Yoga for Health

© Mariann Seriff

Yoga is a mind and body practice with historical origins in ancient 

Indian philosophy. Like other meditative movement practices used 

for health purposes, various styles of yoga typically combine 

physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or 

relaxation. This fact sheet provides basic information about yoga, 

summarizes scientific research on effectiveness and safety, and 

suggests sources for additional information.

Key Points 

• Recent studies in people with chronic low-back pain suggest that a 

carefully adapted set of yoga poses can help reduce pain and 

improve function (the ability to walk and move). Studies also 

suggest that practicing yoga (as well as other forms of regular 

exercise) might have other health benefits such as reducing heart 

rate and blood pressure, and may also help relieve anxiety and 

depression. Other research suggests yoga is not helpful for asthma, 

and studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.

• People with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or sciatica, and women 

who are pregnant should modify or avoid some yoga poses. 

• Ask a trusted source (such as a health care provider or local 

hospital) to recommend a yoga practitioner. Contact professional 

organizations for the names of practitioners who have completed 

an acceptable training program.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health 

practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage 

your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

About Yoga

Yoga in its full form combines physical postures, breathing 

exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy. There are 

numerous styles of yoga. Hatha yoga, commonly practiced in the 

United States and Europe, emphasizes postures, breathing exercises, 

and meditation. Hatha yoga styles include Ananda, Anusara, 

Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, Kripalu, Kundalini, Viniyoga, and others.
2 

Side Effects and Risks 

• Yoga is generally low-impact and safe for healthy people when practiced appropriately 

under the guidance of a well-trained instructor.

• Overall, those who practice yoga have a low rate of side effects, and the risk of serious 

injury from yoga is quite low. However, certain types of stroke as well as pain from nerve 

damage are among the rare possible side effects of practicing yoga.

• Women who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood 

pressure, glaucoma (a condition in which fluid pressure within the eye slowly increases 

and can damage the eye’s optic nerve), and sciatica (pain, weakness, numbing, or tingling 

that can extend from the lower back to the calf, foot, or even the toes), should modify or 

avoid some yoga poses. 

Use of Yoga for Health in the United States 

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included a 

comprehensive survey of complementary health use by Americans, yoga is the sixth most 

commonly used complementary practice among adults. More than 13 million adults practiced 

yoga in the previous year, and between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, use of yoga among adults 

increased by 1 percent (or approximately 3 million people). The 2007 survey also found that 

more than 1.5 million children practiced yoga in the previous year.

Many people who practice yoga do so to maintain their health and well-being, improve 

physical fitness, relieve stress, and enhance quality of life. In addition, yoga is also used to 

address specific health conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and anxiety.

What the Science Says About Yoga 

Current research suggests that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses may reduce low-back pain 

and improve function. Other studies also suggest that practicing yoga (as well as other forms 

of regular exercise) might improve quality of life; reduce stress; lower heart rate and blood 

pressure; help relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and improve overall physical fitness, 

strength, and flexibility. But some research suggests yoga may not improve asthma, and 

studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.

• One NCCAM-funded study of 90 people with chronic low-back pain found that participants who 

practiced Iyengar yoga had significantly less disability, pain, and depression after 6 months.

• In a 2011 study, also funded by NCCAM, researchers compared yoga with conventional 

stretching exercises or a self-care book in 228 adults with chronic low-back pain. The 

results showed that both yoga and stretching were more effective than a self-care book for 

improving function and reducing symptoms due to chronic low-back pain.

• Conclusions from another 2011 study of 313 adults with chronic or recurring low-back pain 

suggested that practicing yoga for 12 weeks resulted in better function than usual medical care.
3 

However, studies show that certain health conditions may not benefit from yoga.

• A 2011 systematic review of clinical studies suggests that there is no sound evidence that 

yoga improves asthma.

• A 2011 review of the literature reports that few published studies have looked at yoga and 

arthritis, and of those that have, results are inconclusive. The two main types of arthritis—

osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—are different conditions, and the effects of yoga 

may not be the same for each. In addition, the reviewers suggested that even if a study 

showed that yoga helped osteoarthritic finger joints, it may not help osteoarthritic knee 

joints.

Training, Licensing, and Certification 

There are many training programs for yoga teachers throughout the country. These programs 

range from a few days to more than 2 years. Standards for teacher training and certification 

differ depending on the style of yoga.

There are organizations that register yoga teachers and training programs that have complied 

with a certain curriculum and educational standards. For example, one nonprofit group (the 

Yoga Alliance) requires at least 200 hours of training, with a specified number of hours in areas 

including techniques, teaching methodology, anatomy, physiology, and philosophy. Most yoga 

therapist training programs involve 500 hours or more. The International Association of Yoga 

Therapists is developing standards for yoga therapy training.

If You Are Considering Practicing Yoga

• Do not use yoga or any other complementary health practice to replace conventional medical 

care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about pain or any other medical condition.

