No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .
Yoga as a complementary treatment for smoking cessation in women.
BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death among American women .  Aerobic exercise has shown promise as an aid to smoking cessation because it improves affect and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms . Studies outside the realm of smoking cessation have shown that yoga practice also reduces perceived stress and negative affect . METHODS This pilot study examines the feasibility and initial efficacy of yoga as a complementary therapy for smoking cessation .  Fifty-five women were given 8-week group-based cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and were r and omized to a twice-weekly program of Vinyasa yoga or a general health and wellness program ( contact control ) . The primary outcome measure was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment vali date d by saliva cotinine testing . Longitudinal analyses were also conducted to examine the effect of intervention on smoking cessation at 3- and 6-month follow-up . We examined the effects of the intervention on potential mediating variables ( e.g. , confidence in quitting smoking , self-efficacy ) , as well as measures of depressive symptoms , anxiety , and perceived health ( SF-36 ) . RESULTS At end of treatment , women in the yoga group had a greater 7-day point-prevalence abstinence rate than controls ( odds ratio [ OR ] , 4.56 ; 95 % CI , 1.1 - 18.6 ) . Abstinence remained higher among yoga participants through the six month assessment ( OR , 1.54 ; 95 % CI , 0.34 - 6.92 ) , although differences were no longer statistically significant . Women participating in the yoga program also showed reduced anxiety and improvements in perceived health and well-being when compared with controls . CONCLUSIONS Yoga may be an efficacious complementary therapy for smoking cessation among women
No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .