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Women report more psychological stress and are more likely to be diagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder compared to men. Previous research demonstrates that yoga can improve aspects of mental health; however, few studies document the yoga class structure, track attendance, and/or measure physical activity levels. Moreover, few studies have evaluated whether these factors are associated with mental health outcomes. This study addressed limitations of previous research by implementing a consistent Hatha yoga class structure, measuring physical activity during each session, tracking attendance, and examining changes in self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress for women. Fourteen women, ages 25-55, completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)1 before and after an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention. A consistent class structure was implemented throughout the intervention and physical activity was measured via accelerometry during each class. The 8-week Hatha yoga intervention resulted in significant decreases in anxiety and stress. Participants spent most of the class time at a sedentary activity level, indicating that moderate-to-vigorous levels of physical activity during Hatha yoga are not necessary for improvements in anxiety and stress. Last, participants who attended approximately 14 of the 16 sessions were likely to see improvements in depression, stress, and anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of emphasizing attendance and a consistent class structure in yoga-based mental health interventions. Future research should focus on optimizing yoga dosage for psychological well-being.

Yoga has increasingly been recognized as a beneficial adjunctive therapy for mental health disorders in India. However, participation barriers persist. This study examines the factors influencing participation in yoga as an add-on treatment for Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) in India. As the part of a larger open-label comparative study assessing in-person versus virtual yoga, 1147 patients with CMDs were screened at a tertiary care center in Southern India. Of these, 968 were eligible and 130 consented to participate (13.43%). Reasons for refusal were recorded and analyzed. The overall refusal rate was 86.57%. The most common barriers were lack of time (30.78%), disinterest in yoga (21.12%), and distance to the yoga center (19.09%). Additional factors included ongoing psychotherapy (11.57%), preference for virtual sessions (10.26%), and unwillingness to randomization (7.04%). Participants who consented were significantly more educated and more females than males refused participation. The preference for virtual sessions reflected growing demand for accessible, technology-assisted interventions post-COVID-19. Despite increased awareness of yoga, participation remains low because of logistical barriers. These findings underscore the need to develop and validate virtual yoga programs tailored to patient convenience and contemporary healthcare delivery models.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant mental and physical challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs), leading to increased stress and potential immune dysregulation. Yoga practice, has been suggested to enhance immunity and alleviate stress. This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of yoga intervention on immune markers, stress levels, and quality of life among HCPs actively working during the pandemic. A single-center, open label randomized controlled pilot study was conducted at tertiary care centre, with 36 participants. Physicians were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group (n=18) or a control group (n=18). The intervention included guided online yoga sessions for 12 weeks. Immunological markers (IL-6, IL-12, CRP, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha) were measured using ELISA at baseline and post-intervention. Stress levels and quality of life were assessed using the WHO-BREF questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed Microsoft excel M365 software, employing t-tests. Significant improvements were observed in immune markers, particularly a reduction in IL-12 (p=0.0165) and CRP (p=0.001), alongside a marked increase in INF-gamma (p=0.001) in the yoga group. BMI significantly improved (p=0.0194), though stress levels and most quality-of-life domains remained unchanged, except for social relationships (p=0.0279). Correlation analysis suggested a strong relationship between BMI reduction and immune modulation. Yoga intervention demonstrated potential benefits in modulating immunological markers and improving BMI among physicians. While stress reduction was not significant, enhanced social relationships and immune function suggest yoga as a complementary approach for HCPs well-being during high-stress periods. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings.

