However, the great news is that medical professionals are now also acknowledging that yoga can be beneficial in treating a variety of diseases and illnesses.

This recognition is the result of more than 1,000 studies that have been conducted over the years to determine whether yoga can promote overall wellness in patients suffering from a various ailments.

Sarah Avery, a staff writer for News & Observer, has collated a series of updates from the many medical centers and schools that have researched the beneficial aspects of yoga. In her article, Sarah points out that there has been a definite increase of interest and support by physicians and scientists for yoga as an alternative medicine.

For example, studies done by researchers from UNC Hospitals and physicians at Duke University have shown significant progress from patients who are dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, menopause, and even cancer.

William Frey has been a strong supporter of the benefits of yoga on treating illnesses, and for many years he has been leading a yoga class at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh as part of the UNC-Chapel Hill program on Integrative medicine. Frey is convinced that “By taking care of stress, you’re starting to eliminate some of the diseases that are caused by it.” He does admit, though, that initially “there was some concern we might be bringing spiritual elements into a very clinical setting. Getting the word out was difficult – so much else was going on that was scientifically based, this was pushed off.” However, Frey says that “…as people have seen its staying power, and see the results and research, there’s beginning to be more respectability.”

Another encouraging note is that the National Institute of Health is now funding various studies on yoga and its curative values.

So if you’re ever suffering from ill health or you know of someone who is, you may want to find out more about the restorative benefits of yoga.

For more information on this, you can read Sarah’s full article at Yoga gains respect among doctors.

Tags: yoga as medicine, illness and yoga practice, emotional health with yoga, benefits of yoga, yoga in medical centers

Well, that issue is causing an ongoing debate in Malaysia, where clerics are discussing whether Muslims should be allowed to practice yoga.

Since Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, many Muslims feel strongly that it violates their beliefs, while others feel that this reaction is due to ignorance of what the practice of yoga really encompasses.

Discussions about yoga and religion can often lead to heated debates and opposing viewpoints, so naturally many individuals are weighing in with their differing opinions.

On the one hand, we have the opinion of Zakaria Stapa, a professor at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre, who states, “I do not understand why Muslims would want to practice yoga for the purpose of finding serenity when Islam, through its teachings, enables its followers to do just that.”

Then we have the opinion of social activist Marina Mahathir, who writes in her blog, “Yoga may have spiritual roots but most of us do it for the exercise, both for the mind and body.”

The National Fatwa Council has conducted an in-depth study on this issue and, although a ruling has recently been made, it has yet to be officially released because the Council chairman is still analyzing the draft.

Whatever the ruling is, this sensitive issue is bound to generate further discussion from both sides.

Do your religious beliefs affect how you view or practice yoga?

For a more detailed account of this current debate, refer to the following websites: Yoga for Muslims

Tags: religious and yoga, Hinduism, Muslims, religious conflict with yoga practice

There are so many opportunities to get involved in making a positive difference in people’s lives – and one way is by participating in the “Fire and Grace Yoga Ritual and Kirtan Dance” with Suzanne Sterling, Hala Khouri and friends on November 29 at the Santa Monica Power Yoga West studio. Guest teachers Suzanne and Hala are two of the three founders (the third one being Seane Corn) of Off the Mat, Into the World, a program that encourages yoginis to become active in their local and global community. Off the Mat, Into the World aims “to inspire and guide you to find and define your purpose and become active in your local or global community in an effective, sustainable and joyful way.”

The special gathering on November 29 will be a fundraiser for the Off the Mat, Into the World organization. Yoginis are invited by the organizers of the event to “celebrate an amazing year of unification and activation across the yoga community” through prayer and asana, which will be accompanied by live, melodic music and joyful kirtan dance.

Why not add your support by participating in the “Fire and Grace” event on November 29? It will be held from 8 pm to 11 pm, and a suggested $15 donation would be appreciated.

For those of you who are interested in making a further commitment, Off the Mat, Into the World is also offering yoginis an opportunity “to become a leader while saving lives” by accompanying Suzanne and Seane as they embark on their Cambodia Challenge 2008. This project combines yoga with a leadership training course and includes a trip to one of the poorest areas in the world – the garbage dumps of Cambodia, where children forage for scraps just to survive. Participants will be guided through daily yoga practice with Seane and Suzanne, and will then be given an opportunity to work with the Cambodia Children’s Fund Mission in improving the lives of children through education, health care and vocational training.

If you’re interested in participating in this empowering and rewarding experience, check out the following website for more information: Cambodia Challenge 2008.

Tags: Cambodia challenge, Poverty, off the mat, Cambodian children, saving kids, Cambodia Children’s Fund Mission, yoga for saving lives

The organizers of OneYoga, in partnership with ChristmasFuture, are asking local and national yoga studios to encourage their yoga communities to get together in their local studios for a one-day fundraising event.

Leif Baradoy, the event planner for the OneYoga fundraiser, explains that “OneYoga is bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to live their yoga and make a positive impact on the world.” He confirms that several yoga studios throughout Canada are participating and is anticipating that the event will be a great success.

ChristmasFuture, a non-profit organization and OneYoga’s partner for this event, will host the online pledges. 100% of the funds raised at this event will support the development of sustainable projects in impoverished communities, such as ending child labor in the mines of Potosi, Bolivia, or aiming to educate children in Sierra Leone.

