YOGA's in the News
15 Million Americans Practice Yoga, An Increase of 28.5% In One Year!

Yoga Journal has released "Yoga in America," the first comprehensive study of the yoga market. According to the study, over 7% of U.S. adults, or 15 million people, now practice yoga, an increase of 28.5% from the year prior. The poll surveyed over 4,000 respondents—a statistically representative sample of the total U.S. population.

The survey revealed that interest in yoga has gone mainstream. Specifically:
More than 12% of the U.S. population, or 25.5 million people, is very or extremely interested in yoga.
One in six respondents, or 35.3 million people, express the intention to try yoga within the next 12 months.
More than half of the general population, or 109.7 million people, has at least a casual interest in yoga.

Says John Abbott, president and CEO of Yoga Journal, "Yoga has become a cultural phenomenon and an integral part of the wellness trend in this country. All the data indicates a substantial growth in the number of practitioners over the next few years—a growth that I suspect will be sheltered from both a downturn economy and other world events, as people turn to yoga to help them cope with a changing world."

The study also collected data on age, gender, income, and other demographic factors. Of special note: Over 3/4th of the people who practice yoga are women, and 90% have attended college. If you're interested in meeting smart, limber, health-conscious women, you're likely to find them in yoga classes!

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Get MAD!
When facing adversity, is it healthier to just "think lovely thoughts" or to vent your rage? According to new research from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, reports HealthDay News, go ahead and scream, haler, rant, and rave!
Here is the startling conclusion: People who didn't vent their anger were twice as likely to die as people who let it out.

As part of the ongoing Religious Order Study with elderly priests, brothers, and nuns, neuropsychologist Robert S. Wilson examined the medical records of 851 participants, mostly seniors, from 1994-2002. Priests and nuns are an excellent study group because they live in almost identical socioeconomic and social worlds.

The goal was to examine how life span is affected by the expression or suppression of anger. Just over 160 of the participants died during the study. Following their deaths, the researchers examined the results of tests the subjects had taken earlier that measured their level of negative feelings and their ability to express it.

Although much research has been done on how depression is related to a shorter lifespan and contributes to heart disease, little investigation has been done on how people cope with negative emotions, including anger.

The results: The 10 percent of the priests, brothers, and nuns who were most likely to keep their anger and other negative emotions bottled up were twice as likely to die as the 10 percent on the other end of the scale. If the losers in this life-or-death contest were the "sit and stew" people, the winners were those who said, "I get angry, and I slam a door. I curse a lot." (Yes, even clergy curse.)

What is still unknown is how anger—and the management of it—affects our health, including immune system function and the risk for cardiovascular disease. Considering that one's display of anger may have adverse health consequences for its intended targets, Wilson acknowledged that "it is much better to be able to talk things through."
The research findings were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.


Dr. Andrew Weil's Prescription for Health
"Walk your way to wellness" prescribes Andrew Weil, MD, whose commonsense approach mixed with new age wisdom has made him a national favorite. "Brisk walking—which burns about 100 calories a mile—has been shown to be as effective as running in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, and it's a lot kinder to your legs and back."

On Beginning Your Yoga Practice  
frequently asked questions about yoga
 
Q: What is yoga?
A: Yoga is a profound system of holistic health. It originated in India over 6000 years ago. In the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, Yoga is defined as having 8 limbs. The third limb, “asana,” refers to postures or yoga poses that most perceive as yoga. The study of asana is called Hatha Yoga (pronounced ha-ta). There are possibly more people doing hatha yoga now in the state of California that in the entire country of India.
 
Q: Do I have to be flexible to do yoga?
A: Certainly not. The goal of yoga is not to do the headstand or the lotus pose but to quiet the distractions of the mind. This is something that most Westerners could benefit from. The yoga poses that you use should be selected to fit your individual needs based on your physical and mental condition. 
 
Q: What are some benefits of yoga?
A: Perhaps the first and most profound benefit that most Westerners notice is stress reduction. Other benefits you’ll soon feel include improved circulation, flexibility, strength, balance and focus. Even after practicing yoga for a short amount of time, most practitioners notice an increase in vitality and overall sense of well-being. These benefits do not occur overnight but the results are lasting.
 
Q: Is yoga safe?
A: Yes! However, if you select the wrong level of difficulty in a large group class and have some physical limitations, you could have some problems. It is very important to be sure you are in the right class and inform the instructor of any potential problems.
 
Q: How often should I go to a yoga class?
A: Ideally, at least two or three times per week. It depends on your individual needs and goals. It is important to practice at home too!
 
Q: What do you wear to a yoga class?
A: Anything comfortable, stretchy and light. Yoga is ideally done barefooted and on an empty stomach.
 
Q: What is yoga therapy?
A: Yoga therapy is offered one-on-one for people that want private, personalized healing and training in yoga. Some of the many ailments successfully treated with yoga are: lower and upper back problems, hypertension and heart disease, asthma and diabetes. A good yoga therapist often works in conjunction with or is recommended by physicians and other health professionals.
 
Here are some other helpful articles to people beginning a yoga practice:

- Guidelines for Selecting a Yoga Teacher, School or Class by noted yoga scholar Georg Feurstein
-An excellent introduction to yoga by Ramakrishna Ananda of YogaWorld.org.

An Introduction to Yoga Meditation

Meditation and yoga go hand-in-hand. Outside of the meditative state, yoga is simply gymnastics or calisthenics. Of course, it's nearly impossible to force yourself in to a deep, relaxed state on cue. That's why we use pranayama (breath awareness and sometimes control), especially as novice meditators, newbies on the spiritual path.

Let's do a short mindful breathing exercise. Right now, take three deep, complete breaths. Inhale fully, filling even the lower lungs, and relax your abdominal muscles. Let your exhale be passive, in other words don't push it out or try to lengthen it unnaturally. Already after just a few breaths using this method, you may feel calmer and more centered. Imagine breathing this way for an hour-long yoga or meditation session. Or all the time!

The breathing techniques used in yoga teach our bodies to breathe more deeply as a habit -- even outside our formal "yoga practice." Without even thinking about it, we may begin to sigh or breathe more deeply throughout the day or at the office. Learning to breathe in this way, with acute awareness of the breath and a pervading sense of gratitude for each inhale and exhale, can truly transform your attitude and overall sense of well-being.

Another common meditation technique used by beginning and experienced meditators is Visualization. Visualization is a creative way to spend your meditation minutes. Simply deepen your breathe and relax your body. Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor. Once you feel relaxed, imagine yourself achieving some goal or dream, either long-term or short-term. Imagine the situation exactly as it would be, had you already achieved the outcome you desire -- more money, a loving relationship, better health, anything your heart desires. Our thoughts are creative, in other words, we are what we think: as long as your wish is for the highest benefit of yourself and all involved, it will manifest, sooner or later.

Another method of visualization would be to imagine a place that you love. It can be real or fantasy. A beautiful tropical, beach setting? A green and lush forest? Your own backyard? Visualization is different for everyone. Some people actually "see" images in their minds, others get a feeling or sensation in their body as they imagine certain things. Just be patient. Like with anything, practicing visualization makes it easier.