A
Study of the Impact of Yoga Âsana on Perceived Stress,
Heart Rate, and Breathing Rate
Research Article in the International Journal of Yoga
Therapy, fall 2007.
Amy Wheeler, Ph.D., and Linda Wilkin, Ph.D.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how practicing
Yoga âsana influences perceived stress level and
physiological indicators of stress, such as resting heart
rate and breathing rate.
Methods: The sample consisted of 79 moderately stressed
students enrolled in Yoga âsana classes at a university in
Southern California. Students participated in Yoga âsana
classes for 10 weeks as part of the General Education (GE)
Physical Education curriculum. Participants reported data
pre- and post-class on resting heart rate, unregulated
breathing rate, and perceived stress level. We hypothesized
that the practice of Yoga âsana would be associated with
decreased stress.
Results: Yoga âsana was associated with positive pre- to
post-class changes on perceived stress, heart rate, and
breathing rate. Participants’ pre-class perceived stress
and breathing rate decreased during the 10-week period.
However, participants’ pre-class resting heart rate did not
change significantly over the course of the study.
