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11
Jan 12

Yoga teachers dispute link between yoga, neck pain and headaches

Nationwide, yoga teachers are upset about an article published in the New York Times that linked yoga to health complications such as neck pain and headaches. Enthusiasts of the mind-body regimen are crying foul, saying that the article took an unfair approach to the topic, as reported by The Daily Beast.

"First of all, it's talking about yoga like it's another sport fad," said instructor Lisa Jacobson, as quoted by the news source. "It's not just another thing. It’s not just another Pilates. It's meant to be so much deeper than that."

Jacobson goes on to say that she doubts the severe health problems discussed in the article came on during yoga without any prior warning. In order to avoid catastrophe, students need to pay attention to what their bodies are telling them and avoid poses that may be too difficult.

Other fitness instructors stressed that there are risks involved with any physical activity, such as skiing or a 100-mile run. However, as one teacher told the news source, not doing any exercise may be far riskier.

One thing that can minimize the risks associated with yoga is finding the right teacher. People who are interested in New Mexico yoga classes shouldn't have a hard time. As of 2005, there were more than 70,000 certified instructors nationwide!

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21
Jul 11

Yoga, exercise are good health habits

If you engage in regular aerobic exercise or yoga (or both), you no doubt understand the importance of good health. Americans have been doing yoga – a low-impact, highly meditative form of physical and mental reconnection – for decades, and now researchers are striving to determine just how good for you this subtle system is.

A literature review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine explored the outcomes of dozens of previous studies, all of which had weighed the value of yoga against that of typical exercise, as well as of other physical interventions.

The authors, who hail from the University of Maryland, strove to see how yoga-based treatments measure up to their commonplace counterparts, and the results were fairly stark.

"Studies comparing the effects of yoga and exercise seem to indicate that, in both healthy and diseased populations, yoga may be as effective as or better than exercise at improving a variety of health-related outcome measures," the team stated.

They noted that in some reports, yoga conferred benefits similar to those of exercises like walking, running, stationary cycling, aerobics and even African dance. In many more, yoga was even better than these activities for a good, healthy life.

The meta-study said that yoga has variously been found to beat other alternative interventions when it comes to improving balance, fatigue, flexibility, menopausal symptoms, chronic pain, sleep disturbance, stress, cholesterol levels and quality of life.

These benefits may explain why nearly 16 million American practice yoga, meditation and tai chi, according to a survey conducted by the Yoga Journal. The source stated that among non-practitioners, an estimated 18.3 million people stated that they were interested in a holistic mind-body system as a way to stay mentally and physically healthy.

Of that group, 9 million concluded that they would try yoga within the year, the news source added.

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30
Jun 11

Yoga can help you go… to… zzzzzzzzzzzzz

For those who avoid yoga, the holistic mind-body regimen may seem to have a soporific effect, leading to numerous excuses along the lines of "It'd put me to sleep." While this sort of rationalization does not hold up well in practice – after all, even the most peaceful yoga systems tend to turn the mind on, not off – it does contain a kernel of truth.

According to new research, yoga appears to be able to help specific populations fall asleep and get better rest.

None of the recent studies on the subject deal with nodding off in the middle of yoga classes. Instead, they address the ways that relaxed breathing, stretching and meditation can help individuals with health problems get more shut-eye.

Two of the most notable investigations into this topic appeared in the International Journal of Nursing Studies and the journal European Psychiatry (EP). In the first, yoga instruction helped elderly Taiwanese people sleep better and also reduced their symptoms of depression.

In the second study in EP, scientists from Iran found that six weeks of yoga was enough to convince women with generalized anxiety disorder that the reconnection of their minds and bodies could help them relax and rest. 

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29
Jun 11

Following hockey riots, Vancouver residents spread peace and mindfulness with yoga

If you are a sports fan, you may know firsthand the pain and anguish of having your beloved team lose a trophy. These sentiments pierced the hearts of hockey lovers all over Vancouver earlier this month, when the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins. Anger, frustration and anxiety led to a series of riots in which bystanders were injured, vehicles were overturned and department store windows were smashed.

In an effort to remind people of the importance of peace, consideration and understanding – as well as of the necessity of being a good sport when the home team loses – residents of Vancouver recently staged a yogathon to help community members stay calm and grounded, according to Xinhua News.

The event, aptly titled "Yoga Riot," involved 60 people and their yoga mats where the crazed hockey fans rampaged just weeks before.

"We wanted to do something powerful with that and do something really positive, and use our powers for good," said Ellen Nielson, a yoga instructor who organized the program, quoted by the news source.

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27
Jun 11

People all over the world de-stress with yoga

Life can sometimes seem like an endless dark hallway of ticking clocks, the minutes chasing you like bats. What with all of the deadlines and responsibilities many people face on a daily basis, it's no wonder that many Americans are stressed out. Juggling personal and professional duties can take its toll, eventually fraying the delicate connection between the mind and body.

However, there may be a solution in the form of yoga. This holistic regimen, which first began in the East, has grown in popularity in the Western world due to its calming, strengthening effects. Many people who engage in breathing exercises, gentle stretches and soothing poses have reported significant benefits in terms of physical, mental and emotional well-being.

