Yoga Medical News Daily

An investigation into the practice of Iyengar yoga by middle age women

This 2007 doctoral study by Julie Lynn Hodges from the University of Newcastle, Australia, entitled "The Practice of Iyengar Yoga by Mid-aged Women: An Ancient Tradition in a Modern Life," focuses on a select group of 35 women living in New South Wales, Australia, to determine whether a process of self-transformation arises from their yoga practice. 

As the author's abstract points out, "the thesis explores the evolving interplay between ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ that ensues from experiences of Iyengar yoga, and explains how and why these processes of self-transformation impact on the lives of the women interviewed." The methodology used in the study is detailed and comprehensive. The study examines the women’s experiences to consider why they were practicing yoga; discusses how ideals from the West and the East have come together in the modern practice of yoga; compares the women’s experiences with Giddens’ ‘reflexive project of the self’ (a process of self-actualisation) as well as the broader principles of classical yoga (a process of self-realisation). 

Moreover, the study provides an excellent narrative of the evolution of yoga practice and its feminization in the West during the late 20th century. And finally, this 265 page dissertation includes a lengthy bibliography that would be of value to anyone doing research on Iyengar yoga and, in general, on the reception of yoga in the West.  Abstract and downloadable PDF copy at: Nova: University of Newscastle Research Online.

Clinicians' guide to integrating mindfulness into evidence-based practice

This doctoral dissertation by Lara Fielding, completed at Pepperdine University in 2009, points out that in "recent years mindfulness-based interventions have been gaining empirical support together with clinician interest in their use. The APA now mandates the use of evidence-based practices in psychology (EBPP), which incorporate the best empirical evidence, clinical expertise, and individual population characteristics and culture. . . . This dissertation contributes to EBPP utilizing mindfulness approaches by (a) identifying the commonly shared elements of effective mindfulness based interventions; (b) offering treatment considerations for the integration of mindfulness into clinical practice based on EBPP requirements. This is the first attempt to provide such clinical considerations for the integration of mindfulness approaches that are consistent with the APA policy on evidence-based practice in psychology (APA, 2005)."  PQDT Open (site loads slowly) wtih abstract and link to full-text PDF version of the dissertation.

Is empathy enhanced by yoga and meditation?

This is the question Eric Bergemann asks and answers in his doctoral dissertation completed at Pacifica Graduate Institute (2009). "Empathic attunement is one of the key components for effecting change in clients through clinical work in the psychotherapeutic setting. Recent research across various disciplines including neuroscience, developmental psychology, and neuropsychoanalysis has suggested the importance of redefining clinical efficacy in terms of empathic attunement that is bodily-based, that is, a connection between the unconscious bodily-based systems of the psychotherapist and client that includes the brain, mind, and body.

"In light of this work, this investigation hypothesized that bodily-based practices which utilize and emphasize bodily awareness, such as yoga and meditation, would increase the level of empathic attunement in psychotherapists. . . Results showed that psychotherapists who engaged in yoga, meditation, or other bodily-based practices currently, but not in the past, had higher empathy scores than those psychotherapists who did not engage in such practices. Findings suggest that engaging in a bodily-based practice may contribute to the development of empathy, and that maintaining a current practice may play a role in retaining higher levels of empathy. Results showed no significant correlation between length of practice time and empathy scores."  Abstract as well as link to full-text PDF copy of the dissertation at PQDT Open [takes awhile to load].

Psychologists benefit personally and professionally from a yoga regimen

According to a doctoral study carried out at Alliant International University, San Diego, by Gabriela Hirsch and completed in 2009, 'a regular yoga regimen provided psychologists with personal and professional benefits. These benefits included: an improvement in their self-awareness, a constructive relationship to themselves, positive utilization of breath, and an enhancement of their "sense of connectedness" between body, mind, and spirit. Furthermore, psychologists asserted that their regular yoga regimen was helpful in regards to their being empathic, compassionate, and "present" with their clients.'  Abstract and link to information on purchasing the full-text of the 131 page dissertation:  http://gradworks.umi.com/33/43/3343588.html

