Medical students experience high levels of stress due to academic demands and patient responsibilities. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) in reducing perceived stress among first-year medical students. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 132 students (control = 66, experimental = 66). Stress levels were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. The experimental group showed significant reductions in PSS scores (pre: 24.47 ± 2.66; post-test 1: 17.18 ± 2.32; post-test 2: 14.05 ± 2.33, p < 0.001), while the control group showed no improvement. SKY significantly reduced stress, especially among males and 19-year-olds. Incorporating SKY into curricula may improve resilience. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.