The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga training programs on health-rela... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga training programs on health-related physical fitness and to measure the heart rate (HR) responses of individuals throughout an actual Hatha yoga class. Two male and six female college students who were enrolled in an intermediate Sivananda yoga class voluntarily participated in this study. Yoga classes lasted 105 minutes and were offered twice a week for eight weeks; participants had to attend at least 50% of the classes. One male and six female participants had their physical fitness tested after the first week of yoga training and again five days after the final yoga class. Aspects of physical fitness tested included: body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Pre and post fitness test results were compared using a paired-samples t-test, with alpha set at 0.05.
Background. While yoga is thought to reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as... more Background. While yoga is thought to reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, there are no studies on insulin sensitivity in long term practitioners of yoga. We assessed insulin sensitivity and cardiac autonomic function in long term practitioners of yoga.
... More recently, in his capacity as director of the Dharam Hinduja 1nstitute of lndie Research,... more ... More recently, in his capacity as director of the Dharam Hinduja 1nstitute of lndie Research, Julius Lipner has offered me continued support and ... Yet the ideas expressed in this book have not been formally discussed with Swami Shyam, nor has he read the manu-script itself. ...
Background There are limited data on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. Objective To c... more Background There are limited data on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. Objective To characterize yoga users, medical reasons for use, perceptions of helpfulness, and disclosure of use to medical professionals. Methods Utilizing cross-sectional survey data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Alternative Medicine Supplement (n = 31044), we examined correlates of yoga use for health. The estimated prevalence from 2002 NHIS of yoga for health was 5.1% corresponding to over 10 million adults. Results In 2002, yoga users were predominately Caucasian (85%) and female (76%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. Compared to non-yoga users, yoga users were more likely female (OR 3.76, 95% CI 3.11–4.33); less likely black than white (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.80); tended to be younger; and more likely college educated (OR 2.70, 95% CI 2.37–3.08). Musculoskeletal conditions (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.42–1.83), mental health conditions (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22–1.67), severe sprains in the last 12 months (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81), and asthma (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05–1.54) were independently associated with higher yoga use, while hypertension (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.95) and chronic obstructive lung disease (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–1.00) were associated with lower use. Yoga was most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal or mental health conditions, and most users reported yoga to be helpful for these conditions. A majority of yoga users (61%) felt yoga was important in maintaining health, though only 25% disclosed yoga practice to their medical professional. Conclusions We found that yoga users are more likely to be white, female, young and college educated. Yoga users report benefit for musculoskeletal conditions and mental health, indicating that further research on the efficacy of yoga for the treatment and/or prevention of these conditions is warranted.
... Christians to enter the party; has presented Atal Behari Vajpayee, a moderate, as its Prime M... more ... Christians to enter the party; has presented Atal Behari Vajpayee, a moderate, as its Prime Ministerial candidate (not Ashok Singhal, the head of ... to translate this term as "thought" rather than the usual "mind," reserving "mind" as a more suitable translation for "manas." Given that ...
intercourse, and that they eat excrement, nauseating animals, and devour human corpses. In other ... more intercourse, and that they eat excrement, nauseating animals, and devour human corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2010
A systematic review revealed three small randomised controlled trials of yoga for low back pain, ... more A systematic review revealed three small randomised controlled trials of yoga for low back pain, all of which showed effects on back pain that favoured the yoga group. To build on these studies a larger trial, with longer term follow-up, and a number of different yoga teachers delivering the intervention is required. This study protocol describes the details of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Yoga for chronic Low Back Pain, which is funded by Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) and is being conducted by the University of York. 262 patients will be recruited from GP practices in 5 centres in England. Patients will be randomised to receive usual care or 12 weekly classes of yoga. A yoga programme will be devised that can be delivered by yoga teachers of the two main national yoga organisations in the UK (British Wheel of Yoga and Iyengar Yoga Association (UK)).
This study explores the physiological correlates of a highly practiced Kundalini Yoga meditator. ... more This study explores the physiological correlates of a highly practiced Kundalini Yoga meditator. Thoracic and abdominal breathing patterns, heart rate (HR), occipital parietal electroencephalograph (EEG), skin conductance level (SCL), and blood volume pulse (BVP) were monitored during prebaseline, meditation, and postbaseline periods. Visual analyses of the data showed a decrease in respiration rate during the meditation from a mean of 11 breaths/min for the pre- and 13 breaths/min for the postbaseline to a mean of 5 breaths/min during the meditation, with a predominance of abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing. There was also more alpha EEG activity during the meditation (M = 1.71 μV) compared to the pre- (M = .47 μV) and postbaseline (M = .78 μV) periods, and an increase in theta EEG activity immediately following the meditation (M = .62 μV) compared to the pre-baseline and meditative periods (each with M = .26 μV). These findings suggest that a shift in breathing patterns may contribute to the development of alpha EEG, and those patterns need to be investigated further.
