Yoga Versus Yoga Plus Mindfulness on Perceived Stress and Mindful Attention Awareness in a Chiropractic College Setting

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of different types of yoga practices on mindfulness and stress levels reported by students, faculty, and staff at a health professional school. Including mindfulness cues (body scan, mindful movement, and yoga nidra) with Bishnu Gosh lineage hatha yoga as taught by Mary Jarvis may have additive therapeutic effects on mindfulness and stress. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental pre-post test design. Sixty-three individuals qualified for the study and were randomized in a 1:1 allocation ratio of matched pairs into either a physical-based yoga practice (Yoga Group, n = 31) or a mindfulness-based yoga practice (Yoga + Mindfulness Group, n = 32). Participants attended two 50-minute class sessions per week during the four-week intervention phase. The primary outcomes were the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).