Yoga Medical News Daily

Eight-week traditional mat Pilates training-program effects on adult fitness characteristics

Published in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport [2009 Sep;80(3):569-74], this article by Rogers K and Gibson AL from the Wellness Center, University of Miami, USA, describes the investigation of "responses of adult, novice practitioners (n = 9) to an 8-week traditional mat Pilates program (P) that met 1 hr/day three times/week. Classes consisted primarily of beginner and intermediate level exercises. Compared to an active control group (C; n = 13) that showed no improvements, those in P significantly (p < .05) improved relative body fat (-1.2% BF), sit-and-reach (+7.5 cm), shoulder reach (+6.9 cm), curl-up (+14 reps), and low back extension (+7 reps) scores, as well as circumferences at the waist (-2.7 cm), chest (-1.7 cm), and arm (-0.5 cm). Baseline differences were noted only for curl-ups and low back extensions, with P being lower than C Body composition, muscular endurance, and flexibility significantly improved after 8 weeks of traditional mat Pilates." Abstract: PubMed.

A pilot study measuring the impact of yoga on the trait of mindfulness

Appearing in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy [2009 Oct;37(5):595-8] by Shelov DV, Suchday S, and  Friedberg JP, of Yeshiva, University, New York, this study's findings "suggest that a yoga intervention may be a viable method for increasing levels of trait mindfulness in a healthy population, potentially implicating yoga as a preventive method for the later development of negative emotional mood states (i.e. anxiety and depression). Abstract: PubMed.  

Yoga Ameliorates Performance Anxiety and Mood Disturbance in Young Professional Musicians

The goal of this study published in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback [2009 Aug 6] and conducted by researchers at the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, "was to evaluate the benefits of yoga and meditation for musicians. Young adult professional musicians who volunteered to participate in a 2-month program of yoga and meditation were randomized to a yoga lifestyle intervention group (n = 15) or to a group practicing yoga and meditation only (n = 15). Additional musicians were recruited to a no-practice control group (n = 15). Both yoga groups attended three Kripalu Yoga or meditation classes each week. The yoga lifestyle group also experienced weekly group practice and discussion sessions as part of their more immersive treatment. . . . Similar results in the two yoga groups, despite psychosocial differences in their interventions, suggest that the yoga and meditation techniques themselves may have mediated the improvements. Our results suggest that yoga and meditation techniques can reduce performance anxiety and mood disturbance in young professional musicians."  Abstract: PubMed.  

Community based yoga classes for type 2 diabetes: an exploratory randomised controlled trial

This study carried out by researchers at University College, London, "was an exploratory randomised controlled trial with in-depth process evaluation. The setting was two multi-ethnic boroughs in London, UK; one with average and one with low mean socio-economic deprivation score. Classes were held at a sports centre or GP surgery. Participants were 59 people with Type 2 diabetes not taking insulin, recruited from general practice lists or opportunistically by general practice staff. The intervention group were offered 12 weeks of a twice-weekly 90-minute yoga class; the control group was a waiting list for the yoga classes. Both groups received advice and leaflets on healthy lifestyle and were encouraged to exercise . . . CONCLUSION: The benefits of yoga in type 2 diabetes suggested in some previous studies were not confirmed. Possible explanations (apart from lack of efficacy) include recruitment challenges; practical and motivational barriers to class attendance; physical and motivational barriers to engaging in the exercises; inadequate intensity and/or duration of yoga intervention; and insufficient personalisation of exercises to individual needs. All these factors should be considered when designing future trials."  Abstract: PubMed. Full-text of article: BMC Health Services Research [2009 Feb 19;9:33]. 

Effect of two yoga-based relaxation techniques on memory scores and state anxiety

Report by Subramanya P and Telles, S, of the Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research in Yoga and Neurophysiology, SVYASA, Bangalore, India. "METHODS: In fifty-seven male volunteers (group average age +/- S.D., 26.6 +/- 4.5 years) the immediate effect of two yoga relaxation techniques was studied on memory and state anxiety. All participants were assessed before and after (i) Cyclic meditation (CM) practiced for 22:30 minutes on one day and (ii) an equal duration of Supine rest (SR) or the corpse posture (shavasana), on another day. . . . CONCLUSION: A cyclical combination of yoga postures and supine rest in CM improved memory scores immediately after the practice and decreased state anxiety more than rest in a classical yoga relaxation posture (shavasana)."  Abstract: PubMed.  Full-text of article: BioPsychoSocial medicine [2009 Aug 13;3:8].   