The integral yoga approach to asthma (and other psychosomatic disorders) is briefly outlined as m... more The integral yoga approach to asthma (and other psychosomatic disorders) is briefly outlined as meeting all of the requirements for an optimal, holistic, somatopsychic therapy (as outlined in Part I), including correction of distorted posture and faulty breathing habits, teaching a system of general muscle relaxation, techniques for the release of suppressed emotion and for reducing anxiety and self-conscious awareness, as well as special methods for the expectoration of mucus. Yoga practices are described in detail and the available psychophysiological research on yoga practice, as well as clinical-therapeutic studies on yoga as asthmatic therapy, are reviewed. It can therefore be concluded that yoga therapy is most effective with asthma.
... Il est employé aussi dans les textes nàth dans le même sens, par exemple dans le Goraksa-vija... more ... Il est employé aussi dans les textes nàth dans le même sens, par exemple dans le Goraksa-vijay de ekh Phayjullâ (éd. Abdul Karim, p. 120 et 148). ... Var. Sharif : à la place de piterghare (« dans la chambre du père »), phirâe grhe, « il circule dans la pièce ». ...
Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life, which influences the functioning of the brain ... more Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life, which influences the functioning of the brain and the rest of the body. Several studies have shown that the practice of yoga has a definite role in the promotion of positive health, including mental health, characterized by improved cardio-respiratory efficiency, autonomic responses to stressors, sleep, muscular endurance, and 'higher' brain functions. The practice of yoga has been used in rehabilitation. A one-year controlled trial showed that yoga practice improved the functioning of mentally challenged children, in three aspects, viz., their motor co-ordination, social interactions, and IQ. Also, the practice of yoga reduces psycho-physiological signs of stress (e.g., rapid, irregular respiration) in children with impaired vision and in adolescent girls under legal custody at a State remand home. There were also improvements in chronic schizophrenics practicing yoga, in terms of better bodily awareness and flexibility of thinking. Finally practicing yoga was found to promote positive physical and mental health in persons over the age of sixty, those staying in a community home and in persons with work related stress. In the last three decades researchers have attempted to study the role of yoga in promotion of health, prevention of disease and in understanding states of consciousness. This brief report summarizes the studies conducted to explore the use of yoga in rehabilitation, at Swami
First of all, yoga postures (asanas) evolved as an integral part of Raja (royal) Yoga, also known... more First of all, yoga postures (asanas) evolved as an integral part of Raja (royal) Yoga, also known as ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga. Raja Yoga is one of the more highly sophisticated systems of psychospiritual conditioning, and all the more so because it recognizes the profound influence of the body upon consciousness. (Indeed, its philosophical premise is that the body is but a crude layer of mind.) Asana (physical postures) is indispensable as one of the eight stages of Raja Yoga because the yoga postures are themselves specifically designed to manipulate consciousness, to a greater or lesser degree, into Raja Yoga's consummate experience of samadhi: undifferentiated union with the primal essence of consciousness, the monist's equivalent of "God." In his definitive work on Raja Yoga, Swami Vivekananda writes of asana: "A series of exercises, physical and mental, is to be gone through every day until certain higher states are reached. Nerve currents will have to be displaced and given a new channel. New sorts of vibrations will begin: the whole constitution will be remodeled, as it were." In the context of Raja Yoga, then, the effects of the practice of asana are recognized as certainly going far beyond the merely physical and psychological results of Western systems of exercise. But does it necessarily follow that the Westerner practicing physical yoga will automatically have his or her consciousness manipulated into that experience of reality characteristic of Eastern metaphysics? Such a question has a great many ramifications. Some preliminary light may be shed on it, however, by examining the second major occurrence of physical yoga in the East—Hatha Yoga. Because of widespread abuse in India, Hatha Yoga has there fallen into much disrepute, being considered a gross physical practice without spiritual value. Vivekananda, in comparing asana to hatha, summarily dismisses the latter as having no real worth at all: "This portion of yoga (asana) is a little similar to Hatha Yoga, which deals entirely with the physical body, its aim being to make the physical body very strong. We have nothing to do with it here, because its practices are very difficult... and, after all, do not lead to much spiritual growth."
