Physiological and psychological effects of Hatha-Yoga exercise in healthy women

This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of yoga on heart rate, blood pressure, the hormones cortisol, prolactin and growth hormone, and certain psychological parameters with a control group who read in a comfortable position during the experimental period. The yoga group had a significant decrease in heart rate during yoga practice. There was no significant difference in hormone parameters or blood pressure. Significant differences were found in psychological parameters with the yoga group showing markedly higher scores in life satisfaction and lower scores in excitability, aggressiveness, openness, emotionality and somatic complaints. Significant differences were also found in the yoga group in the ability to cope with stress and mood.