Metabolic Energy Contributions During High-Intensity Hatha Yoga and Physiological Comparisons Between Active and Passive (Savasana) Recovery

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate metabolic energy contributions during high-intensity hatha yoga (HIHY) and to compare changes in physiological variables between active and passive recovery methods. Methods: The study involved 20 women yoga instructors ( n = 20) who performed 10 min of HIHY (vigorous sun salutation). Upon completion, they were randomly assigned to either active (walking; n = 10) or passive ( savasana ; n = 10) recovery groups for a period of 10 min. During HIHY, physiological variables such as heart rate (HR peak and HR mean ), oxygen uptake (VO 2peak and VO 2mean ), and blood lactate concentrations (peak La − ) were measured. Energetic contributions (phosphagen; W PCR , glycolytic; W Gly , and oxidative; W Oxi ) in kJ and % were estimated using VO 2 and La − data. Furthermore, the metabolic equivalents (METs) of VO 2peak and VO 2mean were calculated. To compare different recovery modes, HR post , ΔHR, VO 2post , ΔVO 2 , recovery La − , and recovery ΔLa − were analyzed. Results: The results revealed that HR peak , VO 2peak , and peak La − during HIHY showed no differences between the two groups ( p > 0.05). Values of HR peak , HR mean , METs of VO 2peak and VO 2mean , and La − during HIHY were 95.6% of HR max , 88.7% of HR max , 10.54 ± 1.18, 8.67 ±.98 METs, and 8.31 ± 2.18 mmol·L −1 , respectively. Furthermore, W Oxi was significantly higher compared with W PCR , W Gly , and anaerobic contribution (W PCR + W Gly ), in kJ and % ( p < 0.0001). VO 2post and recovery ΔLa − were significantly higher in the active recovery group ( p < 0.0001, p = 0.0369, respectively). Values of ΔVO 2 and recovery La − were significantly lower in the active group compared with the passive group ( p = 0.0115, p = 0.0291, respectively). Conclusions: The study concluded that high-intensity hatha yoga which was performed for 10 min is a suitable option for relatively healthy people in the modern workplace who may have hatha yoga experience but do not have time to perform a prolonged exercise. Following active recovery, they can participate in further HIHY sessions during short breaks. Furthermore, a faster return to work can be supported by physiological recovery.