Monday, April 3, 2017

Yoga shown to be an effective way to take control of your asthma



The overwhelming number of health benefits associated with the practice of yoga is widely documented and has been proven by a great many studies. Not only is yoga one of the most popular forms of exercise today, but it is also recommended by doctors and scientists across the world for its range of health benefits.

According to a study published in the journal Psycho-Oncology, yoga benefits woman suffering with breast cancer resulting in a 50% reduction in depression and 12% increase in feelings of peace. Specifically, yoga was found to improve areas of mental health involving depression, positive emotions and spirituality – making it perfect for use alongside other treatments for conditions that cause low mood and a feeling of being spiritually lost.

[See: Yoga burn review - is Zoe Bray-Cotton's Yoga secret good?]

Yoga originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and has become a popular mind–body therapy in the West, with the breathing control and body postures believed to help nourish self-awareness, control stress and develop physical strength and balance, according to Newsmax.

And now it seems that yoga can also help those suffering with asthma to get their breath back, according to a recent report by the Daily Mail.

Yoga and asthma

Scientists believe that the way that yoga teaches people to breathe and the stretching exercises involved actually decrease the chances of having an asthma attack, by relaxing muscles in the airways and relieving the anxiety that can sometimes be the root cause, according to the Daily Mail.

Asthma affects around 17.7 million adults in the US – which is approximately 7.4% of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a recent study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong now suggests that this art could help alleviate asthma symptoms. The team looked at 15 different trials using yoga to treat men and women with mild and moderate asthma from around the world.




The research suggests that, not only does yoga ease symptoms, but it also improves quality of life for asthma-sufferers because of the way that the breathing exercises and postures relax the muscles in the airways and cause the chest to expand. This research is particularly important given that some of the existing treatments for asthma do not actually work.

Asthma sufferers are reported to also experience high levels of anxiety and depression associated with limited social activities and ongoing concerns about their condition, according to the Daily Mail. Scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong have stated that "yoga could represent an additional option for people with asthma to relieve both physical and psychological [symptoms]."

And these amazing benefits have been proven when sufferers participate in yoga just twice a week.

The other health benefits of yoga

As reported by Newsmax, yoga benefits the heart in the same way that aerobic exercises do – making it as good for your health as a brisk walk or a bicycle ride. 37 different clinical trials have found that yoga lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate and other cardiovascular risk factors in the same way that aerobic exercise does.

According to Dr. Larry Phillips, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, "what we've seen is with yoga and the relaxation and behavior modification that goes along with it, there is a benefit to all patients, but especially those with heart disease. Here we are able to see there are more measurable benefits than we've seen before."

For more ways to improve your health without the toxic effects of pharmaceuticals, check out the Natural Medicine, Healing & Wellness Summit!

Sources include:DailyMail.co.uk

Newsmax.com

CDC.gov

Science.NaturalNews.com

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Yoga expert reveals life-changing health benefits





Yoga expert reveals life-changing health benefits of deep breathing, including improved focus, peaceful sleep and tension relief


As we turn to any number of external sources to deal with what ails us both physically and mentally, it is easy to overlook some of the simpler solutions that are literally right under our noses. One powerful method of healing is something we do all the time, without giving it a second thought. In fact, you are certainly doing it right now: breathing.

As we inhale and exhale, we don't usually think too much about the process unless something is going wrong. If you happen to have asthma or a stuffy nose, for example, the awareness of your breathing might be heightened, but for the most part, we all just go about our days taking each breath for granted.

The breath 'mirrors the mind'

UK yoga guru Jean Hall is on a mission to show people just how powerful breathing techniques can be when it comes to finding happiness and inner peace.

She told Healthista: "The breath is a barometer to our internal state of being. It mirrors the mind. What we feel, the breath registers and responds ... accordingly."

She says that by bringing a certain level of awareness to your breath and enabling the breath to relax, your body and mind will also be able to relax. In her book, aptly titled Breathe, she outlines some highly effective breathing techniques.

[see: Yoga helps calm generalized anxiety disorder.]

Breathing techniques for improved focus

For example, Hall suggests the Viloma breathing technique to help boost concentration and focus. Here's a brief look at how to do it:


1. Lie comfortably on your back and place your hands either underneath your navel or next to your body with your palms facing upward.

2. Close your eyes and feel your body soften into the floor as your breath settles into a rhythmic flow.

3. While inhaling, focus on how your belly rises and your breath moves through your lungs as your chest rises. When you exhale, pay attention to how your breath drains downward and your belly sinks.

