Yoga: streams, asanas, pranayama and relaxation techniques MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Yoga: streams, asanas, pranayama and relaxation techniques MCQs With Answer is designed for M. Pharm students aiming to integrate evidence-based yogic principles into clinical practice and research. This set of multiple-choice questions covers classical streams of yoga (Raja, Hatha, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Tantra), specific asanas with therapeutic indications and contraindications, physiological and neuroendocrine effects of pranayama, and clinical relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and yoga nidra. Questions emphasize mechanisms, measurable outcomes (HRV, cortisol, pulmonary parameters), safety considerations and trial design aspects, helping pharmacy postgraduates appreciate yoga’s role as an adjunctive modality in patient care and translational research.

Q1. Which classical system of yoga is commonly referred to as Ashtanga or the eight-limbed path emphasizing moral disciplines, posture, breath control and meditation?

• Hatha Yoga
• Raja (Ashtanga) Yoga
• Karma Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga

Correct Answer: Raja (Ashtanga) Yoga

Q2. The primary aim of Hatha yoga, from a traditional therapeutic perspective, is to:

• Attain union with the divine through devotion
• Balance the sun (Ha) and moon (Tha) energies and purify the body to prepare for higher practices
• Achieve liberation solely through knowledge and discrimination
• Promote external ritual and mantra recitation

Correct Answer: Balance the sun (Ha) and moon (Tha) energies and purify the body to prepare for higher practices

Q3. Which pranayama technique is most associated with increasing parasympathetic activity and promoting autonomic balance (reduced sympathetic drive)?

• Kapalabhati (forceful exhalation with passive inhalation)
• Bhastrika (forceful inhalation and exhalation with abdominal engagement)
• Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing / Anulom Vilom)
• Ujjayi (victorious breath with glottic constriction)

Correct Answer: Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing / Anulom Vilom)

Q4. Which yoga posture is generally contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension due to the risk of acute cerebral or cardiovascular stress?

• Sirsasana (headstand and similar full inversions)
• Viparita Karani (legs-up-the-wall, supported inversion)
• Balasana (child’s pose)
• Tadasana (mountain pose)

Correct Answer: Sirsasana (headstand and similar full inversions)

Q5. The most accepted physiological mechanism by which regular yoga practice reduces circulating cortisol involves:

• Direct adrenal suppression by specific asanas
• Downregulation of the HPA axis via increased parasympathetic (vagal) activity leading to decreased cortisol secretion
• Increased sympathetic outflow causing adrenal exhaustion
• Elevation of catecholamines that feedback-inhibit cortisol

Correct Answer: Downregulation of the HPA axis via increased parasympathetic (vagal) activity leading to decreased cortisol secretion

Q6. Which relaxation technique is characterized by systematic tensing and then releasing muscle groups to reduce somatic tension?

• Autogenic training
• Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
• Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep)
• MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) body scan

Correct Answer: Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Q7. Which pranayama primarily uses rapid, forceful abdominal exhalations with passive inhalation and is often taught as a cleansing breath?

• Ujjayi
• Kapalabhati (forceful exhalation with passive inhalation)
• Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing)
• Sheetali (cooling breath)

Correct Answer: Kapalabhati (forceful exhalation with passive inhalation)

Q8. Which objective physiological measure is most sensitive for assessing changes in cardiac autonomic balance (vagal tone) after a yoga intervention?

• Resting blood pressure
• Heart rate variability (HRV)
• Pulse oximetry (SpO2)
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)

Correct Answer: Heart rate variability (HRV)

Q9. Which asana is specifically recommended to stretch the hip flexors and anterior thigh, beneficial in correcting prolonged sitting-related postural problems?

• Anjaneyasana (low lunge)
• Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend)
• Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose)
• Sukhasana (easy seated pose)

Correct Answer: Anjaneyasana (low lunge)

Q10. The subjective and physiological state produced by Yoga Nidra most closely corresponds to which brainwave or consciousness state?

• Deep non-REM slow-wave sleep (delta dominance)
• Hypnagogic state with increased theta activity between wakefulness and sleep
• REM sleep with vivid dreaming
• Fully alert beta-dominant waking state

Correct Answer: Hypnagogic state with increased theta activity between wakefulness and sleep

Q11. Which stream of yoga emphasizes selfless action performed without attachment to results as a means to spiritual growth?

• Karma Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Hatha Yoga

Correct Answer: Karma Yoga

Q12. Kapalabhati pranayama is generally contraindicated in which clinical condition?

• Controlled asthma with inhaler use
• Pregnancy
• Mild seasonal allergies
• Type 2 diabetes on oral agents

Correct Answer: Pregnancy

Q13. Which pranayama or breathing practice has been shown in clinical studies to improve spirometric measures like FEV1 and PEFR in obstructive airway disease when practiced regularly?

• Bhastrika (bellows breath)
• Simple quiet mouth breathing
• Valsalva maneuver
• Rapid shallow breathing

Correct Answer: Bhastrika (bellows breath)

Q14. Which relaxation technique emphasizes non-judgmental, present-moment awareness of breath and bodily sensations rather than progressive tensing or guided imagery?

• Yoga Nidra
• Mindfulness meditation (open monitoring)
• Autogenic training
• Guided imagery

Correct Answer: Mindfulness meditation (open monitoring)

Q15. Regular yoga practice has been associated with increases in which inhibitory neurotransmitter that correlates with reduced anxiety and improved mood?

• Glutamate
• GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
• Substance P
• Histamine

Correct Answer: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Q16. Which asana is classically recommended to relieve abdominal bloating and to stimulate intestinal motility and digestion?

• Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose)
• Sirsasana (headstand)
• Trikonasana (triangle pose)
• Shavasana (corpse pose)

Correct Answer: Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose)

Q17. For an M.Pharm clinical trial evaluating stress-reduction by yoga, which biomarker is commonly used as an objective primary endpoint to quantify HPA axis modulation?

• Serum IL-6 concentration measured once
• Salivary cortisol (diurnal profile)
• Random blood glucose
• Serum creatinine

Correct Answer: Salivary cortisol (diurnal profile)

Q18. Which stream of yoga places primary emphasis on physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) as preparatory practices for higher meditative states?

• Bhakti Yoga
• Hatha Yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Kundalini Tantra only

Correct Answer: Hatha Yoga

Q19. Autogenic training relies principally on which subjective self-regulatory element to induce relaxation?

• Rapid breathing and hyperventilation
• Autosuggestion of heaviness and warmth in the limbs
• Forceful physical exertion followed by relaxation
• Complex physical postures held for long durations

Correct Answer: Autosuggestion of heaviness and warmth in the limbs

Q20. The physiological effects of Shavasana (corpse pose) when practiced correctly include:

• Increased sympathetic tone and metabolic rate
• Reduced sympathetic activity and metabolic rate with increased parasympathetic dominance
• Acute blood pressure spikes due to venous stasis
• Heightened vestibular reflexes and anxiety

Correct Answer: Reduced sympathetic activity and metabolic rate with increased parasympathetic dominance

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