Asian Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Yoga and stress management during and post COVID-19 urban lifestyle in Japan

Akiko Kato and Rajib Shaw

Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Japan

Abstract

When COVID-19 started spreading in Japan, the government announced national emergency in April-May, and requested people to stay inside home for a prolonged period of time. This has caused significant stress in different groups of urban residents in Japan, where close contacts were the key issue. An online survey conducted with urban residents have pointed out that 78% were under stress, and 18% were using yoga to relieve from the stress. Although the percentage of people conducing yoga was less, but they wanted to continue it even after the COVID-19 is over. With some literature review, the paper argues yoga as an effective means of stress and health management during as well post Corona time. This is especially relevant to urban lifestyle, since yoga can be done by any age group, including physically challenged people. It is argued that yoga can also release stresses in different disaster situation, especially in the evacuation centers.

Keywords:

COVID-19, yoga, stress management, urban lifestyle, healthcare