Yoga Injury Prevention - YIP

𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬: 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙜𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝗲 𝘾𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙊𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚

Those who are interested in integrative medicine approaches to treating Alzheimer's, will be very interested in this study.

A new study suggests practicing yoga may enhance cognitive function in older adults who are at risk for cognitive decline. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, involved a total of 108 participants, ages 55-85 years old. The participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group. The yoga intervention consisted of 12 weeks of yoga sessions that included physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. The control group did not partake in any yoga activities. The participants' cognitive function was assessed before and after the 12-week period using various neuropsychological tests. The study found that the participants in the yoga group demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive function compared to those in the control group. Specifically, improvements were observed in areas such as information processing speed, working memory, and executive function.

“Brief mind-body practices can be a useful adjunct preventive strategy that can reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce inflammation and provide neuroplastic effects on the brain with improved structural and functional connectivity and improved cognitive performance, especially in those who are interested in integrative medicine approaches,” study author Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS, a professor in the department of psychiatry at UCLA

SOURCE:

Yoga may improve cognitive function in older adults at risk for decline Yoga may prevent inflammation and cognitive decline in those at risk, according to a poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. “Brief mind-body practices can be a useful adjunct preventive strategy that can reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce inflammat...

RESEARCH: Yoga Benefits Heart Conditions

In 2020, the CDC estimated that 1 in every 5 deaths in the U.S. was caused by heart disease and related conditions. Some of the most common Cardiovascular Diseases are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, and heart attack. Cardiovascular exercise is often recommended for heart health, but it doesn’t address heart diseases, underlying number one underlying cause: STRESS

Yoga’s list of stress-reducing benefits is long and include clarity of mind, improved mood, and improved sleep. While there are reported benefits of yoga for heart conditions, it’s also important to look at safety considerations.

Multiple studies give evidence to these top six benefits of yoga for heart conditions:

1. Cardiovascular Conditioning
2. Lowered Cholesterol
3. Controlled Blood Pressure
4. Improved Quality of Life
5. Possibly Reduced Mortality Rates
6. Potentially Fewer Cardiac Distress Episodes

Since the term ‘yoga’ encompasses multiple modalities and a wide variety of practices, it’s important to know the types of yoga and breathwork practices that are generally inappropriate for heart conditions.

𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 - A 2020 study by the European Society of Cardiology observed that people with Brugada syndrome, which disrupts the heart’s natural rhythms, should avoid heated activities where one’s core temperature is raised beyond 102.2℉ (39℃). Fluid balance is very important for people with heart conditions. People have a tendency to overdrink fluids when they are dehydrated by the heat, which can sometimes create a situation where they require hospitalization for supplemental oxygen and/or medications to remove some of the extra fluid.

𝗞𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 - One review
of various Pranayamas and the heart referenced a case study in which a spontaneous pneumothorax was caused by a person doing this technique. Another 2017 study observed that the technique negatively affected people’s blood pressure.

𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶 - A 2019 article in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, warns of “Kundalini syndrome,” in which practitioners may experience headaches, elevated blood pressure, and an elevated heart rate after doing the style without proper supervision.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙢 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚: While many cardiologists are big fans of yoga and its benefits, they are not all experts in yoga. Many medical professionals may recommend a patient “do yoga,” without considering the wide variety of styles and intensity levels. Be extremely clear with your doctor about the type of yoga you’re considering so that your doctor can more specifically advise on how to adjust your practice and when you may need to.

Source: www.healthline.com/health/fitness/yoga-and-heart-conditions

We’re reflecting on the time Dr Loren Fishman was interviewed by 𝙔𝙤𝙜𝙖 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 back in 2012, on the topic of yoga as an adjunct therapy. They had a lengthy discussion and it’s wonderful to reflect on how far we’ve come.

You can read the full article here, on page 30:http://portal.iayt.org/publications/ytt/YTT_2012_Winter.pdf