For people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), staying physically and mentally fit is crucial to managing symptoms. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to visit gyms or yoga studios, especially for those with weakened immune systems. Fortunately, the GI Research Foundation at the University of Chicago offers online yoga, meditation, and breath-work classes. These classes are suitable for all experience levels and include IBD-specific content, such as short meditations and breathing exercises for symptom relief. The program was co-designed by Dr. Biana Lanson, who has ulcerative colitis and is a board member of the GI Research Foundation. According to Dr. Lanson, patients who incorporate mind-body exercises like yoga and meditation into their IBD treatment report better outcomes in anxiety and pain management compared to those relying solely on medical treatments. The online classes are particularly beneficial for those isolating due to COVID-19, making it easier to practice mind-body therapies at home. The program aims to teach the basics of yoga and meditation, encouraging patients to explore more resources on their own. Research supports the benefits of integrating mind-body therapy into IBD treatment. Both the Mayo Clinic and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recommend yoga and other mind-body therapies to help manage IBD. Deep breathing, for example, can reduce stress by slowing the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. While stress does not cause IBD, it can worsen symptoms. Studies have shown that yoga and mindfulness exercises can significantly lower stress and improve quality of life for IBD patients. Yoga may also reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis. A study found that UC patients who practiced guided yoga had less disease activity than those who followed written self-care advice. Another study found that mindfulness-based therapies improved inflammatory markers in IBD patients. Yoga and mindfulness can also positively influence how people perceive their chronic illness, leading to better self-management and health outcomes. During IBD flares, low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, or yoga are recommended. The GI Research Foundation offers a 40-minute Restorative Practice yoga class for calming the nervous system and reducing symptoms, and an Active Practice class for stronger days. Patients are advised to listen to their bodies and rest if movements become uncomfortable. The GI Research Foundation's website provides high-quality, expertly produced resources to complement conventional medical treatments for IBD.