Yoga Therapy Research

Kaiser begins study of Niroga Healing Yoga Protocol on Heart Failure Patients

July 2009

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research has begun a study to investigate the effects of our Niroga Healing Yoga protocol for their heart failure patients. Niroga is teaching gentle Healing Yoga classes twice/week and patients are using our Healing Yoga DVD for personal practice in the privacy of their own homes.

All patients have been diagnosed with systolic heart failure and the classes incorporate postures that improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; breathing techniques; relaxation and meditation. Most poses are modified to accommodate these individuals, some in wheel chairs. This study will measure effects of yoga on quality of life, including physical function, symptom frequency and severity, and social function; depression; and self-care.

The program is currently being run in Richmond through August 2009 with discussion about moving it to Oakland through the end of the year.

All of the patients are doing yoga for the first time. Here is what some of them had to say about the class:

"Yoga makes me feel very relaxed and helps me to feel more agile. I now use breathing every day to help me calm and focus myself and it works!"

"I finally got the kinks out of my neck that have been there for years!"

"I feel real good. This is new".

"When I walked into class I felt agitated and not good, now I feel balanced and clear".