Resources

Evidence-informed, not wellness-branded.

A curated archive of the recent neuroscience and clinical findings that rest underneath the practice — each chosen because it is credible, public, and directly supports nervous system regulation.

Science Meets SoulYogaX Trained

The FRIENDS Framework™

One idea. Seven dimensions.

FFoundation
RRegulation
IIntegration
EEmbodiment
NNourishment
DDevotion
SService

Every dimension of the FRIENDS Framework™ maps to measurable nervous system outcomes. The research below is the evidence base underneath each letter.

Free Virtual Classes with YogaX

Free Virtual Classes with YogaX!

Register using the links below.

YogaX virtual session — 1
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Integrated Holistic Yoga

Mindful Monday

Mondays @ 6 PM PT (40 min)

*will start again on January 12th

Integrated Holistic Yoga

An accessible practice for everyone — free to anyone.

Integrated Holistic Yoga is a practice of accessibility, belonging, and beneficence, embracing the whole entirety of the human experience and fostering integration across all the ways we interact with the world.

Presented by yoga professionals trained by YogaX at Stanford Psychiatry.

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Integrated Holistic Yoga

Wisdom Wednesday

Wednesdays @ 12 PM PT (40 min)

Integrated Holistic Yoga

An accessible practice for everyone — free to anyone.

Join us for a 40-minute class! Wisdom Wednesday is designed to provide you with a tranquil respite in your day. It is a time to pause, ground, center yourself, and tap into the inner wisdom that guides us all in making nurturing choices that help us flourish. Weekly classes are held every Wednesday starting at 12:00 PM PT, but feel free to join as you are able. No rush ~ come when you can.

Presented by yoga professionals trained at YogaX at Stanford Psychiatry.

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A Gentle Practice for Individuals Dealing with Breast Cancer

Yoga With Intention

Thursdays @ 9 AM PT

No Class — For Individuals Dealing with Breast Cancer

A Gentle Practice for Individuals Dealing with Breast Cancer

This class is open to anyone affected by the journey through breast cancer, whether they are a patient or a caregiver. Students attending this class are using yoga interventions to help them during this journey.

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Upcoming Event

Satt Yoga at Stanford

Join Stanford YogaX alumni for a yoga session on campus — an opportunity to move, breathe, and recharge. A simple, energizing way to start your Saturday.

Yoga — illustrated figures in practice
Saturday, August 15
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PDT
Old Union at Stanford, 3rd Floor
Led by Penloy (YogaX RYT 200)

What to expect

  • ·A calm, beginner-friendly flow
  • ·Breath awareness and stretching
  • ·A supportive, non-judgmental environment

What to bring

  • ·Yoga mat (or a towel) and blocks (optional)
  • ·Water
  • ·Comfortable clothing

Free session · RSVP appreciated · Donations welcome via Venmo · Follow @shenkeyao on Instagram

Breathe. Balance. Be.

Register for the event

Featured Research

01

Mindfulness Changes the Brain’s Stress Response

Mindfulness Changes the Brain’s Stress Response

Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital (2024)

Read Paper

Researchers found that practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and breathwork can produce measurable changes in consciousness and nervous system function. While most participants reported positive outcomes — including greater emotional wellbeing and resilience — the research also emphasizes the importance of qualified guidance, particularly for individuals with trauma histories.

Why it matters

Rather than simply “relaxing,” mindfulness appears to influence how the brain processes stress, emotion, and self-awareness. This reinforces the importance of trauma-informed, evidence-based instruction when teaching meditation and yoga.

02

Large Clinical Trial Shows Mindfulness Reduces Stress

Large Clinical Trial Shows Mindfulness Reduces Stress

International Multi-Site Study Published in Nature Human Behaviour (2024)

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One of the largest randomized controlled trials on mindfulness included more than 2,200 participants across 37 research sites. Researchers found that even brief, self-guided mindfulness practices significantly reduced psychological stress compared with an active control group. Body scan meditation produced the strongest improvements.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that accessible mindfulness practices can meaningfully improve stress regulation, making them valuable tools for professionals, healthcare settings, and everyday wellbeing — not just long-term meditators.

03

Yoga Nidra Improves Deep Sleep, Learning, and Memory

Yoga Nidra Improves Deep Sleep, Learning, and Memory

Published in Nature (2024)

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Researchers reported that just two weeks of Yoga Nidra practice improved deep (slow-wave) sleep, increased processing speed, and enhanced learning and memory in healthy adults. The benefits are thought to occur through reduced sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) activity and increased parasympathetic (“rest-and-digest”) activation.

Why it matters

Quality sleep is foundational for emotional regulation, cognitive performance, and long-term brain health. This growing body of research suggests that restorative practices like Yoga Nidra may support both nervous system recovery and cognitive resilience.

Our Research Philosophy

Bridging scientific evidence with practical application.

We are inspired by emerging discoveries in neuroscience, psychology, and integrative medicine. Our work bridges scientific evidence with practical application, translating research into accessible tools that support nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and whole-person wellbeing.

We believe the future of healthcare lies in integrating modern neuroscience with evidence-informed movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and lifestyle medicine to improve health across the lifespan.

Collaboration

Bring this practice into your research, your program, or your community.

Whether you are a clinical researcher seeking a practitioner partner, an organization designing a wellness program, or a community looking for someone to hold the structure — the next step is one message.