Introduction: Yoga is beneficial for mental, physical stress and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Due to long and hectic working hours, nursing officers experience stress and NCDs. Awareness of yoga helps adopt yoga practice and healthy lifestyle. Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and beliefs regarding yoga and examine their association with its practice among nursing officers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of an intervention study on in-service nursing officers employed at workplace for at least 1 year. Those who were under treatment for any psychiatric disorder and any condition preventing practice yoga were excluded. After taking informed written consent, a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Data were extracted in Microsoft Excel and analyzed by statistical software STATA V12. Results: A total of 105 participants completed the questionnaire, 78% were female, and the mean age was 33 years. Majority (79.0%) of them were aware of yoga as a way of healthy life and beneficial practice. A proportion of ever practiced participants were 53.3% and currently practicing were 12.4%. The level of knowledge, attitude, and belief score was positively correlated among themselves. The belief score had a significant association with current practice of yoga (odds ratio of 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–2.7, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and belief were higher among most of the participants though the level of practice was low. The score of knowledge, attitude, and belief was higher among those who had a history of either current or past practice. Belief score was significantly associated with current yoga practice. A larger study is recommended at workplace setting with further exploration.
This scoping review aimed to explore and summarize the published evidence on yoga as an adjunctive intervention to standard rehabilitative care for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases – PubMed/MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest Health and Medicine Collection, Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL – using the terms “Duchenne muscular dystrophy” (or DMD) and “yoga.” Studies were included if they (1) were published between January 2000 and December 2024; (2) involved participants with DMD; (3) examined yoga as an intervention; (4) were peer-reviewed; and (5) were published in English. We used a standardized data extraction form to capture study characteristics, including authorship, publication year, sample size, participant demographics, intervention details, outcome measures, and main results. We assessed study quality with the Modified Downs and Black Checklist (MDBC). Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Five were rated as having fair quality (MDBC score: 15–17/28), and one was rated as having poor quality (MDBC score: 3/28). Yoga interventions incorporated asanas (postures), dhyana (meditation), and pranayama (breathing practices). Outcome measures varied widely, encompassing mobility, self-care, comfort, heart rate variability, respiratory function, quality of life, and functional performance. Modest improvements were noted in pulmonary function and self-reported well-being; however, evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Current literature provides preliminary support for yoga as a complementary therapy in DMD rehabilitation. More rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish their efficacy and clinical relevance.
Background:Surya Namaskar (SN) is a popular yogic practice consisting of a sequence of 12 postures. The rationale of this sequence is, however, not fully known. Limited studies have investigated the posture-wise physiological changes across the SN sequence considering varying paces. Objectives:This study aims to quantify the posture-to-posture cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during fast SN (FSN) and slow SN (SSN) and describe the dynamics of change in physiological parameters across the sequence through a regression model. Materials and Methods:In this self-as-control comparative study, twenty healthy males (age: 25.44 ± 5.02 years) were selected and randomly assigned to perform FSN and SSN. Cardiometabolic parameters were continuously recorded using a Polar H10 heart rate monitor and metabolic gas analyzer. Results:Within-condition dynamics showed SSN elicited significantly lower heart rate (HR) (P < 0.01), oxygen consumption (VO2) (P < 0.001), minute ventilation (VE) (P < 0.01), reduced Fat% utilization (P < 0.01), and a higher respiratory quotient (RQ) (P < 0.001) in most of the postures than FSN. HR was found stable with the changes in SN pace, whereas other cardiometabolic parameters exhibited greater variability. The regression model demonstrated that the change in postures plays a major role in modulating VO2 and VE responses, whereas HR, RQ, and Fat% dynamics showed lesser sensitivity with posture change. Conclusions:Posture-by-posture dynamics of acute cardiometabolic responses revealed distinct physiological rhythms, which could be a potential pointer to further investigations on the rationale of the sequence. Yoga practitioners and instructors can judiciously use the results to tailor SN sessions to achieve specific goals and preferences.
