Yoga and mindfulness-based lifestyle interventions for mental and physical health in South Asian immigrant women aged 40 years and older: a pilot study

Purpose South Asian immigrant women face elevated cardiometabolic risk at lower body mass indices and higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders compared to White women. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effects of a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention combining Ashtanga-based yoga with mindfulness on mental, functional and cardiometabolic outcomes in South Asian immigrant women aged 40 years and older. Design/methodology/approach This single-arm, pre-post 12-week study enrolled 30 adult females from the South Asian community to participate in weekly sessions (mindfulness and yoga) plus home practice. Outcomes included self-reported questionnaires, objective assessments and feasibility measures. Findings On average, participants were 53 ± 6 years, body mass index 28.9 ± 4.2 kg/m², waist-to-hip ratio 0.81 ± 0.06, lived in the USA 28.9 ± 8.9 years and attended 8.1 ± 2.5 of 12 sessions. In all, 28 (93%) participants completed the study and were included in final analysis. Significant improvements were observed in questionnaires [FFMQ (p < 0.001), PHQ-8 (p < 0.001), PSQI (p = 0.02), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (p = 0.005) and Godin Leisure-Time Physical Activity (p = 0.007)] and objective measures [MoCA (p = 0.01), Short Physical Performance Battery (p = 0.01) and handgrip strength (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.015)]. Other laboratory measures were not significant at 12 weeks. Research limitations/implications Limitations include single-arm design, modest sample size and 12-week duration, hindering detectable changes in lipids/glucose markers. Interruptions from Spring Break and Ramadan also influenced attendance and activity. Future research includes an RCT with ≥ 6–12 months follow-up to test clinical endpoints and mechanistic markers stratified by baseline risk. Practical implications Community-delivered, culturally tailored yoga and mindfulness programs are feasible and acceptable in South Asian immigrant women and may serve as adjunctive strategies for mental health, sleep and vascular risk management. Originality/value This paper fulfills a need to study combined, culturally tailored lifestyle interventions in a high-risk population.