Guest ResearchingAltTherapies Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Hello message board readers! I posted this topic to invite people to discuss the use of yoga as an alternative therapy. I've been doing a bit of research on this subject, and there seems to be a lot of evidence that yoga is an effective alternative or supplementary treatment for many different medical issues. However, I'm also wondering what people have to say about their personal experiences with yoga. If you have tried yoga, or use it consistently, why? Have you experienced any health benefits through practicing yoga? Would you recommend yoga as an alternative medicine or recreational activity? These are a few of the articles I've looked at regarding yoga as an alt. therapy. What are your thoughts? A couple of these studies measure the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment by interviewing patients about their quality of life. Do you think that these studies are valid, when taking into account the placebo effect? If anyone else knows of other studies relating to yoga as an alternative therapy, please let me know! "Researchers Find Yoga May Be Effective For Chronic Low Back Pain in Minority Populations" http://www.scienceda...91104101541.htm "Yoga (alternative medicine)" http://www.scienceda...native_medicine).htm "Siginificant Benefits of Yoga in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Shows" http://www.scienceda...10526064641.htm "Cancer Patients Aided by Yoga" http://www.jstor.org...ce=showFullText "Yoga's Ability to Improve Mood and Lessen Anxiety Is Linked to Increased Levels of a Critical Brain Chemical" http://www.scienceda...01111160539.htm "Alternative Medicine Therapies: Yoga" http://library.think...24206/yoga.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ruth977 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Is there any spiritual connections to Yoga? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ResearchingAltTherapies Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Hey Ruth977, I have done a little bit of research on that topic as well. Even though most westerners typically do not associate yoga with any spiritual practice, yoga is deeply rooted in Hindu spiritual culture. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning to unite, or join together. The earliest records of the practice of yoga come from seals found in the Indus Valley, which depict figures in postures identical to asanas (the postures used when performing hatha yoga). Ancient yoga involved both physical and spiritual exercises, with the purpose of achieving moksha, the escape from worldly suffering and breaking the cycle of rebirth. Those who practiced yoga sought mastery over their bodies, minds, and spirits, and wanted to transcend earthly desire. Yoga has influenced many forms of Indian spirituality, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and even Sufi Islam and Christianity more recently. The Buddhist practices that developed in India shared many similarities with yoga, such as denouncing the physical world and seeking ultimate spiritual liberation; for Buddhists, nirvana. In fact, one of the Buddhist schools is called Yogachara, which means “practice of Yoga.” Most of the information summarized here was found on either of these two sites, if you would want to read more about it :) http://www.hafsite.o...a-hindu-origins http://www.hinduwisd...orical%20Survey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Luke Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 I would like to understand how it relieves back pain. I want to be able to go camping again, but my lower back stiffens to the point where I cannot move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ResearchingAltTherapies Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Hi Luke, Here are a couple of articles that talk about yoga and its effects on people with chronic lower back pain: This one talks about a study which showed yoga can help treat chronic back pain. However, I noted that this study measured the effectiveness of yoga by having the patients fill out questionnaires, so the placebo effect could be at work. Still worth checking out, though. http://today.msnbc.m...s/#.ULGwI47R3zI This one gives a couple of good positions recommended for people with back pain. Though many experts seem to agree that yoga is beneficial, if you are skeptical about its effectiveness, nothing better than to test it out for yourself! http://recipes.howst...-treat-pain.htm To offer another perspective, this study showed that people with chronic back pain benefit from general stretching, not yoga specifically. http://www.cnn.com/2...pain/index.html There are also some videos on youtube that demonstrate yoga positions recommended for people with chronic back pain. I hope this is a bit helpful, and that you are able to go camping again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Thomas Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Can you shed any light on Kriya Yoga? http://www.dccentersrf.org/ Washington DC Center of Self-Realization Fellowship 4911 Niagara Rd., College Park, Md 20740 Phone: 301-345-4172 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ResearchingAltTherapies Posted November 30, 2012 Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 I have not looked much into Kriya yoga specifically, but here are some sites I found in a brief search. They seem mostly to have to do with the mental and spiritual benefits of Kriya yoga. http://www.kriyasour...i/benefits.html http://www.articlesb...ts-2011473.html http://www.yogasange...6172&Itemid=176 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.