BACKGROUND: Although yoga and meditation have been used for stress reduction with reported improvement in inflammation, little is known about the biological mechanisms mediating such effects. The present study examined if a yogic meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral transcription control pathways that shape immune cell gene expression.
METHODS: Forty-five family dementia caregivers were randomized to either Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KKM) or Relaxing Music (RM) listening for 12 min daily for 8 weeks and 39 caregivers completed the study. Genome-wide transcriptional profiles were collected from peripheral blood leukocytes sampled at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Promoter-based bioinformatics analyses tested the hypothesis that observed transcriptional alterations were structured by reduced activity of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors and increased activity of Interferon Response Factors (IRFs; i.e., reversal of patterns previously linked to stress).
RESULTS: In response to KKM treatment, 68 genes were found to be differentially expressed (19 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) after adjusting for potentially confounded differences in sex, illness burden, and BMI. Up-regulated genes included immunoglobulin-related transcripts. Down-regulated transcripts included pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation-related immediate-early genes. Transcript origin analyses identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B lymphocytes as the primary cellular context of these transcriptional alterations (both p<.001). Promoter-based bioinformatic analysis implicated reduced NF-κB signaling and increased activity of IRF1 in structuring those effects (both p<.05).
CONCLUSION: A brief daily yogic meditation intervention may reverse the pattern of increased NF-κB-related transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased IRF1-related transcription of innate antiviral response genes previously observed in healthy individuals confronting a significant life stressor.
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BACKGROUND: Although yoga and meditation have been used for stress reduction with reported improvement in inflammation, little is known about the biological mechanisms mediating such effects. The present study examined if a yogic meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral transcription control pathways that shape immune cell gene expression.METHODS: Forty-five family dementia caregivers were randomized to either Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KKM) or Relaxing Music (RM) listening for 12 min daily for 8 weeks and 39 caregivers completed the study. Genome-wide transcriptional profiles were collected from peripheral blood leukocytes sampled at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Promoter-based bioinformatics analyses tested the hypothesis that observed transcriptional alterations were structured by reduced activity of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors and increased activity of Interferon Response Factors (IRFs; i.e., reversal of patterns previously linked to stress).
RESULTS: In response to KKM treatment, 68 genes were found to be differentially expressed (19 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) after adjusting for potentially confounded differences in sex, illness burden, and BMI. Up-regulated genes included immunoglobulin-related transcripts. Down-regulated transcripts included pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation-related immediate-early genes. Transcript origin analyses identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B lymphocytes as the primary cellular context of these transcriptional alterations (both p<.001). Promoter-based bioinformatic analysis implicated reduced NF-κB signaling and increased activity of IRF1 in structuring those effects (both p<.05).
CONCLUSION: A brief daily yogic meditation intervention may reverse the pattern of increased NF-κB-related transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased IRF1-related transcription of innate antiviral response genes previously observed in healthy individuals confronting a significant life stressor.
Background Many clinical trials have evaluated the oxidative stress reduction and enhancement of antioxidant status following yogic practices, but a review has not been reported earlier. Present study is designed to systematically review the effect of yogic practices on oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Content Using the MEDLINE, EMBASE SCOPEMED, and Indian database electronic searches were performed through August 2016 using the keywords yoga AND oxidative stress OR antioxidant which yielded 97 studies. Selections were made to include only experimental studies written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals and investigating the effects of regular yogic practices on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in these studies. Summary and outlook Search yielded a total of 97 trials, 11 met rigorous criteria for final systematic review. Healthy population showed overall enhancement of antioxidant status and reduced oxidative stress following yogic practices. Diabetic patients showed increased glutathione, vitamin C content and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde content following yogic practices. Prediabetic and hypertensive patients showed reduced malondialdehyde content following yogic practices. Renal disease patients showed decreased protein oxidation, and increased superoxide dismutase activity following yogic practices. Regular yogic practices can improve antioxidants and reduce oxidative stress in healthy, diabetic, prediabetic, hypertensive and renal disease patients. Studies on other disease population have rarely been reported and studies are very few to conclude strongly.
