This article provides information about the type of patients who opt for yoga in improving their health. Additionally, it gives the general characteristics of people who practice yoga as well as their view on the importance of the practice to their health. It also provides data on the number of people in America who inform their doctors about their involvement in the yoga practice. The research results are that most of the individuals who practice yoga are patients with asthma, severe sprains, musculoskeletal conditions as well as those with mental health problems. Others include chronic obstructive lung disease and hypertension patients. In this study, 61% were of the opinion that yoga is essential in improving as well as maintaining the well-being of the body. This article contributes to the CAM field in that it provides information on some of the diseases, which can be addressed using an alternative method-yoga other than the conventional method of treatment.
It provides most of the theory that patients need to understand as far as effective practice is concerned. In line with this, it gives the guidelines of the several yoga postures that patient(s) need to assume during yoga sessions. Additionally, it provides the history of the practice as well as the changes that it has undergone over time. The article is important in CAM field as it acts as a guideline to not only the patients but also medical practitioners during yoga sessions. It also increases one’s appreciation of the practice as far as its history is concerned.
It explains the three different disciplines of yoga in treating eating disorders, which include neuroscience, sociology and the spiritual texts on the practice. It also explains the healing effect of some conditions associated with eating disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and OCD brought about by yogic practices. It gives a detailed explanation of ‘mindful’ yoga. It also explains the primary role of ‘mindful’ yoga practices: improving one’s awareness on the different patterns of his/her mind. Additionally, it explains the psychological processes that result to the alleviation of eating disorders. It explains the biological processes associated with yoga in the clinical field. The fact that this article details information about yoga practice in addressing eating disorders contributes a lot to the CAM field.
It investigates both the positive and negative effects of Yoga Therapy Program (YTP) on the symptoms and quality of life in adults with schizophrenia. The study was carried out on a state facility that dealt with huge numbers of schizophrenic patients. It included eighteen patients who went through an eight-week YTP, which entailed most of the yoga postures, breathing exercises as well as relaxation that form a major part of yoga practice. The patients portrayed significant improvements not only on the positive but also on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Other improvements were portrayed in the psychopathology and the quality of life of the patients who went through the program as opposed to those who did not. The study also focuses on the effect of yoga practice on certain disorders associated with schizophrenia such as insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular disorders. The outcome is that yoga practice significantly improved the clinical outcomes of such disorders as well as their management. This article proves that yoga is an alternative form of medication patients with schizophrenia thus of great importance to the CAM field.
It incorporates the results of the findings of an online research carried out to establish the therapeutic effects of yoga practice on different types of ailments and conditions. The research entailed the used of peer reviewed journals published between 1990 and 2009 as the source of information. Results show that yogic practices have a positive impact on the health of patients. It increases muscular strength thus enhancing proper body flexibility. Yogic practices not only promote but also improve both the respiratory and cardiovascular functions of the body. Furthermore, yoga promotes recovery from and treatment of addiction. Other beneficial attributes of yogic practices, according to this article, are that they enhance the reduction of chronic pain, stress, depression and anxiety. It also provides information about the origin of the practice. Following the description of the article, it is evident that it contributes a lot to the CAM field.
References
Birdee, G.S., Legedza, A.T., Saper, R.B., Bertisch, S.M., Eisenberg, D.M., & Phillips, R.S. (2008). Characteristics of Yoga Users: Results of a National Survey. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(10), 1653-1658.
Buhnamann, G. (2011). The Saradatilakatandra on Yoga: A New Edition and Translation of Chapter 25. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 74(2), 205-235.
Douglas, L. (2011). Thinking through the Body: The Conceptualization of Yoga As Therapy for Individuals with Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders, 19(1), 83-96.
Visceglia, E., & Lewis, S. (2011). Yoga Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(7), 601-607.
Woodyard, C. (2010). Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Yoga and its Ability the Increase the Quality of life. International Journal of Yoga, 4(2), 49.