ESSENTIAL PART OF STANISLAVSKY’S STUDIOS: YOGA

YOGA WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF 
STANISLAVSKY'S STUDIOS (1st part)

http://in.rbth.com - After seeing the effects of yoga on his students, Konstantin Stanislavsky (Russian actor and theater director) quickly started using it even more: in actors' trainings in the Second Studio (which was established in 1916) and the Opera Studio (founded in 1918), and for the work of the actors in the MAT (Moscow Art Theatre). Stanislavsky's notebooks from 1919-1920 contain many notes on the application of Hatha Yoga, together with Swedish gymnastics, exercises on rhythm and voice training in his classes.
The most detailed connection between Stanislavsky's system and yoga is found in notes to the classes with the MAT artists (1919). Rose Whyman, a British scholar of Stanislavsky's work, has pointed out that the notes contain a hidden synopsis of the part of the book “Hatha Yoga” on prana.

Although Stanislavsky does not refer directly to pranayama - an aspect of yoga that teaches the skills of managing prana -, his notes testify to serious study of concepts of yoga practice. He widely used pranayama exercises to develop actors' creative well-being. Stanislavsky communicated breathing principles to the actors and explained the connection between correct breathing and attention: “Calm breathing - healthy thoughts, healthy body, healthy feelings, easy to focus; wrong rhythm of breathing - disturbed psyche, feelings of pain and total attention deficit.” 
These thoughts, of course, are closely connected to yoga's tenets of pranayama: consciousness, the body and emotions are linked by the thread of breath, and the ability to breathe correctly is paramount for a person's spiritual ascent.

This interesting article tells us that Konstantin Stanislavsky - the famous Russian actor and theatre director - taught his actors some excercises that were intended to establish a connection between the breathing rhythm and concentration; techniques that are related to the pouring of “prana.” Stanislavsky widely used pranayama exercises to develop actors’ creative well-being, even including a count  (6-3-6-15) for inhaling-exhaling and holding the breath. Stanislavsky’s discussions with the actor-singers of the Opera Studio (1918–1922) reveal new connections between his “system” and yoga, and his use of yoga techniques of rhythmic breathing. In summaries of Stanislavsky’s conversations by the novice singer Konkordiya Antarova, there is a story ascribed to “a Hindu sage;” a comparison of the undisciplined mind to the movements of a drunken monkey. Stanislavsky applied yoga’s breathing principles as the basis of life when he taught breathing rhythm as the basis of theatrical creativity as such. He writes: “Music, being in agreement with the rhythm of your breathing, that is, with the basis of your whole life on earth, should increase your concentration, bringing your whole being into harmony. Music should unite in its rhythm your thought and your feeling and bring you into what we call the state of true inspiration, i.e., the awakening of your intuition or subconsciousness.” Decades ago, the Hatha Yoga in the West was seen as strange or mysterious. Imagine at the time of Stanislavsky, about 100 years ago! But then many practitioners and Hatha Yoga institutes began to appear in different countries and so yoga was no longer something mystical and won reputation as an alternative, new age way of getting healthy. Nowadays, there are more and more people doing yoga to decompress and achieve mental clarity and, thus, Hatha Yoga has become a legit, doctor-approved method for treating emotional disorders. Particularly, in the case of persons acting on stage, or the ones who have to talk to the public, Yoga is a great ally to eliminate the so-called “stage fright” and be more physically relaxed and mentally able to act more freely. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Today we live in a world of constant stress, always facing the outside, which prevents us from knowing our essence or inner nature. This makes us feel frustrated, anxious, tense and thus, ill.  When a problem arises we take drugs to hush those signals that the body emits and then we do not realize that just by stretching out, relaxing, a conscious living, refusing to negative influences, breathing in a slow and controlled manner, having a natural and healthy diet, we can restore our health and prevent diseases. Well, yoga is to implement a series of techniques that help us to get that full health. These Hatha Yoga techniques include relaxation exercises, body positions or asanas, pranayama or breath control exercises and techniques of internalization and concentration that lead us to a fullness.