Background Many clinical trials have evaluated the oxidative stress reduction and enhancement of antioxidant status following yogic practices, but a review has not been reported earlier. Present study is designed to systematically review the effect of yogic practices on oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Content Using the MEDLINE, EMBASE SCOPEMED, and Indian database electronic searches were performed through August 2016 using the keywords yoga AND oxidative stress OR antioxidant which yielded 97 studies. Selections were made to include only experimental studies written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals and investigating the effects of regular yogic practices on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in these studies. Summary and outlook Search yielded a total of 97 trials, 11 met rigorous criteria for final systematic review. Healthy population showed overall enhancement of antioxidant status and reduced oxidative stress following yogic practices. Diabetic patients showed increased glutathione, vitamin C content and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde content following yogic practices. Prediabetic and hypertensive patients showed reduced malondialdehyde content following yogic practices. Renal disease patients showed decreased protein oxidation, and increased superoxide dismutase activity following yogic practices. Regular yogic practices can improve antioxidants and reduce oxidative stress in healthy, diabetic, prediabetic, hypertensive and renal disease patients. Studies on other disease population have rarely been reported and studies are very few to conclude strongly.
The book is a complete one of its kind books on Pranayama, an important, yet little known part of Yoga. Breathing exercises are called Pranayamas, which means to control the Prana. Its techniques have been practiced for centuries by ardent students of Yoga in remote ashrams. Pranayama is a very important means for preventing and curing many ailments. By far the most important thing about good breathing is the Prana, or subtle energy of the vital breath. Control of the Prana leads to control of the mind. The aim of this book is to bring the traditional knowledge of this great art to the common man. It is hoped that by reading this book the reader will be well equipped to keep diseases at bay by using the age-old techniques of Pranayama. Pranayama, the control of the breath, essentially entails the modification of our normal process of breathing. This book is an exhaustive look into the art of breathing. It is complete, detailed and technical. Yogic Pranayama is one of the most exhaustive, yet understandable book on breath, the physiology of breath, and the effects of proper breathing on the human organism written. The drawings and diagrams in the book are precise, simple and easy to understand.
It has long been claimed by Yogis and Buddhists that meditation and ancient breath-focused practices, such as pranayama, strengthen our ability to focus on tasks. A new study explains for the first time the neurophysiological link between breathing and attention.
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BACKGROUND: Learning styles has captivated a great deal of attention in yoga teacher training. The triad of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles has been particularly popular; yet as Sharp et al. asserted, such an approach trivializes the complexity of learning and compromises scholarship at all levels of the education community. AIMS: This paper addresses that although there is great merit in recognizing yoga students' differences and preferences, many uses of learning styles in yoga teacher training are superficial and promote self-handicapping. CONCLUSION: A somatic perspective (from soma, the body in its wholeness) offers a framework to reconsider the depth of effective learning.
The Root Verses of the Treasury of Virtues (Yon tan mdzod rtsa ba) is contained in the Collected Works of Künkhyen Jigmé Lingpa (1729/1730-1798), restorer of the Nyingma Dzokchen order descending from Longchen Rapjam Drimé Özer.
<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">The Lamp of the Sun and Moon: A Commentary on the Precious Treasury of Virtue (Yon tan rin po che mdzod kyi ‘grel pa nyi zla’i sgron me) is commentary on Jikmé Lingpa’s Treasury of Virtue (Yon tan mdzod) by a 19th century scholar Yonten Gyatso.</span></span></span></p>
The Charioteer of the Two Truths (Bden gnyis shing rta) is contained in the Collected Works of Künkhyen Jigmé Lingpa (1729/1730-1798), restorer of the Nyingma Dzokchen order descending from Longchen Rapjam Drimé Özer.
The Charioteer of Omniscience (Rnam mkhyen shing rta) is contained in the Collected Works of Künkhyen Jigmé Lingpa (1729/1730-1798), restorer of the Nyingma Dzokchen order descending from Longchen Rapjam Drimé Özer.
<p>This article looks at how the Yüan Dynasty organized Tibetan border areas, and the military efforts that were related to the organization process. (Mark Premo-Hopkins 2004-05-06)</p>
This app reduces stress & anxiety, improves focus, and enhances sleep using daily mindfulness meditations, life coaching, stories, and music. All personalized to the user based on their mood.
