Decrease in serum cortisol during yoga exercise is correlated with alpha wave activation

Author: Kamei T//Toriumi Y//Kimura H//Ohno S////
Affiliation: Shimane Institute of Health Science, Izumo, Japan
Conference/Journal: Percept Mot Skills
Date published: 2000
Other: Volume ID: 90 , Issue ID: 3 Pt 1 , Pages: 1027-32 , Word Count: 45


We examined changes in brain waves and blood levels of serum cortisol during yoga exercise in 7 yoga instructors and found that alpha waves increased and serum cortisol decreased. These two measures were negatively correlated (r = -.83). Comparison with a control group of nonpractitioners is desirable.