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Experienced Practitioner monitored with EEG, the test demonstrates unique brain activity pattern

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It has been revealed from various research studies that chronic stress is the main factor of heart and other systemic disorders. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve controls helps in evaluating the heart rate variability (HRV) due to stress and anxiety. Yoga particularly Hatha yoga practice is a best remedy to reduce occupational stress. In a research study, a 10 week yoga practice program was conducted during lunch hours in an organization to evaluate the role of yoga on heart rate and other cardiovascular diseases. In this study the researchers study the parallel-arm RCT results between two groups one was the assigned treatment group practicing yoga and the other was the no-treatment or control group. All subjects under study participate in the program in groups three times per week for a 10-week yoga program at their work place during launch hours. An experienced instructor was supervising the program. All the basic yoga sequences like Asanas (poses and postures), Vinyasa( exercises), Pranayama( breathing exercise) and Mindfulness meditation were followed during this program. Measurements of the HRV was studied prior to and following the intervention period and also after 6 months follow-up. The measure of parasympathetic autonomic control and high frequency (HF) spectral power component of HRV are the basic outcomes of this study. Psychological status and physical working of the subjects under were also measured during and after the program. Additional frequency and time domains of HRV were also measured for study.

It was evaluated from this study that workplace yoga practice has positive effects on cardiovascular system. Worksite-based yoga effect positively the physical and mental health of the person. It helps in reducing the worksite stress and reduces the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

In another research study conducted in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, India effects of yoga practice was evaluated in reducing body fat and maintaining lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease. In this study 170 patients having coronary heart disease were randomly selected from Cardiology Hospital. These patients were divided into two groups at random. One group having 85 subjects both male and female, is the yoga practicing group and the other group also having 85 patients is a yoga non- practicing group. Duration of the program for study was 35-40min/day for 6-month period.  Basal values of the body fat and lipid profile of both groups were recorded before the Yoga for heart program. After 6-month period of yoga intervention, the lipid profile and body fat testing was done again on subjects of both groups.

It was evaluated from this study that BMI (p<0.04), SBP (p<0.002), , heart rate (p<0.0001), fat % (p<0.0002), fat free mass (p<0.04), DBP (p<0.009) total cholesterol (p<0.0001), triglycerides (p<0.0001), HDL (p<0.0001) and low density lipoprotein (p<0.04) show significant results after the yoga for heart program.  There was evident reduction in the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, DBP, SBP, and heart rate after a regular practice of Yoga for 6-month period. It was concluded from this research study that yoga is beneficial for cardiac patients and reduces the risk of coronary artery
disease.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21771340
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21641516

Author: Dr Rubinamushtaq

rubinamushtaq@hotmail.com
skype: drrubina1

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It has been evaluated from different research studies that mindfulness mediation has a beneficial role in the treatment of mood disorders. Neural mechanism through which mindfulness mediation plays its role is still unclear to the researchers. In a study effect of mindfulness on the neural pathway was evaluated with the help of functional magnetic resonance imaging. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate how the emotionally laden stimuli of the neural pathway were affected by mindfulness meditation.

Total of 22 subjects were studied for this research. 12 out of 22 were practicing mindfulness meditation for 6 months and the rest were beginners. They all were studies for the positive, negative and neutral pictures of awareness in mindfulness meditation. The results were studies under the magnetic resonance imaging records. Results showed that mindfulness meditation state attenuate emotional intensity and distinct neural mechanism was involved in the whole process. It was evaluated in the study that in experienced meditators, mindfulness meditation practice induced a deactivation of neural default network areas and did not provoke responses in brain which are involved in emotional reactivity during any mood change. The beginner meditators showed a down regulation of the left amygdale during any mood change. This research study helped in evaluating the effects of long term practice of mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness mediation for long term leads to emotional stability and enhance the present moment awareness. These results have been used to manage psychological disorders.

Sensory, cognitive and the affective processes work together to construct our subjective experience of the environment. It has been accepted for centuries that meditation influences these factors and enable a non evaluative representation of environment. In a research study, scientist tried to evaluate the mechanism through which the meditation influences our sensory experiences. The scientist used arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging technique for this purpose. To study the interaction between meditation and pain- related brain activation, researchers used a two-factor repeated- measures ANOVA. A 4 days of mindfulness meditation exercises were practiced by subjects under study and were given a noxious stimulation. Meditation significantly reduced pain unpleasantness by almost 57% and reduced pain intensity by 40%. The results were compared with the subjects at rest. It was evaluated that mindfulness mediation reduced the pain related stimulation of the cortex at the contralateral primary somatosensory center. Different levels of pain related activation centers in the neural pathway were evaluated during the mindfulness meditation for pain reduction. Typically the pain unpleasantness was reduced with orbitofrontal cortex activation. This is an area for the contextual evaluation of all sensory events we passed through in our daily life. It was studied that thalamic deactivation also helped in pain unpleasantness. This involvement of the thalamic processes reflects the mechanism of limbic gating during mindfulness meditation to modify interaction between afferent pathways and different brain areas. This study helps in identifying the role of different brain centers in altering the pain experiences with the help of mindfulness meditation.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21679770

