title: Improvements in well-being and vagal tone following a yogic breathing-based life skills workshop in young adults: Two open-trial pilot studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) has been demonstrated in a number of prior studies, little is known about the effects of SKY taught as part of the Your Enlightened Side (YES+) workshop designed for college students and other young adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the effects of YES+, a yogic breathing-based life skills workshop, on multiple measures of well-being and physiological stress response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two nonrandomized open-trial pilot studies were conducted with a total of 74 young adults (age 25.4 ± 6.6 years; 55% female). Study 1 collected a variety of self-report questionnaires at baseline, postworkshop, and 1-month follow-up. Study 2 collected self-report questionnaires in addition to electrocardiography with a stationary cycling challenge at baseline and 1-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study 1: Improvements in self-reported depression (P's ≤ 0.010), perceived stress (P's ≤ 0.002), life satisfaction (P's ≤ 0.002), social connectedness (P's ≤ 0.004), and gratitude (P's ≤ 0.090) were observed at postworkshop and 1-month after workshop relative to baseline. Study 2: Improvements in self-reported emotion regulation were observed at 1-month follow-up relative to baseline (P = 0.019). Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded Form positive affect increased (P = 0.021), while fatigue and sadness decreased (P's ≤ 0.005). During the stationary cycling challenge, rate to recovery of electrocardiography inter-beat interval also increased from baseline to 1-month follow-up (P = 0.077).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that a life skills workshop integrating yogic breathing techniques may provide self-empowering tools for enhancing well-being in young adults. Future research is indicated to further explore these effects, particularly in regards to vagal tone and other aspects of stress physiology.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, GA, USA.
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Goldstein
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, GA, USA.
authors: Gregory F
authors: GF
authors: Lewis
authors: International Association for Human Values, Washington, DC, USA; Nova Southeastern University Lifelong Learning Institute, Davie, FL, GA, USA.
authors: Ronnie
authors: R
authors: Newman
authors: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, GA, USA.
authors: Janice M
authors: JM
authors: Brown
authors: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, GA, USA.
authors: Georgiy
authors: G
authors: Bobashev
authors: RTI International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Kilpatrick
authors: Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, GA, USA.
authors: Emma M
authors: EM
authors: Seppälä
authors: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA.
authors: Diana H
authors: DH
authors: Fishbein
authors: RTI International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors: Sreelatha
authors: S
authors: Meleth
keywords: Emotion regulation; meditation; stress management; vagal tone; well-being; yoga breathing techniques