Aim To investigate the effects of the practice of yoga in combination with compassion meditation on the quality of life, attention, vitality and self‐compassion of family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods A total of 46 volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups, the yoga and compassion meditation program group (n = 25), and the control group (CG) that received no treatment (n = 21). The program lasted 8 weeks, and comprised three yoga and meditation practices per week, with each session lasting 1 h and 15 min. Quality of life, attention, vitality, and self‐compassion scores were measured pre‐ and postintervention. Results The yoga and compassion meditation program group showed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05) on quality of life, attention, vitality and self‐compassion scores as compared with the control group, which showed no statistical significant differences at the postintervention time‐point. Conclusions The findings of the present study suggest that an 8‐week yoga and compassion meditation program can improve the quality of life, vitality, attention, and self‐compassion of family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 85–91.