to every individual to activate and regulate body with positive thinking and boost up the energy. ...
This research aims to explore the effectiveness of incorporating mudras, symbolic hand gestures, as a mindfulness practice to mitigate burnout among students. The academic environment can often lead to high stress levels, and students may experience burnout due to the pressure of exams, assignments, and various responsibilities. Mindfulness practices have shown promise in reducing stress and promoting well-being. This study focuses specifically on mudras, a traditional element of yoga and meditation, to assess their impact on student burnout. This research may contribute to the growing body of knowledge on mindfulness interventions for student well-being. If successful, the findings could be integrated into educational programs to help students manage stress and prevent burnout more effectively. Additionally, the study may shed light on the cultural aspects of mindfulness practices and their relevance in diverse educational settings. Introduction:
... The positive impact of pranayama on neurocognitive abilities has also been highlighted with enhanced performance on spatial and verbal memory tasks, auditory and visual reaction time, and other executive functions (Saoji et al., 2019). Research utilizing pranayama practices as interventions has highlighted a decrease in hypertension, respiratory rate, and stress levels, along with an increase in heart rate variability and the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, among others (Peterson et al., 2017). Emerging research has also reported the efficacy of breathing practices in improving perceived stress, anxiety, negative affect, sleep, social connectedness, self-esteem, life esteem, and general well-being (Kamath et al., 2017;Novaes et al., 2020;Goldstein et al., 2022). ...
Background
Human capital plays a crucial role in the success of an organization and further contributes to the broader goals of growth and development of society. In this regard, it is essential to ensure the well-being of employees at the workplace. Given the positive impact of yoga on psycho-physiological aspects of health, this study aims to examine the impact of a breath-based yogic intervention, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), on stress, anxiety, thriving, general health, emotional well-being, social well-being, and psychological well-being among employees of a leading manufacturing firm in India.
Methods
Undertaking a randomized-control experiment design (n = 64), we examined the impact of SKY on stress, anxiety, thriving, general health, and emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Two certified instructors conducted the SKY intervention in a retreat format over 3 days.
Results
The analysis demonstrated positive outcomes across various aspects of participants’ well-being, i.e., it significantly reduced their stress and anxiety and increased the levels of thriving, general health, and emotional, social, and psychological well-being. These findings are valuable for understanding the potential benefits of the SKY intervention.
Discussion
The findings provide support for considering SKY as a potential well-being intervention for employers at the workplace and society at large. Further exploration, implementation, and research in diverse contexts will be crucial to fully understand the long-term impact and scalability of the SKY intervention in promoting holistic well-being.
... Isha Yoga, an international school of Yoga, offers a holistic system that integrates all four paths of Yoga -Karma, Bhakti, Gnana, and Kriya -and provides methods to promote well-being. Each of these practices is designed to enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing (26,(29)(30)(31)(32). Studies with Isha Yoga practices reported reduced stress levels, increased mindfulness, and enhanced well-being (23,25,33,34), improved cardiac sympatho-vagal balance (29), heightened visual attention (35), elevated levels of BDNF and CAR (30), increased anandamide levels (36), enhanced immune system functioning indicated by higher anti-viral interferon gene expression (37), elevated EEG gamma power during meditation (38), and so on. ...
... A unique aspect of Isha Yoga is that it does not have any philosophy or belief system. Isha Yoga encompasses various practices like Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, Shoonya, and Samyama (26,31,44). Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya is offered as part of the Inner Engineering program, which is designed to help individuals explore and enhance their inner well-being. ...
... Isha Yoga practitioners were also grouped based on practice regularity: Regular practitioners (≥5 times/week, n = 1,097); moderately regular practitioners (3-4 times/week, n = 139); and Irregular practitioners (<3 times/week, n = 108). These cut-offs were determined based on a previous study that used similar grouping (31). These categorizations allowed for a more detailed examination of the impact of different levels of practice regularity within the Isha Yoga practitioner population. ...
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unparalleled suffering on a global scale, affecting both physical and mental well-being. In such challenging times, it becomes crucial to identify interventions that can alleviate negative mental health outcomes, such as stress, while promoting positive mental health outcomes, like well-being. We report the effectiveness of a mind–body practise, Isha Yoga, in promoting well-being.
Methods
We conducted an online survey, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Yoga practitioners (n = 1,352) from the Isha Yoga tradition in Karnataka, India. We evaluated stress and well-being attributes using conventional psychometric questionnaires. Subsequently, we requested the Isha Yoga practitioners to share another survey with their friends and family members, assessing similar outcomes. From the respondents of this shared survey (n = 221), we identified individuals who currently did not engage in any form of Yoga or meditation, constituting the non-Yoga control group (n = 110). To enhance the reliability and validity of our study and minimize the limitations commonly associated with online surveys, we adhered to the CHERRIES guidelines for reporting survey studies.
