Iyengar Yoga Research Studies
“The original idea of yoga is freedom and beatitude, and the byproducts which come along the way, including physical health, are secondary for the practitioner.”
From The Tree of Yoga by BKS Iyengar
The IY(UK) Research Committee is dedicated to promoting and advancing research into Iyengar Yoga as a means of improving the mental, physical, and spiritual health of our community.
Iyengar Yoga and Health
B.K.S. Iyengar’s (1918–2014) personal battle with poor health led him to systematize yoga as a tool for recovery and resilience. His method is distinguished by its emphasis on anatomical precision, alignment, and the use of props such as belts, blocks, and chairs. These innovations enable individuals with limited mobility, injury, or illness to safely access the benefits of yoga practice.
Medical Referrals to Iyengar Yoga
By the mid-20th century, Iyengar was applying these methods therapeutically, and his work attracted the attention of the medical community. Physicians began referring patients to him for musculoskeletal problems, cardiac conditions, and respiratory disorders. Under Iyengar’s guidance – and later with the contributions of his daughter Geeta and son Prashant – structured sequences were designed for specific health conditions, often incorporating restorative postures held for extended periods to regulate the nervous system and support healing. In Pune, medical classes continue to explore the benefits of Iyengar yoga under the direction of Abhijata, Iyengar’s granddaughter, Sunita, his daughter and other senior teachers.
Clinical Interest & Research Collaborations
Clinical interest in Iyengar yoga has grown since the 1980s. Research has since shown improvements in patients with, for example, chronic low back pain, hypertension, asthma, depression, and anxiety. The precision of the method and its adaptability through props makes it particularly suitable for controlled studies.
Ongoing Research into Clinical Applications of Iyengar Yoga
Researchers continue to explore its applications in chronic disease management and rehabilitation, affirming its role as a complementary approach within integrative medicine.
Here are brief summaries of research studies into how Iyengar Yoga can help with common health conditions, with links to the original research papers. More information on Iyengar yoga and injury or health conditions can be found on the Therapy page.
There are further research studies available at the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS).
If you are interested in running a study in your area of specialism, please contact the Iyengar Yoga (UK) Research Committee.
Iyengar Yoga for Chronic Lower Back Pain
Nambi and colleagues investigated whether Iyengar yoga is more effective at reducing lower back pain than conventional exercise therapy. They found that although both yoga and other exercise therapy improved back pain, the Iyengar yoga therapy was considerably more effective both at the end of the four week research period and after six months.
Iyengar Yoga for Upper Cross Syndrome
Sohrabi and colleagues examined the effect of an eight week course of Iyengar yoga on women with Upper Cross Syndrome (a milder form of hyperkyphosis). No control group was used, but the fifteen women attended a weekly class and practiced at home for the eight weeks of the study. At the end of this period they were found to have significant improvements in their posture.
Iyengar Yoga for Osteoarthritis of the knees
The intention of this research was to see whether Iyengar Yoga could give additional benefits when combined with physiotherapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis. The thirty participants were divided into two groups. Both the groups were treated with EMG (electromyography) biofeedback, knee muscle strengthening exercises, and TENS. One group attended Iyengar Yoga sessions as well. Levels of pain were measured at the start of the study and compared at the end. The yoga group showed a greater reduction of pain and functional disability after eight weeks than the group receiving only physiotherapy.
Iyengar Yoga for Mental and Physical Health
This large-scale study examines the health of those who have been practicing Iyengar Yoga weekly for at least two of the previous six months. 1,045 Iyengar Yoga students completed a detailed questionnaire on their yoga practice and general health. A large majority agreed or strongly agreed that their yoga practice improved their general health (89.5%), energy level (84.5%), and happiness (86.5%).
