Proven to enhance wellbeing, posture, breathing and sleep, and reduce anxiety and agitation, this programme shows how yoga can be adapted to benefit people with dementia. Based on the findings of a pilot therapeutic yoga programme for people with dementia in care homes, this book offers substantial yoga sequences, breathing exercises, meditations and mindfulness exercises for improving symptoms associated with dementia. It offers an innovative Reminiscence Yoga approach, which uses sounds, music, guided imagery and familiar actions to stimulate memories. The book demonstrates the many benefits of yoga for people with dementia, and describes the ways that each yoga exercise can be adapted for people of different abilities.
While many people practice yoga simply because it helps them feel good, the physiological basis for yoga’s effects on the body and mind is often unknown or misunderstood. Understanding these physiological concepts can help to deepen your yoga practice. The Physiology of Yoga separates speculation from fact by examining how the body responds and adapts to yoga within many systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, endocrine, reproductive, and digestive. Straightforward explanations guide you in sorting through conflicting information about what yoga really can help you achieve and in evaluating whether certain yoga methods provide benefits to any or all of those systems. You can experiment with concepts through Try It Yourself sidebars, which focus on mindful movement, meditation, and breathing. The 14 Myth or Fact sidebars explore popular claims about yoga, such as whether a shoulder stand can stimulate the thyroid or if twists can detoxify the liver. You’ll get the most current research to determine the validity of various claims so you can avoid practices that could be harmful or counterproductive and can decide for yourself what works for your practice. Finally, experience firsthand how yoga affects your physiology by exploring specific yoga poses and four sequences. Each sequence explains which of the physiological principles from the earlier chapters may be most prevalent in that sequence. With The Physiology of Yoga, you or your students can navigate all the conflicting views and opinions about the impact of yoga and learn to practice yoga while fully enjoying the benefits of mindful movement.
This fully updated compendium of research, history, scientific theory, and practice amalgamates various evidence-based research findings and their practical implications for professionals who use yoga or refer patients to yoga practice. Chapters cover the implementation of yoga for various illnesses and conditions from paediatrics to geriatrics. The expanded second edition includes updated contributions from leading biomedical researchers and therapists, brand new research on telemedicine, chronic pain, and mental health conditions, and a new chapter specifically on the implementation of yoga therapy in medical systems and healthcare with a focus on international perspectives and public perceptions. This second edition now includes a more narrative tone, a 'How to Read the Book' section, and a significantly expanded index to increase accessibility.
Societies around the world are concerned about dementia and the other forms of cognitive impairment that affect many older adults. We now know that brain changes typically begin years before people show symptoms, which suggests a window of opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of these conditions. Emerging evidence that the prevalence of dementia is declining in high-income countries offers hope that public health interventions will be effective in preventing or delaying cognitive impairments. Until recently, the research and clinical communities have focused primarily on understanding and treating these conditions after they have developed. Thus, the evidence base on how to prevent or delay these conditions has been limited at best, despite the many claims of success made in popular media and advertising. Today, however, a growing body of prevention research is emerging. Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Way Forward assesses the current state of knowledge on interventions to prevent cognitive decline and dementia, and informs future research in this area. This report provides recommendations of appropriate content for inclusion in public health messages from the National Institute on Aging.
Research-based advice for people who care for someone with dementia Nearly half of U.S. citizens over the age of 85 are suffering from some kind of dementia and require care. Loving Someone Who Has Dementia is a new kind of caregiving book. It's not about the usual techniques, but about how to manage on-going stress and grief. The book is for caregivers, family members, friends, neighbors as well as educators and professionals—anyone touched by the epidemic of dementia. Dr. Boss helps caregivers find hope in "ambiguous loss"—having a loved one both here and not here, physically present but psychologically absent. Outlines seven guidelines to stay resilient while caring for someone who has dementia Discusses the meaning of relationships with individuals who are cognitively impaired and no longer as they used to be Offers approaches to understand and cope with the emotional strain of care-giving Boss's book builds on research and clinical experience, yet the material is presented as a conversation. She shows you a way to embrace rather than resist the ambiguity in your relationship with someone who has dementia.
In "Yoga: Unlocking the Secrets of Preventive Health and Optimal Living," embark on a transformative journey that reveals the profound impact of yoga on preventive health and overall well-being. This enlightening book delves into the depths of yoga's ancient wisdom, presenting it in a modern context to empower readers with the knowledge and tools to lead a vibrant and balanced life. Through a harmonious blend of traditional yoga principles and contemporary scientific insights, this book unveils the secrets of how yoga can serve as a powerful preventive practice. It explores the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, illustrating how yoga can nurture these aspects and create a solid foundation for lifelong health. Delving into the physical realm, readers will discover a wide range of yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and promote overall physical well-being. The book also offers guidance on aligning the breath, fostering mindfulness, and developing a deep connection to the present moment. The mental and emotional benefits of yoga take center stage as well, with insights into how yoga can alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and cultivate a calm and focused mind. Through mindfulness practices and meditation techniques, readers will uncover the power of self-reflection and inner exploration, unlocking the potential for personal growth and emotional resilience. More than just a physical or mental discipline, yoga is a way of life. This book explores the broader aspects of yoga, such as ethical principles, conscious living, and the integration of yoga philosophy into everyday experiences. By embracing these principles, readers can create a sustainable lifestyle that supports their well-being and fosters harmonious relationships with others and the world around them. With its comprehensive approach, "Yoga: Unlocking the Secrets of Preventive Health and Optimal Living" serves as a valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced practitioners. It offers practical guidance, inspiring insights, and a wealth of knowledge to help readers unlock the transformative potential of yoga and embark on a path towards preventive health, inner balance, and optimal living. Immerse yourself in the profound wisdom of yoga and unleash the power of preventive health with "Yoga: Unlocking the Secrets of Preventive Health and Optimal Living."