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21471390

Author: Dr Rubinamushtaq

rubinamushtaq@hotmail.com

skype: drrubina1

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Stress is a non-specific response of a body to any demand made upon it. It can be related to social, physical, psychological, economical and cultural demand, researchers found an immune-neuroendocrine axis of its function in the body.

Stress can affects cellular and immune functions of the body which can lead to chronic systemic diseases of the body. Smoking and drug abuse is also related to stress. It has been evaluated in different research studies that Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing yoga practice, can help in reducing stress and also modulate the immune system of the body.

Sudarshan Kriya yoga exercise also works in reducing stress of the chronic diseases. In a research study on cancer patients with standard therapy it was indicated that with the Sudarshan Kriya breathing exercises there was a significant increase in the natural killer cells. Data was collected at different stages of the Sudarshan Kriya exercise. The levels were significantly increased from baseline at 12 and then more at 24 weeks of the yoga therapy.

It was stated in the research report that there were no effects seen on T-cells subsets after exercising this Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Research shown that this Sudarshan Kriya yoga must be practiced in combination with Pranayam Yoga. It was also shown in the research that Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayam Yoga , rhythmic breathing exercise for 6 months, helped in controlling the smoking habit in almost 21 % of the  subjects. It has been evaluated from this study that both of these rhythmic breathing exercises were inexpensive to practice but quite helpful in managing stress in chronic diseases and also help in combating the smoking habit. For confirmation of this research another randomized study on large scale was conducted. It concluded the matter that Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayam Yoga might help in reducing the progression of malignant disease.

Oxidative changes in the body due to stress are major cause of many degenerative diseases. In a comparative study conducted in the All India Institute of Medical Science,it was evaluated that Sudarshan Kriya exercises helps in reducing stress due to any cause. Sudarshan Kriys practice effects on superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase and lactate concentration in the blood. The researchers measure the difference in 24 subject including both practitioners and non practitioners of the Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Blood samples were collected with any formal stress management technique. Results of the groups and subgroups were compared by t-test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare variables. It was noted that there was a significant decrease in blood lactate(p=3.118e-10) in the subjects practicing Sudarshan Kriya yoga. Blood levels of Superoxide dismutase (P=0.0001415), catalase(P = 0.001565) and glutathione(p=2.038e-06) were increased due to Sudarshan Kriya yoga. It had been concluded from that study that a better antioxidant status with Sudarshan Kriya yoga helps in reducing the risk of degenerative diseases.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12853172

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16387692

Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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Tantra Yoga is a combination of touch (message), movement (yoga) and meditation practices. Tantra yoga is an ancient spiritual science which proposes the energy of awakening through austerities, breath and other physical exercises. Tantra exercises are for the person’s higher Self. Psychological and cultural dispositions may hinder the practices of tantra exercises properly.

Tantra exercises starts with simple balancing techniques which strengthen the body and mind. There are different techniques used in the tantra practice. These tantra techniques are diverse and interchangeable. These are asana, pranayama, mudra, meditations (different forms), bandha and kriya.

Tantric therapist mentioned the role of tantric exercises as healing for sacred sexual practices. Tantric yoga is used to achieve enlightenment. Tanta exercises permits sexual arousal with contact. Through tantric sex massage, orgasmic state can be expanded and this can positively affect the immune system. In any other type of body massage, the person’s body is covered to ensure modesty, but in tantric massage the masseur and the person both should be naked. With continuous practice of tantric yoga, the subtle energy gets tone and strength.

A researched article published reveals a comparative study of the major sexual and spiritual values practiced in the eastern parts of the world with that of the western world.  This article examines the traditional values in eastern sexual behaviors before and after the “Axial Period”.  Axial period is that turning point when the male power and consciousness overcome the female power. Eastern culture according to this researched article is based on nature and respect for the natural values. This article on Tantra yoga research describes that the health and spirituality is gained only if the person lives in harmony with the cosmos and respect the natural values. In this article, there is emphasis the importance of female sexual satisfaction, desire and pleasure.