The central industrial security force (CISF) in India works in high-stress conditions, contributing to hypertension among its personnel. This study examined the impact of a yoga intervention on cardiovascular biomarkers among CISF personnel with hypertension. The randomized controlled trial consisted of 88 male CISF personnel aged 25-60 posted in the Indian Space Research Organization in Bengaluru. The yoga program included loosening exercises, pranayama, asanas, relaxation, and meditation. The intervention was conducted for 1 h daily, 5 days a week for 3 months. Cardiovascular biomarkers, blood pressure (BP), weight, height, and waist circumference were assessed at baseline and postintervention. The yoga group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic BP (W = 1802.00, P < 0.001), diastolic BP (W = 1824.50, P < 0.001), and heart rate (W = 1685.00, P < 0.001) at postintervention. However, nonsignificant trends were observed in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine levels, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) per inspiration, and waist circumference. Furthermore, significant improvements were noted in RSA per expiration (W = 688.00, P = 0.002) and weight (W = 709.00, P = 0.03) in the yoga group compared to the control group. The study has shown the effectiveness of yoga in improving cardiovascular health among CISF personnel with hypertension. Significant reductions were observed in BP, heart rate, and weight. However, the study found nonsignificant changes in inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP and homocysteine. Yoga shows promise as a complementary therapy for managing hypertension alongside conventional treatment.

Population ageing is a growing global challenge that requires strategies aimed not only at increasing lifespan but also at preserving health, independence, and quality of life. Healthy ageing emphasizes the maintenance of physical, mental, and social well-being, with particular focus on sustaining functional ability throughout later life. Yoga, an ancient mind-body practice integrating physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, has gained increasing recognition as a potential contributor to these goals. This editorial explores the role of yoga in promoting healthy ageing through its contributions to prevention, functional maintenance, and rehabilitation. Yoga may encourage physical activity, improve mobility and balance, support psychological well-being, and facilitate participation in daily life. In addition, it may help preserve functional independence and complement rehabilitation efforts in individuals with age-related health conditions and disabilities. Its adaptability allows practices to be modified according to individual needs and functional abilities, making it applicable across diverse ageing populations. By spanning the continuum from health promotion to rehabilitation, yoga offers a practical approach that aligns with contemporary function-centered and person-centered models of care. While evidence supporting yoga for healthy ageing continues to grow, findings remain heterogeneous, and implementation requires appropriate adaptation, safety screening, and guidance from trained instructors, particularly for older adults with functional limitations or multiple comorbidities. Recognizing yoga as more than a wellness practice may contribute to a more comprehensive approach to ageing well and support broader healthy ageing goals.

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), i.e., asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and tuberculosis, account for approximately one-third of emergency hospitalizations. As a holistic therapy, yoga has the potential to improve both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals with CRD, and its popularity has expanded globally. However, studies assessing yoga's effects have yielded inconsistent results. The scoping review adhered to the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews, PRISMA-ScR. A protocol was registered on OSF (10.17605/OSF.IO/Q6CKN). We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, covering studies from inception till december-2024. Inclusion criteria were a pediatric population with CRD, yoga as adjuvant therapy, and English language publications. Data were extracted systematically and categorized based on publication year, author, type of study, country, disease, and intervention. We included 552 database results with 2357 patients, published between 1985 and 2023. Most studies were primarily from India (n = 15), focused on asthma, along with two studies on cystic fibrosis and one each on pleural effusion and bronchiectasis. Study types included observational studies (n = 10), randomized controlled trials (n = 8), controlled trials (n = 1), quasi-experimental studies (n = 1), and pilot studies (n = 2). Yoga improved pulmonary function test scores in asthma, pleural effusion, and bronchiectasis, enhancing quality of life (QOL) and psychological well-being. However, no studies were found on COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis in the pediatric population. Quality evidence suggests that yoga improves asthma symptoms and QOL. However, variations in yoga modules limit generalizability. Future research should develop validated disease-specific modules, including unexplored facets like Yama, Niyama, yogic counseling, and diet. Mechanistic studies with long follow-up periods are needed.

