Effects of Yoga Practices on Insomnia: Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Yoga Practices for Insomnia

Abstract

Having its origins in India thousands of years ago, yogais a mind-body practice. The Yoga Sutras (aphorisms) describe eight limbs ofpractice: yama (moral behavior), niyama (healthy habits), asanas (physicalpostures), pranayama (breathing exercises), pratyahara (sense withdrawal),dharana (concentration), dhyana (contemplation) and samadhi (higherconsciousness). Yoga helps achieve balanced health by connecting the mind andbody through a series of postures, breathing exercises and meditation. Regularpractice results in an increase in flexibility and strength, an improvement inposture, and better mood and concentration. Today millions of people in allover world practice yoga on a regular basis. Over the last decade, severalscientific studies have established therapeutic benefits of yoga practice. As aresult, yoga has emerged as a potential integrative modality for the managementof several common medical diseases. This study is aimed at therapeutic benefitsof yoga. It also provides effects of yoga practices on insomnia,treatments (Bootzin & Rider, 1997; Morin et al., 1999; Morin, Culbert,& Schwartz, 1994; Murtagh & Greenwood, 1995).