CHENNAI, INDIA, February 8, 2008: A 1-week yoga program reduced stress and anxiety among survivors of the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean islands of Andaman and Nicobar in December 2004, researchers from India report.
Dr. Shirley Telles and her team from the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation in Bengaluru conducted a stress management program for the survivors a month after the tsunami occurred. Forty-seven adults, of different cultural backgrounds, dedicated to the program one hour every day.
Fear, anxiety, sadness, sleep disturbances and respiratory rates were significantly reduced. Yoga modifies the body response to stress of various types, Telles explained in comments to Reuters Health.