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"Pain, suffering, and stress can be intolerable, but it doesn't have to be this way. You Are Not Your Pain reveals a simple set of mindfulness-based practices that you can incorporate into daily life to relieve chronic pain and the suffering and stress of illness. Clinical trials show that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers and enhance the body's natural healing systems. It also significantly reduces the anxiety, stress, depression, irritability, exhaustion, and insomnia that often accompanies chronic pain and illness. Developed by two authors who have themselves struggled with the severe pain of serious injuries, this accessible book reveals the eight-week program that will quickly melt away your suffering. Taking just 10-20 minutes per day, it is a simple yet effective way to soothe some of the most common causes of pain such as back problems, arthritis, and migraine. It is also effective for people undergoing chemotherapy, or suffering from heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, celiac disease, and many other causes of severe and chronic pain. Accompanied by a CD of12 meditations, readers will quickly learn to dissolve suffering by soothing the brain's pain networks. It will help you to live life fully once again"--
"Pain, suffering, and stress can be intolerable, but it doesn't have to be this way. You Are Not Your Pain reveals a simple set of mindfulness-based practices that you can incorporate into daily life to relieve chronic pain and the suffering and stress of illness. Clinical trials show that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers and enhance the body's natural healing systems. It also significantly reduces the anxiety, stress, depression, irritability, exhaustion, and insomnia that often accompanies chronic pain and illness. Developed by two authors who have themselves struggled with the severe pain of serious injuries, this accessible book reveals the eight-week program that will quickly melt away your suffering. Taking just 10-20 minutes per day, it is a simple yet effective way to soothe some of the most common causes of pain such as back problems, arthritis, and migraine. It is also effective for people undergoing chemotherapy, or suffering from heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, celiac disease, and many other causes of severe and chronic pain. Accompanied by a CD of12 meditations, readers will quickly learn to dissolve suffering by soothing the brain's pain networks. It will help you to live life fully once again"--
"Pain, suffering, and stress can be intolerable, but it doesn't have to be this way. You Are Not Your Pain reveals a simple set of mindfulness-based practices that you can incorporate into daily life to relieve chronic pain and the suffering and stress of illness. Clinical trials show that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers and enhance the body's natural healing systems. It also significantly reduces the anxiety, stress, depression, irritability, exhaustion, and insomnia that often accompanies chronic pain and illness. Developed by two authors who have themselves struggled with the severe pain of serious injuries, this accessible book reveals the eight-week program that will quickly melt away your suffering. Taking just 10-20 minutes per day, it is a simple yet effective way to soothe some of the most common causes of pain such as back problems, arthritis, and migraine. It is also effective for people undergoing chemotherapy, or suffering from heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, celiac disease, and many other causes of severe and chronic pain. Accompanied by a CD of12 meditations, readers will quickly learn to dissolve suffering by soothing the brain's pain networks. It will help you to live life fully once again"--
Here’s a revised and updated edition of the most readable book on depression. Folks who are feeling really depressed often don’t feel much like reading, but You Can Beat Depressionis a very reader-friendly self-help guide. This important resource has been recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health D/ART program and the National Mental Health Association. Readers will find all-new information on bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment, along with helpful material on prevention of depression, prevention of relapse after treatment, brief therapy interventions, exercise and other non-medical approaches, the Prozac controversy, and much more. Includes an up-to-date consumer guide to medications. Its comprehensive approach to self-assessment carefully guides readers to figure out when and how they can help themselves, when they need to seek professional treatment, and what to expect along the way.
Here’s a revised and updated edition of the most readable book on depression. Folks who are feeling really depressed often don’t feel much like reading, but You Can Beat Depressionis a very reader-friendly self-help guide. This important resource has been recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health D/ART program and the National Mental Health Association. Readers will find all-new information on bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment, along with helpful material on prevention of depression, prevention of relapse after treatment, brief therapy interventions, exercise and other non-medical approaches, the Prozac controversy, and much more. Includes an up-to-date consumer guide to medications. Its comprehensive approach to self-assessment carefully guides readers to figure out when and how they can help themselves, when they need to seek professional treatment, and what to expect along the way.
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