The
Blossoming of YOGA
Interest in Yoga has spiked in the last year
for good reason. Although the practice of yoga originated
5000 years ago in India, recent research has found
numerous physical and health benefits to yoga. Yoga appeals
to a range of ages. My oldest student, a former judge and
attorney, age 88, says that “A sensible
person would use all the years of knowledge accumulated and
do yoga.” My youngest student, four years old, says,
“Grandma, let’s play yoga.”
 Yoga
is a mental and physical discipline that
was first recorded in the Sanskrit language. The postures
carry both Sanskrit and English names. People in the West
are familiar with physical postures called "asanas"
in Sanskrit, breathing exercises called "pranayama,"
and meditation. The word "yoga" means union.
Traditionally, the goal of yoga is union with the
Absolute and the true self. The asanas prepared the
body to sit in order to form a spiritual connection with God.
Today the focus is often on improved physical fitness, mental
clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control
and general well being. The splendor of yoga is in its versatility,
allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, psychological
or spiritual, or a combination of all three.
Particularly important
to woman are postures for shoulder openers
to prevent the dowager’s hump, hip openers and building
core strength to avoid back and hip pain. Many postures have
multiple benefits. Experienced teachers can
modify difficult postures for the individual and tailor postures
to the individual’s particular body challenges. Several
postures are known to relieve cramps, promote
health during pregnancy and menopause. Studies have
found that yoga can relieve depression, a
symptom of PMS. A study from Scandinavia measured brain waves
before and after a two-hour Yoga class. Alpha waves increased
in the right temporal lobe. Previous research has shown that
depressed, introverted people typically have more alpha activity
in the left frontal-temporal region, while optimistic, extroverted
people have more alpha activity on the right.
Studies have found measurable
changes in the general health. Yoga improves physiological
functioning including pulse, respiratory rates, and
blood pressure. Yoga increases psychomotor functions including
dexterity, eye-hand coordination, steadiness,
depth perception, coordination, energy level, endurance and
strength. Not to mention that Yoga increases flexibility
and joint range.
Bad pain is experienced
by almost everyone at some point. Vijay Vad, MD, Hospital
for Special Surgery, New York developed a program Yoga practice
for his patients on medication for back pain. After six months
about 80 percent of the patients practicing yoga experienced
a decrease in back pain compared to 44 percent reduction
for patients on medication only. Fifty-six percent of the
patients on medication experienced another acute episode of
their injury while only 12 percent of patients using yoga
experienced a reoccurrence.
Joint mobility
is important to fend off the pains of arthritis. The more
flexibility, the less stress to the joints.
A study at the University of California at Davis found that
within eight weeks, the subjects increased isokinetic muscular
strength - elbow extension by 31%, elbow flexion 19%, knee
extension 28%, knee flexion 57%, ankle flexibility 13%, shoulder
elevation 155%, trunk extension 188% and trunk flexion 14%.
And, according to Lewis
Maharani, MD a sports medicine specialist and the medical
director of the New York City Marathon, Yoga is one
of the safest forms of exercise. An estimated 15
million people practice yoga and physicians increasingly recommend
yoga for people with injuries.
 The
meditation training teaches students to empty the mind, focus,
and visualize. The first step is Pratyahara
or drawing focus away from external stimuli.
The second step is Dharana or slowing down the thinking process
by focusing on a single, mental object. Extended periods
of concentration naturally lead to the experience
of meditation. This step is Dhyana when the person no longer
focuses on one point, but is in a state of being keenly aware.
The mind has been quieted, and in the stillness it produces
few or no thoughts at all.
There are several
styles of yoga. Traditional Hatha yoga is a slower
more relaxed pace that provides flexibility and core strength.
Several of my students already have an aerobic exercise program
and come to me for flexibility and relaxation. Several other
students have health challenges that yoga can assist. One
student had pain from a whiplash for 30 years that we were
able to resolve. Others come for relaxation and preparation
for meditation or prayer. At the end of class almost always
students leave with what they need feeling – more
energy, more relaxed, less pain, rested or happier. |
