Yoga is believed to help stroke survivors deal with the after effects of the debilitating medical event.

A new study found that group yoga significantly helped patients regain their balance, which had been negatively affected by a stroke.

"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," said study author Arlene Schmid of Indiana University, reported ANI.

According to MedPage Today, the small study looked at 47 patients, mostly male veterans.

The team divided them into three groups: two that did different intensities of yoga and those that were treated with the usual medical care.

The yoga consisted of relaxation, poses, and meditation.

Those that did yoga saw a significant improvement in balance over those who did the usual medical treatment.

"Evidence suggests that the combination of postures, breathing, and meditation are most beneficial when utilized together and are considered to produce different effects than simple exercise," study authors wrote, according to MedPage Today.

The study was published in the journal Stroke.

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