Using the Biopsychosocial Model to Understand the Health Benefits of Yoga
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Subhadra Evans
Yoga is widely practiced as a means to promote physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. While a number of studies have documented the efficacy of yoga for functioning in healthy individuals and those experiencing illness or pain, biopsychosocial effects have not been detailed. We propose an analogue between the physical, psychological and spiritual effects of practice as espoused in yoga traditions, and the biopsychosocial model of health. To this end, we present a review and conceptual model of the potential biopsychosocial benefits of yoga, which may provide clues regarding the possible mechanisms of action of yoga upon well-being. Physical systems activated through yoga practice include musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, autonomic nervous system and endocrine functioning. Psychological benefits include enhanced coping, self-efficacy and positive mood. Spiritual mechanisms that can be understood within a Western medical model include acceptance and mindful awareness. We present empirical evidence that supports the involvement of these domains. However, additional well-conducted research is required to further establish the efficacy of yoga for health states, and to understand how posture, breath and meditative activity affect the body, mind and spirit.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Research Article
- Action of Portulaca oleracea against Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Experimental Diabetic Rats
- Effect of Naga Parpam, a Zinc-Based Siddha Medicine, on Hyperlipidemia in Rats
- The Organizational Support Necessary for Integrative Health Care (IHC): A Clinic for Artists in a Hospital Setting
- Investigation of Antihyperglycemic Activity of Glycine max (L.) Merr. on Serum Glucose Level in Diabetic Mice
- Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity of a C-glycosidic Flavonoid Derived from Enicostemma hyssopifolium
- Exploring Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Action of Galactomannan: A Carbohydrate Isolated from Fenugreek Seeds
- The Potential Role of Daucus carota Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts on Inflammation and Gastric Ulcers in Rats
- Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Inhibitory response of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.) Seed Extract on Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress
- Antibacterial Activity and Anticorrosive Efficiency of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Artemisia pallens (Asteraceae) and Its Major Constituent
- Ameliorative Role of Vitamin E on Adverse Impact of Azadirachta indica in Reproductive Indices of Male Rats
- Biphasic Modulation of Neutrophil Migration by Aqueous Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Murine Lung
- In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Rhodiola imbricata
- The Effect of Tai Chi in Reducing Anxiety in an Ambulatory Population
- Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Pterocarpus santalinoides L'Hérit ex DC Leaf Extract
- Phytochemical Constituents and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb Methanolic Extract
- Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Extracts from the Stem Bark of Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae) in Mice and Rats
- Protective Effect of Red Wine Extract Supplement against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats: Effects on Mitochondrial Antioxidant and Structural Parameters
- Effect on Inhibition of Proliferation and Antioxidant Enzyme Level of Lippia nodiflora in EAC Cell Line Treated Mice
- Exposure to Oscillating High Electrical Potential and the Associated Low Frequency Magnetic Field Enhances the Hepatoprotective Action of Schisandrin B in Vivo and in Vitro
- Assessment of in Vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Cajanus cajan
- Antiproliferative, Antioxidant and Cyto/DNA Protective Properties in Andrographis serpyllifolia: Role of Andrographolide and Phenolic Acids
- Caudal Epididymal Sperm Characteristics and Testicular Morphometrics of Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of a Blood-Wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (BWSLM) Mixture Diet
- Probable Mechanism of the Antihyperglycemic Effect of Standardized Extract from Momordica charantia in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats
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- Determination of Phenolic Content of Cassia sophera Linn. and the Potential Antiulcer Activity in Experimentally Induced Ulceration
- Augmentation of Antioxidant Defense System by Tinospora cordifolia: Implications in Radiation Protection
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