The purpose of the Yoga Research Committee is to foster medical research and exchange research findings on yoga-related issues. In addition, the committee works in conjunction with the Finance Committee to secure funds and/or grants for research whenever possible.

The listings below represent what we have found to be available on the internet and documents for use by interested teachers and students. The committee welcomes contributions to our listings and suggestions on how we can better disseminate research information.

Researchers looking for participants or contacts to help complete a research study may submit a request to post information on this page

Please contact us at research@iynaus.org

Request for Research Volunteers from the University of California Los Angeles.

• Iyengar Yoga for Young People with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  The Pediatric Pain Program at UCLA is conducting a study on Iyengar Yoga for young people aged 16-30 years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study involves a 6-week course of yoga. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires, interviews and a brief medical exam before and after the yoga intervention. All yoga classes will be free, and we will cover any parking expenses.
  For more information, please call (310) 794 2943 or email Dr Subhadra Evans at suevans@mednet.ucla.edu.

• Iyengar Yoga for Young People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  The Pediatric Pain Program at UCLA is conducting a study on Iyengar Yoga for young people aged 16-25 years with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The study involves a 6-week course of yoga. Participants will also be asked to attend two laboratory sessions at UCLA which will involve completing questionnaires, interviews, lab stress tasks and saliva samples and will last approximately 3 hours. All yoga classes will be free, and we will cover parking.
  For more information, please call (310) 794 2936 or email Dr Subhadra Evans at suevans@mednet.ucla.edu.

Multiple Subjects

• Benefits of Yoga and Exercise
• References for 50 Health Conditions Benefited by Yoga, Updated June 2009
• Anatomy of a Yogi by Julie Gudmestad, Index of articles published in Yoga Journal (PDF)
• Scientific Evidence on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga: A Compilation of Research Papers presented in Mumbai, India October 12, 2008 (PDF)

Aging

• Randomized, Controlled, Six-Month Trial of Yoga in Healthy Seniors: Effects on Cognition and Quality of Life
• Basic Yoga Exercises Could Help Prevent Falls In Elderly Women

Anxiety / Depression

• Mood Changes Associated with Iyengar Yoga Practices
• Young Adults with Elevated Levels of Depression
• Yoga as a Complementary Treatment of Depression: Effects of Traits and Moods on Treatment Outcome

Arthritis

• Iyengar yoga for treating symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees: a pilot study

Back Pain

• Effect of Iyengar Yoga Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Pain
• Johns Hopkins Report on Yoga for Back Pain

Breast Cancer

• Iyengar Yoga Can Promote Well-being in Breast Cancer Survivors

Cancer

• Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients
• Impact and Outcomes of an Iyengar Yoga Program in a Cancer Centre
• The influence of an Iyengar yoga programme on cancer outcomes: a mixed methods approach

Cardiopulmonary Functions

• Psychophysiological Effects of Hatha Yoga on Musculoskeletal and Cardiopulmonary Function
• Iyengar Yoga Increases Cardiac Parasympathetic Nervous Modulation Among Healthy Yoga Practitioners

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Yoga-Based Intervention for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Immune System

• Iyengar Yoga Improves Immunity

Menopause

Multiple Sclerosis

• Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

• Yoga & Parkinson's Disease

Scoliosis

Skeletal Functions

• Psychophysiological Effects of Hatha Yoga on Musculoskeletal and Cardiopulmonary Function

Women's Health

• Harvard Medical School HEALTHbeat: Yoga and Sexual Function