According to the Times of India, practicing yoga can promote the formation of cells in the body. Some scientists suggested that stretching a cell in different ways can determine its fate, and doing so through yoga could affect the body positively on a cellular level.

Tired, overworked individuals may be pleased to learn that yoga can not only help them get rid of tension and anxiety, but also enable them to strive for optimal well-being.

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27
Jun 11

Teen athletes engage in yoga to recovery from injuries

Many people know that working out is good for them, but many types of exercise can take a toll on the body. Running, for example, puts a great deal of pressure on the knees, while swimming may strain the arm and shoulder muscles. Engaging in such rigorous regimens may entail benefits such as weight loss, strength and flexibility, but without a complementary routine such as yoga, the bones and muscles may experience wear and tear.

A holistic mind-body regimen that includes meditation, breathing techniques, soothing stretches and gentle poses can help athletes stay healthy and limber.

The Republic recently reported that 15-year-old Mitch Madl – who grew up playing basketball, soccer and football, in addition to wrestling – turned to yoga to help him heal after experiencing some severe injuries.

"Yoga makes me feel a ton better," he told the news source. "I want to get back to those sports again and be without pain."

The relaxing Eastern art, which has grown in popularity over the years, can help teenagers elongate their muscles during an important period of physical growth. Because yoga has helped many people achieve their full potential, it may not only help them reach for their toes, but also for the stars. 

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27
Jun 11

Three generations of women bond through yoga

Having children can be a challenge, especially when they begin growing up and refusing hugs where their friends might witness them. During adolescence, young people may begin to drift apart from the rest of their families, much like the leaves of a tree subjected to a cold autumn rain. However, exercising together can be a good way for different generations to bond, and this is just one of the many benefits of yoga.

According to the Toronto Star, meditating, stretching and relaxing is one way in which the women of the Dhalla family stay connected to one another.

Each week, Roshan Babul meets up with her daughter and two grown grandchildren to engage in yoga at the local high school. Although Babul is 80 years old, she is more limber than her family members and inspires her granddaughters to achieve her level of flexibility.

"[My grandma is] determined to live a healthy lifestyle," said Amira Dhalla, quoted by the news source. "She can't do all the moves, but the fact that she tries I admire so much. Every time we tell people we all do yoga together and it's a family affair, we have really big smiles on our faces."

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6
Jun 11

Tai chi makes problem-solving a whole-body activity

Having incorporated tai chi into its holistic health regimen several decades ago, Dahn Yoga is now happy to teach individuals of all ages how to move slowly, gently and in such a way as to relax the body and open up the body's energy channels.

Recently, two studies conducted in the U.S. and the UK determined that problem-solving may be a mind-body pursuit, at least to a degree greater than anyone may have previously realized. A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people with free hands or feet use body motions when solving problems.

Researchers at the Universities of Wisconsin and Birmingham discovered this principle after asking participants to do basic problem-solving tasks involving the rotation of gears. Volunteers had either their hands or their feet velcroed down, though some were left with their extremities free.

Those with unfettered hands and feet were much more likely to move their appendages around while coming to solutions.

A similar principle makes Dahn Yoga tai chi the effective holistic regimen that it is. By slowing one's mental pace and feeling the flow of energy through the limbs, a practitioner can experience a new level of calm and serenity. 

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1
Jun 11

Scientists explore potential link between stress and multiple sclerosis

Ours is a world ruled by stress. The hectic pace of everyday life and the burden of juggling too many responsibilities have led to a great deal of anxiety and tension. Those who are overworked and exhausted may experience a severe disconnect between their physical and mental selves, leading to the increased risk of many health complications.

Recently, a paper published in the journal Neurology discussed previous studies that suggested that there is a possible link between too much tension and the development of multiple sclerosis.

Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway evaluated 121,700 nurses between the ages of 30 and 55. Of these individuals, about 77 developed multiple sclerosis over a period of 40 years.

"While we've known that stressful life events have been shown to increase the risk of multiple sclerosis episodes, we weren't certain whether these stressors could actually lead to developing the disease itself," said lead author Trond Riise.

Although the team concluded that there is no evidence for the link between stress and multiple sclerosis, much research has revealed the negative impact of prolonged tension on an individual's health. Practicing yoga can be an excellent method of stress relief. 

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1
Jun 11

Yoga alleviates symptoms of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia

People all over the world have discovered the myriad benefits of Dahn Yoga as a powerful pain management strategy. Recently, two studies conducted in the United Arab Emirates found that yoga can benefit patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. The gentle breathing techniques, soothing stretches and rejuvenating poses of the regimen have been shown to alleviate their symptoms and manage their stress, according to Daily News and Analysis.

Researchers conducted the study among 47 participants, approximately half of whom practiced yoga on a regular basis. At the end of the study period, the team found that people who engaged in 12 sessions of yoga experienced significant improvements in their disease activity scores. They were also more likely to report better quality of life on health assessment questionnaires.

"Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis do not exercise regularly, despite the fact that those who do report less pain and are therefore more physically active," said lead author Humeira Badsha, quoted by the news source.

The researchers added that they believe that practicing yoga long term could result in further significant improvements. 

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