title: Effect of a multimodality natural medicine program on carotid atherosclerosis in older subjects: a pilot trial of Maharishi Vedic Medicine. Non-pharmacological Interventions in Hypertension: A Community-based Cross-over Randomized Controlled Trial Effective and viable mind-body stress reduction in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial. The Influence of Yoga-Based Programs on Risk Profiles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review Yoga Practice for the Management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Adults: A systematic review Effect of yogic practices on lipid profile and body fat composition in patients of coronary artery disease. Community based yoga classes for type 2 diabetes: an exploratory randomised controlled trial Effect of community-based yoga intervention on oxidative stress and glycemic parameters in prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Effect of yogic exercises on physical and mental health of young fellowship course trainees. Effect of exercise therapy on lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes Effect of yogic intervention on the autonomic nervous system in the patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized controlled trial. Resistance training increases total daily energy expenditure in disabled older women with coronary heart disease. Utilization of 3-Month Yoga Program for Adults at High Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study Iyengar Yoga versus Enhanced Usual Care on Blood Pressure in Patients with Prehypertension to Stage I Hypertension: a Randomized Controlled Trial Yoga as a complementary treatment for smoking cessation in women. Physical fitness of older adults in senior activity centres after 24-week silver yoga exercises. Short-term effects of an intensive lifestyle modification program on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in patients with coronary artery disease. Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Prevention and Control of Hypertension among Young Adults Regulation of blood volume during training in post-menopausal women. Effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga on the baroreflex in healthy elderly persons. Bikram Yoga Training and Physical Fitness in Healthy Young Adults Lipid profile of coronary risk subjects following yogic lifestyle intervention. Effect of yoga on autonomic functions and psychological status during both phases of menstrual cycle in young healthy females. Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention. Cardiovascular and behavioral effects of aerobic exercise training in healthy older men and women. Effect of selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension. Effects of Hatha yoga and Omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance, psychologic profile, and melatonin secretion. Effects of an 8-month yoga intervention on arterial compliance and muscle strength in premenopausal women. The Effects of Yoga on Hypertensive Persons in Thailand Relaxation therapy and continuous ambulatory blood pressure in mild hypertension: a controlled study. Effects of a yoga intervention on lipid profiles of diabetes patients with dyslipidemia. Effects of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health: A Short Summary of Reviews
abstract: Although the onset and progression of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) involve multiple risk factors , few intervention studies have attempted to modify these factors simultaneously . This pilot study tested the effect of a multimodality intervention involving dietary , exercise , herbal food supplement , and stress reduction approaches from a traditional system of natural medicine , Maharishi Vedic Medicine ( MVM ) . The primary outcome measure was carotid intima-media thickness ( IMT ) , a noninvasive measure of peripheral atherosclerosis and surrogate measure of coronary atherosclerosis . Comparison groups included modern medicine ( conventional dietary , exercise , and multivitamin approaches ) and usual care ( no added intervention ) . Of 57 healthy seniors ( mean age 74 years ) r and omized to the 3 treatment groups , 46 completed IMT post-testing . Carotid IMT was determined by B-mode ultrasound before and after 1 year of treatment . IMT decreased in a larger fraction of MVM subjects ( 16 of 20 ) than in the modern ( 5 of 9 ) and usual care ( 7 of 14 ) groups combined ( i.e. , 12 of 23 ; odds ratio 3.7 , p = 0.05 ) . For subjects with multiple CHD risk factors ( " high-risk " subjects , n = 15 ) , IMT decreased more in the MVM ( -0.32 + /- 0.23 mm , mean + /- SD ) than in the usual care ( + 0.022 + /- 0.085 ; p = 0.009 ) or modern ( -0.082 + /- 0.095 , p = 0.10 ) groups . Within-group reductions in IMT were significant for all MVM subjects ( -0.15 + /- 0.21 , n = 20 , p = 0.004 ) and for high-risk MVM subjects ( n = 6 , p = 0.01 ) . These results show that this multimodality traditional approach can attenuate  atherosclerosis in older subjects , particularly those with marked CHD risk Background : Hypertension is the most prevalent non-communicable disease causing significant morbidity/mortality through cardiovascular , cerebrovascular , and renal complications . Objectives : This community-based study tested the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing/controlling hypertension . Material s and Methods : This is a cross-over r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) of the earlier RCT ( 2007 ) of non-pharmacological interventions in hypertension , conducted in the urban service area of our Institute . The subjects , prehypertensive and hypertensive young adults ( 98 subjects : 25 , 23 , 25 , 25 in four groups ) were r and omly allotted into a group that he/she had not belonged to in the earlier RCT : Control ( New Group I ) , Physical Exercise ( NG II)-brisk walking for 50 to 60 minutes , three to four days/week , Salt Intake Reduction ( NG III ) to at least half of their previous intake , Yoga ( NG IV ) for 30 to 45 minutes/day , five days/week . Blood pressure was measured before and after eight weeks of intervention . Analysis was by ANOVA with a Games-Howell post hoc test . Results : Ninety-four participants ( 25 , 23 , 21 , 25 ) completed the study . All three intervention groups showed significant reduction in BP ( SBP/DBP mmHg : 5.3/6.0 in NG II , 2.5/2.0 in NG III , and 2.3/2.4 in NG IV , respectively ) , while the Control Group showed no significant difference . Persistence of significant reduction in BP in the three intervention groups after cross-over confirmed the biological plausibility of these non-pharmacological interventions . This study reconfirmed that physical exercise was more effective than Salt Reduction or  Yoga . Salt Reduction , and Yoga were equally effective . Conclusion : Physical exercise , salt intake reduction , and yoga are effective non-pharmacological methods for reducing blood pressure in young pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults Highly stressed employees are subject to greater health risks , increased cost , and productivity losses than those with normal stress levels . To address this issue in an evidence -based manner , worksite stress management programs must be able to engage individuals as well as capture data on stress , health indices , work productivity , and health care costs . In this r and omized controlled pilot , our primary objective was to evaluate the viability and proof of concept for two mind-body workplace stress reduction programs ( one therapeutic yoga-based and the other mindfulness-based ) , in order to set the stage for larger cost-effectiveness trials . A second objective was to evaluate 2 delivery venues of the mindfulness-based intervention ( online vs. in-person ) . Intention-to-treat principles and 2 ( pre and post ) × 3 ( group ) repeated- measures analysis of covariance procedures examined group differences over time on perceived stress and secondary measures to clarify which variables to include in future studies : sleep quality , mood , pain levels , work productivity , mindfulness , blood pressure , breathing rate , and heart rate variability ( a measure of autonomic balance ) . Two hundred and thirty-nine employee volunteers were r and omized into a therapeutic yoga worksite stress reduction program , 1 of 2 mindfulness-based programs , or a control group that participated only in assessment . Compared with the control group , the mind-body interventions showed significantly greater improvements on perceived stress , sleep quality , and the heart rhythm coherence ratio of heart rate variability . The two delivery venues for the mindfulness program produced basically equivalent results . Both the mindfulness-based and therapeutic yoga programs may provide viable and effective interventions to target high stress levels , sleep quality , and autonomic balance in employees There is growing evidence that yoga may offer a safe and cost-effective intervention for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus ( DM 2 ) . However , systematic review s are lacking . This article critically review s the published literature regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on physiologic and anthropometric risk profiles and related clinical outcomes in adults with DM 2 . We performed a comprehensive literature search using four computerized English and Indian scientific data bases . The search was restricted to original studies ( 1970–2006 ) that evaluated the metabolic and clinical effects of  yoga in adults with DM 2 . Studies targeting clinical population s with cardiovascular disorders that included adults with comorbid DM were also evaluated . Data were extracted regarding study design , setting , target population , intervention , comparison group or condition , outcome assessment , data analysis and presentation , follow-up , and key results , and the quality of each study was evaluated according to specific predetermined criteria . We identified 25 eligible studies , including 15 uncontrolled trials , 6 non-r and omized controlled trials and 4 r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) . Overall , these studies suggest beneficial changes in several risk indices , including glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity , lipid profiles , anthropometric characteristics , blood pressure , oxidative stress , coagulation profiles , sympathetic activation and pulmonary function , as well as improvement in specific clinical outcomes .  Yoga may improve risk profiles in adults with DM 2 , and may have promise for the prevention and management of cardiovascular complications in this population . However , the limitations characterizing most studies preclude drawing firm conclusions . Additional high- quality RCTs are needed to confirm and further eluci date the effects of st and ardized yoga programs in population s with DM 2 The effect of practicing yoga for the management of type II Diabetes  was assessed in this systematic review through search ing related electronic data bases and the grey literature to the end of May 2007 using Ovid . All r and omized controlled clinical trials ( RCTs ) comparing yoga practice with other type of intervention or with regular practice or both , were included regardless of language or type of publication . Each study was assessed for quality by two independent review ers . Mean difference was used for summarizing the effect of each study outcomes with 95 % confidence intervals . Pooling of the studies did not take place due to the wide clinical variation between the studies . Publication bias was assessed by statistical methods . Five trials with 363 participants met the inclusion criteria with medium to high risk of bias and different intervention characteristics . The studies ’ results show improvement in outcomes among patients with diabetes type II .  These improvements were mainly among short term or immediate diabetes outcomes and not all were statistically significant . The results were inconclusive and not significant for the long-term outcomes . No adverse effects were reported in any of the included studies . Short-term benefits for patients with diabetes  may be achieved from practicing yoga . Further research is needed in this area . Factors like quality of the trials and other method ological issues should be improved by large r and omized control trials with allocation concealment to assess the effectiveness of yoga on diabetes type II . A definitive recommendation for physicians to encourage their patients to practice yoga can not be reached at present OBJECTIVES To observe the effect of regular yogic practice s and self-discipline in reducing body fat and elevated lipids in CAD patients . METHOD In this study one hundred seventy ( 170 ) subjects , of both sexes having coronary artery disease were r and omly selected form Department of Cardiology . Subjects were divided in to two groups r and omly in yoga group and in non-yoga group , eighty five ( 85 ) in each group . Out of these ( 170 subjects ) , one hundred fifty four ( 154 ) completed the study protocol . TIME LINE : The yogic intervention consisted of 35 - 40 min/day , five days in a week till six months in the Department of Physiology CSMMU UP Lucknow . Body fat testing and estimation of lipid profile were done of the both groups at zero time and after six months of yogic intervention in yoga group and without yogic intervention in non yoga group . RESULTS In present study , BMI ( p<0.04 ) , fat % ( p<0.0002 ) , fat free mass ( p<0.04 ) , SBP ( p<0.002 ) , DBP ( p<0.009 ) , heart rate ( p<0.0001 ) , total cholesterol ( p<0.0001 ) , triglycerides ( p<0.0001 ) , HDL ( p<0.0001 ) and low density lipoprotein ( p<0.04 ) were changed significantly . CONCLUSION Reduction of SBP , DBP , heart rate , body fat% , total cholesterol , triglycerides and LDL after regular yogic practice s is beneficial for cardiac and hypertensive patients . Therefore yogic practice s included in this study are helpful for the patients of coronary artery disease Background Yoga is a popular therapy for diabetes but its efficacy is contested . The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of research ing community based yoga classes in Type 2 diabetes with a view to informing the design of a definitive , multi-centre trial Methods The study design was an exploratory r and omised controlled trial with in-depth process evaluation . The setting was two multi-ethnic boroughs in London , UK ; one with average and one with low mean socio-economic deprivation score . Classes were held at a sports centre or GP surgery . Participants were 