Exploring how different types of yoga change psychological resources and emotional well-being across a single session.
Crystal L Park, Lucy Finkelstein-Fox, Erik J Groessl, A Rani Elwy, Sharon Y Lee
Complementary Therapies in Medicine March 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102354 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational pre-post study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 144 |
| Population | Regular yoga practitioners |
| Intervention | Yoga |
| Duration | Single session, pre- to post-measurement |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotional well-being Mechanisms Positive emotion Vitality Yoga |
| Citations | 54 |
| Key findings | A single yoga session increased positive emotions and psychological resources, with changes in resources closely tracking emotional improvements. |
Abstract
Yoga demonstrates beneficial effects in many populations, yet our understanding of how yoga brings about these effects is quite limited. Among the proposed mechanisms of yoga are increasing psychological resources (mindfulness, body consciousness, self-transcendence, spiritual peace, and social connectedness) that may bring about salutary effects on emotional wellbeing. Further, yoga is a complex practice comprising meditation, active and restorative postures, and breathwork; however little is known about how different components may affect mechanisms. We aimed to determine how an acute session of yoga (and its specific components) related to pre- to post- session changes in proposed mechanisms (psychological resources) and whether those changes were associated with positive changes in emotions. 144 regular yoga practitioners completed measures of mindfulness, body consciousness, self-transcendence, social connectedness, spiritual peace, and exercise-induced emotions (positive engagement, revitalization, tranquility, exhaustion) immediately before and after a yoga session (N = 11 sessions, each a different type of yoga). Perceived properties of each yoga session, exercise exertion and engagement with the yoga teacher were assessed immediately following the session. Pre-to post- yoga, levels of positive emotions (engagement, tranquility and revitalization) increased while exhaustion decreased. Further, all psychological resources increased and closely tracked improved emotions. Additionally, aspects of the yoga session correlated with changes in psychological resources (mechanisms) and emotions. Yoga may influence multiple psychological mechanisms that influence emotional well-being. Further, different types of yoga may affect different mechanisms. Results can inform yoga interventions aiming to optimize effects through specific mechanisms such as mindfulness or spirituality.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Applying the S-ART Framework to Yoga: Exploring the Self-Regulatory Action of Yoga Practice in Two Culturally Diverse Samples. Frontiers in Psychology 2021
- Associations of Yoga as a Mind-Body Exercise and Its Components with Spiritual and Subjective Well-Being: Cross-Sectional Evidence for Potential Distress Prevention. Sports January 4, 2026
- Do yoga and meditation moderate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms? Analysis of a national cross-sectional survey of Australian women. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Synchronization Through Yoga Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga April 16, 2026
- Effect of Yoga Practices on Postural Stability, Fall Risk, and Psychological Wellbeing in Older Adults. Geriatrics February 5, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 7
- The Essential Properties of Yoga Questionnaire (EPYQ): Psychometric Properties. International Journal of Yoga Therapy November 1, 2018
- Positive Emotion Correlates of Meditation Practice: A Comparison of Mindfulness Meditation and Loving-kindness Meditation Mindfulness May 29, 2017
- The relationship between yoga involvement, mindfulness and psychological well-being. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 2016
- Well-being at workplace through mindfulness: Influence of Yoga practice on positive affect and aggression. Ayu 2015
- Processing of proprioceptive and vestibular body signals and self-transcendence in Ashtanga yoga practitioners Frontiers in Human Neuroscience September 22, 2014
and 2 more in the library