Yoga therapy is an emerging therapeutic healthcare profession. A 2017 workforce survey established an initial understanding of yoga therapists in the United States and Canada. The present study builds on this work by offering updates and additional insights based on the results of a follow-up workforce survey completed in January 2024. Specifically, this study describes the sociodemographic, practice, income, and employment characteristics of yoga therapists. A cross-sectional, descriptive e-survey yielded responses from 360 yoga therapists practicing in the United States and Canada. Respondents were predominantly women (91.9%), middle-aged (80.5%), and White (86.9%), although more than 60 ethnic and cultural backgrounds were represented. The majority of participants reported earning incomes below $75,000 and practiced tele-remotely most frequently (41.4%). Conditions most frequently seen in practice include general wellness, chronic pain, and mental health. Although several characteristics of yoga therapists mirror those established in 2017, this updated workforce study found a maturing workforce with continued lack of diversity, albeit complemented by varied backgrounds, experiences, and practices. Shifts in education and training suggest dynamic changes in the workforce. Employment and income indicators point to a portfolio career consisting of multiple roles and sources of income. These findings highlight opportunities for the development of improved outreach and recruitment strategies, updated training modules, and promotion of yoga therapy services to advance professional acceptability and support a sustainable career path.

This scoping review aimed to explore and summarize the published evidence on yoga as an adjunctive intervention to standard rehabilitative care for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases - PubMed/MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest Health and Medicine Collection, Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL - using the terms "Duchenne muscular dystrophy" (or DMD) and "yoga." Studies were included if they (1) were published between January 2000 and December 2024; (2) involved participants with DMD; (3) examined yoga as an intervention; (4) were peer-reviewed; and (5) were published in English. We used a standardized data extraction form to capture study characteristics, including authorship, publication year, sample size, participant demographics, intervention details, outcome measures, and main results. We assessed study quality with the Modified Downs and Black Checklist (MDBC). Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Five were rated as having fair quality (MDBC score: 15-17/28), and one was rated as having poor quality (MDBC score: 3/28). Yoga interventions incorporated asanas (postures), dhyana (meditation), and pranayama (breathing practices). Outcome measures varied widely, encompassing mobility, self-care, comfort, heart rate variability, respiratory function, quality of life, and functional performance. Modest improvements were noted in pulmonary function and self-reported well-being; however, evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Current literature provides preliminary support for yoga as a complementary therapy in DMD rehabilitation. More rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish their efficacy and clinical relevance.

Vietnamese teachers face substantial and persistent work-related stress, yet brief, scalable mind - body interventions have been underexplored in this context. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the effects of chair yoga practice on stress reduction and the sustainability of benefits with ongoing practice among high school teachers in Vietnam. Using a quasi-experimental design, 41 teachers participated in a five-day, school-based chair yoga intervention. Psychological distress was assessed with the DASS-10, and brief written reflections were collected at baseline, immediately after intervention, 2 weeks, and 3&#x202f;months. Quantitative analyses examined changes in DASS-10 scores and time &#xd7; practice frequency interactions, while qualitative content analysis explored perceived benefits, challenges, and their evolution across time points. Distress decreased significantly immediately after the intervention [Cohen's d&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.779, 95% CI (0.425, 1.125)]. Over time, a clear dose-response pattern emerged: teachers who practiced chair yoga regularly (approximately 1-2 times per week) showed the largest and most sustained reductions in distress, whereas those who rarely or never practiced demonstrated partial loss or rebound of symptoms, reflected in large time &#xd7; practice interaction effects at 2&#x202f;weeks (&#x3b7;p2&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.382) and 3&#x202f;months (&#x3b7;p2&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.537). Qualitative findings paralleled these trajectories: initial reflections emphasized relaxation and stress relief alongside physical and scheduling challenges; by 2&#x202f;weeks, participants increasingly described transformation experiences and greater bodily comfort; by 3&#x202f;months, they reported a more stable profile of psychological and physical benefits, despite persistent external barriers to practice. A brief chair yoga intervention appears feasible and acceptable in a Vietnamese high school and can rapidly reduce teacher distress, with regular ongoing practice associated with more durable benefits and the development of chair yoga as a habitual coping strategy. However, the quasi-experimental, single-site design, modest sample, attrition, end-of-year timing of the final follow-up, and coarse self-reported adherence measures mean that these findings should be considered preliminary. Even so, the results contribute to growing evidence that low-cost, school-based mind-body interventions may support teacher wellbeing and highlight the need for controlled trials and implementation research in diverse educational settings.