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga training programs on health-rela... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga training programs on health-related physical fitness and to measure the heart rate (HR) responses of individuals throughout an actual Hatha yoga class. Two male and six female college students who were enrolled in an intermediate Sivananda yoga class voluntarily participated in this study. Yoga classes lasted 105 minutes and were offered twice a week for eight weeks; participants had to attend at least 50% of the classes. One male and six female participants had their physical fitness tested after the first week of yoga training and again five days after the final yoga class. Aspects of physical fitness tested included: body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Pre and post fitness test results were compared using a paired-samples t-test, with alpha set at 0.05.
Background. While yoga is thought to reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as... more Background. While yoga is thought to reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, there are no studies on insulin sensitivity in long term practitioners of yoga. We assessed insulin sensitivity and cardiac autonomic function in long term practitioners of yoga.
... More recently, in his capacity as director of the Dharam Hinduja 1nstitute of lndie Research,... more ... More recently, in his capacity as director of the Dharam Hinduja 1nstitute of lndie Research, Julius Lipner has offered me continued support and ... Yet the ideas expressed in this book have not been formally discussed with Swami Shyam, nor has he read the manu-script itself. ...
Background There are limited data on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. Objective To c... more Background There are limited data on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. Objective To characterize yoga users, medical reasons for use, perceptions of helpfulness, and disclosure of use to medical professionals. Methods Utilizing cross-sectional survey data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Alternative Medicine Supplement (n = 31044), we examined correlates of yoga use for health. The estimated prevalence from 2002 NHIS of yoga for health was 5.1% corresponding to over 10 million adults. Results In 2002, yoga users were predominately Caucasian (85%) and female (76%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. Compared to non-yoga users, yoga users were more likely female (OR 3.76, 95% CI 3.11–4.33); less likely black than white (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.80); tended to be younger; and more likely college educated (OR 2.70, 95% CI 2.37–3.08). Musculoskeletal conditions (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.42–1.83), mental health conditions (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22–1.67), severe sprains in the last 12 months (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81), and asthma (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05–1.54) were independently associated with higher yoga use, while hypertension (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.95) and chronic obstructive lung disease (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–1.00) were associated with lower use. Yoga was most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal or mental health conditions, and most users reported yoga to be helpful for these conditions. A majority of yoga users (61%) felt yoga was important in maintaining health, though only 25% disclosed yoga practice to their medical professional. Conclusions We found that yoga users are more likely to be white, female, young and college educated. Yoga users report benefit for musculoskeletal conditions and mental health, indicating that further research on the efficacy of yoga for the treatment and/or prevention of these conditions is warranted.
... Christians to enter the party; has presented Atal Behari Vajpayee, a moderate, as its Prime M... more ... Christians to enter the party; has presented Atal Behari Vajpayee, a moderate, as its Prime Ministerial candidate (not Ashok Singhal, the head of ... to translate this term as "thought" rather than the usual "mind," reserving "mind" as a more suitable translation for "manas." Given that ...
intercourse, and that they eat excrement, nauseating animals, and devour human corpses. In other ... more intercourse, and that they eat excrement, nauseating animals, and devour human corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes and horrible ceremonies corpses. In other words, they proudly claim all the crimes
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2010
A systematic review revealed three small randomised controlled trials of yoga for low back pain, ... more A systematic review revealed three small randomised controlled trials of yoga for low back pain, all of which showed effects on back pain that favoured the yoga group. To build on these studies a larger trial, with longer term follow-up, and a number of different yoga teachers delivering the intervention is required. This study protocol describes the details of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Yoga for chronic Low Back Pain, which is funded by Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) and is being conducted by the University of York. 262 patients will be recruited from GP practices in 5 centres in England. Patients will be randomised to receive usual care or 12 weekly classes of yoga. A yoga programme will be devised that can be delivered by yoga teachers of the two main national yoga organisations in the UK (British Wheel of Yoga and Iyengar Yoga Association (UK)).
This study explores the physiological correlates of a highly practiced Kundalini Yoga meditator. ... more This study explores the physiological correlates of a highly practiced Kundalini Yoga meditator. Thoracic and abdominal breathing patterns, heart rate (HR), occipital parietal electroencephalograph (EEG), skin conductance level (SCL), and blood volume pulse (BVP) were monitored during prebaseline, meditation, and postbaseline periods. Visual analyses of the data showed a decrease in respiration rate during the meditation from a mean of 11 breaths/min for the pre- and 13 breaths/min for the postbaseline to a mean of 5 breaths/min during the meditation, with a predominance of abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing. There was also more alpha EEG activity during the meditation (M = 1.71 μV) compared to the pre- (M = .47 μV) and postbaseline (M = .78 μV) periods, and an increase in theta EEG activity immediately following the meditation (M = .62 μV) compared to the pre-baseline and meditative periods (each with M = .26 μV). These findings suggest that a shift in breathing patterns may contribute to the development of alpha EEG, and those patterns need to be investigated further.
