Yoga
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Catherine De Marin
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Studio Be Yoga
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Kirkland
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The Yoga Barn
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Issaquah / Fall City
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Other Yoga Studios |
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Two Rivers Yoga
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Carnation
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OM
Yoga
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Redmond
/ Bellevue
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Definition
Yoga is an ancient system of breathing practices, physical exercises and
postures, and meditation intended to integrate the practitioner's body,
mind, and spirit. It originated in India several thousand years ago. In
the contemporary West, yoga is more often regarded as a beneficial form
of physical exercise than as a philosophy or total way of life. As of 2002,
more than six million people in the United States were practicing some form
of yoga, with 1.7 million claiming to practice it regularly.
Purpose
Yoga has been recommended as an adjunct to standard medical treatments for
a number of reasons. Its integration of the mental, physical, and spiritual
dimensions of human life is helpful to patients struggling with distorted
cognitions or pain syndromes. The stretching, bending, and balancing involved
in the asanas (physical postures that are part of a yoga practice) help
to align the head and spinal column; stimulate the circulatory system, endocrine
glands, and other organs; and keep muscles and joints strong and flexible.
Yoga programs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering
blood pressure and anxiety levels.
The breath control exercises, known as pranayama, emphasize slow and deep
abdominal breathing. They benefit the respiratory system, help to induce
a sense of relaxation, and are useful in pain management. The meditation
that is an integral part of classical yoga practice has been shown to strengthen
the human immune system. Although Western medical researchers have been
studying yoga only since the 1970s, clinical trials in the United States
have demon strated its effectiveness in treating asthma, osteoarthritis,
heart disease, stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, anxiety, and
mood disorders. Other reports indicate that yoga merits further research
in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and substance abuse.
Studies done in Germany have focused on the psychological benefits of yoga.
One clinical trial done in 1994 at the University of Wurzburg found that
the volunteer subjects who had practiced yoga scored higher in life satisfaction,
with lower levels of irritability and pychosomatic complaints, than the
control group.
One of the advantages of yoga as a complementary therapy is its adaptability to patients with a wide variety of physical and psychiatric conditions. There are a number of different schools of yoga—over 40, according to one expert in the field—and even within a particular school or tradition, the asanas and breathing exercises can be tailored to the patient's needs. One can find special yoga courses for people over 50; for people with fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back problems; for cancer patients; and for people struggling with weight. Although most people who take up yoga attend classes, it is possible to learn the basic postures and breathing techniques at home from beginners' manuals or videotapes. Patients who feel self-conscious about exercising in the presence of others may find yoga appealing for this reason.
Precautions
Patients with a history of heart disease, severe back injuries, inner ear
problems or other difficulties with balance, or recent surgery should consult
a physician before beginning yoga. Pregnant women are usually advised to
modify their yoga practice during the first trimester, however there are
specialty prenatal yoga classes.
People diagnosed with a dissociative disorder should not attempt advanced forms of pranayama (yogic breathing) without the supervision of an experienced teacher. Some yogic breathing exercises may trigger symptoms of derealization or depersonalization in these patients.
Yoga should not be practiced on a full stomach. It is best to wait at least two hours after a meal before beginning one's yoga practice. In addition, while yoga can be practiced outdoors, it should not be done in direct sunlight.
One additional precaution is often necessary for Westerners. Yoga is not a competitive sport, and a "good" practice is defined as whatever one's body and mind are capable of giving on a specific day. Westerners are, however, accustomed to pushing themselves hard, comparing their performances to those of others, and assuming that exercise is not beneficial unless it hurts— an attitude summed up in the phrase "no pain, no gain." Yoga teaches a gentle and accepting attitude toward one's body rather than a punishing or perfectionistic approach. A person should go into the stretches and poses gradually, not forcibly or violently. Stretching should not be done past the point of mild discomfort, which is normal for beginners; frank pain is a warning that the body is not properly aligned in the pose or that the joints are being overstressed. Most people beginning yoga will experience measurable progress in their strength and flexibility after a week or two of daily practice.
To schedule an appointment please call: 425-284-2120
Cash or check are accepted only, no Credit Cards
16 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033
425-284-2120 Office
206.755.4044 *Cell*
For more information regarding the services we provide
please email: info@xspaditions.com
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