![]() The main goal of YBP in this context is to optimize health, promote stress reduction and increase self-regulation, from both a prevention and treatment perspective. Similarly, we will not focus on yoga from the perspective of a specific lineage, but instead outline a framework for YBP as modern psychophysiological therapeutic practices that employ a series of movement-, breath- and attention-based techniques inspired by a variety of yogic traditions. Since our aim is, however, to provide a secular and operationalized definition of YBP that is useful within our current and more limited Western scientific paradigm, we will largely refrain from the use of yogic terminology in this paper. In the context of these texts, the various components of yoga such as “asana”, “pranayama”, and the “samyamas” refer to postural, breath-based and meditative practices aimed at directing and refining “prana” (subtle energy or life force), with the ultimate goal of reaching a state of “samadhi” (an evolved state of the human spirit often referred to as pure consciousness). ![]() In its traditional sense, yoga is considered a spiritual practice with roots in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali of which there are numerous interpretations and translations (Satchidananda, 1978 Hariharananda Aranya, 1983 White, 2014). However, this type of practice is a relatively recent phenomenon, and according to some sources there is little evidence that movement-based practice has ever been the primary aspect of any ancient Indian yoga tradition (Singleton, 2010). For example, in the West yoga has become virtually synonymous with posture or movement-based practice (Feuerstein, 2003). At the same time, the recent “yoga boom” has been met with controversy, especially when it comes to defining yoga in modern contexts. Yoga is also beginning to spark growing interest within the scientific community, and a rapidly increasing number of studies are investigating the effects of yoga on physiological parameters, perceived emotional states, and cognitive functioning (Gard et al., 2014a). According to recent surveys, yoga is practiced by over twenty million people in the USA alone, with its status having evolved from a niche activity to the catalyst of a blooming multimillion dollar industry. Here we propose such a framework, and outline the bottom-up neurophysiological and top-down neurocognitive mechanisms hypothesized to be at play in YBP.ĭefinition of Yoga-based Practices in the Context of this Paperĭuring recent decades numerous yoga-based practices (YBP) have emerged in the West. A clear operational definition of yoga-based therapeutic interventions for scientific purposes, as well as a comprehensive theoretical framework from which testable hypotheses can be formulated, is therefore needed. However, so far little if any research has attempted to deconstruct the role of these different component parts in order to better understand their respective contribution to the effects of YBP. YBP typically involve a combination of postures or movement sequences, conscious regulation of the breath, and various techniques to improve attentional focus. Yoga is also beginning to spark growing interest within the scientific community, and yoga-based interventions have been associated with measureable changes in physiological parameters, perceived emotional states, and cognitive functioning. During recent decades numerous yoga-based practices (YBP) have emerged in the West, with their aims ranging from fitness gains to therapeutic benefits and spiritual development.
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