In the current overwhelming situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) are posed with multiple emergent situations that questions their capability in terms of severity and numbers of severely ill cases in the hospital wards topped by uncertain nature of the virus that has killed millions of persons worldwide. In addition to the above scenario, deaths from COVID-19 infection amongst the HCPs globally, incites a fear of themselves getting infected or transmitting it to their near and dear ones while they impart critical care to COVID-19 patients.

Excessive stress has been reported among the HCPs globally. Such persistent/repeated stressful situations could lead to effects on the individual’s health such as depression, and development of aspects of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease or post-traumatic stress disorder. Practice of yoga, has been shown to reduce stress in various conditions including HCPs exhaustion and burnout.

The purpose of this study is to pilot-test in a randomized controlled design (wait-list controls), the feasibility and acceptance of a tailored flexible online yoga program and its effects on stress, anxiety and depression in HCPs involved in COVID-19 patients’ care. Such an online yoga program could potentially be an effective self-care stress-buster acceptable to HCPs. In this study, the yoga program and the assessments (baseline, one-month and three-month post intervention assessments) will be conducted online without face-to-face interaction, thus removing any risk to the HCPs and the research staff.