A recent pilot study revealed that as little as 12 sessions of yoga significantly improved the conditions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 47 patients were enrolled, of which 26 undertook yoga sessions, while 21 were on regular arthritis treatment. Some patients in the yoga group were able to decrease or discontinue RA medications. The study was funded by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation. Has anyone with rheumatoid arthritis practiced yoga with similar results?
QiYoga is a blend of hatha yoga and qi gong that seems to be gaining popularity in the U.K. and Australia. It was created by Australian yogini Fiona Kaczmarczyk and it has been taught in the U.K. since 2004. Kaczmarczyk claims her QiYoga for Fertility program has a 100 percent success rate. For more information, visit qiyoga.org.uk. Have you tried QiYoga?
With what seems like very bad economic times just around the corner, many of you may be considering cutting back on weekly yoga classes. I urge you to look into donation-based classes in your area. (And, by all means, keep attending your regular yoga class if you can. Yoga teachers have to make a living too!) Yoga to the People, with studios in New York and Berkeley, offers Power Vinyasa Flow classes inspired by Bryan Kest. A donation of $10 is suggested but you can give more or less. For more on other donation-based classes in the Bay Area, click here. Do you attend a donation-based yoga class?
When Swami Vivekananda attended Chicago's World Parliament of Religions 1893, he called for a temple that would teach meditation and yoga to the masses. The building is finally a reality, 115 years later, reports AP. The 32,000-square-foot temple, located in the Chicago suburb of Homer Glen, opened its doors last weekend. For more information, visit www.vedantasociety-chicago.org. Does anyone practice yoga in such a grand location? Does it affect your practice?
Yoga has become more popular with those in the military, not only to improve flexibility, balance and concentration, but to treat combat-related injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. That's why Jim Terr created the directory www.ReturningSoldierYoga.org— he hopes to connect returning veterans with yoga classes in their area. The database will also help veterans find yoga studios that are offering special rates or classes for veterans. The database is just being created, so check back often. If you would like to list a studio or class, you can do so for free.
Paramahamsa Nithyananda, an Indian spiritual guru, told oneindia.in that yoga should be about intention, not a formal asana practice: "There is nothing to achieve by practicing Yoga. You will be shocked to hear this. Many people have told you that Yoga will cure you of asthma, it will cure you of chronic pain, it will cure you of high blood pressure and so on. Perhaps it does; but not because of what you practice, but because you believe. Just be sitting comfortably in any position with your spine erect to allow energy flow you can derive the result of any asana through intention and visualization. This is the truth. However, this is too simple for you to believe. You need something more tangible, more strenuous to prove to yourself that Yoga works. Then, practice Surya Namaskar, the most integrated of all Yogasana. Start with a clear intent, visualize all steps and then do the process. You need nothing more." Do you agree with Paramahamsa Nithyananda? Do you think you can achieve optimal health without an asana practice?
Are you going to participate in this year's Yoga for Peace? People from around the world are scheduled to perform 108 Sun Salutation in unison on September 21. Visit www.yoga-for-peace.org to find out if an organized event is planned for your area. According to the event's website, "The idea behind this event is simple and very clear.... Peace begins within, and it is our goal to Unite the Yoga Community to create Peace in the world. No longer do we have to wait for the world's leaders to create peace in the world, for in our heart's we know that a true and lasting peace cannot be voted in place. No, Peace begins within!" Do you agree?
The Brisbane (Australia) City Council ban of yoga, tai chi, and dancing from library meeting rooms for hygiene reasons has been called "bureaucratic madness" by the Labor opposition, reports Southern Star. A council spokesman said such activities could damage library walls when they are used for stretching muscles. "There is also a hygiene issue when you have people sitting or lying on the library floor during activities that cause sweat. Our carpets are not cleaned with such activities in mind," he said. Do you think this is a valid reason to prohibit yoga in library meeting rooms?
USA Today reports that Princess Cruises will offer free yoga classes "fleet-wide this fall and be open to children as young as three years old." Parents can participate in the class too, but first they have to ply kids out of the swimming pool! Has anyone ever taken a child on a cruise? Would this be of interest? (Do kids like cruises anyway?)
Renowned Iyengar Yoga teacher Mary Dunn died peacefully in her sleep on September 4 at her daughter's home in Scarsdale, New York. She was battling cancer. To read her blog, click here.
Specifics about the memorial service are yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date. A celebration of her life is being planned for early 2009 at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York. At her request, donations may be sent in lieu of flowers to: IYAGNY, 150 West 22nd Street 11 Floor, New York, NY 10011.
CNN has done an interesting piece on how yoga is helping inmates in a Mexico City prison. To watch the video, click here. One inmate says he is learning things, like yoga, that he would never have learned on the street. Prison officials agree: "If we just keep them here, just punishing them, they won’t leave here with a different spirit, another mentality. That would be a disservice to society." I believe the inmates are singing a song that is typically sung at the end of a Kundalini class: "May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you. And the pure light within you, guide your way home."
In the U.S., the SYDA Foundation, among others, has a prison project. Have you heard of or participated in others? Are the results positive and long-lasting?
It sounds fun, but I'm not sure I could stay awake for midnight yoga. Nevertheless, quite a few studios are offering it, and usually it's candlelit.
In Los Angeles, Bryan Kest's studio in Santa Monica offers class from 10:45-midnight Monday-Thursday.
Bloom Yoga in Chicago has midnight yoga once a month with live music, wine, and cheese. The next one is Sept 5.
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York holds midnight yoga every Friday night.
Has anyone done midnight yoga? What is the benefit?
|
|
|
Liability insurance and benefits to support teachers and studios.
Learn More »
|
|
Yoga Journal Presents:
Stay Inspired all year long with the 2008 Yoga Journal Wall Calendar – only $13.95
Buy Now »
|
|
Prizes include a spa vacation in Vermont,
a stained-glass window depicting the seven energy centers of the body,
Yoga DVDs, a yoga vacation in San Francisco and more...
Enter Now »
|
|
yogajournal.com
vegetariantimes.com
backpacker.com
optimumwellness.com
wholefoodsmarket.com
betternutrition.com