Sūrya-namaskāra, the widely practiced yogic sequence of 12 āsanas, is conventionally recognized for its musculoskeletal and cardiovascular benefits. This paper presents a conceptual hypothesis that the traditional sequence may encode an ancient internal practice known as Vāta-sāra, involving the deliberate ingestion of air into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Based on anatomical, physiological, and experiential observations, we reinterpret Kākī-mudrā as a technique that facilitates controlled air entry into the stomach. Preliminary demonstrations, including auscultation and radiographic imaging, suggest a measurable increase in gastric air volume following this maneuver, indicating its physiological plausibility. This conceptual framework explores potential mechanisms through which GI air might influence hormonal regulation – notably ghrelin suppression and glucagon-like peptide-1 stimulation – and proposes possible antimicrobial implications against pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori and Entamoeba histolytica. These observations are intended to stimulate further scientific inquiry rather than to serve as controlled experimental proof.
Introduction:Persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a progressive condition characterized by pulmonary and systemic inflammation, leading to numerous extrapulmonary consequences. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of yoga on pulmonary function in young, nonhypoxemic, stable patients with COPD at a tertiary care center. Methods:An intervention study was conducted in the Department of Physiology and Medicine at RUHS CMS and its associated hospitals, Jaipur. A total of 120 subjects were recruited. The cases (Group A) were selected according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification. GOLD stage 1 and 2 patients were confirmed by spirometry. All included COPD patients were referred for intervention through asanas and pranayama at a yoga center under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, for a 45-min session, 6 days a week, and over 3 months. Results:Intragroup comparison from baseline and after 3 months intervention in study group showed a significant improvement with weight (P < 0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (P < 0.05), forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.05), ratio of FEV1/FVC (P < 0.05), slow vital capacity (P < 0.05), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) (P < 0.05) as compared to control. Conclusion:Yoga intervention is a beneficial nonpharmacological therapy for young, stable COPD patients, as it improves pulmonary function parameters and reduces BMI through weight loss. Yoga improves blood circulation and enhances tissue perfusion, which in turn increases respiratory muscle strength and helps open blocked airways in patients with COPD. CTRI No: CTRI/2024/07/0698.
Background: Reaction time (RT) and visual perception are pivotal for neurocognitive functioning in young adults, underpinning academic and daily performance. Interventions targeting these faculties, particularly yogic visual concentration practices such as Jyoti Trataka, remain underexplored. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Jyoti Trataka practice on RT and visual perceptual accuracy, measured as susceptibility to optical illusion, in young adults. Materials and Methods: In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 120 healthy young adults (mean age: 20.40 ± 1.81 years) were randomized to a Trataka group (TG, n = 60, 8-week Jyoti Trataka intervention, 20 min/day, 6 days/week) or control group (CG, n = 60, no intervention). Assessments at baseline and after 8 weeks included RT (go response [GR], correct, incorrect, and early responses) using the Multi-Operational Apparatus for Reaction Time and visual perception (degree of optical illusion, In-Trials and Out-Trials) with the Müller–Lyer Apparatus. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. Results: The TG showed significant reductions in GR RT (F[1,118] =12.55, P = 0.001, ƞ2 = 0.096) and in the degree of optical illusion in both In-Trials (F[1,118] =9.174, P = 0.003, ƞ2 = 0.072) and Out-Trials (F[1,118] =14.98, P < 0.001, ƞ2 = 0.113), with significant interaction effects between sessions and states (P < 0.001). No comparable improvements occurred in the CG. Conclusions: Jyoti Trataka practice over 8 weeks improves neurocognitive speed and reduces perceptual distortions in healthy young adults. Integrating Trataka into cognitive enhancement strategies may support academic performance and visual health.
