A woman sits in a forest in the fall practicing yoga to strengthen her immune system

Study on the effect of yoga on the immune system

Su Qu et al.

April 2013

Yoga

A study by the University of Oslo has shown that yoga has an effect on gene expression, especially that of the immune system.

The sample consisted of ten healthy volunteers who spent a week either practising gentle asanas, breathing exercises and meditation (Sudarshan Kriya and similar techniques) or going for a walk and listening to relaxing music.

Blood samples were taken before and after each four-hour session. This revealed differences in the gene expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the two groups. PBMC play an important role in the immune system in fighting infection.

The results showed that yoga affected 111 genes, while the subjects in the control group only showed changes in 38 genes.

The study was thus able to provide genetic evidence for the rapid impact of yoga on the immune system, which can lead to a long-term cell biological effect on health.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Immune system, General health
Institution: University of Oslo, Norway
Title: Study on the effect of yoga on the immune system
Brief description: The study shows that yoga quickly influences the immune system and promotes long-term positive cell biological health effects.
Original title: Rapid Gene Expression Changes in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes upon Practice of a Comprehensive Yoga Program
Link to the study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0061910