4. Inhale again but only inhale about 50 percent, and then pause to feel the sensation of being half empty and half full. Then inhale the remaining 50 percent into the upper part of your lungs and take a moment to feel the fullness.

5. Breathe out through your nose slowly and gently, and release the breath entirely. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many as four times and then return to normal breathing.

6. On your next exhale, breathe out only 50 percent from your upper lungs, and again take note of the feeling of being half full and half empty. Then exhale the other 50 percent from your lower lungs and focus on the feeling of being completely empty. Repeat this step up to four times and then relax.


Breathing techniques for sleep

If you have trouble falling asleep at night or do not wake up feeling refreshed, you can try the following breathing technique to get a good night's rest:

1. Lie on your back and place the tip of your tongue on the ridge behind your upper teeth.

2. Exhale entirely, allowing your body to sink into your bed.

3. Inhale slowly through your nose while counting to four, then hold the breath as you count to seven.

4. Send the breath out of your mouth with a "whoosh" and rest your tongue on the floor of the mouth. Repeat until you doze off.

Breathing techniques for anxiety and other issues

Anxiety is a very common mental health disorder, and even those who do not suffer from it chronically are prone to bouts of situational anxiety from time to time. While Hall believes that nearly every breathing technique can help alleviate anxiety, she says that the self-soothing breath is particularly powerful in this regard, thanks to its gentle rolling motion that seems to take the edge off anxiety and soothe the body and mind. She says that its focus on your body pulls attention away from any mental anxiety.

This technique and many others that address issues like negative emotions and anger are outlined in Hall's book, and she's far from the first person to tout the amazing benefits of this approach. Breathing exercises are frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine to bring about tranquility while relieving stress, and it's also a big part of other holistic therapies such as tai chi and qi gong. If you're looking for natural ways to deal with physical or emotional issues, why not start with the most basic aspect of human life?

[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]

Sources include:

Healthista.com

NaturalNews.com

Science.NaturalNews.com

Science.NaturalNews.com

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How Yoga Helps Survivors of Trauma



Can embodying a warrior pose help you deal with the trauma of domestic assault? Can the deep breathing and meditation techniques that are central to yoga help you process deeply disturbing experiences, such as sexual exploitation, a horrific wartime injury or a devastating medical diagnosis?
Trauma-informed yoga isn’t a cure, but it can provide healing to people dealing with trauma, as well as tools to cope with their emotional scars while boosting their physical well-being, experts say. This type of yoga, also known as trauma-sensitive yoga, isn’t a particular style of the centuries-old practice, like Ashtanga or Bikram yoga, says Dr. Stacey Pierce-Talsma, an associate professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine at Touro University and a yoga teacher in Vallejo, California.
Trauma-sensitive yoga is different from other types of yoga in that the emphasis is on making students feel safe and giving them choices about how to execute their poses and even whether to attempt certain poses, says Jenn Turner, assistant director of the yoga program at the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts, a program of the Justice Resource Institute that provides services to traumatized children and adults. The center trains yoga instructors in its model of trauma-informed yoga. An instructor teaching a trauma-sensitive class based on this model, for example, would make suggestions rather than issue commands about poses, wouldn't walk around the class or behind participants, would make sure students could see any exits, would cover windows so students wouldn't feel like someone was watching them and invading their privacy, and wouldn't touch a student to adjust a pose, she says. "We [instructors] do the poses with them, so we're joining them for a shared, authentic experience," Turner says. "We're not watching them or criticizing them. We don't tell them to do certain poses; we invite them to. I tell students, 'This is your practice, and you can shape it however you like.'"
Yoga instructors experienced in teaching trauma-informed yoga know that certain yoga practices, like meditating with your eyes shut or holding a pose that makes you feel physically vulnerable, could trigger an emotional or physiological response in trauma survivors, Pierce-Talsma says. Such actions could prompt fear and anxiety or physiological responses such as an increased heart rate; this type of yoga is designed to help students feel more comfortable in their bodies and less anxious. It can be either gentle or vigorous, so long as the emphasis is on making the student feel safe.
The meditative aspect of trauma-informed yoga “changes the way you react to triggers and gives you skills to manage physical or emotional symptoms that occur due to long-lasting trauma,” Pierce-Talsma says. “Yoga may help with emotional stability and assist in changing your physiology so that physical symptoms are lessened. It gets you out of your amygdala, the part of the brain where a lot of your fear response is located. Instead, you’re focusing on the here and now and using your pre-fontal cortex, so it’s like you’re moving away from the fear while being mindful.” That doesn't mean students in a trauma-sensitive class spend more time, or even as much time, as students in other yoga classes quietly meditating, Turner says. Some trauma survivors may have a difficult time quietly meditating, but they needn't be silent and still to meditate. "Yoga is meditation in motion," she says.
Fear and other effects of trauma can remain with people for years after an event, says Sheree Surdam, wellness program manager at Mountainside Treatment Center in Canaan, Connecticut. She provided this example: A gazelle can outrun a pursuing lion, hide in the brush, terrified and trembling, then get up and gallop away with no long-lasting effects. “The gazelle literally ‘shakes it off’ by way of trembling and dispelling the traumatic energy from its body. Humans don’t do that,” Surdam says. “We’re going to think and process and get caught up in the story of our trauma, not just mentally, but physically. That trauma gets caught in our bodies.”

