Breath of Resilience A Pilot Study on SKY Breath Meditation Effects on Stress, Well-being, and Social Connection in College Students

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the effects of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga SKY, a type of breath-based meditation, on the well-being of university students. This pilot study will involve 56 undergraduate and graduate students who will be randomly assigned to either a SKY breathwork group or a control group practicing general yoga without breathwork. The study aims to evaluate recruitment success, participant retention, adherence, and potential benefits in areas such as stress, anxiety, resilience, social connection, and cognitive focus. The research is intended to lay groundwork for larger future studies and provide early insights on SKYs role in student wellness. The SKY group will participate in a three-day in-person retreat followed by weekly virtual meditation sessions and independent home practice over eight weeks. The control group will receive pre-recorded yoga videos to practice at least three times per week and occasional check-ins. Both groups will be monitored throughout the study to compare adherence and experience with their assigned activities. Participants will complete validated mental health and wellness questionnaires, including measures of perceived stress, anxiety, physical activity, resilience, and social connectedness before and after the eight-week program. Data will be analyzed for all enrolled participants regardless of completion. The study includes monitoring of physical activity levels and aims to assess the feasibility and low-risk nature of SKY breath meditation for improving student well-being.

Evaluating the Impact of SKY Breath Meditation on Stress, Well-being, and Connection in College Students