Yoga Inbound :
“Hatha Yoga - Overall Benefits of Asanas: Full Health”
http://www.yogainbound.org/ws/hatha-yoga
http://www.yogainbound.org/ws/hatha-yoga/30-articulos-interes/213-salud-plena

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

YOGI IYENGAR DIES AT 95

B. K. S. IYENGAR, WHO HELPED BRING
HATHA YOGA TO THE WEST, DIES AT 95

www.nytimes.com - B. K. S. Iyengar, who helped introduce the practice of yoga to a Western world awakening to the notion of an inner life, died on Wednesday in the southern Indian city of Pune. He was 95. The cause was heart failure, said Abhijata Sridhar-Iyengar, his granddaughter. 
Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar was born on Dec. 14, 1918, into a poor family in the southern state of Karnataka. The 11th of 13 children, he was born in the midst of an influenza outbreak. After surviving tuberculosis, typhoid and malaria as a child, Mr. Iyengar credited yoga with saving his life. He spent his midteens demonstrating “the most impressive and bewildering” positions in the court of the Maharaja of Mysore, he later recalled. The news about Mr. Iyengar - or “guru-ji,” as many here called him, using a Sanskrit honorific - rippled through India on Wednesday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened” by Mr. Iyengar’s death and offered “condolences to his followers all over the world.” Mr. Iyengar’s practice is characterized by long asanas, or postures, that require extraordinary will and discipline. A reporter who watched daily practice in 2002, when Mr. Iyengar was 83, said that he held one headstand for six minutes, swiveling his legs to the right and the left, and that when he finished, “his shoulder-length hair was awry, he seemed physically depleted,” but he wore the smile of a gleeful child. 
Ms. Sridhar-Iyengar said her grandfather recognized early on that yoga, up until then viewed as a mystical pursuit, “had something for everybody, not just the intellectually or spiritually inclined.” “He felt satisfied,” she said. “Even at the end, even a few weeks before, he said, ‘I’m satisfied with what I’ve done.’ He took yoga to the world. He knew that.”

World-renowned yoga exponent B.K.S. Iyengar passed away at a private hospital in Pune yesterday morning. He was 95. Mr. Iyengar, was put on dialysis since Sunday owing to renal failure. Mr. Iyengar, who abhorred hospitals and clinics, failed to respond to the treatment owing to heart problems brought on by advanced age. Despite suffering two massive heart-attacks in 1996 and 1998, Mr. Iyengar, with his near-legendary regimen and discipline, rebounded and kept up a punishing teaching schedule, touring Russia and China in recent years. Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar codified Patanjali’s yoga sutras in an innovatively dynamic yoga style, which came to be known as Iyengar Yoga, winning millions of followers in more than 70 countries of the globe in the process. Mr. Iyengar was honoured with Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014 in recognition of his services to spreading knowledge of Indian culture and tradition globally. B.K.S. Iyengar wrote an enthusiastic endorsement for the book “Journey Home”, the autobiography of ISKCON leader and Vaishnava guru Radhanath Swami. “I respect my friend, now Shri Radhanath Swamiji who pursued his spiritual journey experiencing unity in diversity which is a part and parcel of Indian culture, met various spiritual heads in his journey and gained knowledge of Adhyaatma Vidya progressively, and then culminating his journey from the seeker to the state of the seer.” Hatha-yoga is one of the eight steps of Raja-yoga. Nonetheless, it can be used separately, only for helping keep the body and mind fit and in shape. In the West, many seekers of spirituality could come to know something about the wonderful Vedic wisdom when they started the practice of Hatha Yoga. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Hatha Yoga is founded on a principle of putting the physical body into a position so that the nerve currents in the physical body get tuned up to a perfect pitch. [...] Perform the postures daily in the privacy of your own room, without drawing attention to yourself. Naturally, they should not be performed after meals. Don’t worry if you can’t perform them perfectly, or if some are difficult  you.  [...] When physical tensions are released through Hatha Yoga, mental-emotional tensions are automatically dissolved. This is a great secret and a wonderful tool that you can use every day of your life. Free the mind of thoughts and tensions and you will be more aware, more alive, and more serene. As you perform the Hatha yoga asanas, put out of your mind all thoughts relating to your work, family, friends, associates, problems and challenges that normally concern you. Relax. Relax. Relax. Be completely at peace with yourself and fully enjoy this contemplative art.

“What Is Hinduism?” : 
Chapter 34 “Hatha Yoga”
“A 24-Posture System of Body Tuning and Preparation for Meditation”
Hinduism Today Magazine
Himalaya Academy, India - USA - 2007
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/wih/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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WHITE HOUSE SUPPORTS YOGA'S PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

BARACK OBAMA WHITE HOUSE EMBRACES
YOGA AMID CONSERVATIVE CONTORTIONS

http://m.economictimes.com - The White House has wholeheartedly embraced Yoga as a worthy physical activity at a time some schools in America are railing against the ancient Indian practice, saying it promotes Hinduism. The White House announced last week that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will include a yoga garden for children and their parents who attend the traditional Easter Egg Roll festivities on Monday. "Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors," the White House exhorted thousands of workaday Americans parents and their kids from across the country who will troop into the Presidential lawns, reminding participants that the event's theme is "Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!"
It is not the first time that Obama's residence has hosted a yoga garden for Easter, but this year's event was significant because of an ongoing lawsuit in California challenging the teaching of yoga in schools.