In ancient studies, described in this article, true sexual ecstasy can only be achieved with full control of mans ejaculation. It also reveals the fact that in tantric sexual therapies, ultimate sexual pleasure is gained with respect to nature and reality. This article also gives light to the different customary variations in Hindu Tantric Doctrine and Buddhist Tantric Doctrine. The article discusses the exercise therapy of Tantra yoga. The western sexual tradition is antagonistic to spiritual liberation. In the end, the article gives a comparative conclusion of the eastern and western sexual traditions.

Scientific evaluation of the tantric yoga mediation was studied through autonomic and EEG studies in three groups. Proficiency of the level of meditation was studied in these subjects. The subjects who are proficient in mediation showed increase in autonomic activation whereas autonomic relaxation was observed in non-proficient meditators. For this study data was collected on skin resistance, respiration rates, and heart rates, EEG records t different levels of activities, autonomic orienting responses and subjective experiences.  Proficient meditators during the Tantra-Yoga indicated increase in alpha and theta power with decrease in autonomic external stimulation orientation. A sudden autonomic activation was also observed in Tantra-yoga meditators due to Yogic ecstatic state to build intense concentration. This study helps in understanding the “stage of relaxation” in meditative models in Tantra-yoga.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Tantra%20yoga%20research%20

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/365124
Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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Yoga practice will help you slow down aging process

Health is a state in which physical and psychological aspects of the body are in natural state. A balance life can be achieved by maintaining a balance between body, mind and soul. Good daily routine, different environmental factors and seasonal changes all lead to healthy life style. Yoga is the best non invasive treatment to the body, mind and the soul.   Researchers have long worked on the benefits of yoga exercises on human well-being. Yoga can greatly increase the body immunity to hold the disease at bay. Yoga exercises renewed the person’s energy; enhance the muscle tone with good immunity slowing the natural aging process. Engaging the person in yoga as anti-aging exercises can make the body more resistant to the aging symptoms.

Yoga for anti-aging therapy is initially based on a balanced cardiovascular activity, muscle strength training and flexibility exercises. There is no better way to strengthen the muscles of the heart and to make the working of the heart at good pace. Research studies shows that yoga exercises can add at least 2-6 more healthy years in person’s life.  Recent studies reveal the truth the a person can start Yoga exercise at any age to get good results but starting Yoga exercises at early age gives much better results to hinder the process of aging.

In a review study in scientific literature different mechanisms of effects of yoga on the human physiology was revealed. These effects can be due to four factors, humoral factors, cell trafficking, bioelectromagnetisim and nervous system activity. The study gives the examples of these transduction pathways to emphasis the concept. Yoga exercise might give optimal health, can delay aging process and hinder chronic diseases. It can help in reducing the stress in person. The limitations of these studies are also highlighted in these review study. The subjects under study are not long term practitioners of yoga exercises. This review study emphasizes the use of more flexible models to elaborate the benefits of yoga as anti-aging therapy. For future study three hypothesis were presented in the review study to fully appreciate the mechanism of Yoga exercises to optimize the health status, delaying the aging process and speedy recovery from injuries and diseases. Yoga exercise is like a physical challenge to the aging body for health.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20960557

S. Gupta, “Ayurvedic Antiaging,” HAPPI, 46, August 2007.

Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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Yoga exercises are considered as the best exercises to increase the body tone and strength against different diseases. Research study on the yoga exercises reveals its beneficial role on physical and mental health of a person. Yoga benefits the body by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Scientific literature gives scholarly reviews on the benefits of yoga exercises in different health conditions.

In a review study on the benefit of yoga on human body almost 81 studies were found in the scientific literature. These studies were uncontrolled, controlled and comparison study on almost 80 subjects divided in different groups. The most prevalent studies on the benefits of yoga on human body were the comparison interventions (n=10) with simple exercises. It was evaluated that yoga interventions shows benefits superior to exercises in all studies. In all research studies found in the scientific literature for the comparison of yoga and exercise and the measuring the benefits of yoga, yoga intervention appears more beneficial to exercise. Yoga interventions have more health related outcomes.

Another study evaluates the mental health benefits of yoga in adolescents of secondary school. This was a comparison study of regular physical education with yoga for 11 weeks. In this randomized controlled trial, students give a baseline and end program self report which measures the mental health of the participants. This report assess the mood, anxiety, stress and all mental states of a person before, during and after the trial.  Mood changes were noticed in the yoga group rather than the controlled group. It was revealed through this study that there was no change or even worsening of the mood pattern in controlled group participants. However, reported results are available about the improvement in the anger control and fatigue state of the participants of the yoga group. This controlled trail suggests that yoga can benefit the behavioral changes in secondary school settings and yoga practice is quite feasible to implement in the secondary school setting.