Background:The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant mental and physical challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs), leading to increased stress and potential immune dysregulation. Yoga practice, has been suggested to enhance immunity and alleviate stress. This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of yoga intervention on immune markers, stress levels, and quality of life among HCPs actively working during the pandemic. Methodology:A single-center, open label randomized controlled pilot study was conducted at tertiary care centre, with 36 participants. Physicians were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group (n=18) or a control group (n=18). The intervention included guided online yoga sessions for 12 weeks. Immunological markers (IL-6, IL-12, CRP, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha) were measured using ELISA at baseline and post-intervention. Stress levels and quality of life were assessed using the WHO-BREF questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed Microsoft excel M365 software, employing t-tests. Results:Significant improvements were observed in immune markers, particularly a reduction in IL-12 (p=0.0165) and CRP (p=0.001), alongside a marked increase in INF-gamma (p=0.001) in the yoga group. BMI significantly improved (p=0.0194), though stress levels and most quality-of-life domains remained unchanged, except for social relationships (p=0.0279). Correlation analysis suggested a strong relationship between BMI reduction and immune modulation. Conclusion:Yoga intervention demonstrated potential benefits in modulating immunological markers and improving BMI among physicians. While stress reduction was not significant, enhanced social relationships and immune function suggest yoga as a complementary approach for HCPs well-being during high-stress periods. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings.
Yoga has been studied as an effective alternative therapy for substance use disorders, demonstrating its ability to reduce stress and addictive behaviors while improving self-control and self-esteem. However, not everyone may be willing or able to engage in yoga for various reasons. Furthermore, there is a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the existing research on this topic. The objective is to explore the nonparticipation rate in yoga intervention randomized controlled trials related to addictive disorders, and to explore the reasons for nonparticipation in yoga trials related to addictive disorders. We searched Google Scholar, CENTRAL, and PubMed for peer-reviewed published RCTs that incorporated yoga interventions in any format of at least one session. Data were extracted using standard procedures, and the risk of bias was evaluated. Pooled analysis and sensitivity analysis were done. About 54% of potential participants were not included. The pooled effect size was 0.544 (95% confidence interval: 0.301–0.787), with an I² = 99.797. Key barriers included failure to meet inclusion criteria, such as medical conditions, mental health issues, and specific health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and heart disease. Participant refusals and lack of interest in randomization or the study itself were common reasons for nonparticipation. Scheduling conflicts were also frequently reported as a significant obstacle. Two broad categories for noninclusion were meeting exclusion criteria, and not interested/declined to participate. Understanding reasons for noninclusion can lead to more efficient and effective recruitment efforts in future trials and also possibly guide the design of future studies to minimize dropout rates and ensure a representative sample.
Background: The central industrial security force (CISF) in India works in high-stress conditions, contributing to hypertension among its personnel. This study examined the impact of a yoga intervention on cardiovascular biomarkers among CISF personnel with hypertension. Methods: The randomized controlled trial consisted of 88 male CISF personnel aged 25–60 posted in the Indian Space Research Organization in Bengaluru. The yoga program included loosening exercises, pranayama, asanas, relaxation, and meditation. The intervention was conducted for 1 h daily, 5 days a week for 3 months. Cardiovascular biomarkers, blood pressure (BP), weight, height, and waist circumference were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Results: The yoga group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic BP (W = 1802.00, P < 0.001), diastolic BP (W = 1824.50, P < 0.001), and heart rate (W = 1685.00, P < 0.001) at postintervention. However, nonsignificant trends were observed in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine levels, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) per inspiration, and waist circumference. Furthermore, significant improvements were noted in RSA per expiration (W = 688.00, P = 0.002) and weight (W = 709.00, P = 0.03) in the yoga group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The study has shown the effectiveness of yoga in improving cardiovascular health among CISF personnel with hypertension. Significant reductions were observed in BP, heart rate, and weight. However, the study found nonsignificant changes in inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP and homocysteine. Yoga shows promise as a complementary therapy for managing hypertension alongside conventional treatment.
Abstract Om meditation is a widely practiced mantra-based technique within yogic traditions and has increasingly been examined using electroencephalography (EEG). However, EEG findings related to Om meditation remain methodologically diverse and have not been comprehensively synthesized. This review aimed to systematically examine and integrate EEG-based evidence on the neurophysiological effects of Om meditation. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (August 22, 2025) using terms related to Om meditation and EEG. Inclusion criteria comprised experimental studies assessing Om chanting or meditation with EEG-based brain functions. Out of 56 identified records, 11 studies fulfilled eligibility. Data were extracted following the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. Most studies involved short, single-session Om meditation (3–30 min) in healthy student populations. Theta band modulation (4–7 Hz) was the most consistent EEG finding, often accompanied by alpha changes indicative of a relaxed yet attentive state. Delta band findings were inconsistent and varied by chanting modality and sensory conditions. Spatial EEG studies reported engagement of orbitofrontal, limbic, attentional networks, and the Default Mode Network. EEG microstate analyses showed no significant changes following short-term practice. Short-term Om meditation is associated with reproducible theta-band modulation and engagement of distributed cortical networks associated with relaxation and internalised attention. However, larger sample sizes, longitudinal randomized controlled trials, and the use of advanced EEG methods are required in the future.