 [See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]
Trauma Is Widespread
Trauma is common; about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience at least one trauma, according to the National Center for PTSD.
Jason Arsenault, 41, of New York City, was diagnosed with HIV in 2000 – a traumatic experience that prompted him to self-medicate by drinking heavily and using cocaine and crystal meth. “It felt like a death sentence,” he says. “I felt a lot of anger, resentment and fear. I felt unworthy of being accepted in society.” In July 2014, Arsenault spent a month at Mountainside Treatment Center, where he practiced trauma-sensitive yoga twice a week. Yoga, particularly the meditative aspect, provided him a way to be “mindful and in the moment” and prevent his mind from racing into dark corners, he says. Today, Arsenault is sober and continues practicing yoga.


Arsenault would attest to what research has shown: Yoga can help manage stress and symptoms of anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic. A small study published in 2014 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice suggested that trauma-sensitive yoga is a promising approach for survivors of domestic violence, and urged further study.
Find an instructor experienced in teaching trauma-informed yoga. A yoga teacher who’s taught trauma-sensitive yoga will know that certain postures – such as downward-facing dog – could make survivors of sexual abuse and other forms of trauma feel vulnerable, while triggering anxiety, says Christina Lagdameo, co-owner with her husband of True Self Yoga in Olympia, Washington. Trauma-informed yoga was one of the ways the organization helped restore a sense of safety and calm to victims of sex trafficking it worked with.
To find yoga instructors experienced in teaching trauma-informed yoga, call local yoga studios and community health and recreation centers that offer yoga. The Trauma Center's website includes a list of 32 yoga teachers nationwide certified by the center. Taking a class with an instructor with experience in trauma-informed yoga shouldn’t damage your wallet, either. Depending on what part of the country you’re in, a package of 10 classes typically costs between $105 and $150. Prices are higher for one-on-one instruction.

 [See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]
Use trauma-informed yoga techniques away from your yoga practice. If something has triggered your anxiety, take deep breaths, which can sooth your nervous system, says Jess Frink, program director for Yoga Behind Bars, a Seattle-based nonprofit that brings trauma-informed yoga to incarcerated people in Washington state.
If your anxiety is such that you can’t take deep breaths, “take even, smooth breaths,” she says. “This restores a sense of balance and regulation to the nervous system and focuses the mind on the present moment. You can do it for two minutes inside your car, before you go to bed, at your office – anywhere.” Rocking on your feet, heel to toe and back, is another effective technique. “That’s a silver bullet I use a lot in my classes,” Frink says. “It’s so simple, but I’ve never seen it not work.”
Don’t keep your trauma a secret. “Living with trauma that you’ve never expressed verbally to anyone in a safe space just eats away at your soul,” Surdam says. Trauma survivors can talk with a therapist, counselor or spiritual leader. They can also open up with their yoga instructor, if they develop a close relationship or if the teacher is part of a therapeutic program. For example, at Mountainside, counselors, psychiatrists and yoga instructors can work together on a patient’s care.
Trust your instincts. “Make sure you’re comfortable with the person who’s teaching. You want to be in a class where there’s lots of choice about how to do a pose. In trauma, a lot of times people were in situations where they didn’t have a choice,” says Karen Soltes, a licensed clinical social worker and certified yoga therapist based in Durango, Colorado.


Yoga For Beginners



Cancer patients who practice yoga experience far less pain and anxiety



Many people who practice yoga report that it reduces stress and helps them gain a sense of inner calm. The ancient practice, which combines movement with breath, is being explored by researchers as a way to help cancer patients alleviate symptoms and boost their outlook and quality of life.

