Note on Waivers: If you are from a low-income or middle-income country, most high-fee journals (like Frontiers or PLOS ONE) offer 100% fee waivers. Always check the “Waiver Policy” on the journal’s “About” page.

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Top 3 Tips for Yoga Researchers in 2025

• Focus on Mechanism: Editors are moving away from “Yoga is good for X” papers. They want to know how it works (e.g., Vagus nerve stimulation, inflammatory markers, or specific brain region activation).

• Standardized Reporting: Use the CONSORT guidelines for clinical trials or STRENGOT specifically for Yoga research to increase your chances of acceptance.

• Verify the URL: Always use the links provided in the official Scopus Source List to avoid “cloned” predatory journals that mimic real ones to steal fees.

Scopus Yoga Journals with 2025 Fee Waivers

These journals are officially indexed in Scopus for 2025 and have dedicated policies to support researchers with limited funding.

Key Details for 2025:

• International Journal of Yoga (IJOY): As the official journal of S-VYASA, they keep fees extremely low (approx. ₹1000 for Indians / $50 USD for others) to encourage global participation.

• Journal of Yoga Studies (JoYS): This is a rare Diamond Open Access journal, meaning it is free for both authors to publish and readers to read. It focuses more on the humanities and history of yoga.

• PLOS ONE & Frontiers: These are “Mega-journals.” While their list prices are high (~$2,000+), they have a dedicated “Fee Support” button during the submission process. If you are from a developing nation or lack a grant, they frequently grant 50–100% waivers.

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How to Apply for a Fee Waiver (2025 Guide)

Don’t wait until your paper is accepted to ask for a waiver. Follow these steps:

1. Check Eligibility: Visit the Research4Life list. If your country is in Group A, you usually get a 100% waiver automatically at most major publishers (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley).

2. Request During Submission: Most submission portals (Editorial Manager, ScholarOne) have a section titled “Financial Disclosure” or “APC Waiver Request.”

3. Provide Proof: If you aren’t from a Group A country, you will need a letter from your University Dean or Head of Department stating that no institutional funds are available for publication.

Professional Cover Letter Template

A cover letter is your “sales pitch” to the Editor-in-Chief. It should explain why your Yoga research matters now.

[Your Name] [Your University/Affiliation] [Your Email] [Date]

To: The Editor-in-Chief [Journal Name, e.g., International Journal of Yoga]

Subject: Submission of Original Research – [Your Paper Title]

Dear Dr. [Editor’s Last Name or “Editor”],

I am pleased to submit our original research article titled “[Insert Title]” for consideration for publication in [Journal Name].

Research Significance: Our study investigates the impact of [Specific Yoga Intervention, e.g., 8 weeks of Pranayama] on [Specific Outcome, e.g., cortisol levels in frontline healthcare workers]. While previous studies have focused on general wellness, our research is the first to provide [mention a “first” or “novelty,” e.g., biochemical evidence of stress reduction in a clinical setting].

Alignment with Journal Scope: Given [Journal Name]’s dedication to advancing the scientific understanding of yoga as a therapeutic intervention, we believe our findings regarding [key result] will be of great interest to your readers in the fields of [Psychology/Integrative Medicine/Physiology].

Declarations:

• This manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by any other journal.

• All authors have approved the final manuscript and agree with its submission.

• There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Thank you for your time and for considering our work.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature] [Your Full Name] [ORCID iD]