Yoga as a Medical AlternativeA Graduation Project Presented by Kathryn Nash

Background & Essential Question

Research: History, Types, & Medical Benefits of

Yoga Research Product

My product: Teaching a Yoga ClassWhat I Learned

Did you know?

STRESS is a major contributing factor to many health problems.

Can yoga make us healthier?

The Early Historyof Yoga

• Originated in India over 5,000 years ago

• Ancient stone seals found depicting yoga poses found that date from 3000 BC

• Even older: roots of yoga may be traced to Stone Age Shamanism (the earliest form of religious practice)

• Evidence of yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda--a composition of spiritual hymns

• Originally focused on understanding the world-- later changed to the self with self-enlightenment being the ultimate goal.

• Sixth century B.C.: poses and meditation were implemented by Buddhists

Modern Yoga

• Five basic principles• Proper relaxation• Proper exercise• Proper breathing• Proper diet• Positive thinking and meditation

• Swami Sivananda (1887)• South India• Gymnastics and medicine • Treated and cured a sickly wandering monk, who taught

him yoga• Traveled in search of a Guru and eventually became a

monk• Wrote over 200 books on yoga and spirituality by hand

Swami Sivananda

• Modern yoga is physical with an optional spiritual part• In the U.S., yoga is a 6 billion dollar industry• About 20 million Americans practice in some form

• While yoga is a Hindu practice, most Westerners separate it from Hinduism

• Most Westerners practice yoga to relax

Contemporary Yoga

Bikram

Hatha

Vinyasa

Kundalini

Ashtanga

Bikram: •Hot yoga•Flushes toxins•Injury recovery, flexibility•Good for advanced & beginners Hatha:

•Older form•Gentle, basic poses•Relieves stress•Good beginners

Vinyasa: •Breathing, Sun Salutation•Link breath with movement•Strength & flexibility•Reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure

Kundalini: •Constantly moving•Energizing•Chanting & meditation•Good for advanced

Ashtanga: •Power yoga•Spiritual•Stress, coordination, weight loss•Good for advanced

Five Commonly Practiced Forms

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Lower blood pressure & reduce heart rate reduced risk of heart disease•  Lower cholesterol levels and improve circulation reduce effects of

cardiovascular disease• Regular morning practice eating less, eating more slowly, and choosing

healthier foods• Alleviate specific kinds of pain reduce effects of migraines, back pain, arthritis• Increases levels of a neurotransmitter called GABA improves mood, reduces

depression• Increases alpha waves in the brain causes relaxation• Increases strength and improves flexibility reduces injury and improves quality

of life

Teaching Yoga to Children

Before I could teach…I shadowed my mentor who teaches children’s yoga classes at the Namaste Yoga Studio.

Teaching my class…

Purvottanasana

Upward Plank Pose:

Stretches the front side of the body and strengthens the core and arms

Cobra Pose

Bhujangasana

Strengthens the back and stomach muscles

Stimulates digestion by invigorating the internal organs

Tree Pose

Vrksasana

Improves balance and concentration

Butterfly Pose

Baddha KonasanaOr Bound Ankle

Stretches hips and back

Releases energy

Savasana

Total relaxation

Parasympathetic state: (relaxation response),

•breathing slows•blood pressure lowers•energy is drawn toward the vital organs

Overall…

•Students

•My personal and academic learning stretch

•My future

“I bow to you”

Symbol of gratitude and respect toward students and teachers

Namaste