Yoga Research - Articles
Articles
The IYNAUS Yoga Research Committee is committed to promoting and advancing the study of Iyengar Yoga as a means of improving the mental, physical, and spiritual health of our community.
Here you will find links to primary research articles investigating the feasibility and efficacy of utilizing yoga for a variety of conditions such as: aging, anxiety, depression and stress, asthma, autoimmune diseases and inflammation, back pain, cancer, cardiac health, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, general health & well-being, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, neck pain, and spinal cord injury.
In addition to articles investigating the physical and mental health benefits of yoga, you will also find links to explore research into yoga history and philosophy.
It is our hope that this resource will be an ever evolving and expanding compilation of research efforts to establish correct knowledge further defining the benefits of Iyengar Yoga in promoting mental, physical and spiritual health. Please send citations and links that might be worthy of inclusion to: research@iynaus.org
Zhu, R., et al. (2021). Comparisons of tai chi and Iyengar yoga intervention effects on muscle strength, balance, and confidence in balance. J. Spots Med. Phys. Fitness 61(10): 1333-8. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34652086/
Tiedemann, A., et al. (2013). A 12-week Iyengar Yoga program improved balance and mobility in older community-dwelling people: a pilot randomized controlled trial. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 68(9): 1068-75. Full text available at: https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/68/9/1068/596627?login=false
Patel, N.K., et al. (2012). The effects of yoga on physical functioning and health related quality of life in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Altern. and Complement Med. 18(10): 902-917. Abstract available at: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2011.0473
Vogler, J., et al. (2011). The impact of a short-term Iyengar Yoga program on the health and well-being of physically inactive older adults. Int. J. Yoga Therap. 21: 61-72. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22398345/
Oken, B.S., et al. (2006). Randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga in healthy seniors: effects on cognition and quality of life. Altern. Ther. Health Med. 12(1): 40–47. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1457100/
DiBenedetto, M., et al. (2005). Effect of a gentle Iyengar Yoga program on gait in the elderly: an exploratory study. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 86(9):1830-7. Full text available at: https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(05)00317-5/fulltext
Djalilova, D.M. et al. (2019). Impact of Yoga on Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Systematic Review. Biol. Res. Nurs. 21(2):198-209. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700894/
Lauche, R., et al. (2019). Yoga for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr. Rheumatol. Rep. 21(9): 47. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31338685/
Bower, J.E. and Irwin, M.R. (2016). Mind-body therapies and control of inflammatory biology: A descriptive review. Brain Behav. Immun. 51: 1–11. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4679419/
Moonaz, S. et al. (2015). Yoga in sedentary adults with arthritis: effects of a randomized controlled pragmatic trial. J. Rheumatol. 42(7): 1194–1202. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4490021/
Cramer, H., et al. (2014). Yoga for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 9(11): e112414. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4229199/
Morgan, N. et al. (2014). The effects of mind-body therapies on the immune system: meta-analysis. PLoS One 9(7):e100903. Full text available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0100903
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Yoga for rheumatic diseases: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 52(11): 2025-30. Full text available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23934220/
Oken, B.S., et al. (2004). Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 62(11): 2058–2064. See abstract at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000129534.88602.5C
Oken, B., et al. (2004). Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 62(11): 2058-64. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15184614/
Cramer, H., et al. (2017). Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 1(1): CD010802. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465041/
Bower, J., et al. (2014). Yoga reduces inflammatory signaling in fatigued breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology 43: 20-9. Full text available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4060606/
Chandwani, K.D., et al. (2014). Randomized, controlled trial of yoga in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. J Clin. Oncol. 32(10): 1058–1065. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3965260/
Bower, J.E., et al. (2012). Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Cancer 118(15): 3766-75. Full text available at: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.26702
Cramer, H., et al. (2012). Yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer. 12: 412. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3527138/
Cramer, H., et al. (2012). Can yoga improve fatigue in breast cancer patients? A systematic review. Acta Oncol. 51(4): 559-60. Full text available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/0284186X.2011.637960
Thomas, R., et al. (2011). Yoga for women living with breast cancer-related arm morbidity: findings from an exploratory study. Int. J. Yoga Therap. 21: 39-48. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22398343/
Banasik, J., et al. (2011). Effect of Iyengar Yoga practice on fatigue and diurnal salivary cortisol concentration in breast cancer survivors. J. Am. Acad. Nurse Prac. 23(3): 135-42. Full text available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21355946/
Cramer, H., et al. (2015). A systematic review of yoga for heart disease. Eur. J. Prev. Cardiol. 22(3): 284-95. Full text available through: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24491402/
Alexander, G., et al. (2012). "More than I expected": Perceived benefits of yoga practice among older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. Complement. Ther. Med. 21(1): 14-28. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3564012/
Posadzki, P., et al. (2014). Yoga for hypertension: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complement. Ther. Med. 22(3): 511-22. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24906591/
Cramer, H., et al. (2014). Effects of yoga on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Cardiol. 173(2): 170-83. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24636547/
Lakkireddy, D., et al. (2013). Effect of yoga on arrhythmia burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: The YOGA My Heart Study. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 61(11): 1177–1182. Full text available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109713000442?via%3Dihub
Cohen, D. L., et al. (2011). Iyengar Yoga versus enhanced usual care on blood pressure in patients with prehypertension to stage I hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2011: 546428. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3145370/pdf/ECAM2011-546428.pdf
Khattab, K., et al. (2007). Iyengar Yoga increases cardiac parasympathetic nervous modulation among healthy yoga practitioners. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 4(4):511-7. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2176143/pdf/nem087.pdf
Garfinkel, M.S., et al. (1998). Yoga-based intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized trial. JAMA 280(18): 1601-1603. Full text available at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=188150
Lois Steinberg, Ph.D., CIYT Advanced 2, C-IAYT (2020). Iyengar Yoga for the Respiratory System.
