Conclusions - How Yoga Helps
The effects of yoga on autonomic responses may be the key to its potential health benefits. Reduction of sympathetic tone is one mechanism for reducing physical stress at the very least but could also be the result of a decrease in psychological stress. Direct mechanisms remain unclear in many cases, and additional well-designed research is undoubtedly necessary. However, the combination of physical exercise and relaxation found in yoga is especially relevant to promoting general health by improving body functions while simultaneously inducing stress-reduction through the specific goal of relaxation inherent in the practice (Possible Mechanisms). Thus, yoga may indeed be able to replace conventional therapies and drugs that aim to produce similar results.