Yoga Practice in Diabetes Improves Outcomes

Published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, (Nov 9, 2009) this study by Kosuri, M, and Sridhar, GR, Yoga and Diabetes Group, Institute of Yoga and Consciousness, Visakhapatnam, India, examined "the effect of yoga practice on clinical and psychological outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: In a 40-day yoga camp at the Institute of Yoga and Consciousness, ambulatory subjects with T2DM not having significant complications (n = 35) participated in a 40-day yoga camp, where yogic practices were overseen by trained yoga teachers. . . . Conclusions: Participation of subjects with T2DM in yoga practice for 40 days resulted in reduced BMI, improved well-being, and reduced anxiety."  Abstract: PubMed. 

Mindfulness Index: November 2009

U.S. health changes from 1990 to 2008:  Cardiovascular deaths:  down 26%    Prevalence of smoking: down 33%    Prevalence of obesity:  up 127%

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“Yoga” apps available for download on iTunes:   201 

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Americans who completely/mostly agree that angels and demons are active: 68%

Americans who completely disagree that angels and demons are active:  14%

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The Happy Planet Index 2.0 scoring 143 countries

Costa Rica the happiest:  #1      Brazil: #9      Netherlands:  #43      

United States:  #114          Zimbabwe the least happy: #143

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2008 Super Bowl ads featuring animals:  43%          

1988 Super Bowl ads featuring animals:  14%

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Trends in wine consumption from 2002-2006:

Afghanistan: + 1457.09%       France:  - 5.80%       Russia: + 74.89%                       

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Most populated countries 1950:  China, India, U.S, Russian Federation

Most populated countries 2009:  China, India, U.S., Indonesia

Projected most populated countries 2050:  India, China, U.S., Pakistan

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Number of U.S patents issued from 1950-2006 with yoga in the title: 14

Number of U.S. patents issued from 2007-2008 with yoga in the title: 8

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Sources: 1.  America;s Health Rankings: National Changes since 1990.   2.  iTunes (11.04.2009)   3.  Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (Survey 2007).  4.  HappyPlanetIndex.org.   5. The Superbowl Ad.  6.   WineInstitute.org.   7.  UN Population Division World Population Prospects.  8. Google.com/Patents.

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Evaluation of yoga for the treatment of pediatric headaches

Study currently recruiting participants. Location: Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Involves 8 weeks of yoga and 8 weeks of followup. Ages eligible for study: 13 years to 17 years. Details at: Clinicaltrials.gov.

Framed osteoporosis prevention print advertisements

Thesis entitled Setting the Sites High: Measuring Viewer Attention to and Recall of Framed Osteoporosis Prevention Print Advertisements, completed in 2009, by Deborah O'Malley, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. "Building on Message Framing Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study examined how message frame impacts viewer attention to and cognitive processing of osteoporosis prevention print ads. Attention was measured with eye tracking technology, which calculated participants’ number of fixations and dwell time. Cognitive processing was assessed through a textual masked-recall exercise. Sixty women, with a mean age of 21.25+/-2.61 years, viewed the same 36 ads . . . . Findings may help expand theory related to message framing and the ELM, while contributing to advancements in eye tracking literature and health communications practice." Abstract and PDF available for download.

Vital@Work Study designed to improve older workers' vitality

"The lifestyle intervention (6 months) consists of three visits to a Personal Vitality Coach (PVC) combined with a Vitality Exercise Programme (VEP). The VEP consists of: 1) once a week a guided yoga group session aimed at relaxation exercises, 2) once a week a guided aerobic workout group session aimed at improving aerobic fitness and increasing muscle strength, and 3) older workers will be asked to perform once a week for at least 45 minutes vigorous physical activity without face-to-face instructions (e.g. fitness). . . . The lifestyle intervention will be evaluated in a RCT among older workers of two major academic hospitals in the Netherlands." Abstract: PubMed. Full text of [2009 Nov 10:9 (1): 408] article at BMC Public Health.