This study aims to contribute uniquely to stress and longevity research in two ways: by focusing on a measured level of activity in rectus abdominus with established scientific stress markers across the SAM axis and biochemical immunity markers; and directly showing effects of breath-based yoga-meditative practice on stress management and markers of aging. It intends to highlight context of the behavioral practice through, one, set up, content and duration of practice, and two, by identifying a quantitative number for the degree of participation by the subject in the practice. The study couples emic perspectives from the traditional yoga knowledge base, both textual and practice, with empirical measures from science as an opportunity to bridge these worlds as a first known study of hatha yoga to be tackled by the means and methods of biocultural anthropology.
This study aims to contribute uniquely to stress and longevity research in two ways: by focusing on a measured level of activity in rectus abdominus with established scientific stress markers across the SAM axis and biochemical immunity markers; and directly showing effects of breath-based yoga-meditative practice on stress management and markers of aging.