BackgroundLaughter yoga has emerged as a complementary approach with potential benefits for nurses' well-being, particularly among those working in shift-based and demanding clinical settings; however, evidence comparing different delivery formats remains limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to comparatively evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of online and face-to-face laughter yoga interventions on perceived stress, sleep quality, and burnout among nurses.MethodsThis three-group pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at a public hospital between April 2024 and February 2025. A total of 47 nurses were randomly assigned to a face-to-face intervention group, an online intervention group, or a control group. The intervention consisted of four laughter yoga sessions delivered over a two-week period. Data were collected at baseline and postintervention using the Perceived Stress Scale, Jenkins Sleep Scale, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures analysis of variance, paired-samples t-tests, and effect size calculations.ResultsNo significant between-group or within-group differences were observed in perceived stress levels. Nurses in the online laughter yoga group demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quality (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.009), emotional exhaustion (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006), and personal accomplishment (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006), with large effect sizes. No significant changes were found in the face-to-face or control groups.ConclusionsOnline laughter yoga demonstrated promising preliminary effects on sleep quality and burnout-related symptoms among nurses; however, further studies with larger samples are needed, with efforts to reduce technical barriers such as internet access and connectivity issues.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, TRN: NCT06350747. Registered 18 March 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06350747.

Yoga has been studied as an effective alternative therapy for substance use disorders, demonstrating its ability to reduce stress and addictive behaviors while improving self-control and self-esteem. However, not everyone may be willing or able to engage in yoga for various reasons. Furthermore, there is a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the existing research on this topic. The objective is to explore the nonparticipation rate in yoga intervention randomized controlled trials related to addictive disorders, and to explore the reasons for nonparticipation in yoga trials related to addictive disorders. We searched Google Scholar, CENTRAL, and PubMed for peer-reviewed published RCTs that incorporated yoga interventions in any format of at least one session. Data were extracted using standard procedures, and the risk of bias was evaluated. Pooled analysis and sensitivity analysis were done. About 54% of potential participants were not included. The pooled effect size was 0.544 (95% confidence interval: 0.301-0.787), with an I&#xb2; = 99.797. Key barriers included failure to meet inclusion criteria, such as medical conditions, mental health issues, and specific health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and heart disease. Participant refusals and lack of interest in randomization or the study itself were common reasons for nonparticipation. Scheduling conflicts were also frequently reported as a significant obstacle. Two broad categories for noninclusion were meeting exclusion criteria, and not interested/declined to participate. Understanding reasons for noninclusion can lead to more efficient and effective recruitment efforts in future trials and also possibly guide the design of future studies to minimize dropout rates and ensure a representative sample.

Persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a progressive condition characterized by pulmonary and systemic inflammation, leading to numerous extrapulmonary consequences. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of yoga on pulmonary function in young, nonhypoxemic, stable patients with COPD at a tertiary care center. An intervention study was conducted in the Department of Physiology and Medicine at RUHS CMS and its associated hospitals, Jaipur. A total of 120 subjects were recruited. The cases (Group A) were selected according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification. GOLD stage 1 and 2 patients were confirmed by spirometry. All included COPD patients were referred for intervention through asanas and pranayama at a yoga center under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, for a 45-min session, 6 days a week, and over 3 months. Intragroup comparison from baseline and after 3 months intervention in study group showed a significant improvement with weight (P < 0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (P < 0.05), forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.05), ratio of FEV1/FVC (P < 0.05), slow vital capacity (P < 0.05), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) (P < 0.05) as compared to control. Yoga intervention is a beneficial nonpharmacological therapy for young, stable COPD patients, as it improves pulmonary function parameters and reduces BMI through weight loss. Yoga improves blood circulation and enhances tissue perfusion, which in turn increases respiratory muscle strength and helps open blocked airways in patients with COPD. CTRI No: CTRI/2024/07/0698.