A number of studies have already explored the effects of yoga on cancer patients, but one oncologist who also happens to be a yoga instructor reports that the evidence she has seen firsthand in her work with patients over the past decade has been all the proof she needs that it helps.

Dr. Lisa Mueller is an oncologist and yoga instructor for City of Hope. She said: "It's a no-brainer. It helps. Everyone I have known and taught has been helped by yoga."

Some of the benefits she has seen in cancer patients who practice yoga include improved strength and flexibility, relief from nerve pain, and reductions in other pain, nausea and fatigue. Many patients have found that it helps them get more sleep, and it also reduces their fear and anxiety. In addition, some have reported better memory, helping to stave off the brain fog that is known as "chemo brain."

Mueller emphasizes that yoga does not have to be particularly vigorous in order to be therapeutic. She points to five simple poses that can be adapted to a person's physical ability. When combined with deep, conscious breathing, these poses can provide substantial benefits:

  • Table pose: The goasana pose can bring about balance.
  • Shoulder stand: The sarvangasana pose can be modified using a wall to support the body.
  • Corpse pose: The savasana pose can be supported using bolsters on the neck.
  • Child pose: The balasana pose can calm the mind, a vital benefit during a stressful time.
  • Tree pose: The vrksasana pose can help with balance, and people can perform it with both feet on the ground if needed.
Not every patient can get to a class, but Mueller says that conscious breathing in small doses throughout the day can bring people some of the same benefits that a yoga class provides. Slow and steady breaths from time to time can help "reset" the mind and body.

[See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]

Plenty of studies back the notion that yoga is therapeutic

A 2011 study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that yoga helped improve quality of life for women who were undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer. Some of the benefits noted were reduced fatigue, overall health improvements, better physical functioning and a reduction in the level of the stress hormone cortisol. This is a particularly significant benefit because elevated levels of stress hormones throughout the day are believed to worsen the outcome of breast cancer patients.





Another study, which was published in Cancer Nursing in 2010, showed an overwhelmingly positive response to a specialized Iyengar yoga program geared toward breast cancer survivors, with 94 percent of participants reporting an improvement in their quality of life, 88 percent saying they felt better physically, 87 percent saying they felt happier, and 80 percent saying they felt less tired. Other benefits noted in the two-year study included a reduction in stress, depression and anxiety, and improvements in body image.

[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]

Breathing makes all the difference

Breathing is an important component of yoga, and clean air is vital for deriving the most benefits from any breathing technique. Heading outdoors for a yoga session can be particularly beneficial.

Mueller believes that yoga can benefit absolutely everyone, regardless of their condition.

"There is no person who wouldn't benefit from a yoga practice, no matter what stage of treatment they are in," she said. "Even in a hospital, sick in bed, learning how to breathe can help."

Sources include:

CityOfHope.org

Science.NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com


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Give Yourself The Gift Of Total Bliss With This Basic Yoga Move



If you’re looking to gain more from yoga, don’t skip the basics.
Savasana, a restorative pose that’s often performed at the end of a yoga class, 
is probably one of the most underrated moves in the practice. Many people 
breeze through it after they’ve completed their active moves or forgo it entirely.
As instructor Jules Mitchell points out in the Udaya video above, passing up 
the pose is doing a disservice to yourself. Why? Because the move helps reset
your mind and puts you in a state of relaxation. And isn’t that a focal point 
of a yoga practice?

 [See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]
Take a look at the video above to learn how to properly do Savasana and make a 
conscious effort to commit to it the next time you do a yoga routine. 
Trust us, you won’t regret it.




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The World’s Oldest Yoga Teacher Has Some A+ Advice


If you had any reservations about the power of yoga, please meet Tao Porchon-Lynch. 
Now 98 years old, she was declared the world’s oldest living yoga instructor by the Guinness World Records way back in 2012. She’s also the new face of Athleta’s “Power of She” campaign, which highlights the life-changing benefits of the practice.
Porchon-Lynch, who is currently based in New York, started practicing yoga nine decades ago in India after she saw a group of boys doing yoga, and asked if she could join. She caught onto a very healthy habit early on: Research shows that yoga improves brain function, provides anxiety relief and can assist in maintaining a lower body weight.
That’s exactly what keeps Porchon-Lynch invested in the practice and hitting the mat: The overall sense of mental, physical and emotional wellness that comes from even just yogic breathing can do wonders, she said.
“If you do postures without the breathing you will never change anything,” Porchon-Lynch told The Huffington Post. “When people are known to breathe properly they can survive and do anything. Nothing is impossible when you are in tune with your breath.”
Below are a few more things she told us about the power of yoga:

 [See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]

A yoga practice can give you age-defying energy. 

