Yoga and Eating Disorders: Can Mindful Movement Restore Balance?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.44.62861Keywords
yoga, eating disorders, Body awareness, mindful movement, sports psychology, recovery, holistic healthAbstract
Eating disorders constitute a significant mental health issue, marked by serious disruptions in eating behaviors, body image concerns, and self-perception struggles. Individuals affected frequently endure substantial psychological and physical impacts, highlighting the need for comprehensive, multi-faceted treatment approaches. This article investigates yoga as an adjunctive therapeutic practice, focusing on mindful movement's capacity to enhance self-awareness, emotional stability, and promote a healthier relationship with one's body.
Yoga encompasses physical poses, breathing techniques, and mindfulness strategies designed to cultivate greater body awareness and emotional connection. Engaging in mindful movement practices may enable those experiencing eating disorders to develop compassionate self-perception, reducing negative thought patterns and harmful behaviors.
The article reviews existing research and expert perspectives regarding yoga's effectiveness in managing emotional dysregulation, alleviating anxiety and depressive symptoms, and improving overall psychological health in individuals dealing with eating disorders. Additionally, it offers practical guidance on integrating yoga into treatment protocols, outlining key considerations to ensure safety and efficacy. The aim is to provide valuable insights into yoga’s role in supporting recovery and fostering balance for individuals coping with eating disorders.
References
1) Ostermann T, Vogel H, Boehm K, Cramer H. Effects of yoga on eating disorders-A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Oct;46:73-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.07.021. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31519291.
2) O'Brien J, Evans S, McIver S, O'Shea M. A scoping review of integrated yoga and psychological approaches for the treatment of eating disorders. J Eat Disord. 2023 Sep 8;11(1):152. doi: 10.1186/s40337-023-00845-5. PMID: 37684706; PMCID: PMC10492346.
3) Zipfel S, Schmidt U, Giel KE. The hidden burden of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;9(1):9-11. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00435-1. PMID: 34921799; PMCID: PMC8673860.
4) Trethewey E, Evans S, McIver S, O'Brien J, Lowndes J, Pepin G, O'Shea M. One size may not fit all: A mapping review of yoga-based interventions for the treatment of eating disorders. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2023 Nov;53:101779. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101779. Epub 2023 Jul 8. PMID: 37473687.
5) Brennan MA, Whelton WJ, Sharpe D. Benefits of yoga in the treatment of eating disorders: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Eat Disord. 2020 Jul-Aug;28(4):438-457. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2020.1731921. Epub 2020 Mar 17. PMID: 32182190.
6) Domingues RB (2018) Modern postural yoga as a mental health promoting tool: a systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 31:248–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.03.002 5.
7) Trethewey E, McIver S, Evans S, O'Brien J, O'Shea M. Yoga as an adjunct treatment for the eating disorders: A qualitive enquiry of clinician perspectives. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2023 Nov;53:101796. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101796. Epub 2023 Sep 10. PMID: 37741064.
8) Ostermann T, Vogel H, Starke C, Cramer H. Effectiveness of yoga in eating disorders - A case report. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:145-148. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.014. Epub 2018 Nov 13. PMID: 30670233.
9) O'Brien J, McIver S, Evans S, Trethewey E, O'Shea M. Yoga as an adjunct treatment for eating disorders: a qualitative enquiry of client perspectives. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2024 Jun 24;24(1):245. doi: 10.1186/s12906-024-04514-1. PMID: 38915010; PMCID: PMC11194889.
10) Pacanowski CR, Diers L, Crosby RD, Neumark-Sztainer D. Yoga in the treatment of eating disorders within a residential program: A randomized controlled trial. Eat Disord. 2017 Jan-Feb;25(1):37-51. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2016.1237810. Epub 2016 Oct 10. PMID: 27723416; PMCID: PMC5982102.
11) Domingues RB, Carmo C. Disordered eating behaviours and correlates in yoga practitioners: a systematic review. Eat Weight Disord. 2019 Dec;24(6):1015-1024. doi: 10.1007/s40519-019-00692-x. Epub 2019 Apr 23. PMID: 31016608.
12) Karlsen KE, Vrabel K, Bratland-Sanda S, Ulleberg P, Benum K. Effect of Yoga in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: A Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial with 6-Months Follow-up. Int J Yoga. 2018 May-Aug;11(2):166-169. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_3_17. PMID: 29755227; PMCID: PMC5934953.
13) Carei TR, Fyfe-Johnson AL, Breuner CC, Brown MA. Randomized controlled clinical trial of yoga in the treatment of eating disorders. J Adolesc Health. 2010 Apr;46(4):346-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.08.007. Epub 2009 Nov 3. PMID: 20307823; PMCID: PMC2844876.
14) Li HM, Liu CJ, Shen YH, Zhao L, Yin CQ, Yu JG, Mao SS. High-intensity interval training vs. yoga in improving binge eating and physical fitness in inactive young females. Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 2;14(1):22912. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74395-4. Erratum in: Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 5;14(1):26832. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78279-5. PMID: 39358484; PMCID: PMC11447216.
15) Hall A, Ofei-Tenkorang NA, Machan JT, Gordon CM. Use of yoga in outpatient eating disorder treatment: a pilot study. J Eat Disord. 2016 Dec 9;4:38. doi: 10.1186/s40337-016-0130-2. PMID: 27980773; PMCID: PMC5148831.