59 people with Type 2 diabetes not taking insulin , recruited from general practice lists or opportunistically by general practice staff . The intervention group were offered 12 weeks of a twice-weekly 90-minute yoga class ; the control group was a waiting list for the yoga classes . Both groups received advice and leaflets on healthy lifestyle and were encouraged to exercise . Primary outcome measure was HbA1c . Secondary outcome measures included attendance , weight , waist circumference , lipid levels , blood pressure , UKPDS cardiovascular risk score , diabetes-related quality of life ( ADDQoL ) , and self-efficacy . Process measures were attendance at yoga sessions , self-reported frequency of practice between taught sessions , and qualitative data ( interviews with patients and therapists , ethnographic observation of the yoga classes , and analysis of documents including minutes of meetings , correspondence , and exercise plans ) . Results Despite broad inclusion criteria , around two-thirds of the patients on GP diabetic registers proved ineligible , and 90 % of the remainder declined to participate . Mean age of participants was 60 + /- 10 years .  Attendance at yoga classes was around 50 % . Nobody did the exercises regularly at home . Yoga teachers felt that most participants were unsuitable for ' st and ard ' yoga exercises because of limited flexibility , lack of basic fitness , co-morbidity , and lack of confidence . There was a small fall in HbA1c in the yoga group which was not statistically significant and which was not sustained six months later , and no significant change in other outcome measures . Conclusion The benefits of yoga in type 2 diabetes suggested in some previous studies were not confirmed . Possible explanations ( apart from lack of efficacy ) include recruitment challenges ; practical and motivational barriers to class attendance ; physical and motivational barriers to engaging in the exercises ; inadequate intensity and /or duration of yoga intervention ; and insufficient personalisation of exercises to individual needs . All these factors should be considered when design ing future trials . Trial registration National Research Register ( 1410 ) and Current Controlled Trials ( IS RCT N63637211 ) OBJECTIVES To study the effectiveness of yoga intervention on oxidative stress , glycemic status , blood pressure and anthropometry in prediabetes . DESIGN R and omized-controlled trial . PARTICIPANTS Twenty nine prediabetes subjects aged 30 - 75 years . SETTING Yoga was conducted at 4 different community diabetes clinics in Mangalore , India . INTERVENTIONS Participants were r and omized to either 3-month yoga or wait-list control groups . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Malondialdehyde , glutathione , vitamin C , vitamin E , superoxide dismutase , plasma glucose , glycated haemoglobin , BMI , waist circumference , waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure . RESULTS Yoga intervention result ed in a significant decline in malondialdehyde ( p<0.001 ) , relative to the control group . In comparison with the control , there was a significant improvement in BMI , waist circumference , systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels at follow-up . No significant improvement in glycated haemoglobin , waist-to-hip ratio or any of the antioxidants was observed . CONCLUSIONS Yoga intervention may be helpful in control of oxidative stress in prediabetes subjects . Yoga can also be beneficial in reduction in BMI , waist circumference , systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose . Effect of yoga on antioxidant parameters was not evident in this study . The findings of this study need to be confirmed in larger trials involving active control groups A study was undertaken to observe any beneficial effect of yogic practice s during training period on the young trainees . 54 trainees of 20 - 25 years age group were divided r and omly in two groups i.e. yoga and control group . Yoga group ( 23 males and 5 females ) was administered yogic practice s for the first five months of the course while control group ( 21 males and 5 females ) did not perform yogic exercises during this period . From the 6th to 10th month of training both the groups performed the yogic practice s.  Physiological parameters like heart rate , blood pressure , oral temperature , skin temperature in resting condition , responses to maximal and submaximal exercise , body flexibility were recorded . Psychological parameters like personality , learning , arithmetic and psychomotor ability , mental well being were also recorded . Various parameters were taken before and during the 5th and 10th month of training period . Initially there was relatively higher sympathetic activity in both the groups due to the new work/training environment but gradually it subsided . Later on at the 5th and 10th month , yoga group had relatively lower sympathetic activity than the control group . There was improvement in performance at submaximal level of exercise and in anaerobic threshold in the yoga group . Shoulder , hip , trunk and neck flexibility improved in the yoga group . There was improvement in various psychological parameters like reduction in anxiety and depression and a better mental function after yogic practice Background Yoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus . This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training ( PT ) exercise regimens on biochemical , oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes . Methods This prospect i ve r and omized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups . Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) , serum total cholesterol ( TC ) , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) , very low-density lipoproteins ( VLDL ) and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals . The oxidative stress indicators ( malondialdehyde – MDA , protein oxidation – POX , phospholipase A2 – PLA2 activity ) and oxidative status [ superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and catalase activities ] were measured . Results The concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48 % and 27.43 % respectively ( P < 0.0001 ) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups ( P < 0.0001 ) . The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values ( P = 0.036 ) . Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9 % and 18.1 % in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively ( P < 0.0001 ) ; whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08 % and 20.18 % respectively ( P = 0.031 ) . There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68 % and 13.19 % in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively ( P = 0.144 ) . Conclusion The study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose , lipid profile , oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status . Trial Registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ( ANZCTR ) : In this study 258 patients from the Department of Cardiology in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University , Lucknow were selected to participate . All had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease . They were r and omly divided into 2 groups , the yoga group and the non-yoga group , 129 in each group ; 208 completed the study protocol . The yogic intervention consisted of 35 - 40 min/day , 5 days a week over a period of 18 months in the Department of Physiology . Autonomic function testing was done in both the groups at zero time and after 18 months . We observed a statistically significant reduction in body mass index , waist circumference , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , and heart rate ( P < 0.05 ) , i.e. , a significant positive effect was observed when yoga therapy was used as an adjunct in patients with coronary artery disease Physical activity energy expenditure ( PAEE ) is a determinant of prognosis and fitness in older patients with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) .  