The integral yoga approach to asthma (and other psychosomatic disorders) is briefly outlined as m... more The integral yoga approach to asthma (and other psychosomatic disorders) is briefly outlined as meeting all of the requirements for an optimal, holistic, somatopsychic therapy (as outlined in Part I), including correction of distorted posture and faulty breathing habits, teaching a system of general muscle relaxation, techniques for the release of suppressed emotion and for reducing anxiety and self-conscious awareness, as well as special methods for the expectoration of mucus. Yoga practices are described in detail and the available psychophysiological research on yoga practice, as well as clinical-therapeutic studies on yoga as asthmatic therapy, are reviewed. It can therefore be concluded that yoga therapy is most effective with asthma.
... Il est employé aussi dans les textes nàth dans le même sens, par exemple dans le Goraksa-vija... more ... Il est employé aussi dans les textes nàth dans le même sens, par exemple dans le Goraksa-vijay de ekh Phayjullâ (éd. Abdul Karim, p. 120 et 148). ... Var. Sharif : à la place de piterghare (« dans la chambre du père »), phirâe grhe, « il circule dans la pièce ». ...
Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life, which influences the functioning of the brain ... more Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life, which influences the functioning of the brain and the rest of the body. Several studies have shown that the practice of yoga has a definite role in the promotion of positive health, including mental health, characterized by improved cardio-respiratory efficiency, autonomic responses to stressors, sleep, muscular endurance, and 'higher' brain functions. The practice of yoga has been used in rehabilitation. A one-year controlled trial showed that yoga practice improved the functioning of mentally challenged children, in three aspects, viz., their motor co-ordination, social interactions, and IQ. Also, the practice of yoga reduces psycho-physiological signs of stress (e.g., rapid, irregular respiration) in children with impaired vision and in adolescent girls under legal custody at a State remand home. There were also improvements in chronic schizophrenics practicing yoga, in terms of better bodily awareness and flexibility of thinking. Finally practicing yoga was found to promote positive physical and mental health in persons over the age of sixty, those staying in a community home and in persons with work related stress. In the last three decades researchers have attempted to study the role of yoga in promotion of health, prevention of disease and in understanding states of consciousness. This brief report summarizes the studies conducted to explore the use of yoga in rehabilitation, at Swami
First of all, yoga postures (asanas) evolved as an integral part of Raja (royal) Yoga, also known... more First of all, yoga postures (asanas) evolved as an integral part of Raja (royal) Yoga, also known as ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga. Raja Yoga is one of the more highly sophisticated systems of psychospiritual conditioning, and all the more so because it recognizes the profound influence of the body upon consciousness. (Indeed, its philosophical premise is that the body is but a crude layer of mind.) Asana (physical postures) is indispensable as one of the eight stages of Raja Yoga because the yoga postures are themselves specifically designed to manipulate consciousness, to a greater or lesser degree, into Raja Yoga's consummate experience of samadhi: undifferentiated union with the primal essence of consciousness, the monist's equivalent of "God." In his definitive work on Raja Yoga, Swami Vivekananda writes of asana: "A series of exercises, physical and mental, is to be gone through every day until certain higher states are reached. Nerve currents will have to be displaced and given a new channel. New sorts of vibrations will begin: the whole constitution will be remodeled, as it were." In the context of Raja Yoga, then, the effects of the practice of asana are recognized as certainly going far beyond the merely physical and psychological results of Western systems of exercise. But does it necessarily follow that the Westerner practicing physical yoga will automatically have his or her consciousness manipulated into that experience of reality characteristic of Eastern metaphysics? Such a question has a great many ramifications. Some preliminary light may be shed on it, however, by examining the second major occurrence of physical yoga in the East—Hatha Yoga. Because of widespread abuse in India, Hatha Yoga has there fallen into much disrepute, being considered a gross physical practice without spiritual value. Vivekananda, in comparing asana to hatha, summarily dismisses the latter as having no real worth at all: "This portion of yoga (asana) is a little similar to Hatha Yoga, which deals entirely with the physical body, its aim being to make the physical body very strong. We have nothing to do with it here, because its practices are very difficult... and, after all, do not lead to much spiritual growth."
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