THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7, 2010

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Global State of Mind hosts blogging for our members in recovery. You may click on their names to the right for their perspectives on the journey to serenity. If you wish to blog here, please email your bio to barbn@globalstateofmind.com .

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NEWS OF INTEREST

Yoga is a science of life that originated in India several thousands of years ago. It involves much more than the asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) that most people are familiar with. For this chapter, however, I will limit my discussion of yoga to those aspects -- asanas and pranayama -- also known as Hatha Yoga.

Yoga is enjoying growing popularity in Western countries. Most of you reading this are aware of its use as a powerful stress reduction technique. A quick review of my New England (US) Holistic Health Directory shows that as of 1990 yoga classes are being offered at five area hospitals. Yoga is quickly becoming a mainstream tool for stress reduction.

While it is exciting that yoga is quickly is becoming synonymous with "stress reduction," it is that and so much more. Practiced regularly, over an extended period of time, it is a very powerful healing and transformational tool.

Yoga is only just beginning to be studied by the Western scientific community. Below are a selection of findings from a few of the completed scientific studies.

• Several studies have shown that yoga significantly improves the condition of bronchial asthmatics, even patients who were childhood asthmatics. Many subjects eventually reduced or eliminated their need for medication.
• Yoga has been shown to significantly decrease hyperglycemia in non-insulin dependent diabetics.
• Yoga has been shown to significantly improve mental and physical energy levels and alertness as compared to relaxation exercises and visualization.
• One study showed that yoga produced and gradual, significant decrease in body weight. In addition there was an increase in alpha wave activity in parts of the brain which corresponds to an increase in patient calmness.
• Yoga has been shown to produce a significant increase in serum LDH levels (the enzyme which provides energy to contracting muscles during exercise).
• Other studies have shown that yoga can help conditions of arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, varicose veins, and heart ailments.
• Specific yoga breathing postures and breathing exercises have been led to significant improvements in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Yoga stretches and tones the muscles and joints, has a positive effect on the entire skeletal system including the spine, and has a postive effect on all of the organs, glands, and nerves. Many of the yogic postures and breathing exercises bring much needed blood and oxygen to bodily tissues and organs which speeds the healing of the practitioner. Releasing built up physical and emotional tension slowly liberates vast resources of energy. Finally, and not to be underestimated in importance, a regular yoga practice can gradually and significantly increase a person's sense of self-acceptance and inner peace.