The Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IAYT-IBS) study

INTERVENTION: The study will involve 75 IBS patients aged 18 and older, female/male, to complete the study. They will be randomized into one of the three groups: Yoga group, Combination group and Wait‐listed Control group. Participation will be for 3 months (12 weeks). Yoga group: will participate in three, one hour long, yoga classes a week, for 12 weeks. They are also asked to voluntarily reduce their medication to three times a week. Combination group: will participate in three, one hour long, yoga classes a week for 12 weeks. They can take their medication as directed by their physician. Wait‐listed Control group: will continue with their medication and are encouraged to walk three times a week. All groups will come for three assessments: baseline (before starting the study period, 0 week), mid assessment (end of 6 weeks) and post assessment (end of 12 weeks). CONDITION: Irritable bowel syndrome ; Digestive System ; Irritable bowel syndrome PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score (IBS‐SSS); 2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS‐QOL); ; Time points of measurements: 0 weeks (base line), 6 weeks (mid) and 12 weeks (end). SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); 2. Autonomic Nervous System Symptom Score (ANS‐SS); 3. Body Mass Index; 4. Physical Flexibility ‐ hip and trunk; 5. Physical Flexibility ? shoulder; 6. ANS ‐ Sympathetic Reactivity ? Hand Grip test (4 minutes); 7. ANS ‐ Sympathetic Reactivity ? Mental Math test (5 minutes); 8. ANS ‐ Parasympathetic Reactivity ? Deep Breathing test (3 minutes); 9. ANS ‐ Parasympathetic Reactivity ? 30:15 (standing from a lying down position); ; Time points of measurements: 0 weeks (base line), 6 weeks (mid) and 12 weeks (end). INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. IBS patients, male and female adults 18 years of age and older 2. Consent to participate in the study 3. Not enrolled in any other alternative medical program 4. Not practiced yoga in the last 6 months