• If you have a medical condition, talk to your health care provider before starting yoga.

• Ask a trusted source (such as your health care provider or a nearby hospital) to recommend 

a yoga practitioner. Find out about the training and experience of any practitioner you are 

considering. To learn more, see the NCCAM fact sheet Selecting a Complementary and 

Alternative Medicine Practitioner at nccam.nih.gov/health/decisions/practitioner.htm. 

• Everyone’s body is different, and yoga postures should be modified based on individual 

abilities. Carefully selecting an instructor who is experienced with and attentive to your 

needs is an important step toward helping you practice yoga safely. Ask about the physical 

demands of the type of yoga in which you are interested and inform your yoga instructor 

about any medical issues you have.

• Carefully think about the type of yoga you are interested in. For example, hot yoga (which 

can include Bikram yoga) may involve standing and moving in humid environments with 

temperatures as high as 105°F. Because such settings may be physically stressful, people 

who practice hot yoga should take certain precautions. These include drinking water 

before, during, and after a hot yoga practice and wearing suitable clothing. People with 
4 

conditions that may be affected by excessive heat, such as heart disease, lung disease, and 

a prior history of heatstroke may want to avoid this form of yoga. Women who are 

pregnant may want to check with their health care providers before starting hot yoga.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

NCCAM-Funded Research 

This fact sheet has discussed research on yoga for conditions such as low-back pain, 

depression, stress, blood pressure, and insomnia. NCCAM is currently supporting research on 

how practicing yoga may affect:

• Diabetes risk

• HIV

• Immune function

• Forms of arthritis

• Menopausal symptoms

• Multiple sclerosis

• Posttraumatic stress disorder

• Smoking cessation.

References 

Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United 

States, 2007. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. 2008.

Birdee GS, Legedza AT, Saper RB, et al. Characteristics of yoga users: results of a national survey. Journal of General 

Internal Medicine. 2008; 23(10):1653-1658.

Bower JE, Woolery A, Sternlieb B, et al. Yoga for cancer patients and survivors. Cancer Control. 2005;12(3):165-171.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Fitness Workers.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site. Accessed at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm on January 24, 2012. 

Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Christian L, Preston H, et al. Stress, inflammation, and yoga practice. Psychosomatic Medicine. 

2010;72(2):113-121.

Lipton L. Using yoga to treat disease: an evidence-based review. JAAPA. 2008;21(2):34-36, 38, 41.

Oken BS, Zajdel D, Kishiyama S, et al. Randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga in healthy seniors: effects on 

cognition and quality of life. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2006;12(1):40-47.

Raub, JA. Psychophysiologic effects of hatha yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: a literature 

review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002;8(6):797-812.

Ross A, Thomas S. The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. Journal of Alternative and 

Complementary Medicine. 2010;16(1):3-12.
5 

Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Wellman RD, et al. A randomized trial comparing yoga, stretching, and a self-care book for 

chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2011;171(22):2019-2026.

Tilbrook HE, Cox H, Hewitt CE, et al. Yoga for chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 

2011;155(9):569-578. 

Uebelacker LA, Epstein-Lubow G, Gaudiano BA, et al. Hatha yoga for depression: a critical review of the evidence for 

efficacy, plausible mechanisms of action, and directions for future research. Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 2010; 

16(1):22-33. 

Williams K, Abildso C, Steinberg L, et al. Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficacy of Iyengar yoga therapy on 

chronic low back pain. Spine. 2009;34(19):2066-2076.

Wren AA, Wright MA, Carson JW, et al. Yoga for persistent pain: new findings and direction for an ancient practice. 

Pain. 2011;152(3):477-480. 

For More Information

NCCAM Clearinghouse

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on NCCAM and complementary health 

practices, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical 

literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, 

or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

Web site: nccam.nih.gov

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

A service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), PubMed contains publication information 

and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals.

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Clinical Research Trials and You

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created a Web site, NIH Clinical Research Trials and 

You, to help people learn about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. The 

site includes questions and answers about clinical trials, guidance on how to find clinical trials 

through ClinicalTrials.gov and other resources, and stories about the personal experiences of 

clinical trial participants. Clinical trials are necessary to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, 

and treat diseases.

Web site: www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/
MedlinePlus

To provide resources that help answer health questions, MedlinePlus (a service of NLM) brings 

together authoritative information from NIH as well as other Government agencies and healthrelated organizations.

Web site: www.medlineplus.gov

Acknowledgments 

NCCAM thanks the following people for their technical expertise and review of this 

publication: Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Institute for 

Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University College of Medicine; Barry S. Oken, M.D., 

Departments of Neurology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Physiology & Pharmacology, Oregon 

Health & Science University; Karen J. Sherman, Ph.D., M.P.H., Group Health Research Institute; 

John R. Glowa, Ph.D., and John (Jack) Killen, Jr., M.D., NCCAM.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain.

Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D472 

Created May 2008

Updated May 2012