Episode 65: Slow Breathing

Yoga Research & Beyond

Slow Breathing: Samavriti and Visamavriti Pranayama for Reducing Stress

In our first podcast episode under the new format, we review the paper Slow breathing for reducing stress: The effect of extending exhale. Our main focus was the methods section. Here are some basics we covered:

• Randomization and blinding challenges in yoga research
• Slow breathing parameters for study inclusion/exclusion
• Participant screening for eligiblity
• Outcome measures
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV) using ECG
  • PROMIS Anxiety Score – self-reported
• Effect size versus p-value
• Intervention sources – Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar
• Conclusions yoga teachers can safely make