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), i.e., asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and tuberculosis, account for approximately one-third of emergency hospitalizations. As a holistic therapy, yoga has the potential to improve both the physical and psychological well–being of individuals with CRD, and its popularity has expanded globally. However, studies assessing yoga’s effects have yielded inconsistent results. The scoping review adhered to the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews, PRISMA-ScR. A protocol was registered on OSF (10.17605/OSF.IO/Q6CKN). We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, covering studies from inception till december-2024. Inclusion criteria were a pediatric population with CRD, yoga as adjuvant therapy, and English language publications. Data were extracted systematically and categorized based on publication year, author, type of study, country, disease, and intervention. We included 552 database results with 2357 patients, published between 1985 and 2023. Most studies were primarily from India (n = 15), focused on asthma, along with two studies on cystic fibrosis and one each on pleural effusion and bronchiectasis. Study types included observational studies (n = 10), randomized controlled trials (n = 8), controlled trials (n = 1), quasi-experimental studies (n = 1), and pilot studies (n = 2). Yoga improved pulmonary function test scores in asthma, pleural effusion, and bronchiectasis, enhancing quality of life (QOL) and psychological well-being. However, no studies were found on COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis in the pediatric population. Quality evidence suggests that yoga improves asthma symptoms and QOL. However, variations in yoga modules limit generalizability. Future research should develop validated disease-specific modules, including unexplored facets like Yama, Niyama, yogic counseling, and diet. Mechanistic studies with long follow-up periods are needed.
Background:Yoga has increasingly been recognized as a beneficial adjunctive therapy for mental health disorders in India. However, participation barriers persist. This study examines the factors influencing participation in yoga as an add-on treatment for Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) in India. Methodology:As the part of a larger open-label comparative study assessing in-person versus virtual yoga, 1147 patients with CMDs were screened at a tertiary care center in Southern India. Of these, 968 were eligible and 130 consented to participate (13.43%). Reasons for refusal were recorded and analyzed. Results:The overall refusal rate was 86.57%. The most common barriers were lack of time (30.78%), disinterest in yoga (21.12%), and distance to the yoga center (19.09%). Additional factors included ongoing psychotherapy (11.57%), preference for virtual sessions (10.26%), and unwillingness to randomization (7.04%). Participants who consented were significantly more educated and more females than males refused participation. The preference for virtual sessions reflected growing demand for accessible, technology-assisted interventions post-COVID-19. Conclusion:Despite increased awareness of yoga, participation remains low because of logistical barriers. These findings underscore the need to develop and validate virtual yoga programs tailored to patient convenience and contemporary healthcare delivery models.
Mind sound resonance technique (MSRT) is a yoga-based relaxation practice that incorporates mantra chanting and relaxation techniques. It is designed to address psychosomatic disorders by harmonizing the Manomaya Kosha and regulating autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions. This narrative review examines the effects of MSRT on various health parameters, including its ability to alleviate stress, anxiety, and chronic pain; promote better sleep; enhance cognitive, cardiovascular, and lung functions; and reduce smoking behavior. A review of 21 clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, pre–post analyses, and case studies, assessed the therapeutic outcomes of MSRT. The studies were sourced from Google Scholar, PubMed, and PubMed Central. MSRT demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and chronic pain, along with improved sleep quality, cognitive performance, and autonomic balance. It showed beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, and enhanced respiratory function. MSRT was effective in promoting mindfulness, emotion regulation, and smoking cessation. Its physiological effects include modulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and ANS. MSRT is a holistic, noninvasive intervention with potential for managing psychosomatic disorders and promoting overall health. Further RCTs are warranted to explore its long-term efficacy and underlying mechanisms.