At the heart of the case is the argument by some parents that yoga is inherently religious, a contention most Americans, including the judge, seem to disagree with. Judge Meyer is reported to be a practitioner of Bikram Yoga, likening it to simple stretching exercises. The White House meanwhile is stretching every muscle and sinew to get Americans, including children, to get more concerned about the decline in the nation's overall well-being and its soaring healthcare bill. The drive is led by Michelle Obama, a health and fitness advocate, and herself a yoga enthusiast. 
"Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise in the United States, crossing many lines of religion and cultures," the White House said without any reference to the ongoing controversies and lawsuit.

The White House (USA) has supported Yoga as a worthy physical activity and included a 'yoga garden' event - conducted by Leah Cullis, a certified yoga teacher - for children and their parents who attended the traditional Easter Egg Roll festivities. Yoga provides "simple tools - that require no props and no money and which they can go home and do it themselves - for an active lifestyle," Cullis explained. "Every day, millions of people practice yoga to improve their health and overall well-being. That's why we're encouraging everyone to take part in PALA (Presidential Active Lifestyle Award), so show your support for yoga and answer the challenge." the White House said.  Yoga practices are also meant for the holistic upliftment of mind, body and spirit.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Yoga prescribes physical, mental and spiritual disciplines which will free one from mental and physical diseases. ... Asana -”bodily postures”: This process of various exercises and bodily postures brings physical and mental steadiness as well as health and vigor.  Pranayama - “control of breath”.  Prana means life air and yama means to control.  It involves controlling the inhalation, exhalation and the retention of the air we breathe. ... By regularly practicing Yoga, Pranayana (breathing exercises) and by maintaining a natural life style in one’s eating, resting, work, etc., a person can be fully relaxed and free from tension and anxiety.  When a person maintains these practices properly, he or she will be free from heart diseases and mental anxiety. 

T.D. Singh, Ph.D. - Śrīla Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Mahārāja :
“Science and Religion - Present and Future” - “Yoga”
Bhaktivedanta Institute - http://www.scienceandscientist.org/
http://www.bhaktisvarupadamodara.com/lang1/pg002.html
http://www.krishnascience.com  -  http://www.bhaktisvarupadamodara.com/

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TIPS TO KNOW ABOUT YOGA

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD 

KNOW ABOUT PRACTICING YOGA

http://indiawest.com - US Researchers from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) have put out a list of five things people should know about yoga. I have reprinted it here as a public service notice. Yoga typically combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation or relaxation. If you’re thinking about practicing yoga, here are 5 things you should know: Studies suggest that yoga may be beneficial for a number of conditions, including pain. Recent studies in people with chronic low-back pain suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses can help reduce pain and improve function. 
Other studies also suggest that practicing yoga (as well as other forms of regular exercise) might have other health benefits such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and may also help relieve anxiety and depression.

Studies show that certain other health conditions may not benefit from yoga. Research suggests that yoga is not helpful for asthma, and studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results. Yoga is generally considered to be safe in healthy people when practiced appropriately. However, people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or sciatica, and women who are pregnant should modify or avoid some yoga poses. 
Practice safely and mindfully. Everyone’s body is different and yoga postures should be modified based on individual abilities. Inform your instructor about any medical issues you have, and ask about the physical demands of yoga. Talk to your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use, including yoga. If you’re thinking about practicing yoga, also be sure to talk to your health care providers. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Each year, up to one-quarter of U.S. adults experience low-back pain. It is a challenging condition to diagnose, treat, and study. Researchers from the NCCAM - which belongs to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - are studying how yoga may be used to help improve health and to learn more about its safe use and give suggestions to the public about yoga practice, says the author of the article, Meena Modi, a yoga and meditation specialist. One of the most relevant tips to take into account is: "Carefully selecting an instructor who is experienced and is attentive to your needs is an important step toward helping you practice yoga safely." The 2007 National Health Interview Survey found that yoga is one of the top 10 complementary health practices used among U.S. adults.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Yoga prescribes physical, mental and spiritual disciplines which will free one from mental and physical diseases. ... Asana -”bodily postures”: This process of various exercises and bodily postures brings physical and mental steadiness as well as health and vigor.  Pranayama - “control of breath”.  Prana means life air and yama means to control.  It involves controlling the inhalation, exhalation and the retention of the air we breathe. ... Yoga practices are also meant for the holistic upliftment of mind, body and spirit.  By regularly practicing Yoga, Pranayana (breathing exercises) and by maintaining a natural life style in one’s eating, resting, work, etc., a person can be fully relaxed and free from tension and anxiety.  When a person maintains these practices properly, he or she will be free from heart diseases and mental anxiety.