We found many studies in the scientific literature which compare the benefits of yoga and simple exercise practice on an individual. Yoga shows proven results of its benefits over simple exercise in maintaining general health of a person.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21647811

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20105062

Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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Meditation is a complex process and there are minimal references available in scientific literature for its cerebral characteristics. In a study, exploring structural connection of meditation, researchers took diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of long term meditators and controls (n=54). They used atlas based mapping to evaluate the characteristics of white matter fibers in the meditators. High angular and spatial resolution data was acquired for the study. The results of this study revealed that there is structural connectivity within all projection pathways of the brain in mediators group

. The control group shows no connectivity or less connectivity.  The meditation research shows more connections within the corticospinal tract. Cross sectional studies shows links between meditation and white fiber characteristics.

Meditation practice is nowadays considered to be the best practice to maintain holistic health of a person. Meditation works as a adjunctive therapy in medical settings. Researchers prove it to be a best practice which is good for mind-body practice. Scientific literature shows beneficial effects of meditation in different diseases.

In another cross-sectional study, the effect of medication on mindfulness skills and psychological well- beings was evaluated. Two mediation groups were taken from local meditation centers for this study. One group was practicing the mindfulness mediation (MM) and the other group practicing the transcendental meditation( TM) in there centers. This study was conducted in many meditation centers of Sothern Netherland area. Total of 55 women practicing the meditation exercises were took for this study. Out of 55 participants, 35 women were in MM group and 20 were in TM group of meditation. Days per week was considered in both groups. The participants were examined with questionnaires on mindfulness skills and psychological skills and duration of meditation in both groups. There is no difference between mindfulness and psychological well being of the groups under study. The study reveals the fact that duration of meditation therapy in both groups throughout all centers in the only considerable variable. The result of this study concluded the fact that self-reported meditation frequency is associated with the mindfulness and psychological well-being of the groups under study. There is little potential difference when compare the MM and TM groups for the study. The demographic difference was considered in this study for mediation therapy. Substantial difference between MM and TM groups were quite evident on demographic basis.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21664467

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20188999

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21711203

Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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Research study on different exercises of Kriya yoga reveals that it has many antidepressant effects.  These beneficial effects of Kriya yoga was tested in alcohol dependant patients. In a randomized controlled clinical trial consenting subjects (n=60), it was evaluated that Shudarshana Kriya yoga exercise have beneficial effects. All the subjects who were alcohol dependant were detoxified for one week before this clinical trial for a two week study. All subjects complete there Beck depression inventory before and after the therapy.  Kriya yoga therapy was conducted on these subjects.

Specialized trained Kriya yoga therapist conduct exercise plans on alternate days on these subjects. Morning plasma cortisol levels, prolactin level and ACTH level were recorded before and after the trail of two weeks.

It has been noted that subjects on Shudarshana Kriya yoga exercises experience an improvement in there depression levels. The BDI scores have been reduced in subjects on kriya yoga exercises. There is a significant decrease in the plasma cortisol and ACTH levels in these subjects after Kriya yoga exercise for two weeks. This study also revealed the fact that Kriya yoga is more beneficial in case of early abstinence from alcohol. The results of this randomized controlled study support the concept that kriya yoga therapy has beneficial effects on biological system of a person.

In another research, cancer patients doing Kriya yoga therapy were studied. Kriya yoga therapy has beneficial effect in patient suffering from stress by acting through immune –neuroendocrine axis. Stress affects the cellular mechanism of the body and immune functions of our body which may leads to chronic diseases like cancer. Stress is also associated with excessive cigarette smoking and drug abuse. It has been noted after a 12 to 24 weeks of Kriya yoga rhythmic breathing exercises, that there is a significant  increase in the natural killer cells in these patients who are taking standard therapy for cancer. After the trial period of 24 weeks on these patients with kriya yoga exercise there is increase of natural killer cells as compared to there baseline data and also from the controlled group. The researchers noted no affect of Kriya yoga on T-cells subsets in both the study and control groups.

Kriya yoga also helped in controlling smoking habits in 21% of individuals after a exercise for 6 months. It has been evaluated from large randomized studies that Kriya yoga rhythmic exercises helps in reducing the incidence and further progression of malignant diseases.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16740317

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16387692

Author: Dr. Rubina Mushtaq

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