In the tradition of Andrew Weil's bestseller Spontaneous Healing, this is a physician's breakthrough medical program for the brain designed to diminish the effect of memory impairment caused by stress, aging, and Alzheimer's disease. As we grow older and experience the stresses of life, at about age 40 many of us begin to have trouble remembering things, concentrating, and generally staying mentally sharp. This book contains a four-part program including nutritional, stress-relieving, pharmacological, and mind-body exercise therapies to help people overcome the undesirable effects of normal brain "aging". By controlling cortisol, a hormone that is toxic to the brain and present in excessive levels as we age, Dr. Khalsa's plan can help improve memory and emotional zest. This is the first book to: Describe a program that may diminish age-associated memory impairment Feature a clinical method that can promote memory functioning impaired by Alzheimer's disease Detail the physical damage done to the brain by stress, how it adversely affects memory and our other mental abilities, and what can be done about it.
The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care is a professional-level textbook with contributions by multiple expert researchers and therapists in the field. This book brings together the science and the practice of yoga therapysupports the emergence of yoga therapy as a credible professioncomprehensively summarizes research findings and their practical implications for professionals who use yoga or refer patients for yoga practiceincludes chapter contributions by leading biomedical researchers of yogareviews the scientific evidence base for yoga for a wide variety of medical conditionsProvides brief contributions by expert yoga therapists describing practical implementation issues relevant to yoga for specific conditions.The editors include three eminent yoga therapy researchers and one renowned practitioner in the field. They have brought together an experienced team of researchers and yoga therapist contributors. Contents: Section 1: Introduction to Yoga and Yoga Therapy 1. Introduction to yoga in health care 2. History, philosophy and practice of yoga 3. History, philosophy and practice of yoga therapy 4. Research on the psychophysiology of yoga Section 2: Mental Health Conditions 5. Yoga therapy for depression 6. Yoga therapy for anxiety 7. Yoga therapy for other mental health conditions Section 3: Musculoskeletal and Neurological Conditions 8. Yoga therapy for back conditions 9. Yoga therapy for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions 10. Yoga therapy for neurological and immune conditions Section 4: Endocrine Conditions 11. Yoga therapy for diabetes 12. Yoga therapy for metabolic syndrome and weight control Section 5: Cardiorespiratory Conditions 13. Yoga therapy for heart disease 14. Yoga therapy for hypertension 15. Yoga therapy for respiratory conditions Section 6: Cancer 16. Yoga therapy during cancer treatment 17. Yoga therapy for cancer survivors Section 7: Special Populations 18. Yoga therapy for pediatrics 19. Yoga therapy for geriatrics 20. Yoga therapy for obstetrics and gynaecology 21. Yoga as prevention and wellness Section 8: Practical and Future Considerations 22. Implementation of yoga therapy 23. Future directions in research and clinical care
Who among us is not affected by issues such as stress, depression, personality and behavioral changes, agitation, hypertension or high cholesterol—to name a few? Did you know that these are some of the cognitive and biological deficiencies that are associated with Alzheimer's? It is estimated that 5.4 million people in the U.S. are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. In its capacity to completely destroy personalities, relationships and daily living, we cannot afford to continue thinking of it as a private disease. Alzheimer's is a family problem—ruthless in its scope and spread. And despite relentless trials and research studies, scientists have not found a drug to control it. Even worse, there isn't even a fully reliable diagnostic test for it. Alzheimer's disease has become a gigantic specter that looms before all of us as we age, and it is advancing unimpeded. Today we know that contributing factors and symptoms (such as stress and hypertension) can be alleviated with holistic, alternate management approaches—like meditation, yoga, music therapy and virtual reality therapy. Research studies from Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University and Mayo Clinic, among many others, have demonstrated the comprehensive benefits of yoga and meditation on various aspects of the human mind—and when you think about it, that's where Alzheimer's disease develops—in the mind. But, how can meditation and yoga stop or even reverse the course of Alzheimer's? They set the mind on an inward journey where the risk factors that precipitate the disease are formed. This bridging of the old and new creates an imperative paradigm shift in our perspective toward Alzheimer's disease management. Why Buddha Never Had Alzheimer's is precisely what is needed to cause a drastic and necessary revolution in medical care.
