Yoga helps those with asthma

Participants in a recent trial studying the effects of Hatha yoga also reported that they had been able to cut back on some of their asthma medication, said Amy Bidwell, senior author of a study presented this week at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting, in Seattle.

Heart rate variability, oxygen consumption and ventilation were also assessed while volunteers performed each of two tasks: handgrip for three minutes and an upright tilt for five minutes.

Overall, scores of individuals participating in the yoga arm of the trial improved an average of almost 43 percent.

There were few or no differences between the groups in heart rate variability, oxygen consumption or ventilation.