T.D. Singh, Ph.D. - Śrīla Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Mahārāja :
“Science and Religion - Present and Future” - “Yoga”
Bhaktivedanta Institute - http://www.scienceandscientist.org/
http://www.krishnascience.com  -  http://www.bhaktisvarupadamodara.com/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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WORLD HOUSEHOLDERS' YOGA CONVENTION 2012

MUMBAI'S YOGA INSTITUTE HOLDS
WORLD HOUSEHOLDERS' YOGA CONVENTION

http://www.indiatimes.com - The Yoga Institute, oldest organized centre of Yoga in the world, celebrates the completion of 94 years in Mumbai. On the occasion of its 94th foundation day celebrations, the institute held The World Householders' Yoga convention 2012 December 25 and December 26, 2012 at the Yoga Institute in Santa Cruz East, Mumbai. The panel discussions including leading personalities from the fields of medicine, education, corporate, and media were on three topics - yoga as education for life, life style management and yoga in healthcare management and yoga guide to living life. 
The experience centre facilitating programs like Samattvam (means a balanced state of mind) is intended to give householders a chance to know the physical as well as the subtle (mental, emotional and spiritual) effects of Yoga.

The convention emphasized on recent case studies, sharing insights on ailments like cancer and complications arising due to diabetes and cardiac disorder. It also highlighted a few yogic exercises and sattvic food that can successfully control the various physical and mental ailments. Addressing the need of individuals today, Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, director of institute, said, “The key objective of the Convention is to propagate a simplified form of yoga for the common man and woman. 
As Patanjali, the compiler of the yoga sutras, emphasizes on control of the mind which is done on the intellectual as well as emotional level, we want to help each individual in the world to feel true relaxation of body and mind and learn how simple yoga practices helps in gaining clarity of mind and strength of character.” She explains that “Householder Yoga is a simplified form of Yoga for the common man and woman as we believe that a householder does not require the extreme stretch of Hatha Yoga practices.”

Continuing the legacy of Shri Yogendraji, founder of the institute or the heart of modern Yoga renaissance 94 years later, the institute through World Householders' Yoga Convention desires to facilitate an individual to experience the physical, mental and spiritual effects of Yoga and how it can change an individual's life. The two day event included exhibition about the pioneering research done by The Yoga Institute in fields such as Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Indology and Yoga Education.  The event was graced by the presence of famous personalities like Padma Vibhushan Awardee, Santoor Maestro, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, well-known actor, Anupam Kher, and popular singer, Sukhwinder Singh. Yoga is a science which involves a harmonious blending of the body and mind, aiming toward the highest levels of efficiency in all spheres of activities.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Yoga is basically a system that involves the training of body, mind, and spirit; it is a very integrated program. Often in modern athletic training, the body is exercised but the mind is not attended to. Conversely, in religious or spiritual courses, the physical part is ignored. The ancient concept of yoga recognizes that through a healthy body alone, a healthy mind might be cultivated. A mind, too, needs vigilant supervision and guidance, lest it go astray in a vicious direction. The mind must be fixated to the highest and noblest thoughts of virtuous conduct. Thus, man is groomed to attain excellence in all fields of life. Physical, mental, and spiritual aspects are very methodically coordinated to yield the best possible results. It is the highest stage of development when a person attains spirituality through yoga. One learns to become stabilized in the absolute bliss of the Divine, so he may radiate the beauty and goodness around.