Porchon-Lynch says she has no intentions of slowing down. She wakes up at 5 a.m. each day and is in the studio to practice yoga by 8:30 a.m. She then teaches several classes a day. She also led a retreat of more than 1,000 students in the Bahamas earlier this month, and next she’s set to fly across the country to compete in a dancing showcase.
“When you are in touch with the breath there is no such thing as age,” Porchon-Lynch says. “There is so much to do and so little time.” 

There’s more to yoga than challenging poses.

When people think of yoga, they typically think of downward dog and other muscle-bending moves. However, as Porchon-Lynch noted above, the foundation of the practice lies in the simple art of deep breathing. And there’s more to it than just inhaling and exhaling.

“Yoga is done with the breath. It means ‘union with your inner self,’” she said. “When you breathe, you tune into the inner self, and you’ll find it opens up your whole life. And that’s what yoga is all about.”

 [See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]

The practice will make you more positive.

Yoga teaches you to reframe your thoughts in order to reduce stress, Porchon-Lynch said. She also credits her steady practice for putting her in a happier mindset. 
“Never put negative thoughts in your mind because it goes right into your body,” she said. “When you wake up in the morning, say, ‘This is going to be the best day of my life.’ People say I changed their life. I didn’t change their life. I just taught them to use their breath.” 

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What to Eat Before and After Yoga


Anyone who's gone to a yoga class after eating a bean burrito knows that the choice is just asking for trouble. After all, you don't want to be the person who creates an awkward, audible moment for the people around you in down dog. But keeping your stomach as calm as your mind can be hard to avoid in yoga: The practice requires you to turn and twist into precarious positions that churn your belly and squeeze your abdomen unlike other exercises. Plus, the typically quiet, close quarters make gas and gurgles hard to conceal.
To move, bend and stretch with ease, you have to be aware of how you fuel your body before class. Here are five strategies to eat more mindfully and to avoid an uncomfortable, self-conscious yoga experience:
1. Practice on an empty stomach.
Attending yoga with a full belly could cause a major stomachache, gurgling, bloating and embarrassing gas. As a general rule, stop eating two hours before class. This will alleviate painful digestive problems. The last meal you eat prior to practicing should be a small portion of a meal made with whole foods. Eat vegetables, a salad or soup. Avoid eating meat and other heavy, slow-digesting meals that can lead to indigestion. Also, steer clear from high-fiber vegetables, beans or bran before a workout. Instead, eat something relatively plain that won't leave a taste lingering in your mouth. You will regret eating rich, spicy or saucy foods while you invert and twist on your mat.

[See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]
2. Eat a smart snack.
As you become more acclimated to how your body responds to your eating schedule during yoga, you can modify your routine. For example, if you find yourself becoming hungry and light-headed during class, consider having a snack a half-hour before the start of class. Eat something to curb your appetite that provides lasting energy. A handful of almonds, quinoa or oatmeal are good choices – especially for a more athletic style of yoga like power vinyasa or hot yoga. An avocado and chia pudding are also easy on the stomach. Eat fruit like a banana, apple, pear or dried fruit before you practice. Be aware of how you feel during your practice and note what and when you ate in preparation. Do what feels best for your body so that you feel light and comfortable throughout the duration of class.
3. Develop a morning routine.
Ideally, the best time to practice yoga is early in the morning before you eat a meal. This might require extra planning, but it's also the best way to stick to a routine. Start preparing the night before by eating a lighter, easily digestible dinner like a salad or a crockpot meal that you marinate overnight. This meal should be small and supplementary to your lunch, which should be your largest meal of the day.
Aim to eat earlier – say, by 6 p.m. – too, and close your kitchen afterward. This pattern will give you ample time to digest your food and get tired enough to go to bed earlier. Don't know how to spend that extra after-dinner time? Avoid all the tempting electronic devices like your phone, computer and TV; they will only activate your mind and make you restless. Instead, enjoy time with your family or spouse. Go for a walk or do chores around the house. Ideally, you'll have a full bowel movement first thing the next morning. If you don't, drink a full glass of water or two to hydrate.



In the morning, enjoy something small for breakfast like a smoothie or oatmeal and then get your morning yoga practice in. You will go about the rest of your day feeling grounded and refreshed. Later in the day, sit down somewhere quiet and savor your lunch, knowing that you do not have to worry about how it will affect your experience on your mat. Enjoy something filling and flavorful so you're satisfied until dinner.