Results
Isha Yoga practitioners had significantly lower levels of stress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.94) and mental distress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.75) while reporting significantly higher levels of well-being (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.78) and affective balance (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.80) compared to the control group. Furthermore, expertise-related improvements were observed in these outcomes, and a dose–response relationship was found between regularity of Isha Yoga practice and outcome changes. A minimum 3–4 days of weekly practice showed significant differences with the control group. In addition, we investigated the effect of Isha Yoga on stress and well-being among the healthcare workers (HCWs) in our sample and observed better mental health outcomes.
Discussion
These findings collectively underscore the benefits of Mind and Body practices like Isha Yoga on various aspects of mental health and well-being, emphasizing its potential as an effective and holistic approach for promoting a healthy lifestyle among diverse populations, including healthcare workers, even in difficult circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
... Among these practices, breath manipulation [22], with or without breath retention [23], is particularly noteworthy for its substantial impact on reducing blood pressure [24]. Individuals experience distinct physiological and cardiovascular responses from different pranayamas [25]. Pranayama's primary effect on blood pressure is through enhancing baroreceptor sensitivity, which balances the autonomic nervous system by reducing sympathetic and parasympathetic activity [26]. ...
Background. Hypertension is a significant health concern in India, particularly among young adults. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart disease. One potential approach to managing hypertension is through non-pharmacological interventions, such as Yoga. Purpose. This randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week yoga intervention on cardiac autonomic function and blood pressure in young Indian adults with hypertension. Methods. A total of sixty-six patients with hypertension (age: 22.4 ± 0.9) were randomly allocated to either the Yoga Program Group (YPG) consisting of (n=33) participants who underwent the 12-week yoga intervention or the Control Group (CG) with (n=33) participants who did not receive any treatment. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention period, measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure. Results. A two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant improvements in the YPG for several HRV parameters, including RR interval (p ≤ 0.001), RMSSD (p ≤ 0.001), NN50% (p ≤ 0.001), pNN50% (p ≤ 0.001), and HF (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, LF (p ≤ 0.001) and LF/HF ratio (p ≤ 0.001) significantly decreased in the intervention group. Blood pressure parameters also demonstrated significant reductions (p ≤ 0.001) in the intervention group when compared to the control group. Conclusion. The findings of this study suggest that a 12-week yoga program positively impacts cardiac autonomic function and blood pressure in young Indian adults with primary hypertension. These results underscore the potential of Yoga as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing hypertension in this demographic.
... O estresse está intimamente relacionado com a diminuição da qualidade de vida e o aparecimento de diversas enfermidades, incluindo ansiedade e depressão (PETERSON et al., 2017). Peterson et al (2017), avaliaram a utilização de uma técnica de yoga por 142 participantes, durante um retiro de três dias e nas seis semanas consecutivas após o retiro. ...
... O estresse está intimamente relacionado com a diminuição da qualidade de vida e o aparecimento de diversas enfermidades, incluindo ansiedade e depressão (PETERSON et al., 2017). Peterson et al (2017), avaliaram a utilização de uma técnica de yoga por 142 participantes, durante um retiro de três dias e nas seis semanas consecutivas após o retiro. Os participantes foram avaliados através de respostas auto referidas por e-mail, indicando melhoras nos níveis de estresse em relação ao início do acompanhamento (PETERSON et al., 2017). ...
... Peterson et al (2017), avaliaram a utilização de uma técnica de yoga por 142 participantes, durante um retiro de três dias e nas seis semanas consecutivas após o retiro. Os participantes foram avaliados através de respostas auto referidas por e-mail, indicando melhoras nos níveis de estresse em relação ao início do acompanhamento (PETERSON et al., 2017). Os pesquisadores também observaram melhoras relacionadas com os sintomas da depressão e ansiedade, o que propiciou uma melhora no bem-estar geral dos participantes do estudo através de técnicas naturais e eficientes (PETERSON et al., 2017). ...
Resumo A depressão está entre as doenças mais debilitantes do mundo. A dificuldade no tratamento dos sintomas e o abandono do uso de medicamentos têm-se tornado um desafio na saúde pública. Nessa perspectiva, o estudo buscou avaliar o uso das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS) como ferramenta auxiliar no tratamento da depressão. Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica com informações coletadas nas plataformas de banco de dados científicos, utilizando as palavras-chave em português e inglês: depressão, antidepressivos, Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde e tratamentos convencionais. Dos 210 artigos encontrados, 35 foram selecionados e analisados. Os resultados revelaram maior uso da acupuntura, yoga e meditação no tratamento da depressão e na melhora dos sintomas de estresse, ansiedade, fadiga e efeitos adversos decorrentes do uso de medicamentos antidepressivos. Limitações como falta de profissionais habilitados e escassez de material científico de qualidade dificultam o uso disseminado das práticas. Por necessitarem de baixo custo de investimento em estruturas e materiais, as PICS apresentam grande potencial de crescimento no sistema de saúde.