PAEE and total energy expenditure ( TEE ) are closely related to fatness , physical function , and metabolic risk in older individuals . The goal of this study was to assess effects of resistance training on PAEE , TEE , and fitness in older women with chronic CHD and physical activity limitations ( N = 51 , mean age : 72 + 5 yr ) . The study intervention consisted of a progressive , 6-mo program of resistance training vs. a control group condition of low-intensity yoga and deep breathing . The study interventions were completed by 42 of the 51 participants . The intervention group manifested a 177 + /- 213 kcal/day ( + 9 % ) increase in TEE , pre- to posttraining , measured by the doubly labeled water technique during a nonexercise 10-day period ( P < 0.03 vs. controls ) . This was due to a 50 + /- 74 kcal/day ( 4 % ) increase in resting metabolic rate measured by indirect calorimetry ( P < 0.01 , P < 0.05 vs. controls ) and a 123 + /- 214 kcal/day ( 9 % ) increase in PAEE ( P < 0.03 , P = 0.12 vs. controls ) . Resistance training was associated with significant increases in upper and lower body strength , but no change in fat-free mass , measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry , or left ventricular function , measured by echocardiography and Doppler . Women in the control group showed no alterations in TEE or its determinants . There were no changes between groups in body composition , aerobic capacity , or measures of mental depression . These results demonstrate that resistance training of 6-mo duration leads to an increase in TEE and PAEE in older women with chronic CHD Various modes of physical activity , combined with dieting , have been widely recommended to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes . Among these , yoga holds promise for reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes by promoting weight loss , improving glucose levels and reducing blood pressure and lipid levels . This pilot study aim ed to assess the feasibility of implementing a 12-week yoga program among adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes . Twenty-three adults ( 19 Whites and 4 non-Whites ) were r and omly assigned to the  yoga intervention group or the educational group . The yoga group participated in a 3-month yoga intervention with sessions twice per week and the educational group received general health educational material s every 2 weeks . All participants completed question naires and had blood tests at baseline and at the end of 3 months . Effect sizes were reported to summarize the efficacy of the intervention . All participants assigned to the yoga intervention completed the yoga program without complication and expressed high satisfaction with the program ( 99.2 % ) . Their yoga session attendance ranged from 58.3 to 100 % . Compared with the education group , the yoga group experienced improvements in weight , blood pressure , insulin , triglycerides and exercise self-efficacy indicated by small to large effect sizes . This preliminary study indicates that a yoga program would be a possible risk reduction option for adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes . In addition , yoga holds promise as an approach to reducing cardiometabolic risk factors and increasing exercise self-efficacy for this group The prevalence of prehypertension and Stage 1 hypertension continues to increase despite being amenable to non-pharmacologic interventions . Iyengar yoga ( IY ) has been purported to reduce blood pressure ( BP ) though evidence from r and omized trials is lacking . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial to assess the effects of 12 weeks of IY versus enhanced usual care ( EUC ) ( based on individual dietary adjustment ) on 24-h ambulatory BP in yoga-naïve adults with untreated prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension . In total , 26 and 31 subjects in the IY and EUC arms , respectively , completed the study . There were no differences in BP between the groups at 6 and 12 weeks . In the EUC group , 24-h systolic BP ( SBP ) , diastolic BP ( DBP ) and mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) significantly decreased by 5 , 3 and 3 mmHg , respectively , from baseline at 6 weeks ( P < .05 ) , but were no longer significant at 12 weeks . In the IY group , 24 h SBP was reduced by 6 mmHg at 12 weeks compared to baseline ( P = .05 ) . 24 h DBP ( P < .01 ) and MAP ( P < .05 ) decreased significantly each by 5 mmHg . No differences were observed in catecholamine or cortisol metabolism to explain the decrease in BP in the IY group at 12 weeks . Twelve weeks of IY produces clinical ly meaningful improvements in 24 h SBP and DBP . Larger studies are needed to establish the long term efficacy , acceptability , utility and potential mechanisms of IY to control BP BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death among American women .  Aerobic exercise has shown promise as an aid to smoking cessation because it improves affect and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms . Studies outside the realm of smoking cessation have shown that yoga practice also reduces perceived stress and negative affect . METHODS This pilot study examines the feasibility and initial efficacy of yoga as a complementary therapy for smoking cessation .  Fifty-five women were given 8-week group-based cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and were r and omized to a twice-weekly program of Vinyasa yoga or a general health and wellness program ( contact control ) . The primary outcome measure was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment vali date d by saliva cotinine testing . Longitudinal analyses were also conducted to examine the effect of intervention on smoking cessation at 3- and 6-month follow-up . We examined the effects of the intervention on potential mediating variables ( e.g. , confidence in quitting smoking , self-efficacy ) , as well as measures of depressive symptoms , anxiety , and perceived health ( SF-36 ) . RESULTS At end of treatment , women in the yoga group had a greater 7-day point-prevalence abstinence rate than controls ( odds ratio [ OR ] , 4.56 ; 95 % CI , 1.1 - 18.6 ) . Abstinence remained higher among yoga participants through the six month assessment ( OR , 1.54 ; 95 % CI , 0.34 - 6.92 ) , although differences were no longer statistically significant . Women participating in the yoga program also showed reduced anxiety and improvements in perceived health and well-being when compared with controls . CONCLUSIONS Yoga may be an efficacious