[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]
4. Rehydrate after class.
Much like an intense workout, you need to replenish after class to avoid soreness, cramping and dehydration. This is especially important if you are practicing hot yoga. Make sure to rehydrate and restore electrolytes. Drink at least five to six tall glasses of water a day. Though this may take conscious effort at first, it can become easier if you map out your water drinking schedule. A good strategy is to drink a glass first thing in the morning, another a few hours before lunch, one glass at lunch, one during dinner and another before you go to bed.
Try infusing your water with cucumbers, lemons or limes to make it more flavorful and nutritious. Coconut water is also a good source of electrolytes. Focus on water-rich foods such as kiwis, citrus fruits, pineapple, watermelon, celery and tomatoes. Avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol and other sugary drinks that could dehydrate you. Take your recovery seriously and you will feel cleansed, light and energized for your next class.
5. Drink smoothies.
Drinking smoothies is one of the best techniques to consume more healthy foods both before and after class. They're convenient, simple and save you the time and stress of preparing a full meal. Just have your ingredients ready, put them in the blender and you're set. Use leafy greens, fruits, some protein and liquid. Try, for instance, a smoothie with a spoonful of greens powder, a spoon of protein powder, a handful of spinach, a handful of raw nuts, some coconut water and frozen fruit for taste. It's filling, hydrating and, most importantly, it only takes a minute to make.

Yoga For Beginners


Sunday, April 2, 2017

85-year-old woman eliminates her hunchback through yoga therapy


Like many women her age, 85-year-old New Yorker Anna Pesce suffered from back pain. Hers was particularly severe, sometimes even preventing her from climbing up stairs. She recalls having to spend a trip to visit her children in South Carolina confined to a wheelchair because getting around was simply too difficult.

An unlucky combination of scoliosis, a herniated disc and osteoporosis meant she had been dealing with a hunchback-like posture for the past few decades. She tried a number of remedies, including physical therapy, acupuncture and chiropractor visits. Some of these treatments helped her feel good temporarily, but she says the pain would always return eventually.

After the situation reached a low point on her visit to South Carolina, she decided to try yoga. She enlisted the help of a certified yoga instructor who also specializes in back care, Rachel Jesien, whom she met through her granddaughter, who is also a yoga instructor.

Like Pesce, Jesien also suffers from scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. During their weekly sessions Jesien showed her how to perform stretches and restorative poses, such as chair savasana and child's pose. After just a month of sessions she regained her ability to walk.



[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]

Yoga brought surprisingly quick results

Jesien feels that the real milestone for Pesce came when after just two months she instinctively knew which poses to do for the various types of pain that might pop up. For example, she knew an ankle-to-knee pose would be a great way to deal with her hip pain.

After just four months, she shocked everyone by being able to perform a modified headstand, which she does with her back placed against the wall.

Pesce is thrilled that she decided to take the plunge and give yoga a try. She says she's now able to do a lot of activities that were impossible before, including driving. Her daughter reports that she seems much happier now, and has regained much of her independence.

Yoga breathing exercises have many benefits

Two years later, she still practices yoga poses every day, including a supported downward dog pose aided by a sling and pranayama. Pranayama is a type of yoga breathing exercise that helps people make use of the full capacity of their lungs while breathing. It has been shown to be helpful in easing muscle tension and in relieving stress, and it can also lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Learning how to breathe clean air deeply and use the full capacity of the lungs can be incredibly calming.

The connection between yoga and flexibility is fairly well-known, but many people are surprised to learn that it can also help eliminate harmful toxins from the body, control cravings for unhealthy food, burn fat and lower cholesterol.

Jesien praised yoga for its ability to strengthen muscles, boost bone density and relieve back pain associated with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She should know; she wore a back brace and had to go to physical therapy once a week for five years before a massage therapist recommended back care yoga to her.

Mount Sinai Hospital's director of integrative pain management, Dr. Houman Danesh, is also a believer. He says: "Doing weight-bearing exercises like squats and lunges can definitely increase bone density. Yoga poses can be easily extrapolated to have the same effect. Physical therapists have been incorporating yoga stretches into their sessions as well."

By being open to alternative methods of treatment Pesce was able to find a solution that truly worked for her problem, gaining a new lease on life in the process.

 [See: Claim your FREE ultimate Yoga kick start kit.]

Sources include:

NYPost.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

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