For more information on how you can participate in this important fundraising effort, check out the following websites: www.marketwatch.com.

Tags: oneyoga, fundraising, world poverty and yoga, ChristmasFuture

Recently, two high school teachers in Massena, New York, were challenged when they launched a voluntary yoga program for students.

Concerned parents objected to the class, complaining to the Massena Superintendent that the practice of yoga “would promote Hinduism and violate the separation of church and state.”

Rather than removing the class entirely, however, the Superintendent and parents compromised by agreeing to let the program proceed under the new name “Raider Relaxation” (“raider” being the school’s mascot). Although the class will no longer be referred to as a yoga class, it will continue to provide the same exercises, such as stress relief and relaxation techniques.

In addition to the in-class program, an after-school club will be formed to offer students an opportunity to explore other facets of yoga and gain a better understanding of its benefits.

Board of Education President Julie Reagan says that the Board supports yoga and relaxation techniques for students, confirming that “one hundred schools in 26 states use yoga in the classroom to relieve stress”.

To read the full article on Massena’s new “Raider Relaxation” class, check out www.watertowndailytimes.com.

Tags: relaxation, kids and yoga, stress relief, concentration, breathing technique

Now at the age of 45, he is a shopkeeper by trade and a popular and well-respected water yoga performer. Having spent many hours over the years practicing in the pond next to his shop, he has now mastered the art of performing complex yogic positions in the water. Adak credits his water yoga practice with giving him excellent health, explaining, “I have learnt this myself. I have taken this up due to health reasons. It was also an effort for survival amidst all that water.”

Adak is extremely popular with the residents of his village, who are inspired by his achievements in the water. He is pleased with his popularity as the “Water Yogi” and is now aiming to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

To learn more about Adak and yoga in the water, read a News Track India article.

Tags: water yoga, floating in water, Gopal Chandra Adak, water yogi

The conference, which is entitled Yoga for Health, will run from October 3rd to October 5th in Marin County, CA. Organizers have invited highly respected and renowned keynote speakers, including Joel Kramer, who is widely regarded as “the father of modern American yoga”, Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Chairman of the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research at the Ananda Ashram in South India, and Rama Joti Vernon, founder of the International Yoga College, the California Yoga Teachers’ Association and Unity in Yoga International.

This conference will offer panel sessions that explore the therapeutic benefits of yoga for physical ailments and mental well-being. These diverse sessions will range from “Yoga Practices to Energize the Chakras”, “Yoga and the Mind”, and “Therapeutic Yoga for People with Chronic Pain” to “Yoga for Grief Relief”. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a morning yoga class, a panel discussion, and two workshops, which will be followed by a lunch and presentation by a keynote speaker.

All sessions will take place daily at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, with weekend packages available.

Tags: Yoga for Health, International Yoga Therapy Conference, therapeutic benefits of yoga, Joel Kramer, Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Rama Joti, Chakras

Recognized by Yoga Journal as “one of the most influential yoga teachers in the country”, Dunn began learning yoga in 1974 from one of the pre-eminent yoga teachers, B.K.S. Iyengar. The practice of Iyengar yoga emphasizes strength, endurance, and alignment, and Dunn’s commitment and devotion to her practice enabled her to progress from student to teacher. She spent much of her time with the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York and eventually became its Director. She went on to become a founding member of three other Iyengar Yoga Institutes in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

Dunn, who was born in Ann Arbor, never forgot her roots. She visited her hometown once a year for 25 years, holding Iynengar yoga workshops and classes at the Y. She was highly thought of in the community, and their perception of her was summed up by long-time resident Kay Huntzicker, “The word that best describes Mary Louise is grace. She embodies that word in many of its dimensions.”

There is no doubt that Mary Palmer Dunn will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

The following article from Ann Arbor News will give you more information on this inspirational and amazing woman: Ann Arbor News.

Tags: Mary Palmer Dunn, yoga master, influential yoga teacher, director of Iyengar Yoga Institutes

However, seven years later he has emerged from prison a changed man. Now 31, M P Parthiban proclaims that “For me, prison was truly a place of reform. I am a new man now.” During his seven years in the Coimbatore central prison, he took advantage of programs that taught him how to channel his past behavior into positive results.

His efforts resulted in his being given a reduced sentence, thereby enabling him to leave prison early. Since his release, he has become “a yoga teacher, tailor, painter, photographer, a graduate in Tamil literature and a diploma holder in education technology”.

He expresses appreciation to the prison officials and government for his early release, saying, “My youth would have been wasted inside the prison if I had not been released now.”

Visit The Times India for more information on M P Parthiban and other reformed individuals.

Learn about prison programs that help inmates reduce stress.

Tags: prisoner to yoga teacher, M P Parthiban, becoming a better person, reform

Andie explained that her ideal way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to practice yoga. “Yoga is a big part of my life. It is really good for your spirit and your bones. (Yoga keeps you) strong and flexible at the same time.” Andie’s advice to her children is to “stay true to yourself. When you are authentic, you create a certain energy…people want to be around you because you are unique.”

And when asked what her next venture would be, Andie replied, “I’m waiting to find out about the pilot (of a TV show she just finished filming). I’m planning on it working out. Or I’ll do more yoga and grow spiritually. One or the other; both…are just fine.

You can read the full interview with this serene and accomplished actress at Courant.

Tags: Andie MacDowell, yoga and flexibility, Andie MacDowell turns 50, yoga strength