Research
_The practices of yoga; relaxation; meditation; mindfulness; biofeedback; hypnosis and autogenic training can calm the sympathetic nervous system. This has been recorded in altered skin resistance; brain wave; breathing pattern; muscle activity; heart and pulse rate; blood pressure and blood hormone levels. The effects are recognised to improve mood state. Studies have shown that relaxation can help with the management of pain, anxiety and insomnia. In the 1980’s it was recognised that the ability to relax is not a learned phenomenon or skill but an innate and universal human capacity which the researcher Benson termed the 'relaxation response'. If you feel you have lost this natural capacity and are seeking ways of learning how to truly relax once again yoga skills can help.
Further Research
Low Back Pain
Helen E. Tilbrook, BSc, MSc; Helen Cox, BSc, MSc; Catherine E. Hewitt, BSc, MSc, PhD; Arthur Ricky Kang’ombe, BSc, MSc; Ling-Hsiang Chuang, BSc, MSc, PhD; Shalmini Jayakody, BSc, MSc; John D. Aplin, MA, PhD; Anna Semlyen, BA, MSc; Alison Trewhela, DBL, CSL; Ian Watt, BSc (Med Sci), MB, ChB, MPH; and David J. Torgerson, MSc, PhD (2011) Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 155: 9 569-578 1 November
Cardiovascular Rhythms
Bernardi L, Sleight P, Bandinelli G, Cencetti S, Fattorini L, Wdowczyc-Szulc J, Lagi A. Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study. British Medical Journal. 2001;323:1446-9
Breast Cancer
Department of Health (1996) Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer – The Manual : A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services – Report of the Expert Advisory Group. EL (96) 15 London : Department of Health
Fibromyalgia
Curtis K, Osadchuk A, Katz J (2011) An eight-week yoga intervention is associated with improvements in pain, psychological functioning and mindfulness, and changes in cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Pain Research 189–201 July
Self-Esteem
Steriani Elavsky and Edward McAuley (2007) Exercise and Self-esteem in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving Walking and Yoga. American Journal of Health Promotion: 22: 2 83-92 December
General
Fleet S V (2000) Relaxation and Guided Imagery for Symptom Management: Improving Patient Assessment and Individualising Treatment. Oncology Nursing Forum 27(3)
Spiegal D (1998) Living Beyond Limits : New Hope and Help for Facing Life-Threatening Illness. London : Vermillion
Further Research
Low Back Pain
Helen E. Tilbrook, BSc, MSc; Helen Cox, BSc, MSc; Catherine E. Hewitt, BSc, MSc, PhD; Arthur Ricky Kang’ombe, BSc, MSc; Ling-Hsiang Chuang, BSc, MSc, PhD; Shalmini Jayakody, BSc, MSc; John D. Aplin, MA, PhD; Anna Semlyen, BA, MSc; Alison Trewhela, DBL, CSL; Ian Watt, BSc (Med Sci), MB, ChB, MPH; and David J. Torgerson, MSc, PhD (2011) Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 155: 9 569-578 1 November
Cardiovascular Rhythms
Bernardi L, Sleight P, Bandinelli G, Cencetti S, Fattorini L, Wdowczyc-Szulc J, Lagi A. Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study. British Medical Journal. 2001;323:1446-9
Breast Cancer
Department of Health (1996) Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer – The Manual : A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services – Report of the Expert Advisory Group. EL (96) 15 London : Department of Health
Fibromyalgia
Curtis K, Osadchuk A, Katz J (2011) An eight-week yoga intervention is associated with improvements in pain, psychological functioning and mindfulness, and changes in cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Pain Research 189–201 July
Self-Esteem
Steriani Elavsky and Edward McAuley (2007) Exercise and Self-esteem in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving Walking and Yoga. American Journal of Health Promotion: 22: 2 83-92 December
General
Fleet S V (2000) Relaxation and Guided Imagery for Symptom Management: Improving Patient Assessment and Individualising Treatment. Oncology Nursing Forum 27(3)
Spiegal D (1998) Living Beyond Limits : New Hope and Help for Facing Life-Threatening Illness. London : Vermillion