complementary therapy for smoking cessation among women AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Promoting physical fitness of young-older adults is essential in reducing healthcare expenditures which would occur in the future for those with chronic health problems . The silver yoga exercise programme was developed to accommo date the reduced body flexibility experienced by many older adults and was critically review ed by experts and pilot-tested with community-dwelling older adults . This study aim ed to test older adults ' physical fitness after a 24-week silver yoga exercise programme and to examine whether the programme could be further shortened to fit senior activity centres ' programme design s. DESIGN A quasi-experimental , pre-post tests design was used : baseline , at 12-week and at 24-week periods . METHODS Convenience sample s of 204 subjects were recruited from eight senior activity centres and 176 subjects completed the study . Subjects were r and omly assigned into three groups based on the centres : ( 1 ) Experiment I : complete silver yoga with stretching and meditation , ( 2 ) Experiment II : shortened silver yoga without the guided-imagery meditation and ( 3 ) Wait-list control . The interventions were conducted three times per week for 24 weeks . Physical fitness indicators included body compositions , cardiovascular-respiratory functions , physical functions and the range of motion . RESULTS At the end of the 24-week period , the physical fitness of subjects in Experiments I and II had significantly improved whether or not guided-imagery meditation was used and all had better physical fitness than subjects in the control group ( all p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS The physical fitness of older adults in both the 70-minute complete silver yoga group and the 55-minute shortened silver yoga group had significantly improved after the interventions . It was recommended that the silver yoga programme be shortened by eliminating the guided-imagery meditation . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The shortened silver yoga exercise programme is recommended to be incorporated as an activity programme in community- setting s to promote the physical fitness of older adults The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of an intensive lifestyle modification ( ILM ) program on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . Twenty-two patients in the control group continued to receive their conventional treatment with lipid-lowering drugs , whereas 22 patients in the experimental group were assigned to intensive lifestyle modification ( ILM ) without taking any lipid-lowering agent . The ILM program comprised dietary advice on low-fat diets , high antioxidants and high fiber intakes , yoga exercise , stress management and smoking cessation . After 4 months of intervention , patients in the experimental group revealed a statistically significant increase in plasma total antioxidants , plasma vitamin E and erythrocyte glutathione ( GSH ) compared to patients in the control group . There was no significant change in plasma malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , a circulating product of lipid peroxidation , in either group . We concluded that the ILM program increased circulating antioxidants and reduced oxidative stress in patients with CAD Context : Hypertension is a major chronic lifestyle disease . Several non-pharmacological interventions are effective in bringing down the blood pressure ( BP ) . This study focuses on the effectiveness of such interventions among young adults . Aims : To measure the efficacy of physical exercise , reduction in salt intake , and yoga , in lowering BP among young ( 20 - 25 ) pre-hypertensives and hypertensives , and to compare their relative efficacies . Setting s and Design : The study was done in the urban service area of JIPMER . Pre-hypertensives and hypertensives , identified from previous studies , constituted the universe . The participants were r and omized into one control and three interventional groups . Material s and Methods : A total of 113 subjects : 30 , 28 , 28 and 27 in four groups respectively participated for eight weeks : control ( I ) , physical exercise ( II ) - brisk walking for 50 - 60 minutes , four days/week , salt intake reduction ( III ) - to at least half of their previous intake , and practice of yoga ( IV ) - for 30 - 45 minutes/day on at least five days/week . Statistical Analysis Used : Efficacy was assessed using paired t test and ANOVA with Games Howell post hoc test . An intention to treat analysis was also performed . Results : A total of 102 participants ( 29 , 27 , 25 and 21 in groups I , II , III and IV ) completed the study . All three intervention groups showed a significant reduction in BP ( SBP/DBP : 5.3/6.0 in group II , 2.6/3.7 in III , and 2.0/2.6 mm Hg in IV respectively ) . There was no significant change ( SBP/DBP : 0.2/0.5 mmHg ) of BP in control group ( I ) . Physical exercise was most effective ( considered individually ) ; salt intake reduction and yoga were also effective . Conclusions : Physical exercise , salt intake reduction , and yoga are effective non-pharmacological interventions in significantly reducing BP among young hypertensives and pre-hypertensives . These can therefore be positively recommended for hypertensives . There is also a case to deploy these interventions in the general population UNLABELLED In younger people the increase in aerobic capacity following training is related , in part , to blood volume ( BV ) expansion and the consequent improvements in maximal cardiac output . This training-induced hypervolemia is associated with a decrease in cardiopulmonary baroreflex ( CPBR ) control of peripheral vascular tone . PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that improvement in peak oxygen consumption ( VO2peak ) during training in older women is associated with specific central adaptations , such as BV expansion and a reduction in CPBR control of vascular tone . METHODS Seventeen healthy older women were r and omized into training ( N = 9 , 71 + /- 2 yr ) and control ( N = 8 , 73 + /- 3 yr ) groups . The training group exercised three to four times per wk for 30 min at 60 % peak heart rate for 12 wk and then 40 - 50 min at 75 % peak heart rate for 12 wk . The control group participated in yoga exercises over the same time period . We measured resting BV ( Evans blue dye ) , VO2peak , and the forearm vascular resistance response to unloading low pressure mechanoreceptors during low levels of lower body negative pressure ( through -20 mm Hg ) before and after aerobic training . The slope of the increase in forearm vascular resistance ( response ) per unit decrease in central venous pressure ( stimulus ) was used to assess CPBR responsiveness . RESULTS Aerobic training increased VO2peak 14.2 % from 24.2 mL x kg(-1 ) x min(-1 ) to 27.7 mL x kg(-1 ) x min(-1 ) ( P < 0.05 ) , a smaller improvement than typically seen in younger subjects .  