To characterize retinal neurovascular signatures in response to a 24-week yoga intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Seventeen patients with PD (mean age: 71.4&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;6.7 years; 8 females) were enrolled and participated in three 1-h yoga sessions per week for 24 consecutive weeks. Retinal neurovascular parameters were assessed at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Retinal blood flow (RBF) was measured using a Retinal Function Imager. Retinal vessel density (RVD), retinal vessel length density (RVLD), and retinal tissue volume (RTV) were assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Retinal capillary function (RCF) and retinal tissue perfusion (RTP) were calculated based on these variables. RBF significantly increased following 6 months of yoga training (P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.049). Changes in RVD were significantly correlated with disease duration (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;-0.67; P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.007) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;-0.77; P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.001). Patients with disease duration <5 years demonstrated greater improvements in RVD compared with those whose duration was &#x2265;5 years (P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.004). Similarly, patients at H&Y stage 1 exhibited greater RVD improvements compared to those at H&Y stage &#x2265;2 (P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.002). This study is the first to investigate retinal neurovascular responses to yoga training in patients with PD. While RBF marginally increased, RVD exhibited disease-severity and duration-dependent variations, suggesting RBF and RVD are potential biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and the efficacy of aerobic interventions such as yoga in PD.

The influence of yoga training and its associated exercises on anxiety and cognitive functioning in children diagnosed with ADHD is a relatively neglected field of research. This study aimed to investigate how engagement in a yoga exercise program affects cognitive abilities, particularly attention and memory, alongside anxiety levels in children diagnosed with ADHD. This study employed a quasi-experimental design, specifically a pretest-posttest approach that incorporated a control group. The study participants were primary school students diagnosed with ADHD in district 5 of Tehran, Iran, during the academic year of 2023-2024. Forty participants were selected through convenience sampling and subsequently assigned at random to either the experimental group, which engaged in yoga, or the control group. The experimental group underwent 16 yoga training sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, scheduled twice a week. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests with SPSS version 27. The findings indicated a significant improvement in attention scores among the yoga participants during the post-intervention phase (0.495&#xb1;0.12, P<0.001). Additionally, there was a significant enhancement in both forward and backward working memory scores for these participants in the same phase (9.60&#xb1;1.42, P<0.001; and 5.80&#xb1;1.05, P<0.001, respectively). Lastly, the data revealed a significant reduction in anxiety scores for individuals in the yoga group following the intervention (6.95&#xb1;1.43, P<0.001). Engaging in practices such as yoga, as outlined in this study, may significantly contribute to alleviating cognitive impairments and anxiety-related issues in children with ADHD.

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are common during childhood, especially in girls, being associated with depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Given these impacts, accessible non-pharmacological management strategies are needed. Physical activity (PA) represents a promising approach to managing FAPDs. This study aimed to assess changes in daily PA and its interaction with pain in girls with FAPDs participating in a dance and yoga intervention. Secondary aims were to describe daily PA (time and pattern) in relation to abdominal pain intensity. In this randomized controlled study, including girls 9-13&#xa0;y old), PA was assessed using accelerometers at baseline and at 8-month follow-up. Pain was assessed using a pain diary based on the Faces Pain Scale-Revised. Girls ( n=108 ) in both control and intervention groups reduced total PA, reduced time in light PA, and increased time as sedentary at 8-month follow up compared to baseline. Time in moderate to vigorous PA did not change significantly. No significant time x group interactions were found. Also, no significant associations between changes in pain and changes in PA parameters were found. At baseline there were significant associations between low abdominal pain and being physically active. Compared to a control group, taking part in an 8-month dance and yoga intervention did not change PA in girls with abdominal pain. However, a high PA level was associated with lower pain, underscoring the need for development and implementation of strategies supporting active lifestyles in girls with abdominal pain.The Just in TIME study is registered (September 2016) at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT02920268, Name: Just in TIME: Intervention with Dance and Yoga for Girls with Recurrent Abdominal Pain). This article evaluates daily physical activity in girls with functional abdominal pain disorders participating in dance and yoga, investigated in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention did not influence the level of physical activity. However, a higher level of pain was associated with lower physical activity at baseline.

