Physical Health and Performance

    Yoga is a powerful practice with growing scientific support.

    These resources help yoga teachers, schools, and advocates understand the latest research and integrate evidence-based insights into their work.

    • Review Papers provide a broad understanding via existing studies of yoga’s impact in this area.
    • Notable Publications highlight key research shaping our understanding of yoga’s role in health, well-being, and society.

    We invite you to share how yoga research informs your teaching and practice. Connect with us on social media (@YogaAlliance).

    Review Papers

    Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence.
    Saoji AA, Raghavendra BR, Manjunath NK.
    J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2019 Jan – Mar;10(1):50-58.
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    The Effects of Thai Yoga on Physical Fitness: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.
    Kongkaew C, Lertsinthai P, Jampachaisri K, Mongkhon P, Meesomperm P, Kornkaew K, Malaiwong P.
    J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Jun;24(6):541-551
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    Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on health – A systematic review.
    Kuppusamy M, Kamaldeen D, Pitani R, Amaldas J, Shanmugam P.
    J Tradit Complement Med. 2017 Mar 18;8(1):11-16.
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    Hypoxia in CNS Pathologies: Emerging Role of miRNA-Based Neurotherapeutics and Yoga Based Alternative Therapies.
    Minhas G, Mathur D, Ragavendrasamy B, Sharma NK, Paanu V, Anand A.
    Front Neurosci. 2017 Jul 11;11:386.
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    Effects of Mindfulness Practice on Performance-Relevant Parameters and Performance Outcomes in Sports: A Meta-Analytical Review.
    Bühlmayer L, Birrer D, Röthlin P, Faude O, Donath L.
    Sports Med. 2017 Nov;47(11):2309-2321.
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    The hypotensive effect of Yoga’s breathing exercises: A systematic review.
    Brandani JZ, Mizuno J, Ciolac EG, Monteiro HL.
    Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Aug;28:38-46.
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    Anatomical Correlation of Core Muscle Activation in Different Yogic Postures.
    Rathore M, Trivedi S, Abraham J, Sinha MB.
    Int J Yoga. 2017 May-Aug;10(2):59-66.
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    Effects of Various Prāṇāyāma on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Variables.
    Nivethitha L, Mooventhan A, Manjunath NK.
    Anc Sci Life. 2016 Oct-Dec;36(2):72-77.
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    A Systematic Review of the Energy Cost and Metabolic Intensity of Yoga.
    Larson-Meyer DE.
    Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 Aug;48(8):1558-69.
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    Yoga and physical exercise – a review and comparison.
    Govindaraj R, Karmani S, Varambally S, Gangadhar BN.
    Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016 Jun;28(3):242-53.
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    Rhythmic breathing: immunological, biochemical, and physiological effects on health.
    Sharma P, Thapliyal A, Chandra T, Singh S, Baduni H, Waheed SM.
    Adv Mind Body Med. 2015 Winter;29(1):18-25.
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    Role of respiration in mind-body practices: concepts from contemporary science and traditional yoga texts.
    Telles S, Singh N, Balkrishna A.
    Front Psychiatry. 2014 Nov 25;5:167.
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    A systematic review of yoga for balance in a healthy population.
    Jeter PE, Nkodo AF, Moonaz SH, Dagnelie G.
    J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Apr;20(4):221-32.
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    Defining yoga-nidra: traditional accounts, physiological research, and future directions.
    Parker S, Bharati SV, Fernandez M.
    Int J Yoga Therap. 2013;23(1):11-6.
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    Meditative movement for respiratory function: a systematic review.
    Lorenc AB, Wang Y, Madge SL, Hu X, Mian AM, Robinson N.
    Respir Care. 2014 Mar;59(3):427-40.
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    Sudarshan kriya yoga: Breathing for health.
    Zope SA, Zope RA.
    Int J Yoga. 2013 Jan;6(1):4-10.
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    The effects of regular yoga practice on pulmonary function in healthy individuals: a literature review.
    Abel AN, Lloyd LK, Williams JS.
    J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Mar;19(3):185-90.
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    Notable Publications

