In recent years, western health practitioners have become increasingly aware of the potential health benefits of yoga. This study will comprise two substudies that will evaluate the effects of yoga in two distinct populations.~Participants in the first study will be people who are at risk for developing diabetes; participants in the second study will be people with both HIV and depression. All participants will practice yoga 3 to 6 days per week for 3 months. Blood collection will be done and weight and blood pressure measurements will be taken in study 1 participants; questionnaires will be used to measure depression and stress in study 2 participants. All study participants will be assessed at entry and at 3 and 6 months.
The purpose of this study is to plan and develop an international collaboration for research on the health effects of yoga. This study will also determine the effects of yoga on people who are at an increased risk for developing diabetes and people with both HIV and depression.