Full article available at:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56dd9aed8259b5506465d78c/t/5e8dc832b95f697524d7d5f3/1586350146655/Iyengar+Yoga+for+the+Respiratory+System-2020.pdf
Bock, B., et al. (2019). Feasibility of yoga as a complementary therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: The Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C) study. Complement. Ther. Med. 42:125-31. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6598709/pdf/nihms-1532546.pdf
Belluz, J. (2015). I read more than 50 scientific studies about yoga. Here’s what I learned. Vox. Retrieved from http://www.vox.com/2015/7/22/9012075/yoga-health-benefits-exercise-science
Ross, A., et al. (2014). "I am a nice person when I do yoga!!!" A qualitative analysis of how yoga affects relationships. J. Holist. Nurs. 32(2):67-77. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196270/
Ross, A., et al. (2013). National survey of yoga practitioners: mental and physical health benefits. Complement. Ther. Med. 21(4): 313-23. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3721070/
Ross, A., et al. (2012). Frequency of yoga practice predicts health: results of a national survey of yoga practitioners. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012:983258. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425136/
Ross, A., and Thomas, S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 16(1):3-12. Abstract available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20105062/
Shahabi, L., et al. (2016). Self-regulation evaluation of therapeutic yoga and walking for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A pilot study. Psychol. Health Med. 21(2): 176-88. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26086986/
Schumann, D., et al. (2016). Effect of yoga in the therapy of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review. Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 14(12): 1720-31. Full text available at: https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(16)30088-X/fulltext
Evans, S., et al. (2014). Iyengar Yoga for adolescents and young adults with irritable bowel syndrome. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 59(2): 244–253. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4146428/
Cramer, H., et al. (2019). The risks and benefits of yoga for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin. Rehabil. 33(12): 1847-62. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31353959/
Cramer, H., et al. (2014). Yoga for asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 112(6): 503-510.e5. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24726198/
Donesky-Cuenco, D., et al. (2009). Yoga therapy decreases dyspnea-related distress and improves functional performance in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 15(3), 225–234. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051406/
Sabina, A.B., et al. (2005). Yoga intervention for adults with mild-to-moderate asthma: a pilot study. Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 94(5): 543-8. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15945557/
Nagarathna, R. and Nagendra, H.R. (1985). Yoga for bronchial asthma: a controlled study. Br. Med. J. (Clin. Res. Ed.). 291(6502): 1077–1079. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1417003/
Cramer, H., et al. (2018). Yoga for menopausal symptoms -- A systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas. 109: 13-25. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29452777/
Cramer, H., et al. (2012). Effectiveness of yoga for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2012: 863905. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3524799/
Evalsky, S., et al. (2007). Physical activity and mental health outcomes during menopause: A randomized controlled trial. Ann. Behav. Med. 33(2): 132-42. Full text available through: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17447865/
Streeter, C., et al. (2020). Thalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid level changes in major depressive disorder after a 12-Week Iyengar Yoga and coherent breathing intervention. J Altern Complement Med. 26(3):190-197. Full text available at: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2019.0234?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
Ostermann, T., et al. (2019). Effects of yoga on eating disorders - a systematic review. Complement. Ther. Med. (46): 73-80. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31519291/
Scott, T., et al. (2019). Psychological function, Iyengar yoga, and coherent breathing: A randomized controlled dosing study. J. Psychiatr. Pract. 25(6): 437-50. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31821220/
Cramer, H., et al. (2018). Yoga for anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Depress. Anxiety. 35(9): 830-43. Full text available at: https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/123082/1/Cramer%202018%20Yoga%20for%20Anxiety%20SR%20Accepted.pdf
Cramer, H., et al. (2018). Yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 18(1): 72. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5863799/
Nyer, M., et al. (2018). A randomized controlled dosing study of Iyengar yoga and coherent breathing for the treatment of major depressive disorder: Impact on suicidal ideation and safety findings. Complement. Ther. Med. 37: 136-42. Full text available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229917306283?via%3Dihub
Cramer, H., et al. (2017). A systematic review of yoga for major depressive disorder. J. Affect. Disord. 213: 70-7. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28192737/
Hendriks, T., et al. (2017). The effects of yoga on positive mental health among healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 23(7): 505-17. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28437149/
Streeter, C., et al. (2017). Treatment of major depressive disorder with Iyengar Yoga and coherent breathing: a randomized controlled dosing study. Altern. Complement. Ther. 23(6):236-243. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5717996/
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Yoga for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Depress. Anxiety. 30(11): 1068-83. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23922209/
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Yoga for schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. Jan. 18: 13-32. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3608162/
Michalsen, A., et al. (2012). Iyengar Yoga for distressed women: a 3-armed randomized controlled trial. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012:408727. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3463199/
