Adolescence represents a critical developmental period characterized by profound physiological transformationsacross multiple body systems. Contemporary adolescents face unprecedented challenges including rising obesityrates, cardiovascular dysfunction, metabolic disturbances, and mental health disorders largely attributable tosedentary lifestyles and chronic psychological stress. Yoga, an ancient mind-body practice integrating physicalpostures, breathing techniques, and meditation, has emerged as a promising intervention for promotingphysiological health in young people. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence examining yoga's effectsacross cardiovascular, respiratory, neurophysiological, endocrine, metabolic, and musculoskeletal systems inadolescent populations. Accumulating research demonstrates that regular yoga practice produces meaningfulimprovements in heart rate variability, blood pressure regulation, lung function, autonomic nervous systembalance, stress hormone levels, body composition, and musculoskeletal function. These physiological adaptationsappear mediated through enhanced parasympathetic activation, hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axisdownregulation, improved body awareness, and behavioral modifications. School-based implementation studiesreveal high feasibility and acceptance among adolescents, with adherence rates ranging from 50-100% dependingon implementation context. Safety profiles remain favorable with injury rates substantially lower than competitivesports, though qualified instruction and individualized modifications are essential. The evidence base supportsyoga as a feasible, accessible, low-cost intervention addressing multiple adolescent health prioritiessimultaneously. However, methodological limitations including heterogeneous interventions, small sample sizes,and limited long-term follow-up data constrain definitive conclusions.
Sharma et al. (Sun,) studied this question.