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 45: “Yoga: Union with the Divine”
http://hinduismpath.com/
http://hinduismpath.com/book-contents/chapter-45/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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SMOKING WORSENS HANGOVERS

SMOKING REALLY DOES MAKE
YOUR HANGOVER WORSE, STUDY

www.webmd.com - New research suggests that your hangover will be worse if you smoke when you drink. People who smoke on a day when they have been drinking alcohol heavily are twice as likely to report hangover symptoms as those who only drank. In the study of college students, heavy drinking was defined as about 5 or 6 cans of beer in one hour. But substance abuse experts not affiliated with study are quick to point out that binge drinking and smoking - alone and together - can have far worse consequences than hangover symptoms. Smoking increases the risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and binge drinking can lead to addiction, alcohol poisoning, car accidents, and unprotected sex.
“In general, people smoke more when they drink because it counteracts some of the sedative effects of alcohol,” says researcher Damaris J. Rohsenow, PhD., professor of behavioral and social sciences at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University in Providence, R.I. 

“People also tend to feel better when they smoke while drinking because both increase the release of [the brain chemical] dopamine.” Dopamine is known as the brain’s pleasure chemical. The findings appear in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Exactly how smoking makes a hangover worse is not fully understood. Both alcohol and smoking can disrupt sleep, which may make hangovers feel a lot worse, Rohsenow says. What’s more, the dopamine rush may also be followed by a shortfall of this brain chemical. The study included 113 college students from a Midwestern university. 
They answered an online survey daily for eight weeks. Questions concerned how much they drank or smoked on the day before as well as their current-day hangover symptoms. According to the findings, students smoked about seven cigarettes a day, and this number jumped to more than 10 on heavy or binge-drinking days. Students reported drinking an average of more than two drinks a day, and more than 10 on average on heavy drinking days.

Researchers investigated the effects of smoking on hangovers from drinking. Authors of the study define, “Hangover refers to the cluster of unpleasant symptoms of physical distress that occur as blood alcohol falls after an acute incident of drinking to intoxication.” Hangover symptoms include, but are not limited to: headache, nausea, fatigue, feeling dehydrated or thirsty, slowed mental function. Dr. Rohsenow suggested people who choose to engage in heavy drinking should smoke fewer cigarettes to reduce hangover symptoms the following day. “The best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink that much, but if you smoke, it will aggravate it, so this provides another reason to not smoke,” she says. The human body is designed to help us to achieve the transcendence and needs to be cared by adopting healthy practices that harmonize and connect it with our inner self.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The physical body is considered an instrument or vehicle of the soul on its path towards perfection, and it has its own needs that must be met in order to run well.  Right exercise: The asanas, improve blood circulation and muscle flexibility, and help the joints, muscles and other body parts to work correctly. Correct breathing: Yogic breathing techniques called pranayama, producing a burst of energy that leads to mental and physical rejuvenation of the body.  Correct relaxation:  Relaxation is a natural method of revitalizing the body and mind.  Rigth diet: The yogic diet is a vegetarian one and is composed of pure foods that promote health and vitality.  Positive thinking and Meditation: They purify the intellect and allow to achieve wisdom and inner peace.

Yoga Inbound :
“Yogic Diet”
http://www.yogainbound.org/ws/
http://www.yogainbound.org/ws/hatha-yoga/30-articulos-interes/195-dieta-yoguica

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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NEW WARNINGS ABOUT PREGNANCY & ANTIDEPRESSANTS

STUDY OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN PREGNANT
WOMEN FINDS MORE RISKS THAN BENEFITS

www.cbsnews.com - Commonly-prescribed SSRI antidepressants should be given to pregnant women with “great caution” because the drugs could raise risk for miscarriage, premature birth and health problems in both mom and a newborn baby, a new study concludes. For the study, published in the Oct. 31 issue of Human Reproduction, researchers from several Boston-area hospitals reviewed previously published studies that examined women with depression who took antidepressants while pregnant. 
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a popular type of antidepressants that block the reuptake of a brain chemical serotonin, which affects mood and emotional response. Such drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro. It was found that many studies showed SSRIs were no more effective, or slightly more effective, than placebo pills for treating depression in pregnant women.

Other evidence suggested SSRIs may make it more difficult to get pregnant for women taking fertility treatments. They review also found evidence of health risks for pregnant women taking antidepressants including an increase in miscarriage and two potentially dangerous conditions, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, especially if use extends beyond the first trimester. Premature birth was the “most pressing” obstetrical complication in more than 30 studies researchers reviewed. Urato said, “This is a significant finding because we know that babies born before 37 weeks are at risk for many short and long-term health problems.”
The researchers concluded that SSRI antidepressants should only be prescribed with great caution and with full counseling for women experiencing depression and trying to get pregnant.