Abstract Nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) is a prevalent and disabling condition for which conventional medical treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, and surgery, often provide limited long-term relief. This narrative review examines the potential of various yoga therapy modalities, including general Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Viniyoga, an integrated approach to yoga therapy, and nonspecified medical yoga in the management of NCLBP, emphasizing yoga therapy’s supportive role. Synthesizing findings from 29 studies, the review offers preliminary insights into how different yoga therapy styles may contribute to the management of NCLBP. The available evidence suggests that yoga interventions are generally safe and may provide varying degrees of benefit, although the strength of these observations differs across styles and study designs. Iyengar Yoga appears to show comparatively stronger trends for pain reduction and functional improvement, while the integrated approach to yoga therapy (IAYT) may offer broader short-term psychosocial and flexibility-related advantages in structured settings. Viniyoga and Hatha Yoga demonstrate moderate improvements that are comparable to conventional therapeutic exercises. Nonspecified yoga protocols indicate potential utility but remain inconsistently defined. These observations highlight plausible biomechanical, neurological, and psychosocial pathways through which yoga could exert therapeutic effects. Thus, yoga therapy emerges as a promising, low-risk complementary option that warrants further standardized, long-term comparative research to clarify efficacy and clinical applicability.
Cancer is a life‐altering diagnosis that profoundly impacts patients’ physical health and their quality of life (QoL). Complementary therapies like yoga have gained attention for their potential to alleviate these adverse effects and improve well‐being. However, its integration into cancer care remains limited due to insufficient evidence and guidelines. By systematically reviewing the literature, this study aims to identify if there is a benefit of yoga in improving QoL parameters such as sleep, pain index, depression, and anxiety. This review is based on the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analysis guidelines. For this review, we searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases and screened them for full free texts published in English and studied in humans in the last 5 years, beginning in 2019. The articles included in the search are randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized control trials, mixed studies, observational studies, meta‐analysis studies, systematic reviews, and traditional reviews. Our systematic review consists of 6 RCTs, 1 meta‐analysis, and 1 observational study. The studies included yoga intervention in different cancers and their effects on sleep, depression, pain, QoL, fatigue, anxiety, and inflammatory cytokines. Nonpharmacological interventions like yoga are essential for improving the QoL in cancer patients. The heterogeneity in yoga protocols and the limited sample sizes of included studies suggest further research.
Context: The project focuses on yoga pose recognition, a critical task in computer vision and AI, to enhance physical and mental well-being by improving posture analysis. It addresses challenges such as the lack of benchmark datasets and limitations in both landmark-augmented and landmark-free methods. Aims: 1. Developed a hybrid model combining landmark-based and landmark-free techniques for accurate yoga pose recognition 2. Introduced YFA-30, a comprehensive dataset with 30 yoga poses to benchmark pose recognition models 3. Conducted a comparative analysis of existing models with the proposed hybrid model. Settings and Design: The project operates within the domain of computer vision and artificial intelligence, specifically focusing on yoga pose recognition. It involves a controlled computational environment for training, validating, and testing deep learning models using datasets of yoga poses. The settings emphasize creating a system capable of real-time pose recognition and correction for practical applications in fitness, health, and education. Methods: • Hybrid Model: Combines MoveNet (landmark detection) and ResNet50 (image feature extraction) using a scaled dot-product attention mechanism and late fusion • Statistical Evaluation: Analyzes accuracy, loss, and performance metrics across multiple datasets (YFA-30, YFA-20, YFA-10, Kaggle, and Google CG) • Comparative Study: Benchmarks against models such as Mediapipe, YOLO-V8x, and Xception • Visualization: Uses Grad-CAM heatmaps for feature extraction insights. Material: Datasets: • YFA-30: Newly introduced dataset with 30 yoga poses with approximately 8000 images • Kaggle Dataset: Small dataset with 5 yoga poses • Google CG Dataset: Synthetic images of 5 yoga poses. Models: • Landmark-based: MoveNet, Mediapipe, and YOLO-V8x • Landmark-free: ResNet50, VGG16, EfficientNetB0, and Xception. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analyses used in your yoga pose recognition project include: 1. Performance Metrics: Accuracy, loss (training, validation, and test), and loss curves across datasets (YFA-30, YFA-20, YFA-10, Kaggle, and Google CG) to evaluate model efficiency 2. Comparative Analysis: Benchmarking the hybrid model (MoveNet + ResNet50) against other models such as Mediapipe, YOLO-V8x-pose, and landmark-free models (e.g., VGG16 and Xception) 3. Cross-Validation: Testing on YFA dataset subsets to ensure robustness across data variability 4. Attention Mechanism: Scaled dot-product attention and late fusion to integrate and prioritize relevant features and landmarks 5. Visual Analysis: Heatmaps (Grad-CAM) to interpret keypoint detection and feature extraction 6. Dataset Testing: Evaluation on synthetic and real-world datasets to ensure adaptability. These analyses validate the hybrid model’s performance and robustness.