Blood volume ( 59.9 + /- 1.9 and 60.9 + /- 1.9 mL x kg[-1 ] ) and CPBR function ( -3.98 + /- 0.92 and -3.46 + /- 0.94 units x mm(-1 ) Hg ) were similar before and after training . CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the inability to induce adaptations in CPBR function may limit BV expansion during training in older women . In addition , the absence of these specific adaptations may contribute to the relatively poor improvements in VO2peak in older women during short ( 10 - 12 wk ) periods of training It is unclear whether the age-associated reduction in baroreflex sensitivity is modifiable by exercise training . The effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga , a non-aerobic control intervention , on the baroreflex of elderly persons was determined . Baroreflex sensitivity was quantified by the alpha-index , at high frequency ( HF ; 0.15 - 0.35 Hz , reflecting parasympathetic activity ) and mid-frequency ( MF ; 0.05 - 0.15 Hz , reflecting sympathetic activity as well ) , derived from spectral and cross-spectral analysis of spontaneous fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure . Twenty-six ( 10 women ) sedentary , healthy , normotensive elderly ( mean 68 years , range 62 - 81 years ) subjects were studied . Fourteen ( 4 women ) of the sedentary elderly subjects completed 6 weeks of aerobic training , while the other 12 ( 6 women ) subjects completed 6 weeks of yoga .  Heart rate decreased following yoga ( 69 + /- 8 vs. 61 + /- 7 min-1 , P < 0.05 ) but not aerobic training ( 66 + /- 8 vs. 63 + /- 9 min-1 , P = 0.29 ) . VO2 max increased by 11 % following yoga ( P < 0.01 ) and by 24 % following aerobic training ( P < 0.01 ) . No significant change in alpha MF ( 6.5 + /- 3.5 vs. 6.2 + /- 3.0 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.69 ) or alpha HF ( 8.5 + /- 4.7 vs. 8.9 + /- 3.5 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.65 ) occurred after aerobic training . Following yoga , alpha HF ( 8.0 + /- 3.6 vs. 11.5 + /- 5.2 ms mmHg-1 , P < 0.01 ) but not alpha MF ( 6.5 + /- 3.0 vs. 7.6 + /- 2.8 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.29 ) increased . Short- duration aerobic training does not modify the alpha-index at alpha MF or alpha HF in healthy normotensive elderly subjects .  alpha HF but not alpha MF increased following yoga , suggesting that these parameters are measuring distinct aspects of the baroreflex that are separately modifiable Abstract Tracy , BL and Hart , CEF . Bikram yoga training and physical fitness in healthy young adults . J Strength Cond Res 27(3 ) : 822–830 , 2013—There has been relatively little longitudinal controlled investigation of the effects of yoga on general physical fitness , despite the widespread participation in this form of exercise . The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effect of short-term Bikram yoga training on general physical fitness . Young healthy adults were r and omized to yoga training ( N = 10 , 29 ± 6 years , 24 sessions in 8 weeks ) or a control group ( N = 11 , 26 ± 7 years ) . Each yoga training session consisted of 90-minute st and ardized supervised postures performed in a heated and humidified studio . Isometric deadlift strength , h and grip strength , lower back/hamstring and shoulder flexibility , resting heart rate and blood pressure , maximal oxygen consumption ( treadmill ) , and lean and fat mass ( dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ) were measured before and after training . Yoga subjects exhibited increased deadlift strength , substantially increased lower back/hamstring flexibility , increased shoulder flexibility , and modestly decreased body fat compared with control group . There were no changes in h and grip strength , cardiovascular measures , or maximal aerobic fitness . In summary , this short-term yoga training protocol produced beneficial changes in musculoskeletal fitness that were specific to the training stimulus The effect of yogic lifestyle on the lipid status was studied in angina patients and normal subjects with risk factors of coronary artery disease . The parameters included the body weight , estimation of serum cholesterol , triglycerides , HDL , LDL and the cholesterol - HDL ratio . A baseline evaluation was done and then the angina patients and risk factors subjects were r and omly assigned as control  ( n = 41 ) and intervention ( yoga ) group ( n = 52 ) . Lifestyle advice was given to both the groups . An integrated course of yoga training was given for four days followed by practice at home . Serial evaluation of both the groups was done at four , 10 and 14 weeks . Dyslipidemia was a constant feature in all cases . An inconsistent pattern of change was observed in the control group of angina ( n = 18 ) and risk factor subjects ( n = 23 ) . The subjects practising yoga showed a regular decrease in all lipid parameters except HDL . The effect started from four weeks and lasted for 14 weeks . Thus , the effect of yogic lifestyle on some of the modifiable risk factors could probably explain the preventive and therapeutic beneficial effect observed in coronary artery disease CONTEXT Premenstrual stress affects 75 % of women of childbearing age and yoga has been found to be beneficial in many psycho-somatic disorders . AIMS To investigate the effect of integrated yoga on autonomic parameters and psychological well-being during both pre and post phases of menstrual cycle in healthy young female subjects . SETTING S AND DESIGN Present study is a r and omized control trial and was conducted in the Department of Physiology , Lady Hardinge Medical College , New Delhi , India . MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty apparently healthy females in the age group of 18 - 20 years were r and omized into two groups : Group I ( n=25 ) consisted of subjects who practice d yoga 35 - 40 minutes per day , six times per week for the duration of three menstrual cycles . Training was given by qualified yoga instructor . Group II ( n=25 ) subjects acted as controls . Following parameters were recorded at the beginning and after completion of three menstrual cycles in all the subjects : Height , weight ( BW ) , Resting Heart Rate ( HR ) , Resting Systolic ( SBP ) and Diastolic Blood Pressure ( DBP ) , parasympathetic reactivity tests including Expiration-Inspiration Ratio ( E : I ratio ) and 30:15 ratio , sympathetic reactivity tests including BP changes due to Isometric H and Grip ( IHG ) exercise , and Cold Pressor Test ( CPT ) . Assessment of psychological status was done by administering DIPAS ( Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences ) inventories of Anger self report scale , Trait Anxiety , Sense of well-being and Depression scale . STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Intra-group comparison of physiological parameters was done by using paired ' t ' test , whereas intra-group comparison of non-parameteric data such as scores of anxiety , depression , anger and sense of well-being was done by Wilcoxon signed-rank test . Inter-group comparison of parameters was done by Students ' t ' test for parametric tests and Mann-Whitney ' U ' test for non-parameteric tests . RESULTS There was significantly higher BW , resting SBP , DBP , sympathetic activity and blunting of parasympathetic reactivity and also , significantly higher scores of anger , depression , anxiety and decreased score of well-being in premenstrual phase as compared to postmenstrual phase in both the groups in initial cycle . There was significantly higher percentage decrease in BW , HR , SBP & DBP in yoga group as compared to control