International journal of yoga therapy
January 1, 2021
Andrea Zaccaro, André Riehl, Andrea Piarulli et al.
13 citations
Yoga nidra, an ancient meditative practice, induces an altered state of consciousness distinct from sleep. In a preliminary study, six healthy volunteers completed 12 guided sessions during a retreat. EEG recordings showed no sleep markers (K-complexes or spindles) during practice. Compared to a resting baseline, participants reported increased dissociative effects, altered body image, reduced rational thinking, and less volitional thought control. One subject's EEG analysis revealed early increases in alpha, beta, and theta power followed by reductions, with gamma power rising in later stages. These findings suggest yoga nidra produces a unique psychophysiological state, though larger studies are needed.
International journal of yoga therapy
January 1, 2023
Isabelle Ong Gaffney, Ashley W Gulden, Len Jennings et al.
6 citations
Yoga helps people recover from interpersonal trauma through several key mechanisms, according to a synthesis of six qualitative studies involving 105 participants. Four main healing factors emerged with strong support across studies: stabilization strategies that reduce trauma symptoms; fostering authenticity, inner attunement, and self-acceptance; equanimity through calming the mind and mindfulness; and community by reducing isolation through safe connection with others. The analysis provides a more integrated understanding of how yoga facilitates trauma recovery and demonstrates the value of qualitative meta-analysis for combining insights from individual studies.
International journal of yoga therapy
March 1, 2024
Danielle Rousseau, Jennifer Wyatt Bourgeois, Josephine Johnson et al.
4 citations
A trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness program for incarcerated individuals improved mood and reduced stress immediately after each class. Over six weekly sessions, participants showed greater use of positive coping skills, increased forgiveness, and more posttraumatic growth compared to a waitlist control group. Qualitative reports indicated improvements in mood, physical health, communication, coping with anxiety and anger, focus, self-control, optimism, acceptance, and open-mindedness, and highlighted the importance of supportive instructor relationships. The findings suggest such a curriculum can support mental and physical well-being and build resilience among people who are incarcerated.
International journal of yoga therapy
January 1, 2021
Rachel Weinstein
4 citations
North American yoga practitioners can experience a mind-body connection that aligns with the traditional spiritual intentions of yoga, which originated in India thousands of years ago. In interviews with six practitioners, four core experiences of this connection emerged: the role of breath, localized or internal bodily sensations, heightened awareness and mindfulness, and transcendental or spiritual qualities. Four conditions enabling this connection were also identified: breath, physical postures (asana), the practitioner's intentionality, and the environment. The findings suggest that contemporary North American practice retains a capacity for the mind-body purification central to yoga's original purpose.
International journal of yoga therapy
December 1, 2023
Jennifer Ishaq, Kyle Eyman, Elizabeth Goncy et al.
3 citations
Yoga programs in juvenile correctional facilities can help incarcerated youth manage stress. This study measured stress and self-regulation in a sample of incarcerated adolescents using the combined Prison Yoga Project and Yoga FLAME framework. Although the study was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-assessment data showed a 38% average reduction in stress from the beginning to the end of a yoga session. Youth with higher initial self-regulation levels experienced greater stress reduction. The findings suggest that yoga practice can offer practical benefits for rehabilitation and skill development in juvenile correctional settings.
International journal of yoga therapy
April 1, 2024
Arndt Büssing
2 citations
Among 784 yoga practitioners surveyed online, most treat yoga as a conscious way of life and a path of spiritual development, searching for the Divine, living by their spiritual convictions, and using faith as a life orientation. They report high levels of peaceful attitudes, respectful treatment of others, and commitment to disadvantaged people and the environment. Frequency of asana or pranayama practice was only marginally linked to spirituality indicators, but meditation and studying yoga philosophy showed weak-to-moderate associations with spiritual experiences, awe/gratitude, and living by faith. Well-being was best predicted by experiential spirituality, inner congruence with yoga, and viewing yoga as a spiritual path (R² = 0.21).
International journal of yoga therapy
December 1, 2024
Kimberley Luu
1 citation
Yoga nidra, an adjunctive treatment for trauma, can alleviate symptoms like hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and disembodiment, but may also cause re-traumatizing side-effects such as flashbacks, emotional distress, and dissociation if delivered without care. To prevent harm and maximize therapeutic potential, ten key components of trauma-informed yoga nidra practice are presented: a safe environment, personal autonomy and consent, mindful awareness, appropriate length and preparation, adequate settling and externalization, sleep permission, self-chosen intention, flexible rotation of consciousness and breath awareness, embodied pairs of opposites, and conscientious visualizations. These measures protect trauma survivors and benefit nonclinical populations, though adaptations may be made based on context.
International journal of yoga therapy
November 21, 2025
Nitu Sinha
More than 95% of university lecturers perceived positive impacts of yoga and meditation on physical and mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, immune system strength, self-awareness, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. Despite these perceptions, only 11.1% practiced daily. However, 89.8% expressed willingness to participate in university-provided sessions. The findings suggest that although lecturers recognize the benefits, regular practice remains limited, and the high willingness indicates potential for implementing structured programs within university settings.