Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various styles of yoga that people use for health purposes typically combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. There are numerous schools of yoga. Hatha yoga, the most commonly practiced in the United States and Europe, emphasizes postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama). Some of the major styles of hatha yoga include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vini, Kundalini, and Bikram yoga. People use yoga for a variety of conditions and to achieve fitness and relaxation.
The 2007 National Health Interview Survey found that yoga is one of the top 10 CAM modalities used among U.S. adults. An estimated 6 percent of adults used yoga for health purposes in the previous 12 months.
Yoga for Health: An Introduction
For Consumers
Research Spotlights
- For Low-Back Pain, Yoga More Effective Than Self-Care But Not Stretching (October 2011)
- Long-Term Yoga Practice May Decrease Women's Stress (February 2010)
- Iyengar Yoga for Chronic Low-Back Pain Shows Promising Results (September 2009)
Images and Videos
- Photos
- Yoga and Older Adults (NIHSeniorHealth.gov) [3min 57sec]
Ongoing Medical Studies
- Search for Active Medical Research Studies (ClinicalTrials.gov)
For Health Professionals
Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain (Annals of Internal Medicine)
- Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies and Botanicals [255KB PDF]
(Society for Integrative Oncology) - Integrative Oncology in Lung Cancer (Chest)
Scientific Literature
- Systematic Reviews/Reviews/Meta-Analysis (PubMed® Citations)
- Randomized Controlled Trials (PubMed® Citations)
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