group in both the phases from initial to second and onwards between second and third menstrual cycle . Also , decrease in anger , depression and anxiety and increase in well-being score was significant in yoga group as compared to control group from initial to second and third cycle in premenstrual phase while the change was significant only in depression score in postmenstrual phase . CONCLUSION Our study shows that there was significant alteration of autonomic functions and psychological status in premenstrual phase when compared with postmenstrual phase in young healthy females . Also , regular practice of yoga has beneficial effects on both phases of menstrual cycle by bringing parasympathodominance and psychological well-being probably by balancing neuro-endocrinal axis BACKGROUND Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective , angiographic studies are lacking . MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga , on retardation of coronary atherosclerotic disease . In this prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled trial , 42 men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease ( CAD ) were r and omized to control ( n = 21 ) and yoga intervention group ( n = 21 ) and were followed for one year . The active group was treated with a user-friendly program consisting of yoga , control of risk factors , diet control and moderate aerobic exercise . The control group was managed by conventional methods i.e. risk factor control and American Heart Association step I diet . RESULTS At one year , the yoga groups showed significant reduction in number of anginal episodes per week , improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight . Serum total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels also showed greater reductions as compared with control group . Revascularisation procedures ( coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery ) were less frequently required in the yoga group ( one versus eight patients ; relative risk = 5.45 ; P = 0.01 ) . Coronary angiography repeated at one year showed that significantly more lesions regressed ( 20 % versus 2 % ) and less lesions progressed ( 5 % versus 37 % ) in the yoga group ( chi-square = 24.9 ; P < 0.0001 ) . The compliance to the total program was excellent and no side effects were observed . CONCLUSION Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease . It also improves symptomatic status , functional class and risk factor profile The cardiovascular and behavioral adaptations associated with a 4-month program of aerobic exercise training were examined in 101 older men and women ( mean age = 67 years ) . Subjects were r and omly assigned to an Aerobic Exercise group , a Yoga and Flexibility control group , or a Waiting List control group . Prior to and following the 4-month program , subjects underwent comprehensive physiological and psychological evaluations . Physiological measures included measurement of blood pressure , lipids , bone density , and cardiorespiratory fitness including direct measurements of peak oxygen consumption ( VO2 ) and anaerobic threshold . Psychological measures included measures of mood , psychiatric symptoms , and neuropsychological functioning . This study demonstrated that 4 months of aerobic exercise training produced an overall 11.6 % improvement in peak VO2 and a 13 % increase in anaerobic threshold . In contrast , the Yoga and Waiting List control groups experienced no change in cardiorespiratory fitness . Other favorable physiological changes observed among aerobic exercise participants included lower cholesterol levels , diastolic blood pressure levels , and for subjects at risk for bone fracture , a trend toward an increase in bone mineral content . Although few significant psychological changes could be attributed to aerobic exercise training , participants in the two active treatment groups perceived themselves as improving on a number of psychological and behavioral dimensions On the basis of medical officers diagnosis , thirty three ( N = 33 ) hypertensives , aged 35 - 65 years , from Govt . General Hospital , Pondicherry , were examined with four variables viz , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , pulse rate and body weight . The subjects were r and omly assigned into three groups . The exp . group-I underwent selected yoga practice s , exp . group-II received medical treatment by the physician of the said hospital and the control group did not participate in any of the treatment stimuli . Yoga imparted in the morning and in the evening with 1 hr/session . day-1 for a total period of 11-weeks . Medical treatment comprised drug intake every day for the whole experimental period . The result of pre-post test with ANCOVA revealed that both the treatment stimuli ( i.e. , yoga and drug ) were effective in controlling the variables of hypertension OBJECTIVES To evaluate effects of Hatha yoga and Omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance , psychologic profile , and melatonin secretion . SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty healthy men in the age group of 25 - 35 years volunteered for the study . They were r and omly divided in two groups of 15 each . Group 1 subjects served as controls and performed body flexibility exercises for 40 minutes and slow running for 20 minutes during morning hours and played games for 60 minutes during evening hours daily for 3 months . Group 2 subjects practice d selected yogic asanas ( postures ) for 45 minutes and pranayama for 15 minutes during the morning , whereas during the evening hours these subjects performed preparatory yogic postures for 15 minutes , pranayama for 15 minutes , and meditation for 30 minutes daily , for 3 months . Orthostatic tolerance , heart rate , blood pressure , respiratory rate , dynamic lung function ( such as forced vital capacity , forced expiratory volume in 1 second , forced expiratory volume percentage , peak expiratory flow rate , and maximum voluntary ventilation ) , and psychologic profile were measured before and after 3 months of yogic practice s. Serial blood sample s were drawn at various time intervals to study effects of these yogic practice s and Omkar meditation on melatonin levels . RESULTS Yogic practice s for 3 months result ed in an improvement in cardiorespiratory performance and psychologic profile . The plasma melatonin also showed an increase after three months of yogic practice s. The systolic blood pressure , diastolic blood pressure , mean arterial pressure , and orthostatic tolerance did not show any significant correlation with plasma melatonin . However , the maximum night time melatonin levels in yoga group showed a significant correlation ( r = 0.71 , p < 0.05 ) with well-being score . CONCLUSION These observations suggest that yogic practice s can be used as psychophysiologic stimuli to increase endogenous secretion of melatonin , which , in turn , might be responsible for improved sense of well-being Previous studies have indicated that Yoga exercise has a positive effect on reducing blood pressure and heart rate . However , no r and omized controlled studies to date have investigated its effects on arterial compliance . