Response to Letter to the Editor: Yoga and naturopathy for COVID 2019

We would like to thank Alkousar et al. [1] for their valuable comments on our study "Effect of yoga-based exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep of infected healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective clinical trial"In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the yoga-based exercise program, consisting of asana, pranayama, relaxation, and meditation components, administered to healthcare professionals who had been infected during the COVID-19 pandemic.Along with positive effects on anxiety and depression, we have also provided significant improvements in muscle strength and flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance, physical activity level, sleep quality, and quality of life. [2]Jenefer Jerrin et al. [3] studied the effects of yoga and naturopathy by a specified program consisting of asana and breathing exercises on anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was similar to ours but with a shorter duration (two weeks, 60 min a day) with fewer asanas and more breathing exercises. [4]The reason for inclusion of more asana in our study was the greater frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms and tiredness among healthcare professionals.Administration of more frequent yoga sessions was not possible due to the intensive workload of healthcare professionals.However, at this moment, we realize that contrary to the study of Jenefer Jerrin et al., [3] a long-term program provided more beneficial effects on the abovementioned systems.