According to the researchers, antidepressant use has increased 400 percent over the past 20 years, making the drugs the most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S. for people between 18 and 44 years of age - the childbearing age range for most women. However, women with severe depression (such as women with bipolar disorder, those who experience psychotic episodes, and those who are suicidal or have a history of suicide attempts) should not attempt to go off their antidepressants during pregnancy but try to seek help in beneficial practices such as Hatha Yoga and Pranayama.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Pranayama is extremely beneficial for children, young, middle aged and old people.  Everybody can practice pranayama irrespective of the age and problems. ... Regular practice of pranayama helps in the physical, mental and spiritual development. ... Yogasanas and pranayama are also suitable for women looking at their anatomy. They become beautiful, delicate, and healthy with a good figure. Their vitality also increases many times. The pregnant ladies get good benefits from pranayama. The ladies who practice asana-pranayama after conceiving, their womb develops in a healthy manner and gives proper nutrition to the child. The physical and mental pain caused during pregnancy is relieved easily. The child also remains healthy. The reproductive organs become healthy and capable to an extent that caesarian method is not required for delivering the child but a healthy child is born through normal delivery.

Remedy Spot.com - “Yoga and Pranayama”
“Importance of Pranayama”
Health, Ayurveda, Yoga and Natural Healing
Posted by Lakshmikant Dikshit - Published on 10-29-2011
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/254-importance-pranayama.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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SCIENCE AWAKES TO BENEFITS OF YOGA

YOGA IS EFFECTIVE FOR OLDER
PEOPLE WITH INSOMNIA, STUDY

www.theage.com.au - Practising yoga is just ahead of Australian rules football in the list of the most popular physical activities among the citizens of this country - at least according to surveys. Researchers have also found that yoga and meditation can assist a range of health problems and medical conditions, including chronic pain, lower back pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, while also reducing the need for pain-relief medicines. New research at RMIT University has found that yoga can help older people overcome insomnia and improve their mental and emotional health. 
The study found that practising yoga for at least 25 minutes a day for 12 weeks improved the sleep patterns of the volunteers taking part and enhanced their psychological and emotional wellbeing. The RMIT study was unusual because most of the research was carried out in Israel and involved 74 Israelis aged from 60 to 87. 

Professor Marc Cohen, foundation professor of complementary medicine at RMIT who supervised the research, says the findings show yoga is an effective, affordable and safe exercise for older people with insomnia. Insomnia is a debilitating problem and one of the most frequent health complaints among the elderly. “We wanted to explore this because insomnia impairs daily function, reduces quality of life and is a risk factor for other health issues for older people. Drugs used to help treat this condition are only recommended for short-term use and have limited effectiveness,” Professor Cohen says. 
“Regular yoga practice may have multiple benefits to the individual and to the community, and may reduce the burden on the healthcare system due to associated lifestyle choices such as vegetarianism, non-smoking, reduced alcohol consumption, increased exercise, reduced stress, and other mental and physical health benefits,” say researchers.

Insomnia is recognised as a major cause of morbidity in the elderly and is associated with diminished mental and physical health and reduced quality of life, along with increased likelihood of nursing home placement and increased risk of accidents and falls, says Dr Jonathan Halpern. The studies that have been done showed yoga did improve some subjective sleep quality and quality of life measures of older people, explains Dr Halpern. Sedative-hypnotic drugs are currently the main form of treatment for insomnia, but these have a limited effect and are associated with various side-effects, including daytime drowsiness, that further increase the risk of accidents and falls. On the other hand, many studies have shown that yoga provides various physical and mental health benefits including reduction of stress, anxiety, depression, somatic and mental hyper-arousal.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Regular practice of Yoga keeps the physical and mental organs active and maintains their natural condition. Needless to say that natural functioning of organs is the main mantra for a healthy living. The life dependent on artificial organs cannot be stable. Over medication, especially allopathic medicines finish the chances of rejuvenation of physical organs in their natural form leaving aside their sensitivity. A medicine taken to cure a particular disease, gives rise to a new disease. These physical diseases finally give birth to mental diseases. ... It is necessary to strengthen the muscles and nerves in order to keep the body healthy. Posture and exercise strengthen the muscles and nerves. Exercise plays a very important role in supplying the nourishment to different parts of the body obtained through food. Absence of exercise gives rise to imbalanced body. The therapists are using different yogasanas in the successful treatment of various diseases.

Remedy Spot.com - “Yoga and Pranayama”
“Transformation of the Body through Yoga”
Health, Ayurveda, Yoga and Natural Healing
Posted by Acharya Balkrishna - Published on 11-01-2011
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/244-transformation-body-through-yoga.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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