Yoga Research & Beyond

About Yoga Research & Beyond

Are you trying to make sense of all the conflicting narratives about fitness? Learn how to ground your teaching practice in science-based research instead. The Yoga Research & Beyond Podcast helps yoga teachers and fitness professionals discern popular messages about the benefits and dangers of how our bodies move. Co-hosts Ariana Raven and Jules Mitchell discuss published research on yoga and exercise, challenge dominant trends about the human body, and teach research literacy in a fun and engaging way. About The Hosts: Ariana Raven is a yoga teacher and strength trainer who co-runs New York Stretch in NYC. For more than ten years, she's been helping people reach their goals with a holistic approach that combines principles from yoga, exercise science, and published research. Find her at arianaraven.com. Jules Mitchell is a disrupter, yoga teacher, and the author of Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined. She is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and leads advanced continuing education programs in biomechanics for fitness and rehab professionals worldwide. Find her at julesmitchell.com.

Publisher

Ariana Raven and Jules Mitchell

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jan 2014

Latest episode

20 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 127 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   20 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Science Behind Exercise and Brain Function

   Summary In this episode, Ariana and Jules discuss the effectiveness of exercise on cognition, memory, and executive function based on a systematic review and meta-analysis. They explore the methodology of the study, key findings, and the implications of the results while also addressing the limitations and quality of the studies included in the review. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of research findings and the broader context of exercise in relation to cognitive health. Takeaways The paper reviews the effectiveness of exercise on cognition. Exercise types included aerobic, strength training, yoga, and more. The study included 133 systematic reviews and 2,724 RCTs. Exercise shows a medium effect on general cognition. Children and adolescents saw larger gains in memory. Light and moderate intensity exercise was more effective than high intensity. Shorter programs often had bigger effects than longer ones. The quality of included studies was often critically low. Exercise is beneficial but should not be seen as a cure-all. Research findings should be interpreted with caution. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Exercise and Cognition 01:36 Understanding the Umbrella Review 07:06 Key Findings on Exercise and Cognitive Function 12:29 Limitations and Implications of the Study

2. 

   20 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Child's Pose in the Emergency Room: What a Yoga Case Study Tells Us

   Summary In this episode, Ariana and Jules discuss a fascinating case study on Child's Pose and its impact on a patient with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). They explore the mechanics of the pose, the significance of individual variations, and the broader implications of yoga research in heart health. The conversation highlights the importance of case studies in generating new ideas and insights in the field of yoga and exercise science. Takeaways Child's pose can help manage SVT symptoms. The case study involved a single patient experience. Individual variations in child's pose can affect outcomes. Research on yoga often focuses on interventions, not single poses. Case studies provide qualitative insights into individual experiences. Real-world effects of yoga can be significant for patients. Case studies can inspire new research directions. Not all yoga poses are practiced the same way. The importance of research literacy in yoga teaching. Case studies contribute valuable insights to the research hierarchy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Child's Pose and SVT 02:57 Case Study Overview and Findings 05:37 Mechanics of Child's Pose and Individual Variability 08:35 Research Methods and Implications 11:24 Real-World Impact of Case Studies 14:12 Importance of Case Studies in Research

3. 

   21 Jun 2025

   Episode 78: Teaching Yoga To Seniors: Instructional Strategies

   Hosts Ariana and Jules discuss instructional strategies for teaching yoga to older adults, examining their experiences, needs, and the role of community, offering valuable recommendations for yoga teachers.

Inside a recent episode

The Science Behind Exercise and Brain Function

Published 20 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] What intervention does he need to improve his cognitive function? And I think that's where it gets really hard and really messy to make definitive conclusions. Totally. One thing I appreciated about this paper is was they went into depth on a lot of the limitations. And it was more in depth than I usually see. And they said that 71% of the reviews that they included were rated critically low. And it was by this tool that I'm not familiar with, but some analyzation tool that puts at the quality. 71% critically low quality. And the reasons were because they didn't pre-register the protocols. They didn't include, they didn't list the excluded studies and they didn't report on funding. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

49 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

50

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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