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-month Yoga intervention on arterial compliance and muscle strength in normal premenopausal women 35 - 50 years of age . Thirty-four women were r and omly assigned either to a Yoga exercise group ( YE , n = 16 ) or a control group ( CON , n = 18 ) . Participants in YE group performed 60 minutes of an Ashtanga Yoga series 2 times/week with one day between sessions for 8 months . Each Yoga session consisted of 15 minutes of warm-up exercises , 35 minutes of Ashtanga Yoga postures and 10 minutes of cool-down with relaxation ; and the session intensity was progressively increased during the 8 months . Participants in CON were encouraged to maintain their normal daily lifestyles monitored by the bone-specific physical activity question naire at 2 month intervals for 8 months . Arterial compliance ( pulse contour analysis ) and muscle strength ( 1 Repetition Maximum ) were assessed at baseline and after the intervention . Arterial compliance of the large and small arteries was not affected by the 8 month Yoga training ( p > 0.05 ) . Also , there were no significant ( p > 0.05 ) group , time , or group × time interaction effects for cardiovascular variables . YE group significantly ( p < 0.01 ) improved leg press muscle strength compared to CON ( 11.4 % vs. -6.5 % ) . Eight months of Ashtanga Yoga training was beneficial for improving leg press strength , but not arterial compliance in premenopausal women . Key pointsThe 8 month Yoga training did not affect arterial compliance of the large and small arteries . None of the cardiovascular variables were changed by the Yoga intervention . Isotonic muscle strength was not altered by the Yoga intervention , with the exception of leg press To determine the effectiveness of a yoga program on blood pressure and stress , a group of hypertensive patients in Thail and were studied , with the experimental group showing significantly decreased mean stress scores and blood pressure , heart rate , and body mass index levels compared with the control group . Further studies are suggested to determine the effects of yoga on hypertension in Thail and OBJECTIVE --To determine the long term effects of relaxation therapy on 24 hour ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure in patients with mild untreated and uncomplicated hypertension . DESIGN --Four week screening period followed by r and omisation to receive either relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling for one year . Ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and after treatment . SETTING --Outpatient clinic in Amsterdam 's university hospital . SUBJECTS--35 Subjects aged 20 - 60 who were being treated by general practitioners for hypertension but were referred to take part in the study . At three consecutive screening visits all subjects had a diastolic blood pressure without treatment of 95 - 110 mm Hg . Subjects were excluded if they had damaged target organs , secondary hypertension , diabetes mellitus , a cholesterol concentration greater than 8 mmol/l , or a history of malignant hypertension . INTERVENTIONS --The group allocated to relaxation therapy was trained for eight weeks ( one hour a week ) in muscle relaxation , yoga exercises , and stress management and continued exercising twice daily for one year with monthly visits to the clinic . The control group had the same attendance schedule but had no training and were requested just to sit and relax twice a day . All subjects were asked not to change their diet or physical activity . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE -- Changes in ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure after one year of relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling . RESULTS --Mean urinary sodium excretion , serum concentration of cholesterol , and body weight did not change in either group . Diastolic pressures measured by sphygmomanometry were 2 and 3 mm Hg lower in subjects in the relaxation group and control group respectively at the one year follow up compared with initial readings . The mean diastolic ambulatory intra-arterial pressure during the daytime had not changed after one year in either group , but small treatment effects could not be excluded : the mean change for the relaxation group was -1 mm Hg ( 95 % confidence interval -6 to 3.9 mm Hg ) and for the control group -0.4 mm Hg ( -5.3 to 4.6 mm Hg ) . Mean ambulatory pressure in the evening also had not changed over the year , and in both groups nighttime pressure was 5 mm Hg higher . The variability in blood pressure was the same at both measurements . CONCLUSIONS --Relaxation therapy was an ineffective method of lowering 24 hour blood pressure , being no more beneficial than non-specific advice , support , and reassurance -- themselves ineffective as a treatment for hypertension OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of yoga in the management of dyslipidemia in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus . METHODS This r and omized parallel study was carried out in Medical College Triv and rum , Kerala , India . Hundred type 2 diabetics with dyslipidemia were r and omized into control and yoga groups . The control group was prescribed oral hypoglycemic drugs . The yoga group practice d yoga daily for 1 h duration along with oral hypoglycemic drugs for 3 months . The lipid profiles of both the groups were compared at the start and at the end of 3 months . RESULTS After intervention with yoga for a period of 3 months the study group showed a decrease in total cholesterol , triglycerides and LDL , with an improvement in HDL . CONCLUSION Yoga , being a lifestyle incorporating exercise and stress management training , targets the elevated lipid levels in patients with diabetes through integrated approaches This report summarizes the current evidence on the effects of  yoga interventions on various components of mental and physical health , by focussing on the evidence described in review articles . Collectively , these review s suggest a number of areas where yoga may well be beneficial , but more research is required for virtually all of them to firmly establish such benefits . The heterogeneity among interventions and conditions studied has hampered the use of meta- analysis as an appropriate tool for summarizing the current literature . Nevertheless , there are some meta-analyses which indicate beneficial effects of yoga interventions , and there are several r and omized clinical trials ( RCT 's ) of relatively high quality indicating beneficial effects of yoga for pain-associated disability and mental health .  Yoga may well be effective as a supportive adjunct to mitigate some medical conditions , but not yet a proven st and -alone , curative treatment . Larger-scale and more rigorous research with higher method ological quality and adequate control interventions is highly encouraged because yoga may have potential to be implemented as a beneficial supportive/adjunct treatment that is relatively cost-effective , may be practice d at least in part as a self-care behavioral treatment , provides a life-long behavioural skill , enhances self-efficacy and self-confidence and is often associated with additional positive side effects
target: No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
  Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
background: Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .