Oxygen Consumption during Viniyoga Practice in Adults.

CONTEXT: The purpose of this study was to measure the oxygen consumption (V̇O2) during Viniyoga yoga movements (asanas) and to compare V̇O2 walking among adults. METHODS: Yoga practitioners (n = 10) were recruited to measure V̇O2 while at rest (30 min), practicing yoga (16 movements with different variations), and treadmill walking at 2 mph (10 min) and 3 mph (10 min). V̇O2 was measured using a whole-room indirect calorimetry. Each yoga movement was categorized by body orientation as standing, lying, and sitting. The differences in V̇O2 between yoga and walking were examined using Pearson's correlations. Differences in V̇O2 between poses (standing, sitting, and lying) were examined using linear regression models. V̇O2. RESULTS: Mean yoga-V̇O2 for the entire yoga session was 3.7 (standard deviation [SD] 0.43, range: 4.4-8.9) ml/kg/min. Yoga-V̇O2 varied by body orientation: standing = 7.5 (SD = 1.5) ml/kg/min, lying = 5.3 (SD = 1.0) ml/kg/min, and sitting = 5.4 (SD = 1.1) ml/kg/min. After adjusting for body mass, frequency of yoga practice, and resting energy expenditure, female gender was negatively associated with mean yoga V̇O2 for standing (B = -112.19, P < 0.05), lying (B = -141.87, P < 0.05), and sitting (B = -129.96, P < 0.05). Mean V̇O2 for walking 2 mph was comparable with sitting (r = 0.836, P < 0.05) and lying (r = 0.735, P < 0.05) whereas walking at 3 mph was comparable with standing (r = 0.718, P < 0.05) and sitting (r = 0.760, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that V̇O2 during yoga practice is comparable to V̇O2 during slow treadmill walking and may vary based on gender and body orientation.

Characteristics of Yoga Practice and Predictors of Practice Frequency.

Yoga is a globally popular mind-body practice used for health. The objective of this study was to characterize yoga practice and factors associated with frequency of practice. Yoga practitioners were sent invitations via email to participate in an online survey. Yoga characteristics and other sociodemographics were collected. Data from 309 consenting respondents were analyzed for patterns in practice characteristics (yoga techniques, location of practice, method of instruction, teacher status, and yoga type). Associations between characteristics of practice and yoga practice frequency were computed. The following characteristics were then analyzed as predictors of practice frequency in a regression model: location of practice, method of instruction, teacher status, yoga type, and techniques. Most respondents reported use of all three yoga techniques (movements, breathing, and meditation) and practiced an average of 4.5 ± 1.9 days a week. Key characteristics such as location of practice, method of instruction, and frequency significantly differed by teacher status and by yoga type (Viniyoga practitioners vs. other yoga styles). In our regression model, being a yoga teacher, being taught a one-on-one yoga practice by someone else, and regular use of movement were positively associated with increased practice frequency. Our analyses provide insight into how yoga factors such as teacher status, method of instruction, and use of tools relate to practice frequency. Understanding the relationships between practice characteristics and practice frequency may allow for the improved implementation of yoga for health.