16) Pacanowski CR, Diers L, Crosby RD, Mackenzie M, Neumark-Sztainer D. Yoga's impact on risk and protective factors for disordered eating: a pilot prevention trial. Eat Disord. 2020 Jul-Aug;28(4):513-541. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2020.1763110. PMID: 32964818.
17) Ziv A, Barnea-Melamed S, Meisman A, Ofei-Tenkorang NA, O'Donnell J, Altaye M, Nash JK, Mitan L, Gordon CM. Yoga as an intervention to promote bone and mental health in adolescent females with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study. Eat Disord. 2023 Sep 3;31(5):526-532. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2023.2196493. Epub 2023 Apr 4. PMID: 37016582; PMCID: PMC10524329.
18) Trethewey E, Evans S, McIver S, de Manincor M, Janakiraman J, Iyer AV, O'Shea M. Consensus-Based Recommendations for Yoga as Adjunct Therapy in Eating Disorder Treatment: A Delphi Study. Int J Eat Disord. 2025 Jun;58(6):1113-1129. doi: 10.1002/eat.24420. Epub 2025 Mar 19. PMID: 40108821; PMCID: PMC12138842.
19) Cook-Cottone C, Talebkhah K, Guyker W, Keddie E. A controlled trial of a yoga-based prevention program targeting eating disorder risk factors among middle school females. Eat Disord. 2017 Oct-Dec;25(5):392-405. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2017.1365562. Epub 2017 Sep 20. PMID: 28929940.
20) Cook-Cottone C, Roff C, Perey I, Lagutaine M, Guyker W. Efficacy of the Eat Breathe Thrive Recovery Protocol Delivered Virtually to Adults Recovering From Eating Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Eat Disord. 2025 Feb;58(2):372-388. doi: 10.1002/eat.24337. Epub 2024 Nov 29. PMID: 39614653.
21) Estey EEE, Roff C, Kozlowski MB, Rovig S, Guyker WM, Cook-Cottone CP. Efficacy of Eat Breathe Thrive: A randomized controlled trial of a yoga-based program. Body Image. 2022 Sep;42:427-439. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.07.009. Epub 2022 Aug 17. PMID: 35985168.
22) Cook-Cottone C, Rovig S, Cottone M, Evelyn Estey EE, Guyker W, Roff C. A controlled trial assessing the acceptability and efficacy of a yoga-based eating disorder prevention program among division I athletes: Eat Breathe Thrive (EBT). Eat Disord. 2024 Jul-Aug;32(4):439-457. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2024.2313296. Epub 2024 Feb 12. PMID: 38345064.
23) Cox AE, Ullrich-French S, Cook-Cottone C, Tylka TL, Neumark-Sztainer D. Examining the effects of mindfulness-based yoga instruction on positive embodiment and affective responses. Eat Disord. 2020 Jul-Aug;28(4):458-475. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2020.1738909. Epub 2020 Mar 15. PMID: 32172681.
24) Levallius J, Collin C, Birgegård A. Now you see it, Now you don't: compulsive exercise in adolescents with an eating disorder. J Eat Disord. 2017 Apr 3;5:9. doi: 10.1186/s40337-016-0129-8. PMID: 28392917; PMCID: PMC5376699.
25) Kaye W. Neurobiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Physiol Behav. 2008 Apr 22;94(1):121-35. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.11.037. Epub 2007 Nov 29. PMID: 18164737; PMCID: PMC2601682.
26) Lim SA, Cheong KJ. Regular Yoga Practice Improves Antioxidant Status, Immune Function, and Stress Hormone Releases in Young Healthy People: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Sep;21(9):530-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0044. Epub 2015 Jul 16. PMID: 26181573.
27) Lauche R, Sibbritt D, Ostermann T, Fuller NR, Adams J, Cramer H. Associations between yoga/meditation use, body satisfaction, and weight management methods: Results of a national cross-sectional survey of 8009 Australian women. Nutrition. 2017 Feb;34:58-64. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.09.007. Epub 2016 Sep 30. PMID: 28063513.
28) McIver S, O'Halloran P, McGartland M. Yoga as a treatment for binge eating disorder: a preliminary study. Complement Ther Med. 2009 Aug;17(4):196-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2009.05.002. Epub 2009 Jun 13. PMID: 19632546.
29) Toulany A, Wong M, Katzman DK, Akseer N, Steinegger C, Hancock-Howard RL, Coyte PC. Cost analysis of inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescents: hospital and caregiver perspectives. CMAJ Open. 2015 Apr 2;3(2):E192-7. doi: 10.9778/cmajo.20140086. PMID: 26389097; PMCID: PMC4565171.
30) Klein J, Cook-Cottone C. The effects of yoga on eating disorder symptoms and correlates: a review. Int J Yoga Therap. 2013;(23):41-50. PMID: 24165522.
31) Neumark-Sztainer D. Yoga and eating disorders: is there a place for yoga in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours? Adv Eat Disord. 2014 Jul;2(2):136-145. doi: 10.1080/21662630.2013.862369. Epub 2013 Dec 11. PMID: 24955291; PMCID: PMC4047628.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Katarzyna Agopsowicz, Katarzyna Blicharz, Michalina Piwowar, Martyna Biernacka, Igor Biernacki
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 404
Number of citations: 0
