Frequency of Yoga Practice Predicts Health: Results of a National Survey of Yoga Practitioners

Abstract EN

Yoga shows promise as a therapeutic intervention, but relationships between yoga practice and health are underexplored.

Purpose.

To examine the relationship between yoga practice and health (subjective well-being, diet, BMI, smoking, alcohol/caffeine consumption, sleep, fatigue, social support, mindfulness, and physical activity).

Methods.

Cross-sectional, anonymous internet surveys distributed to 4307 randomly selected from 18,160 individuals at 15 US Iyengar yoga studios; 1045 (24.3%) surveys completed.

Results.

Mean age 51.7 (± 11.7) years; 84.2% female.

Frequency of home practice favorably predicted (P < .001): mindfulness, subjective well-being, BMI, fruit and vegetable consumption, vegetarian status, sleep, and fatigue.

Each component of yoga practice (different categories of physical poses, breath work, meditation, philosophy study) predicted at least 1 health outcome (P < .05).

Conclusions.

Home practice of yoga predicted health better than years of practice or class frequency.

Different physical poses and yoga techniques may have unique health benefits.