A Combined Kundalini Yoga and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the standard conventional treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, recent studies have reported the benefits of yoga for reducing PTSD symptoms including a Kundalini Yoga (KY) intervention. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a novel combined 8-week CBT and KY program for treating PTSD symptoms and improving sleep quality in a single group trial of 26 adults with PTSD. PTSD symptoms (PTSD checklist-5) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed at baseline, post intervention, and at 2-month follow-up. Both CBT and yoga homework compliance were also measured. Total PTSD symptom scores as well as the cluster symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, arousal/reactivity, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood) were significantly improved following the program, all p < .01. The improvements in total PTSD scores, intrusion, avoidance, arousal/reactivity were maintained at follow-up, with all values still less (p < .01) than baseline. The negative alterations in cognitions and mood symptom cluster continued to improve further at follow-up compared to post-intervention values (p < .05). Total sleep score (p < .05) and the subscales of sleep disturbance (p < .01), daytime dysfunction (p < .05), and sleep quality (p < .01) were significantly improved after the program and these improvements were maintained at follow-up compared to baseline. Sleep medication use was decreased (p < .05) and sleep latency was improved (p < .01) at follow-up only compared to baseline. There was a significant positive correlation (p < .05) between the completion of the yoga home practice and post change in total sleep scores. These results show that a combined KY and CBT intervention resulted in decreased PTSD symptoms and improved sleep quality and suggest this program may constitute an additional treatment option for PTSD.

The Yoga Instructor Beliefs Scales Epistemic (YIBS-E) and Pedagogic (YIBS-P): Development and Initial Assessment of the Factor Structure.

Yoga is a multidimensional and heterogeneous mind-body practice led by a therapist or teacher (e.g., yoga instructor). Although they constitute an integral part of delivery, content, and curriculum, factors that influence yoga instructors' choices have yet to be explored. Using a mixed methods sequential design for development of an instrument that identifies measurable epistemic (YIBS-E) and pedagogic (YIBS-P) beliefs, the Yoga Instructor Beliefs Scale (YIBS) reports validity evidence from four distinct phases. Phase I presents qualitative findings from literature-informed semistructured interviews to give a comprehensive construct model of yoga instructor beliefs from diverse styles/ schools/lineages of yoga (nine content-specific clusters). In Phase II, focus group panels of experts evaluated construct novelty and importance of themes, resulting in a pool of potential questionnaire items. Phase III employed cognitive interviews to assess the perceived meaning and clarity of using the preliminary YIBS items. Phase IV included exploratory factor analysis and correlational analyses using 204 yoga instructor responses, suggesting a 44-item instrument with distinct epistemic (Experiential, Energetic, Systems-Based, Affectual, Mindful, and Physical) and pedagogic (Curricular Integration, Student Awareness, Accessibility, and Differentiated Instruction) factors (YIBS- E α = 0.90, YIBS-P α = 0.85). Measurable belief constructs can inform research on individual yoga instructor differences that may influence curriculum content choices and delivery. The purpose of this instrument is to enable research linking instructor beliefs to the presence of various components of a yoga program and to contextualize defining qualities of yoga programs. Long-term use of this instrument should enable in-depth analyses such as mediation or moderation of yoga instructor beliefs on intervention components/content or outcomes.

"Making it okay": professionals in high-stress environments construct their understanding of the impact of a yoga-based retreat designed to build resilience.

PURPOSE: While there is growing evidence for resilience building programmes, to date research has not explored how professionals construct understanding of programme impact. RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement), a 5-day yoga-based retreat programme, has been linked with positive wellness outcomes. This qualitative inquiry explores participants' reflection and experience 3 months after programme completion. METHODS: Through a grounded constructivist lens, in-depth semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 17 adult professionals in high-stress work environments who attended RISE. Initial hand-coding informed codebook development for systematic coding using directed content analysis using sensitizing structuring. RESULTS: Two integrated perceptions woven through five themes. Persistent threads of experiential learning and sense of permission provided structure for themes found. Five interrelated themes related to psychological health and workplace dynamics were (1) use of acquired behavioural skills and practices; (2) lived mindfulness; (3) resilience to stress and emotion regulation (4) self-care and self-compassion, and (5) sharing with others. CONCLUSION: Findings provide meaningful interpretation of previously reported programme efficacy by contextualizing perceived benefits within participants' constructed understanding of change. Specifically, environmental, social, and experiential considerations have suggested implications for resilience building programmes.Abbreviations: RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement).

Improvements in Psychological and Occupational Well-Being in a Pragmatic Controlled Trial of a Yoga-Based Program for Professionals.

Objective: The purpose of this pragmatic controlled trial was to examine changes in psychological and occupational well-being in professionals who attended a yoga-based program. Setting: The 5-day RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement) program was delivered at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. RISE included 5 h per day of yoga, meditation, lectures, and experiential activities. Subjects: Adult professionals from education, corrections, and social service institutions were pragmatically assigned to the RISE group (n = 61) or a waitlist control group (n = 60). Outcome measures: Measures of psychological and occupational well-being were completed before RISE (baseline), immediately after RISE (postprogram), and 2 months after RISE (follow-up). Analyses of covariance were conducted to compare change scores between groups. Results: Eighty-two participants (RISE n = 41, control n = 41) completed baseline and postmeasures and were included in the analysis, and 57 (RISE n = 27, control n = 30) also completed the follow-up. Relative to controls, the RISE group reported improvements in stress (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.51), resilience (p = 0.028, r2 = 0.34), positive affect (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.52), negative affect (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.52), mindfulness (p = 0.021, r2 = 0.13), and job satisfaction (p = 0.034, r2 = 0.08) from baseline to postprogram. From baseline to follow-up, compared with controls the RISE group showed improvements in stress (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.33), resilience (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.24), positive affect (p = 0.006, r2 = 0.49), negative affect (p = 0.043, r2 = 0.32), mindfulness (p = 0.001, r2 = 0.28), empowerment (p = 0.005, r2 = 0.20), and self-compassion (p = 0.011, r2 = 0.19). Conclusions: The RISE program was associated with improvements in psychological and occupational well-being immediately after and 2 months after the program. Future research is needed to confirm these results.