Yoga for Parkinson’s: Finding Balance, One Move at a Time

‍By Ziya “Z” Altug, PT, DPT, MS, DipACLM, OCS

The Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines yoga as a practice that uses physical postures, called asanas, combined with diaphragmatic breathing and may be useful for managing insomnia, anxiety, and pain. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep, balance, flexibility, strength, and coordination.

Types of Yoga

The following are some common types of yoga:

• Hatha yoga, a broad term for physical yoga
• Mindfulness yoga
• Chair-based yoga
• Iyengar yoga
• Yin yoga
• Restorative yoga
• Laughter yoga
• Vinyasa yoga
• Ashtanga yoga
• Kundalini yoga
• Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga

Depending on a person’s level of experience, consider exploring beginner classes in hatha yoga, mindfulness yoga (Kwok et al. 2019), chair-based yoga, Iyengar yoga, restorative yoga, or yin yoga.

Benefits of Yoga

In general, yoga has been shown to:

• Reduce the risk of falls.
• Improve balance, coordination, and mobility.
• Enhance concentration and relaxation.
• Foster social connections when practiced in groups.
• Provide a low-cost exercise option that requires minimal equipment.
• Serve as a versatile approach for indoor settings, such as home or fitness studios, and outdoor settings, such as parks.

What Does the Research Say?

Multiple studies suggest that mind-body practices, such as yoga, may improve balance, mobility, and non-motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s.

A recent review published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology (2026) found that yoga and dance may be helpful for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in people with Parkinson’s.

A unique study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (Xu et al. 2025) explored the benefits of laughter yoga and found that this intervention may improve quality of life while reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s.

Another study published in Digital Health (James-Palmer et al. 2022) found that a one-on-one tele-yoga intervention was safe and enjoyable for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Delivering yoga remotely through telecommunication networks may serve as a supplemental option for those with limited access to in-person classes or driving limitations.

Additional research specific to yoga indicates potential benefits for:

• Balance (Cherup et al. 2021)
• Improved functional mobility and balance (Wu et al. 2021)
• Anxiety and depression symptoms (Kwok et al. 2029; Kwok et al. 2025; Yang et al. 2022)
• Reducing fall risk (Puymbroeck et al. 2018)
• Improved motor function (Cheung et al. 2018)

Getting Started

• Choose a flat, open area for practice.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Keep water handy to stay hydrated.
• Learn from a qualified instructor, preferably in person at first, though virtual, live, or recorded options are also available.

Class Selection Tips

How to choose the right program:

• Look for instructors experienced with Parkinson’s.
• Ask about small class sizes for more personal attention.
• Consider programs that integrate mindfulness and meditation for relaxation benefits.

Safety Precautions for Parkinson’s

Before starting yoga, especially for those with balance issues, safety is essential:

• Get medical clearance from a healthcare provider before engaging in an exercise program.
• Practice near a stable surface or wall for support.
• Start with short sessions to avoid fatigue.
• Use chairs, if needed.

Helpful Resources

• Yoga for Parkinsons https://www.yogaforparkinsons.com

• Yoga for PD https://www.yogaforpd.com

• Yoga for Parkinson’s videos, Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDGRDRM479GtmrBFk8yvqjlO9_st4d5vf

• Practitioners interested in developing a safe and enjoyable yoga intervention for Parkinson’s may consider the following article:
  
  • Justice C, Cheung C, Samson-Burke A. Development and evaluation of a yoga intervention program for Parkinson's Disease. Int J Yoga Therap. 2018;28(1):113-122.

Final Thoughts

Yoga offers an adaptable and low-cost movement practice that blends physical activity with mindfulness. Group-based yoga may also enhance social connectedness and emotional well-being.

References

• Cherup NP, Strand KL, Lucchi L, Wooten SV, Luca C, Signorile JF. Yoga meditation enhances proprioception and balance in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Percept Mot Skills. 2021;128(1):304-323. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32746736/

• Cheung C, Bhimani R, Wyman JF, et al. Effects of yoga on oxidative stress, motor function, and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2018;4:162. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30377537/

• James-Palmer AM, Daneault JF. Tele-yoga for the management of Parkinson disease: A safety and feasibility trial. Digit Health. 2022;8:20552076221119327. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35990111/

• Kwok JYY, Chan LML, Lai CA, et al. effects of meditation and yoga on anxiety, depression and chronic inflammation in patients with Parkinson's Disease: A randomized clinical trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2025;94(2):101-118. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40024243/

• Kwok JYY, Kwan JCY, Auyeung M, et al. Effects of mindfulness yoga vs stretching and resistance training exercises on anxiety and depression for people with Parkinson Disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2019;76(7):755-763. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30958514/

• Meliani AAG, Lima AG, Moratelli JA, et al. Can dance and yoga help with the non-motor symptoms of people with Parkinson's? a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Appl Gerontol. 2026;45(1):97-109. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40105264/

• Van Puymbroeck M, Walter AA, Hawkins BL, et al. Functional improvements in Parkinson's Disease following a randomized trial of yoga. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:8516351. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29967649/

• Wu C, Xu Y, Guo H, Tang C, Chen D, Zhu M. Effects of aerobic exercise and mind-body exercise in Parkinson's Disease: a mixed-treatment comparison analysis. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Nov 18;13:739115. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34867273/

• Xu Q, Nian X, Pan Y, et al. Effect of laughter yoga on anxiety and depression in people with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. Published online December 30, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41469986/

• Yang Y, Wang G, Zhang S, et al. Efficacy and evaluation of therapeutic exercises on adults with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr. 2022;22(1):813. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36271367/

• Written by Ziya “Z” Altug, PT, DPT, MS, DipACLM, OCS