Study Quantifies Physical Benefits of Hatha Yoga

A 2005 study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) revealed that a moderate regimen of Hatha Yoga (three 55-minute classes per week for 8 weeks) had significant positive benefits in the areas of flexibility, balance and muscular strength and endurance. It also showed no significant benefits toward pulmonary function or aerobic capacity. A follow-up study was done that compared the physiological effects of Hatha yoga with those of Power yoga. The results of these study can be found here.

One comment

  • MlynHill
    February 26, 2010 - 11:47 am | Permalink

    Tyler,
    Great article! Thank you for sharing! I have sent this on to the nursing supervisor at the VA Outpatient clinic here in Columbus. I have been doing a 2X a week Hatha program for them since late last fall. The program is funded by grant money, and she would like to get it re-funded for another year. The participants are nursing staff, who, like in the study, are folks who have done little in the way of fitness work prior to the class. The supervisor is looking for some ways to evaluate progress/benefits of the participants (3 of whom are physicians!) to include as data for the refunding. This article ought to really help her. Again – thanks! And, good information for all of us yogi’s to know as well!
    Martie Schoener – Certified Yoga Instructor

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