Randomized controlled trial of bikram yoga and aerobic exercise for depression in women: Efficacy and stress-based mechanisms

•Bikram yoga and aerobic exercise led to greater depression response than a wait-list condition.•Bikram yoga and aerobic exercise led to decreased levels of rumination.•Decreases in rumination drove the symptom change seen in Bikram yoga and exercise.•Increases in mindful acceptance drove the symptom change seen in aerobic exercise.