Short-term yoga breathing intervention improves blood oxygenation, actual emotional state and resilience score in postmenopausal women

Negative emotional states occurring in postmenopausal women are influenced by experiencing psychosomatic changes. It seems that the application of yoga breathing techniques could lead to an improvement in the emotional state, to an increase in vitality and resistance. The aim of the study was to investigate benefits of a 4-week yoga breathing intervention according to the “System Yoga in Daily Life ©” on blood oxygenation, heart rate, resilience and mood improvement in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women (N = 16, age range 53-69, 61.5 ± 7.7 years) were investigated PRE and POST the intervention by diagnostic methods: the Finger Pulse Oximeter Tool, Profile of Mood States Survey POMS-short version and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Postmenopausal women completed the 4-week intervention based on yoga breathing exercises performed once a day in the evening for 30-40 minutes. Statistical correlation analysis was performed using the JAMOVI statistical program. The realized yoga breathing intervention led to a significant improvement in blood oxygenation parameters and a reduction in heart rate. Furthermore, significant positive score changes were found in the following factors: Tension, Fatigue, Anger, Depression and Confusion. The Vitality factor score significantly increased. The monitored postmenopausal women also had a significantly higher Resilience score after the completed intervention. We can conclude, that the short-term yoga breathing intervention appears to be very effective in terms of solving negative psychological states in postmenopausal women. The program can be recommended for the practice of counseling and coaching of healthy lifestyle. It can also be used in spa care and in physiotherapy care for postmenopausal women.