Research & Services

Yoga for Heart Health Intervention

Description 

The purpose of this research is to evaluate if vinyasa yoga is feasible for individuals with high blood pressure that live near the West Virginia University (WVU) community. WVU aims to enroll approximately 30 participants. Over a 12-week period, 15 participants will engage in vinyasa yoga sessions through a remote intervention, while the other 15 will continue their usual routine. The study will assess heart health, physical fitness, and well-being before and after the intervention. The goal is to determine whether vinyasa yoga can improve heart health for individuals with high blood pressure. 

Yoga sitting

Eligibility Criteria 

Inclusion Criteria: 

  • Adults aged 18-65 years 
  • Individuals with a resting systolic blood pressure >130 mmHg 

Exclusion Criteria: 

  • Currently meeting aerobic activity guidelines (150 min/week) 
  • Practice yoga regularly (1+ day/week in the past month) 
  • Physical limitations or major medical conditions contraindicating yoga participation or completion of fitness assessments 
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP ≥160 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥100 mmHg) 
  • Currently pregnant or planning pregnancy within 6 months 
  • Not on a stable dose of medication that could affect study outcomes 
  • Enrolled in another lifestyle program 

Study Overview 

The study will last approximately 4.5 months, including a 12-week intervention period. Key components of the study include: 

  • A 30-minute consent session via Zoom 
  • A 2.5-hour baseline and follow-up visit at WVU's Health Science Center to assess heart health and fitness 
  • This includes wearing a small thigh-worn activity monitor for 1 week before and near the end of the intervention period 
  • Random assignment to either the yoga or control group 

 For those in the yoga group: 

  • Participation in vinyasa yoga, a moderate-intensity style of yoga (similar in effort to brisk walking) for 12 weeks 
  • Attend vinyasa yoga sessions (3 times per week for 12 weeks) via Zoom 
  • Offered 3 evenings a week at 6 PM and Saturdays at 9 AM 

For those in the control group: 

  • Maintain your usual routine for 12 weeks 

Compensation 

Compensation for the study includes: 

  • $50 for completing the baseline visit procedures (including wearing and returning the activity monitor) 
  • $100 for completing the follow-up visit procedures 
  • A yoga mat and block will be provided (either before or after the study, depending on your group assignment) 
  • Access to yoga materials (including an optional one-on-one yoga session) after the study for control group participants who do not receive the formal yoga intervention 

If you are interested in this study and think you might be eligible, please complete a screening form through this link: Click Here!

To learn a little more about vinyasa yoga, please watch this video: Click Here!