The Effect of Hatha Yoga on Mental Health

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of a 10-week (2x a week; 45-minute per session) Hatha yoga intervention in adults ages 18-25 (n = 45) on mental health outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the effect of a hatha yoga intervention on depression and anxiety symptoms? What is the effect of a hatha yoga intervention on electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha and theta band power? What is the effect of hatha yoga intervention on heart rate variability? Participants will be randomized to three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group). Participants in the Hatha yoga experimental group will attend 10 weeks of twice-weekly 45-minute yoga sessions. The active comparison meditation group will participate in 10 weeks of twice-weekly 45-minute meditation sessions. The control group will continue with their usual routine. Researchers will compare changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, EEG alpha and theta band power, and heart rate variability between the three groups.

There are knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in understanding the effects of yoga, specifically long-term interventions, on physiological markers, electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) and elevated mental health symptoms in young adults. The present study will address the knowledge gaps by evaluating the effect of a 10-week (2x a week; 45-minute per session) Hatha yoga intervention in adults ages 18-25 (n = 45). Participants will be truly randomized to three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group). This design will allow the investigators to determine the effects of Hatha yoga on relevant outcome measures. Changes in depression symptoms (BDI), anxiety symptoms (BAI), EEG alpha and theta band power, heart rate variability indices (RMSSD, LF/HF) will be assessed. Compared to the control group, investigators hypothesize that both the Hatha yoga and meditation groups will exhibit an improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms, an increased alpha and theta band power at rest, and an increased RMSSD and decreased LF/HF at rest. Moreover, the investigators hypothesize that the Hatha yoga group will improve body composition, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength, and cardiovascular recovery more than the meditation group.

Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group).

Participants in the control group will maintain their usual daily routine. The participants will complete the pre-test, 10 weeks of normal daily activities, and post-test. No changes to their daily schedule will be made by the researcher.

The active comparator meditation group will complete a 10-week meditation yoga intervention (2x/week, 45 minutes per session). Each session will consist of yogic breathing, imagery, and meditation, specifically with a focus on each of the yogic limbs. The yogic limbs that will be incorporated during the meditation intervention are yamas, niyamas, pranayamas, and sense withdrawal/meditative techniques.

The experimental hatha yoga group will complete a 10-week yoga intervention (2x/week, 45 minutes per session). Each session will consist of a centering, integration, awakening, vitality, equanimity, grounding, igniting, opening, release, and deep rest; all of which are specific hatha yoga practice sections. This group will complete the pre-test and post-test measures.

Participation in Hatha Yoga twice a week for 45 minutes for 10 weeks. The total potential dose is 900 minutes over the course of the intervention.

Frontal (F7/F8) and Temporoparietal (TP9/TP10) Alpha and Theta EEG power. 5-minute recording at rest; measured using the MUSE-2 system and Mind Monitor application.

Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio (LF/HF) indices of heart rate variability (HRV), 5-minute recording at rest; measured using the Polar H8/H9 HR monitors and HRVLogger application.

Inclusion Criteria: Ages 18-35 Medically healthy to participate in physical activity as determined by the Physical Activity Reading Questionnaire (PAR-Q) Concerned about or experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and/or stress symptoms Exclusion Criteria: Those with diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability, currently diagnosed with a concussion, physically unhealthy to participate in physical activity Anyone currently taking beta-blockers