A growing body of published studies validate Eat Breathe Thrive as an effective, evidence-based intervention for eating disorders.


Eat Breathe Thrive is informed by emerging evidence on yoga and peer support in eating disorder prevention and recovery.

Eat Breathe Thrive is an evidence-based intervention which has shown promising results in large randomized controlled trials, with diverse populations.

It was developed by those with lived experience of eating disorder recovery and has been refined and co-designed in collaboration with clinicians and researchers for over a decade. Explore the growing body of evidence validating the impact of Eat Breathe Thrive in eating disorder treatment and prevention below.

  • Eating Disorder Prevention

    Studies have shown Eat Breathe Thrive may help prevent eating disorders in young people, particularly college athletes.

  • Severe and Chronic Eating Disorders

    Research suggests Eat Breathe Thrive may be an effective adjunct treatment, particularly those with long-standing eating disorders.

  • Mental Health & Positive Embodiment

    Eat Breathe Thrive has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD and support positive embodiment.

Randomized Controlled Trials

Study 1: Adults with Disordered Eating

This randomized controlled trial explored whether the Eat Breathe Thrive Seven-Week intervention reduces the risk of eating disorders in a community sample of adults experiencing disordered eating and body image challenges. Data was collected in eight cities throughout the United States and United Kingdom. 266 individuals were enrolled in the study.

The study found that compared to controls, Eat Breathe Thrive participants experienced significant decreases in eating disorder symptoms and behaviors, depression, and difficulties regulating emotions. They reported significantly greater use of embodied skills; such as interoceptive awareness, mindful self-care, and mindful eating.

After a single session, participants reported immediate improvement in their sense of well-being, indicating increased state positive embodiment. Most effects were sustained at six month follow-up.

Study 2: Adults with Severe and Longstanding Eating Disorders

This large randomized controlled trial evaluated the Eat Breathe Thrive for Recovery (EBT-R), a virtual four-week intervention for individuals with eating disorders. The study included 277 participants from 27 countries, nearly 70% of whom had been living with eating disorders for over a decade.

Most participants had “severe and enduring eating disorders,” a group often seen as unlikely to benefit from recovery-focused treatment. Despite this, they experienced significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety within just four weeks. Many reported continued improvement at three-month follow-up.

EBT-R (also known as Yoga for Eating Disorder Recovery) is a four-week protocol combining skill building, yoga, and peer support to help participants recover from eating disorders. This trial provides strong evidence that EBT-R is an effective adjunct treatment for eating disorders, even for those who have struggled to respond to conventional treatments.

“My body has often been seen as the enemy– something to be controlled or … distrusted or berated when it doesn't do what I want. It's the inner awareness that has helped me move towards developing a more collaborative relationship with my body … I don't trust it fully but I trust it more to guide me. I've been listening more to the voice [of my body]”

(Pershyn et al., 2024, p.15)

Controlled Trials and Qualitative Studies

Study 3:
Athletes and Eating Disorders

This controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Eat Breathe Thrive as an eating disorder prevention program for NCAA Division I athletes. The study included 94 female athletes, comparing those who participated in EBT sessions with a matched control group.

Results showed that EBT participants experienced significant reductions in state anxiety and increases in body trust, a key marker of interoceptive awareness. Nearly all participants rated the program favorably, with 97% saying they would recommend it to a teammate.

Study 4:
Participant Experiences

This qualitative study explored how Eat Breathe Thrive helps people improve their relationship with their bodies and recover from disordered eating. Researchers interviewed 16 participants from the U.S. and U.K. who took part in the program between 2018 and 2022.

Participants shared that the program helped them build self-compassion, emotional resilience, and trust in their bodies. They described feeling more connected to their internal needs able to make meaningful gains in recovery, offering insights into how the program works and why it benefits participants.

“"I have become so much more aware of my own body... I notice more when I’m full or... the difference between hunger and thirst. I just feela bit more attuned...I’m kinder to myself. I can see that my body and the food I eat is a reflection of all the really positive experiences I have in my life.”

(Pershyn et al, 2024)

Benefits and Outcomes

Research suggests that Eat Breathe Thrive interventions may reduce risk of eating disorders and positively impact several key areas of mental health that support sustained recovery. Specifically, research findings indicate that Eat Breathe Thrive interventions may improve the following:

▶   Eating Disorders

▶   Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

▶   Anxiety and Depression

▶   Interoceptive Awareness

▶   Emotion Regulation

▶   Interpersonal Relationships

▶   Mindful Eating

▶   Body Appreciation

▶   Mindful Self Care

▶   Honesty and Integrity

▶   Loneliness and Isolation

▶   Distress Tolerance

▶   Self-compassion

▶   Body Trust

▶   Relapse Rates

Theoretical Framework of Eat Breathe Thrive

Recovery from eating disorders involves more than just ceasing symptoms and behaviors. Many individuals with eating disorders face profound challenges in connecting with their bodies, managing emotions, and forming meaningful relationships—issues that can perpetuate disordered eating and psychological distress.

People with lived experience of recovery often report an improved ability to sense and respond to their body’s needs, manage emotions effectively, and value their body for its functionality rather than appearance. These constructs, referred to as positive embodiment, are often accompanied by a sense of agency and empowerment that supports healthier relationships and long-term recovery.

While many eating disorder treatments focus on cognitive modalities, such as reframing thoughts or monitoring food intake, these approaches may not fully address the embodied and relational aspects of recovery. Eat Breathe Thrive bridges this gap by integrating embodied practices (yoga, meditation, and breathwork) with experiential learning and peer support to help individuals individuals develop, practice, and internalize skills that foster positive embodiment.