... Yoga's emphasis on developing body awareness could influence IBS symptoms management as these patients are known to lack body awareness [36]. Studies using breathing interventions have also reported benefits in IBS symptom management, including reducing stress, cognitive performance, central neural processing, increased parasympathetic nervous system dominance and decreased sympathetic activity [37]. Meditation practice is associated with an array of cognitive and emotional benefits in a variety of populations. ...
Background and Aims
In-person yoga interventions have shown feasibility and effectiveness in improving the outcomes of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but experiences in virtual yoga interventions have not been examined. This study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of a virtually delivered yoga intervention for IBS.
Methods
An embedded qualitative substudy was included in a randomized controlled trial examining the feasibility and effectiveness of a virtual yoga program among adult patients with IBS. Semi-structured interviews captured participants’ past and current experiences, program satisfaction, perceived impact on IBS symptoms and overall physical and mental health, facilitators and barriers to participation, perceptions of social support and supervised learning, and input on improving future programming. Data were coded and analyzed in duplicate using NVivo 12. An analytic template based on the interview guide was developed and thematic analysis identified themes, as well as the relationship between themes and subthemes.
Results
Among the 14 participants (all female, mean age 47.7 years), three major themes were identified: (1) positive experience in the yoga program, (2) incorporating yoga into IBS management post-study, and (3) recommendations for program improvement.
Conclusion
Patients with IBS experience in a virtual yoga program was positive with improvements in physical and mental health outcomes. Considering the barriers and facilitators to participating in an online yoga program along with participant recommendations may improve future intervention design and delivery to increase self-efficacy and confidence among patients with IBS.
... The society has about 30 monastic disciples and thousands of followers devoted "to the cause of the spiritual welfare of mankind" http://www.ivs web.org and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety (Peterson et al., 2017). The Isha Yoga Center has another yogic practice program known as Sam . ...
Several practices within Hinduism have positive implications on physical and mental health and well-being. This chapter attempts to highlight some of these positive Hindu practices and examine their efficacy in light of ongoing empirical research. It elucidates how engaging in some Hindu practices and traditions such as meditation, yoga, festivals, devotional singing, praying, and offerings can have a positive influence on an individual’s well-being. It further explores how engaging in these practices has a psychological and sociological impact. Specifically, it discusses the benefits of Hindu rituals and practices in enhancing happiness, a sense of belongingness, community belongingness, and interpersonal relationships. The chapter also discusses the work of some organizations (such as the Isha Foundation and Art of Living) that are working to disseminate Hindu practices (such as yoga and meditation) globally for improving community well-being. The chapter concludes by outlining directions for future research.KeywordsYogaMeditationMantraHindu ritualsPhysical and mental healthHinduismPositive practices
... Pranayama consists of yoga-based breathing techniques that aim to directly and consciously regulate one or more respiratory functions (Saoji et al., 2019). The calm and soothing breathing techniques in pranayama (e.g., nadi shodhana, Bhramari pranayama) reduce sympathetic stimulus and increase parasympathetic activity (Dhruva et al., 2012;Peterson et al., 2017;Sharma et al., 2014;Sinha et al., 2013). Pranayama is similar to deep breathing exercises in terms of breathing regulation. ...
... Pranayama is similar to deep breathing exercises in terms of breathing regulation. However, it differs by slowing or accelerating the breathing rate, manipulating the nostrils (i.e., nadi shodhana), making humming sounds (i.e., Bhramari) (Jagadeesan et al., 2022;Ushamohan et al., 2023), and holding the breath (Peterson et al., 2017;Sharma et al., 2014). There is evidence that pranayama can reduce fatigue in patients undergoing chemotherapy (Dhruva et al., 2012), improve sleep quality in patients with COVID-19 (Jagadeesan et al., 2022), reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (Thanalakshmi et al., 2020), and improve respiratory function, as well as reduce anxiety and stress (Jayawardena et al., 2020). ...
... Pranayama and other breathing exercises can be done individually or in groups, at any time or place, making them a convenient and low-stress activity for individuals experiencing fatigue and insomnia (Chakrabarty et al., 2015;Dhruva et al., 2012;Peterson et al., 2017). As a result, the participants reported finding pranayama and breathing exercises easy to learn and expressed an interest in continuing to do the exercises in the future. ...
