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practice may yield some benefits to stressed individuals, but on baroreflex in elder population. Thus, yoga practice with
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the long-term evaluation is required to determine the optimal physical movement and gestures should be taken into
dose for improvements and maintenance. In the study, consideration before conducting among older adults.
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women (n = 116) between the ages of 35 and 65 years were
allocated to a twice-weekly, hour-long yoga class for a period Limitations
of 2 months, or into a waitlist control. Following the statistical Limitations exist in this review. Methodological problems
methods of mixed-model analyses of variances and quadratic appeared in most of the selected studies including sample
time (Time 2) included for PSS examination, the study size limitation, short intervention period, and other factors.
showed that stress level did not improve significantly. 29 As mentioned previously, we did not take small sample size
The effectiveness of yoga and mindfulness practice on as an exclusion criterion, but a small sample may bias the
stress need to be clarified. There are differences and validity of the study. In addition, the effect size of the
interactions between yoga and mindfulness. Both meditation included studies was not considered in the statistical analysis.
and yoga are implementations of mindfulness therapy. The
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YOMI program, a psychoeducational training program that CONCLUSION
bridges psychological theory and knowledge with the practice Though the association of exercise and age by previous
of mindfulness and yin yoga, contributed significantly to study showing that many critical questions remain regarding
decreased levels of perceived stress increased levels of the relationship of aging and exercise, the positive effects of
mindfulness to participants. Hunt et al conducted a yoga were highly regarded. Both cognitive behavior therapy
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multigroup study with 4 groups (“Mindfulness Training and yoga are promising stress management techniques.
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Alone”; “Yoga Alone”; “Multicomponent Mindfulness Given that yoga and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) have
Training groups”; “Study Break with a Therapy Dog”) not been indicated any difference in coping with stress, it is
dismantled yoga and explicated mindfulness training in a suggested to explore the deeper function of yoga and CBT in
brief stress reduction intervention in college students. It is neurology level. Due the various subcategories of yoga, a
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suggested that the “mindfulness training alone group” comprehensive knowledge of yoga is recommended.
experienced the least stress challenge compared with Moreover, physical activity has many well‐established
combined group and yoga alone group. health benefits, and physiological benefits of yoga help
people become more resilient to stressful conditions, but
DISCUSSION strenuous exercise increases muscle oxygen flux and elicits
The evidence of positive effect of yoga on stress intracellular events that can lead to increased oxidative
management becomes apparent. All types of yoga and yoga- injury. Nevertheless, more studies should be conducted to
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based interventions (eg, mindfulness-based yoga, meditation- underlay biological mechanisms leading to its stress reduction
based yoga) illustrated significant benefit to stress release. effect in healthy populations.
The influences of yoga on stress have been studied from a
wide spectrum. The diversity of yoga practice and in AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
conjunction with mindfulness intervention are suggested to The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this
help stress reduction and management. Yoga has a long paper. Feifei Wang conceived, designed and wrote the paper; Attila Szabo improved the
approach of the systematic review and revised the final version of the paper. Both
history and recognized as a form of mind-body medicine. authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. There is no interest
The physical postures and breathing exercises improve the conflict to disclose.
stress outcomes such as physical and mental tension. This
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