Top

Published in:

01-12-2019 | Original Paper

Separating the “Limbs” of Yoga: Limited Effects on Stress and Mood

Authors: Evangeline A. Wheeler, Antonia N. Santoro, Alicia F. Bembenek

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Though millions of people practice yoga to reduce stress and improve their mood, it is unclear which aspect of yoga is responsible for these effects. To investigate relevant aspects, or “limbs” of yoga, participants who were novices in the practice of yoga engaged in a single yoga manipulation (i.e., poses, breath work, meditation, or listening to a lecture about yoga) for 20 min before experiencing a mild stressor. Participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, mood, and anxiety level were assessed, both immediately after the yoga manipulation and after the mild stressor. The 20-min yoga manipulation did not differentially affect any of the measures, including participants’ stress response after the mild stressor. Results are discussed regarding the individual components of a yoga practice.

Two alternate forms of the task were used. The total number of correct subtractions within a 2-min period were counted and entered in the analysis as the dependent measure. A one-way between groups ANOVA was conducted, F(3,110) = 1.61, n.s.

Non-repeating, legal words containing at least five letters were tallied and used as the dependent measure. A one-way between groups ANOVA was conducted, F(3,109) = 1.13, n.s.

Arambula, P., Peper, E., Kawakami, M., & Gibney, K. H. (2001). The physiological correlates of Kundalini yoga meditation: A study of a yoga master. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback,26(2), 147–153.CrossRef

Beck, A. R., & Verticchio, H. (2014). Facilitating speech-language pathology graduate students’ ability to manage stress: A pilot study. Contemporary Issues in Communication Science & Disorders, 41, 24–38.

Clarke, T. C., Black, L. I., Stussman, B. J., Barnes, P. M., & Nahin, R. L. (2015). Trends in the use of complimentary health approaches among adults: United States, 2002, 2012. National Health Statistics Reports,10(79), 1–16.

Clay, C. C., Lloyd, L. K., Walker, J. L., Sharp, K. R., & Pankey, R. B. (2005). The metabolic cost of hatha yoga. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research,19(3), 604–610.

Hagins, M., Haden, S. C., & Daly, L. A. (2013). A randomized controlled trial on the effects of yoga on stress reactivity in 6th grade students. Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (Ecam). doi:10.1155/2013/607134.CrossRef

Johnson, S., Gur, R. M., David, Z., & Currier, E. (2015). One-session mindfulness meditation: A randomized controlled study of effects on cognition and mood. Mindfulness,6(1), 88–98. doi:10.1007/s12671-013-0234-6.CrossRef

Kumar, K. K. (2008). A study on the impact on stress and anxiety through Yoga nidra. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge,7(3), 401–404.

Landry, J. M. (2014). Physiological and psychological effects of a Himalayan Singing Bowl in meditation practice: A quantitative analysis. American Journal of Health Promotion,28(5), 306–309.CrossRef

Li, A. W., & Goldsmith, C. W. (2012). The effects of yoga on anxiety and stress. Alternative Medicine Review,17(1), 21–35.PubMed

Mc Intyre, M. E., Silverman, F. H., & Trotter, W. D. (1974). Transcendental meditation and stuttering: A preliminary report. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 39(1), 294.

Melville, G., Chang, D., Marshall, P., Cheema, B., & Colagiuri, B. (2012). Fifteen minutes of chair-based yoga postures or guided meditation performed in the office can elicit a relaxation response. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1155/2012/501986.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Murthy, P. N. V., Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, B., & Subbakrishna, D. K. (1998). P300 amplitude and antidepressant response to Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY). Journal of Affective Disorders,50(1), 45–48. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(98)00029-9.CrossRef

Pramanik, T., Sharma, H. O., Mishra, S., Mishra, A., Prajapati, R., & Singh, S. (2009). Immediate effect of slow pace bhastrika pranayama on blood pressure and heart rate. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(3), 293–295. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0440.CrossRef

Rizzolo, D., Zipp, G., Stiskal, D., & Simpkins, S. (2009). Stress management strategies for students: The immediate effects of yoga, humor, and reading on stress. Journal of College Teaching & Learning,6(8), 79–88.

Ross, A., & Thomas, S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 3–12. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0044.CrossRef

Semich, A. (2014). Effects of two different Hatha yoga interventions on perceived stress and five facets of mindfulness. Dissertation abstracts international, p. 74.

Spielberger, C. D., & Sydeman, S. J. (1994). State-trait anxiety inventory and state-trait anger expression inventory. In M. E. Maruish (Ed.), The use of psychological testing for treatment planning and outcome assessment (pp. 292–321). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Streeter, C., Jensen, J., Perlmutter, R., Cabral, H., Tian, H., Terhune, D., et al. (2007). Yoga asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: A pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,13(4), 419–426. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.6338.CrossRefPubMed

Telles, S., Yadav, A., Gupta, R. K., & Balkrishna, A. (2013). Reaction time following yoga bellows-type breathing and breath awareness. Perceptual and Motor Skills,117(1), 89–98.CrossRef

Vancampfort, D., De Hert, M., Knapen, J., Wampers, M., Demunter, H., Deckx, S., et al. (2011). State anxiety, psychological stress and positive well-being responses to yoga and aerobic exercise in people with schizophrenia: A pilot study. Disability and Rehabilitation,33(8), 684–689. doi:10.3109/09638288.2010.509458.CrossRefPubMed

Watson, D., Clark, T. E., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,54, 1063–1070.CrossRef

West, J., Otte, C., Geher, K., Johnson, J., & Mohr, D. C. (2004). Effects of hatha yoga and African dance on perceived stress, affect, and salivary cortisol. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,28(2), 114–118.CrossRef

Title: Separating the “Limbs” of Yoga: Limited Effects on Stress and Mood
Authors: Evangeline A. Wheeler
Antonia N. Santoro
Alicia F. Bembenek
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0482-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Separating the “Limbs” of Yoga: Limited Effects on Stress and Mood

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 6/2019

Reasons for Abortion: Religion, Religiosity/Spirituality and Attitudes of Male Secondary School Youth in South Africa

The Spirituality in End-of-Life Cancer Patients, in Relation to Anxiety, Depression, Coping Strategies and the Daily Spiritual Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medico-Religious Plants Employed in Mauritius: A Survey Among Hindu Priests

The Impact of Spiritual Care Education on Anxiety in Family Caregivers of Patients with Heart Failure

The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice

Religiosity/Spirituality and Mental Health: A Meta-analysis of Studies from the German-Speaking Area