Yoga as an intervention for stress reduction and enhanced wellbeing in African American athletes

This doctoral dissertation by Jennifer Fallon (Utah State University, 2009) "explored the preventive impact of a brief Hatha yoga program on stress-reduction and enhanced wellbeing in a sample of healthy African American college athletes. African Americans suffer higher rates of hypertension and sudden cardiac death syndrome, both linked to stress. Study design was single case, with six replications, utilizing comparison of pre- and post-intervention scores on physiological and psychological indicators of distress and wellbeing."  The author concludes that "Given the brevity and cost-effectiveness of the intervention, limited positive results suggest more intensive studies are warranted." Abstract and full-text PDF for download at:  PQDT Open.

YoPlay: Yoga based play therapy as a model of early intervention for inner city children at risk

This doctoral dissertation by Shannon Price, completed at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (2008), proposed "an early intervention strategy using a yoga-based play therapy model for inner city, economically disenfranchised children. The intention is that through secondary prevention, the YoPlay training program will help to mitigate the adverse impact of poverty, trauma and stress on the developing child by encouraging the use of movements that incorporate the mind and the body to improve self-regulation, self-esteem, coping strategies, social skills and socio-emotional growth. . . . Research on the YoPlay training indicated an increased enthusiasm, playfulness and invigoration in the teachers. In addition, teachers reported that the YoPlay program helped children calm down, re-group, and get in touch with their bodies and emotions. By partnering with key childcare providers, the YoPlay program aims to foster the healthy development of young, at-risk children so they may reach their full potential and become productive, joyful adults with big dreams and the resilience to pursue them." Abstract

Yoga and diabetes self-management: The mind-body connection

This doctoral dissertation by Mary Rebecca Taylor, University of Washington (2009), explored "the relation of diabetes self-management and yoga practice from the perspective of adults living with type 2 diabetes. The study aims were to: (a) describe the experience and perceived therapeutic effect of practicing yoga on diabetes self- management, (b) identify perceived facilitators and barriers to regular yoga practice in the context of diabetes self-management, and (c) explore yoga instructors' understanding of diabetes and beliefs about the therapeutic benefits of practicing yoga. . . .  Results. Twenty-six adult yoga students with type 2 diabetes and ten yoga instructors were recruited and enrolled. Students perceived improvement in the following outcomes: physical fitness, physical and mental relaxation, stress tolerance, self-awareness, coping skills, social support, and sense of well-being. Factors that effected yoga practice were cost, convenience, time, responsibilities, health status, and instructor's attitude. Instructors integrated concepts from biomedicine and yoga philosophy to understand diabetes. Instructors believed that yoga promoted physical and mental balance, an attitude of nonjudgmental self-awareness, increased self-efficacy and better health-related choices." Abstract and full-text PDF for download: PQDT Open.

Benefits of yoga for heart failure patients

This doctoral dissertation completed in 2009 by Paula Rei Pullen, Georgia State University, examined the "effects of yoga on cardio-vascular endurance [functional capacity (FC)], flexibility, inflammatory markers, and quality of life (QoL) on medically stable HF patients."  Conclusions: "Yoga therapy offered additional benefits to the standard medical care of HF patients by improving QoL, exercise capacity, FLEX, and biomarkers of inflammation." A PDF version of the dissertation available for download at the Georgia State University site.   

An evaluation of yoga for the reduction of fall risk factors in older adults

This doctoral dissertation study by Dawn Marie Morris, Florida State University, 2008, evaluated "the effects of an 8-week yoga intervention, balance training, and awareness class on measures of postural control, attention and visual search strategy, confidence, fear, and awareness to environmental hazards." The study concluded that "yoga and balance training may have potential as an intervention for improving physiological and psychological fall risk factors among older adults."  Dissertation available for download at the Florida State University dissertations site.

Characteristics and outcomes of individuals self-selecting yoga versus physical therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain

Dissertation by Dian Dowling Evans, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2009, 133 pages. Full-text of the dissertation available for download in pdf format.