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Further Reading and the Evidence Base

a reference list of some key scientific and yoga-related items referenced in our blogs, followed by a curated list of accessible reads and organisations that focus on yoga, health, neuroscience, psychology, and wellbeing.

Yoga, Mental Health, Autonomic Nervous System and Physiology

Abedini, A. (2025). Yoga and mental health pharmacotherapy: The role of yoga in improving neurotransmitter balance, lowering cortisol, and increasing emotional resilience. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. (jaims.in)

Bös, C. (2023). Effect of yoga involvement on mental health during crisis. PMC. (PMC)

Cahn, B. R., Goodman, M. S., Peterson, C. T., Maturi, R., & Mills, P. J. (2017). Yoga, meditation and mind-body health: Increased BDNF, cortisol awakening response, and altered inflammatory marker expression after a 3-month yoga and meditation retreat. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. (ResearchGate)

Hagen, I., Skjelstad, S., & Nayar, U. S. (2023). The impact of yoga on young people’s relaxation and stress: Mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology. (Frontiers)

Padmavathi, R. (2023). Role of yoga in stress management and implications in major health outcomes. PMC. (PMC)

Park, C. L. (2021). Yoga as an integrative therapy for mental health concerns. MDPI. (MDPI)

Streeter, C. C., Jensen, J. E., Perlmutter, R., et al. (2007). Yoga boosts brain’s GABA levels: A pilot study using MR spectroscopic imaging. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience; later supported by meta-analyses. (Frontiers)

Harvard Health Publishing. (2024, April 29). Yoga for better mental health. Harvard Health. (Harvard Health)

Accessible Reads on Yoga & Health

These books and resources are reputable and written for practitioners, clinicians, and curious learners:

  • Broad, W. (2012). The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards. Simon & Schuster. — A well-researched, readable overview of yoga’s physical and mental effects. (Amazon)

  • Khalsa, S. B. S., et al. (Eds.). (2024). The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care (2nd ed.). — Evidence-based textbook authored by leading researchers including Sat Bir Singh Khalsa. (Amazon)

  • Gard, T., et al. (2014). The Mind-Body Prescription. — Broadly accessible book that situates yoga and mindfulness within neuroscience and health behaviour research. (Amazon)

  • Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How habits are formed. European Journal of Social Psychology. — Not yoga-specific but foundational for understanding habit formation. (researchgate )

Organisations & Research Programmes

These are reputable institutions and networks that focus on yoga, contemplative science, health psychology, and mind-body research:

Yoga & Integrative Health

  • The Minded Institute — International leader in evidence-informed yoga therapy and mental health training. (The Minded Institute)

  • International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) — Global organisation supporting yoga therapy research and standards (associated with Sat Bir Singh Khalsa’s work). (IAYT)

  • Yoga in Healthcare Alliance — Promotes integration of yoga into healthcare with evidence-based practice. (The Minded Institute)

Mind-Body & Contemplative Science

  • Mind and Life Institute — Non-profit bridging contemplative practice and neuroscience research (see contemplative neuroscience field). (Wikipedia)

  • BPS (British Psychological Society) Explore — Offers accessible summaries on yoga in psychological therapies and integration with clinical practice. (Explore BPS)

Health & Wellbeing Communication

  • Harvard Health Publishing — Trusted summaries of yoga research relevant to general health and cognition. (Harvard Health)

  • NIH PubMed Central (PMC) — Open access repository of peer-reviewed research including yoga and stress studies. (PMC)

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