Evaluation of a social cognitive theory based yoga intervention to reduce anxiety

Yoga is often viewed as a form of alternative medicine, as it strives to achieve equilibrium between the body and mind. Studies have shown the connection between yoga and reduction in stress and anxiety. The social cognitive theory has been used in changing a variety of health behaviors and was used in this study to design the yoga intervention. The specific purpose of this study was to design and pilot test a ten week yoga intervention that is based on social cognitive theory and aims at alleviating stress and anxiety. As a subsidiary, anxiety related to body image was also assessed. Participants were recruited from a yoga center in a large Midwestern city. The yoga intervention utilized the constructs of behavioral capability, expectations, self-efficacy for yoga, self control for yoga and included asanas (low physical impact postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), shava asana (relaxation), and dhyana (meditation). A randomized control design was utilized for evaluating the intervention. The control group listened to yoga audiotapes but did not practice yoga. Scales measuring expectations from yoga, yoga self-efficacy, yoga self control, Speilberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety were administered before and after the yoga intervention. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run to compare pre-test and post test scores in the two groups. Yoga based intervention had promising results. Implications for yoga interventions have been discussed.