Background: Aging is accompanied by various physiological and psychological changes that necessitate focused attention on both physical and mental health. Hatha yoga, a safe and nonpharmacological intervention, has shown promise in promoting overall well-being in older adults. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of Hatha yoga on anthropometric and psychological parameters in retired women attending the Retirement Center of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this two-arm randomized controlled trial, 64 retired women over the age of 60 years were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group using a 1:1 parallel design. The intervention group attended Hatha yoga sessions once a week for 8 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) and psychological assessments (depression, anxiety, and stress) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months postintervention. Results: All 64 participants completed the study. Repeated-measures ANOVA (SPSS v16.0) revealed significant reductions in stress (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), WC (P < 0.001), and WHR (P < 0.001) in the intervention group across the three time points. No significant changes were observed in depression (P = 0.537), and although there was a within-group reduction in BMI, the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: An 8-week Hatha yoga program effectively reduces stress, anxiety, WC, and WHR in healthy retired women, supporting its role as a beneficial intervention for promoting health in the elderly.
Myopia, or near-sightedness, is a common refractive error characterized by difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly, caused by the elongation of the eyeball. Although various yoga techniques, diet, and mud therapy are effective in improving refractive error, the impact of yoga and naturopathy (YN) interventions on visual outcomes in myopia remains largely unexplored. A 22-year-old male visited our outpatient department with complaints of blurred distant vision. Clinical evaluation confirmed a diagnosis of myopia, with no associated systemic comorbidities. The participant underwent YN interventions for 25 days. An improvement in spherical power, cylindrical power, spherical equivalent, and visual acuity was found after the intervention. It suggests that 25 days of YN interventions were useful in improving refractive error and visual acuity in individuals with myopia. However, as this is a single case report, more randomized controlled trials are recommended to validate the findings of this study.
Background: Yoga effectively supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being and represents a powerful integrated holistic healthcare practice to support prevention, healing, and thriving for a variety of health and mental health conditions. Currently, no clear credentialing pathway exists for yoga services that are delivered in health care. This study explores interest among yoga professionals in providing yoga in health care, as well as their perceptions about the need for and likelihood of enrolling in training programs leading to specialized credentials for yoga interventions in healthcare settings. Methods: A descriptive survey was offered to US yoga professionals about perceptions of yoga’s importance in health care and credentialing needs for providers. Through direct invitations, social media, and snowball sampling, 1877 individuals responded to the survey, with sample composition being commensurate with current US yoga practitioner demographics. Results: Respondents strongly agreed that yoga has an important role in health care, showed interest in providing such care, and expressed confusion about currently available preparation and credentialing for providing such yoga services. They strongly endorsed the need for specialized yoga credentials to provide yoga services in health care, with expressed strong likelihood to seek out such credentialing for themselves. Conclusions: Yoga has emerged as invaluable in supporting physical and mental health and well-being. However, to become a recognized, reimbursable healthcare practice, the yoga profession needs to define itself through educational standards and credentialing policies. Findings suggest that yoga communities and credentialing organizations need to come together to support yoga’s healthcare integration by clarifying the scope of practice, educational pathways, and credentialing for yoga services in health care and community health settings.
