Yoga Medical News Daily

Clinical trial focuses on Iyengar yoga for young people with rheumatoid arthritis

This clinical trial is currently recruiting participants at the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program Research Offices, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90064. "The purpose of the study is to compare a standardized 6 week Iyengar Yoga program (IYP) for adolescents and young adults with rheumatoid arthritis to a standard care wait-list condition. In addition to effects on function and pain, this study will explore intervention effects on disease activity, immune response, HRQOL, functionality, and mood. Results will shed light on the feasibility and potential efficacy of a novel intervention (Iyengar yoga) for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms."  

The intervention will include Iyengar Yoga classes twice a week for six weeks. Inclusion criteria for the trial: people with rheumatoid arthritis between the ages of 16-35. For additional details about inclusion as a well as exclusion criteria for participating in the study as well as the scope of the study see:  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01096823.

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.

Iyengar Yoga versus Enhanced Usual Care on Blood Pressure in Patients with Prehypertension to Stage I Hypertension: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This article published in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (September 2009), describes "a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of 12 weeks of IY [Iyengar Yoga] versus enhanced usual care (EUC) (based on individual dietary adjustment) on 24-h ambulatory BP [blood pressure] in yoga-naïve adults with untreated prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension." . . .  "Twelve weeks of IY produces clinically meaningful improvements in 24 h SBP [systolic blood pressure] and  DBP [diastolic blood pressure].  Abstract and link to free article within journal:  PubMed.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficacy of iyengar yoga therapy on chronic low back pain

This study published in Spine (2009 Sept;34(19): 2066-76) concluded that yoga improves functional disability, pain intensity, and depression in adults with chronic low back pain. There was also a clinically important trend for the yoga group to reduce their pain medication usage compared to the control group. Abstract at: PubMed. More on these findings at: Yoga Can Ease Lower Back Pain, by Jennifer Thomas, HealthDay Reporter.