Streeter, C., et al. (2010). Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study. J. Altern. Complement. Med. (11):1145-52. Link to full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3111147/
Beddoe, A., et al. (2009). The effects of mindfulness-based yoga during pregnancy on maternal psychological and physical distress. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Neonatal Nurs. 38(3): 310-9. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19538619/
Shapiro, D., et al. (2007). Yoga as a complementary treatment of depression: effects of traits and moods on treatment outcome. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 4(4):493-502. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2176141/
Streeter, C., et al. (2007). Yoga asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: A pilot study. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 13(4):419-26. Abstract available at: http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2007.6338
Michalsen, A., et al. (2005). Rapid stress reduction and anxiolysis among distressed women as a consequence of a three-month intensive yoga program. Med. Sci. Monit. 11(12): CR555-61. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16319785/
Woolery, A., et al. (2004). A yoga intervention for young adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Altern. Ther. Health Med. 10(2): 60-3. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15055096/
Cramer, H., et al. (2016). Yoga for metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur. J. Prev. Cardiol. 23(18): 1982-93. Full text available through: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27550905/
Anheyer, D., et al. (2020). Yoga for treating headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 35(3): 846-54. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7080891/
Cramer, H., et al. (2017). Effects of yoga on chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin. Rehabil. 31(11): 1457-65. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29050510/
Huang, A., et al. (2017). Development and feasibility of a group-based therapeutic yoga program for women with chronic pelvic pain. Pain Med. 18(10): 1864-72. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279262/
Wieland, L.S. et al. (2017). Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2017(1): CD010671. See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5294833/
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Randomized-controlled trial comparing yoga and home-based exercise for chronic neck pain. Clin. J. Pain 29(3): 216-23. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23249655/
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Yoga for chronic neck pain: a 12-month follow-up. Pain Medicine 14(4): 541-548. Full text available through: https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/14/4/541/1825421
Cramer, H., et al. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of yoga for low back pain. Clin. J. Pain. 29(5): 450-60. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23246998/
Michalsen, A., et al. (2012). Yoga for chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial. J. Pain 13(11): 1122–1130. See abstract at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23117107
Williams, K., et al. (2009). Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficacy of Iyengar Yoga therapy on chronic low back pain. Spine 34(19): 2066–2076. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393557/
Sherman, K.J., et al. (2005). Comparing yoga, exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann. Intern. Med. 143(12):849-56. Full text available through: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16365466/
Williams, K., et al. (2005). Effect of Iyengar Yoga therapy for chronic low back pain. Pain. 115(1-2): 107-17. See abstract at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15836974
Williams, K., et al. (2003) Therapeutic application of Iyengar Yoga for healing chronic low back pain. International Journal of Yoga Therapy. 13(1): 55-67. See abstract at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article-abstract/13/1/55/137724/Therapeutic-Application-of-Iyengar-Yoga-for?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Innes, K., et al. (2013). Efficacy of an eight-week yoga intervention on symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS): a pilot study. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 19(6): 527-35. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673587/
Bock, B., et al. (2019). Yoga as a complementary therapy for smoking cessation: Results from BreathEasy, a randomized clinical trial. Nicotine Tob. Res. 21(11): 1517-23. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6821291/
Zwick, D. (2006). Integrating Iyengar Yoga into rehab for spinal cord injury. Nursing 36 Suppl P T:18-22. Full text available at: http://journals.lww.com/nursing/Fulltext/2006/10002/Integrating_Iyengar_yoga_into_rehab_for_spinal.6.aspx
Nicosia, F., et al. (2020). Strategies for evaluating self-efficacy and observed success in the practice of yoga postures for therapeutic indications: methods from a yoga intervention for urinary incontinence among middle-aged and older women. BMC Complement. Med. Ther. 20(1): 148. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7227071/
Huang, A., et al. (2019). A group-based yoga program for urinary incontinence in ambulatory women: feasibility, tolerability, and change in incontinence frequency over 3 months in a single-center randomized trial. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 220(1): 87.e1-87.e13. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6314206/
Lauche, R., et al. (2016). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of yoga on weight-related outcomes. Prev. Med. 87: 213-32. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27058944/
Cramer, H., et al. (2019). Adverse effects of yoga: a national cross-sectional survey. BMD Complement. Altern. Med. 19(1): 190. Full text available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6664709/
Cramer, H., et al. (2015). The safety of yoga: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am. J. Epidemiol. 182(4): 281-93. Full text available at: https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/182/4/281/113378?login=false
Ross, A., et al. (2016). A national survey of yoga instructors and their delivery of yoga therapy. Int. J. Yoga Therap. 26(1): 83-91. See abstract at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27797670/
Newcombe, S. (2009). The development of modern yoga: A survey of the field. Religion Compass 3(6): 986–1002. Full text available through: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221935759
