RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTS OF YOGA PRACTICE

by

TRISHA LAMB FEUERSTEIN
Director of Research
Yoga Research and Education Centre
Mt. Lassen, Northern California


The benefits of Yoga is grouped into three categories � physiological benefits, psychological benefits and biochemical effects � and is based on the regular practice of traditional Yogasanas (Yoga poses), Pranayama (breathing exercises) and Meditation. Please note that while pulse rate etc. may increase during the practice of various asanas, some forms of Pranayama and some stages of Meditation, overall benefits to general health are as listed below.

Physiological Benefits

  1. Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium, with a tendency towards parasympathetic nervous system dominance rather than the usual stress-induced sympathetic nervous system dominance
  2. Pulse rate decreases
  3. Respiratory rate decreases
  4. Blood pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
  5. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
  6. EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of Meditation)
  7. EMG activity decreases
  8. Cardiovascular efficiency increases
  9. Respiratory efficiency increases (respiratory amplitude and smoothness increase, tidal volume increases, vital capacity increases, breath-holding time increases)
  10. Gastrointestinal function normalises
  11. Endocrine function normalises
  12. Excretory functions improve
  13. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
  14. Posture improves
  15. Strength and resiliency increase
  16. Endurance increases
  17. Energy level increases
  18. Weight normalises
  19. Sleep improves
  20. Immunity increases
  21. Pain decreases
Psychological Benefits

  1. Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
  2. Mood improves and subjective well being increases
  3. Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
  4. Social adjustment increases
  5. Anxiety and depression decrease
  6. Hostility decreases
  7. Psychomotor functions improve:
    1. Grip strength increases
    2. Dexterity and fine skills improve
    3. Eye-hand co-ordination improves
    4. Choice reaction time improves
    5. Steadiness improves
    6. Depth perception improves
    7. Balance improves
    8. Integrated functioning of body parts improves
  8. Cognitive functions improve:
    1. Attention improves
    2. Concentration improves
    3. Memory improves
    4. Learning efficiency improves
    5. Symbol coding improves
    6. Depth perception improves
    7. Flicker fusion frequency improves
Biochemical Effects

The biochemical profile improves, indicating an antistress and antioxidant effect, important in the prevention of degenerative diseases.
  1. Glucose decreases
  2. Sodium decreases
  3. Total cholesterol decreases
  4. Triglycerides decrease
  5. HDL cholesterol increases
  6. LDL cholesterol decreases
  7. VLDL cholesterol decreases
  8. Cholinesterase increases
  9. Catecholamines decrease
  10. ATPase increases
  11. Hematocrit increases
  12. Hemoglobin increases
  13. Lymphocyte count increases
  14. Total white blood cells count decreases
  15. Thyroxin increases
  16. Vitamin C increases
  17. Total serum protein increases
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