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of pranayama and deep breathing exercises on fatigue and sleep quality in women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer.
Sample & setting:
This randomized controlled study was conducted on the outpatient radiation oncology unit of a hospital with 20 patients each in pranayama, deep breathing, and standard care groups (N = 60).
Methods & variables:
The Piper Fatigue Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to evaluate the participants' fatigue and sleep quality.
Results:
The control group showed a significant increase in fatigue levels at the end of radiation therapy compared to the beginning. Sleep quality was improved only in the pranayama group.
Implications for nursing:
Pranayama can be learned easily, can be performed anywhere, and does not require any equipment, making it a convenient exercise for patients. Oncology nurses can take the lead in suggesting pranayama for symptom management.
... A common theme among all these studies was an overall decrease in symptoms of negative affect after their respective intervention periods. Two studies investigated the effects of hyperventilation protocols (~0.5Hz) on mental activity [51,52]. Overall, these studies reported increased levels of perceived anxiety and stress during fast respiration, however, participants scored lower on overall perceived anxiety/stress after several weeks of interventions. ...
Respiration protocols have been developed to manipulate mental states, including their use for therapeutic purposes. In this systematic review, we discuss evidence that respiration may play a fundamental role in coordinating neural activity, behavior, and emotion. The main findings are: (1) respiration affects the neural activity of a wide variety of regions in the brain; (2) respiration modulates different frequency ranges in the brain's dynamics; (3) different respiration protocols (spontaneous, hyperventilation, slow or resonance respiration) yield different neural and mental effects; and (4) the effects of respiration on the brain are related to concurrent modulation of biochemical (oxygen delivery, pH) and physiological (cerebral blood flow, heart rate variability) variables. We conclude that respiration may be an integral rhythm of the brain's neural activity. This provides an intimate connection of respiration with neuro-mental features like emotion. A respiratory-neuro-mental connection holds the promise for a brain-based therapeutic usage of respiration in mental disorders.
... The effectiveness of prāṇāyāma in reducing stress has also been corroborated across multiple quantitative studies (e.g. Kumar & Venkatesh, 2021;Peterson et al., 2017;Sinha et al., 2013). A Sudarshan Kriya Yogic intervention, a sequence of specific breathing techniques, reduced both every day and post-traumatic stress, and depression (Brown & Gerbarg, 2005b). ...
... Support for existing prāṇāyāma studies (e.g. Brown & Gerbarg, 2005b;Novaes et al., 2020;Peterson et al., 2017) were predominantly found within this theme, with physiological and psychological effects of prāṇāyāma captured in participants' accounts; particularly the production of positive affect, reduction of negative affect and processing of emotions, as reported in Novaes et al. (2020). Indeed, the present study's findings substantiate claims that the breath can influence emotions (Philippot et al., 2002). ...
... Additionally, participants' descriptions of enhanced cognition (e.g. clearer thinking) supports similar outcomes captured in increased scores on general wellbeing measures by Peterson et al. (2017). Although the present study's findings predominantly paint a positive picture of prāṇāyāma's experience, there were references to potential negative effects such as fear of having an empty mind and knowing how to deal with surfacing emotions, providing additional considerations elaborated on in theme 1.2. ...
This study aimed to explore the meaning and role of prāṇāyāma in mid-life adults, defined as between 30 and 50 years old. Wellbeing research has dominated the positive psychology field, with many studies citing U-shaped declines in middle age. Ways to intervene and enhance wellbeing have also piqued researcher interest, some looking to ancient eastern traditions for valuable learnings. Yoga is one such tradition readily considered for its ability to enhance wellbeing, however, within positive psychology, there is a dearth of research exploring its central element, prāṇāyāma (breath control or extension). With the breath intimately linked to human experience and research in other arenas evidencing its impact on the nervous system and emotions, its power should not be underestimated. Six participants (females) were interviewed using semi-structured techniques, which were subsequently transcribed. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three master themes were identified: (1) the discovery phase, (2) unearthing the "Diamond in the centre," and (3) integration, each with three subordinate themes, and delineated the journey participants embarked in discovering prāṇāyāma. Conclusions: Results demonstrated low wellbeing experienced before discovering prāṇāyāma, the potential obstacles to overcome to start practicing and the importance of experiencing it to understand its benefits. Greatest benefits were achieved by committing to the practice. The experience of prāṇāyāma was also described, portraying its potential for flow, reduce negative emotions and produce positive emotions. Subsequent wider-reaching benefits of prāṇāyāma were evident with enhanced embodied self-awareness, resilience, and interpersonal relationships. The consequential meaning of prāṇāyāma to these participants was also highlighted. Potential for prāṇāyāma to be a positive psychology intervention (PPI) and future research are discussed.
