Wendy Yoga

Yoga for Treatment for Depression

2011-04-13T11:04:00.003-04:00

A student of mine recently brought me a news archive that he was so very proud of finding!! He found this archive in the "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine." Amazingly, it was dated May 26, 2007. But, though this is almost 4 years old now, the information is still very valid. But, more than that fact, it alerted me to the idea that many people are still not aware of the possibility, if not the fact, that yoga is able to help with not just depression, but anxiety and stress. (Often depression and anxiety go hand in hand). So, for those of you that may want to explore options other than Prozac/Paxil/Zoloft etc you may want to try finding an appropriate yoga class.

The study he brought me was done by the Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital. They found that practicing yoga showed elevated brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels-- the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. The findings suggested that a practice of yoga be explored as possible treatment for depression and anxiety disorders associated with low GABA levels. These GABA levels were found to have increased after a yoga practice whereby levels were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

Now, I am not suggesting that anyone immediately go off their anti-depressant, but perhaps having a conversation with your doctor and a qualified yoga instructor about the possibility of alternatives for treating depression and/or anxiety.

be well.
in the light,
w~

Why Yoga?

2010-04-29T10:41:00.003-04:00

Just yesterday I had a conversation with a prospective student-- it went something like this: I've always been active; I've been a runner, cyclist, and lifted weights but, never thought of yoga until so and so said I should talk to you and try it. And, I thought, hey wait a minute, that was me 10 years ago. Today, I still run (ok, occasionally) I usually walk; I do cycle, in the summer, I'm in Michigan after all. Lifting weights-- not so much anymore. I don't have to. The yoga has helped me develop an awareness of my body that has transcended the weight room. And yet, I have managed to maintain muscle mass and strength. In the meantime, and here's the really great thing: by using my breath to connect my mind to my body, I am able to create a bit more calm and peace within myself. And, with everything that is thrown at us in these days of economic downturn, working more, making less money and finding less time for family and self-- this can be a nice safe haven. There are many different styles of yoga-- and many modalities that can be applied for personal attention. So, if you haven't tried yoga, try it. Be open, yet discriminating-- and don't judge the book by it's cover- even if the first class or teacher you try doesn't seem to work for you-- try again-- it's worth it!!

NPR, Why We Gain Weight and How Yoga Can Help...

2010-02-22T11:26:00.004-05:00

NPR, Why We Gain Weight and How Yoga Can Help (Gently) Combat This

This morning NPR ran a piece on Morning Edition about why we gain weight as we age and things we can do to fight back.

Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123887823

As the body ages we lose muscle cells. These aging muscle cells that used to be the powerhouse of the body are now depleted and now contribute to the amount of fat cells we store.

Thus, game over: weight gain.

Not quite.

We can “fight” back—gently.

A portion of this recent study includes the study of yoga postures, their variations and which ones will have the most strength-gaining benefit to your body with minimal risk of injury.

Through the Viniyoga teaching tradition, teachers are taught to observe the practitioner’s body and movement pattern and then based on these findings apply appropriate variations that will support the student strengthening or lengthening with minimal risk.

No yoga is without all risk, of course. Just as any exercising—running, swimming, cycling, aerobics, weights—has inherent risks. But as your insurance agent will tell you, all risks are relative.

This study suggests that yoga is a pretty good bet in terms of risk. That said, all yoga is not alike and you must decide for yourself what style of yoga is the most appropriate for you and the benefits you wish to gain from making it a feature in your life.

Namaste

2009-11-14T08:05:00.002-05:00

Some of you have asked if there is a better time of day to do a particular type of yoga practice. The answer is yes. There are general effects from certain types of practices. Let's talk more about this either in class or online here. w~

Meditation

2009-10-29T15:51:00.002-04:00

Recently some of you have asked me about the merits and techniques of meditation. I have been thinking about presenting a workshop or special class to teach some meditation techniques because I think that most of us recognize that being able to quiet the mind (meditate) is a valuable tool for our toolbox of life skills. But, often questions or concerns around meditation and its accessibility (what am I suppose to be doing while I am meditating?) deter us from embarking on into the "quiet-side." If you have further comments/questions or interest in meditation, please post here or contact me directly at wendy@wendyoga.com.

Benefits of Yoga for Runners

2009-09-26T20:47:00.002-04:00

For you runners preparing for the fall races and marathons, here's a great article on the benefits of yoga to your training. When I did a couple recent workshops at Playmakers, I heard a lot about tight IT bands!

Be well.

Wendy

Updated Website Launched

2009-09-26T09:46:00.004-04:00

Dear Yoga Students and Friends,

I launched a revamped website recently. Take a look. I'd love your feedback.

I'd also like to hear any thoughts you have about my yoga classes in general as I try to make them as beneficial as possible.

Thanks.

Be well.

Wendy