Role of Yoga and Pranayama in Anxiety: A Review Article
International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga 2023 DOI: 10.47223/irjay.2023.6120 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Breathwork |
| Key points | Argues that yoga reduces anxiety through physiological mechanisms: physical postures and breathing improve strength, flexibility, circulation, oxygen uptake, and hormone function, while meditation-induced relaxation stabilizes the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance, increasing resilience to stress. |
Abstract
In India, rates of anxiety are quite high in the general population with women, young adults and the elderly particularly vulnerable. In recent years, Holistic approaches are gaining increasing popularity in the management of psychiatric disorders. Yoga is among the oldest sciences with a holistic approach and hence, has been studied extensively in psychiatry. This increase in popularity is partly due to interest in how this practice, with its aspects of mindfulnessand meditation, can reduce anxiety. In yoga, physical postures and breathing exercises improve muscle strength, flexibility, blood circulation and oxygen uptake as well as hormone function. In addition, the relaxation induced by meditation helps to stabilize the autonomic nervous system with a tendency towards parasympathetic dominance. Physiological benefits which follow, help yoga practitioners become more resilient to stressful conditions.