    Effect of Yoga practice on reducing cognitive-motor interference for improving dynamic balance control in healthy adults.
    Subramaniam S, Bhatt T.
    Complement Ther Med. 2017 Feb;30:30-35.
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    Post-training Meditation Promotes Motor Memory Consolidation.
    Immink MA.
    Front Psychol. 2016 Nov 1;7:1698. eCollection 2016.
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    Effects of yoga practice on muscular endurance in young women.
    Shiraishi JC, Bezerra LM.
    Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 Feb;22:69-73.
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    Impact of 10-weeks of yoga practice on flexibility and balance of college athletes.
    Polsgrove MJ, Eggleston BM, Lockyer RJ.
    Int J Yoga. 2016 Jan-Jun;9(1):27-34.
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    Ashtanga-Based Yoga Therapy Increases the Sensory Contribution to Postural Stability in Visually-Impaired Persons at Risk for Falls as Measured by the Wii Balance Board: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Jeter PE, Haaz Moonaz S, Bittner AK, Dagnelie G.
    PLoS One. 2015 Jun 24;10(6):e0129646.
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    Effects of a 12-Week Hatha Yoga Intervention on Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Muscular Strength and Endurance, and Flexibility in Hong Kong Chinese Adults: A Controlled Clinical Trial.
    Lau C, Yu R, Woo J.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:958727.
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    Positive effect of yoga on cardiorespiratory fitness: A pilot study.
    Sovová E, Čajka V, Pastucha D, Malinčíková J, Radová L, Sovová M.
    Int J Yoga. 2015 Jul-Dec;8(2):134-8.
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    Anthropometric and physiologic profiles of female professional yoga practitioners and energy expenditure during asanas execution.
    Cè E, Maggioni MA, Boniello S, Veicsteinas A, Merati G.
    J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2015 Jan-Feb;55(1-2):51-7.
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    Hatha yoga on body balance.
    Prado ET, Raso V, Scharlach RC, Kasse CA.
    Int J Yoga. 2014 Jul;7(2):133-7.
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    Yoga and psychophysiological determinants of cardiovascular health: comparing yoga practitioners, runners, and sedentary individuals.
    Satin JR, Linden W, Millman RD.
    Ann Behav Med. 2014 Apr;47(2):231-41.
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    Hatha yoga practices: energy expenditure, respiratory changes and intensity of exercise.
    Ray US, Pathak A, Tomer OS.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:241294.
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    The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies.
    Ross A, Thomas S.
    J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jan;16(1):3-12.
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    Subjective Sleep Quality and hormonal modulation in long-term yoga practitioners.
    Vera FM, Manzaneque JM, Maldonado EF, Carranque GA, Rodriguez FM, Blanca MJ, Morell M.
    Biol Psychol. 2009 Jul;81(3):164-8.
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    The metabolic cost of hatha yoga.
    Clay CC, Lloyd LK, Walker JL, Sharp KR, Pankey RB.
    J Strength Cond Res. 2005 Aug;19(3):604-10.
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    Training to yoga respiration selectively increases respiratory sensation in healthy man.
    Villien F, Yu M, Barthélémy P, Jammes Y.
    Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2005 Mar;146(1):85-96.
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    The effects of yoga training and a single bout of yoga on delayed onset muscle soreness in the lower extremity.
    Boyle CA, Sayers SP, Jensen BE, Headley SA, Manos TM.
    J Strength Cond Res. 2004 Nov;18(4):723-9.
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    Yoga and chemoreflex response to hypoxia and hypercapnia.
    Spicuzza L, Gabutti A, Porta C, Montano N, Bernardi L.
    Lancet. 2000 Oct 28;356(9240):1495-6. Erratum in: Lancet 2000 Nov 4;356(9241):1612.
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    Effects of high-frequency breathing on pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange.
    Frostell C, Pande JN, Hedenstierna G.
    J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1983 Dec;55(6):1854-61.
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    Physical Health and Performance