Abstract
In this study, we conducted an intervention experiment to examine the effects of yoga breathing and meditation on mood and blood pressure. We recruited 25 healthy adults with no prior yoga experience and divided them into two groups: one group received instruction in yoga breathing and meditation in addition to yoga poses, whereas the other group did yoga poses only. The intervention took place once a week for a total of six sessions. Measurements of blood pressure and pulse rate before and after the intervention showed a tendency for systolic blood pressure to decrease in the group that received breathing and meditation instruction (d = 0.23, p = 0.41). Additionally, when participants completed the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2) before and after the intervention, the group that received breathing and meditation instruction displayed a tendency for an increase in “Vigor-Activity” scores (d = 0.67, p = 0.06), while the group that did not receive breathing and meditation instruction exhibited a tendency for a decrease in “Friendliness” scores (d = 0.64, p = 0.15). In the open-ended response section after the intervention, participants in the group that had not received breathing and meditation instruction primarily described changes in physical sensations, whereas those in the group that received breathing and meditation instruction also reported changes in emotions, thoughts, and behavior. These findings suggest that incorporating breathing and meditation practices into yoga poses might have a positive impact on psychological functioning.