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common complex endocrinopathy affecting the reproductive, metabolic, and psychosocial health of females of reproductive age. A 26-year-old woman with PMOS and infertility (7-year duration) underwent multiple cycles of ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. Following a 12-week structured yoga program (postures, breathwork, meditation), hormonal and metabolic parameters normalized and oxidative stress and inflammation decreased significantly. We saw significant improvement in mitochondrial integrity, reduced severity of comorbid depression, and improved quality of life. On follow-up, the participant was found to have conceived within 20 weeks of practice and delivered a healthy baby. This case highlights the role of yoga in the management of PMOS, adding evidence of yoga's benefit at the cellular and molecular level and clinical improvement. Regular yoga practice has the potential to serve as a holistic, nonpharmacological approach for managing PMOS and associated comorbidities.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is primarily a lifestyle-related disorder, which can be controlled by early detection of high-risk individuals with diabetes. It will be beneficial to halt the onset of diabetes by adopting lifestyle modification tools such as Yoga. The present research work emphasizes upon detecting the high-risk individual for diabetes through the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS). This manuscript addresses an important gap in lifestyle intervention research by highlighting the role of non-glycemic pathways in prediabetes management. Beyond conventional glucose regulation, the findings underscore how yoga-based interventions may influence broader metabolic, psychological, and cognitive domains that are critical in delaying or preventing disease progression. The study carries meaningful implications for preventive healthcare policy and practice. The findings also lay a strong scientific foundation for future longitudinal and mechanistic investigations into the durability of yoga's effects on metabolic regulation, stress resilience, and cognitive health, thereby advancing the evidence base for holistic approaches to chronic disease prevention.

The stock market is crucial to the economy, investors playing a critical role in wealth creation. However, more than 95% of investors experience losses, primarily due to psychological, or behavioral obstacles. Fluctuating stress levels, lack of emotional control, delayed decision-making, indecision, lack of concentration, and unclear goals, are commonly cited reasons for most investors losing money in the stock market. This study tries to find if practicing yoga can help such investors to mitigate the perceived stress, enhance the attention levels, and thereby increase the financial performance in terms of Return on Investment. In this study, stock market investors with a minimum of three months of experience were selected using a snowball sampling approach. Participants were then assigned to either the experimental or control group based on their convenience. The dependent variables of interest included the perceived stress scale (PSS), the attention control scale (ACS), and return on investment (ROI). Investors in the experimental group underwent a 30-day yoga intervention. Results revealed a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress (P < 0.05), a significant increase in attention levels (P < 0.05), and a notable improvement in profitability (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The findings suggest the potential effectiveness of yoga as a strategy to enhance mental well-being and financial performance in Stock Market Investors.

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent mental health conditions characterized by physiological dysregulation that includes heightened stress responses, low-grade systemic inflammation, and metabolic imbalance, which together contribute to impaired quality of life. Although yoga-based interventions are increasingly used as complementary therapies, evidence isolating the effects of slow pranayama (yoga breathing) and savasana (corpse pose) on psychological outcomes and biochemical markers in anxiety disorders remains limited. This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of slow pranayama and savasana, implemented as adjuncts to routine psychiatric care, on anxiety severity, quality of life, and selected biochemical markers in individuals with anxiety disorders. A total of 150 people diagnosed with anxiety disorders were allocated to either routine psychiatric care alone (control group) or routine care plus slow pranayama and savasana (intervention group) for 8 weeks. We assessed anxiety severity using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire, and biochemical markers such as serum cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory markers, and metabolic parameters. Outcomes were analyzed using mixed-design analysis of covariance with Bonferroni correction, and correlational analyses were performed between psychometric, quality-of-life, and biochemical variables. Of the enrolled participants, 112 completed the study. Significant Group &#xd7; Time interactions were observed for anxiety severity scores and the physical, psychological, and environmental domains of quality of life, with improvements noted only in the pranayama group. Serum cortisol levels decreased and BDNF levels increased significantly in the intervention group compared with controls. Inflammatory and metabolic parameters did not show statistically significant changes after correction, although favorable directional trends were observed. Anxiety severity and quality-of-life scores demonstrated significant correlations with cortisol, BDNF, and inflammatory and metabolic markers. Slow pranayama and savasana appear to be safe, feasible, and effective adjuncts to standard psychiatric care, improving anxiety severity and quality of life while favorably modulating stress-related physiological markers in people with anxiety disorders.