The Therapeutic Benefits Of Yoga And Mindfulness Meditation

Over the past century, physical activity has been on the rapid decline. Developed countries no longer rely on movement to work and survive. America especially has spent less and less time being physically active. In the present day, the average American can perform most necessary tasks from behind a desk or on a couch. There is no need for exercise or excessive body movements. However, despite the decrease in physical activity, there is a simple solution by encouraging physical activity through the use of technology. Technology is a method which provides a way for physical activity to be fun and competitive. It increases the ease and desire to work out and stay in shape. Although it is a double-edged sword that can be used both to inspire and minimize physical activity, I believe that technology encourages physical activity by providing competition, ease, and entertaining approaches to exercise.

Would you spare 20 minutes of your day if it helped you sleep better, stay healthier, be more focused, and work better? Then maybe it’s time to get your yoga on!

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

Living a healthy lifestyle is a goal many individuals have and that could either be eating vigorous nutritious meals or being active outside in the world, going to the gym for instance. The condition of being physically fit and healthy is what fitness is. Not many people realize the importance of it until they can’t fit in their own jeans. Many individuals argue that there isn’t enough time for the gym or that there is no point in going because it can cause injury, but in reality, it’s all worth it after you realize the outcomes of working out and eating healthy. There is always time to make your life fit and healthier. In order to join this discourse community, a person must learn the typical ways people in that community interact and argue. I will demonstrate that I have entered this discourse community of fitness by obtaining necessary knowledge, establishing strong credibility, and learning to influence other members of the community to strive for more.

Holistic Medicine, commonly referred to as “Alternative Medicine”, is a vast and rapidly growing new scientific field. It is derived mainly from ancient, traditional methods of healing that have often been practiced in the East for centuries. These include a variety of techniques from herbal healing to acupuncture to homeopathy to energy channeling. Due to the large number of methods that are covered by the term, there are various definitions of Holistic Medicine. However, all literature seems to agree that Alternative Medicine, is exactly what the name suggests: an ‘alternative’ approach to healing and medicine. It is a more personal move toward health care, which attempts to connect the mind, body and spirit.

“Today, it is common knowledge that exercise is the equivalent of a drug that prevents and treats cardiovascular disease (1).” Therefore, it is essential that individuals strive to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. In today’s society, the end goal of exercise is often physical attractiveness rather than bodily health. The media is oversaturated with unrealistic ideals that push people to work towards dangerously low body weights. These ideals, however can only offer temporary satisfaction. The process of aging occurs in all individuals, regardless of fitness level. Physical attractiveness

Many find it interesting how the media portrays exercising and dieting. America’s concern about obesity has shocked many organizations, programs, and citizens to take demand. Most seems to know how to take action, for example, they know to monitor calorie intake and exercise daily. However, these ideas have been slower to reinforce. The print media have a big part in this because the consumers read about the actions taken by models and they try to also reinforce those things but, it does not give the consumers the results they hope for, so there is often lost hope. Many think that because the text states that physical activity is the same as working out. Physical Activity is defined as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure.” Exercising is defined as “physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier.” Colleagues at The National Academies stated that there has been an overall decrease in physical activity during the past half century in the United States.

Previously discussed was a study centered on professionals using yoga as a technique for improving relationships with their patients, but this study emphasizes the importance of having compassion for yourself. In Newsome et. al (2012) study, thirty-one college students about to enter helping professions, including counseling, nursing, teaching, etc., attended a 6 week long mindfulness group which included mindful yoga. This research showed that after 6 weeks, the students' perceived stress levels had decreased and their mindfulness and self-compassion significantly increased. After the intervention, participants' feelings and thoughts pertaining to the impact of mindful yoga were recorded. One student claimed, "I am beginning to have more

been taking much place in people’s lives. Physical activity is an action which requires an

In “Fitness Culture: A Growing Trend in America” Sheila McClain succinctly describes the rapid growth of exercise as a part of American culture. McClain states that “Fitness club membership, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), jumped from 20 million in 1991 to over 40 million in 2006” (418). The author uses this statistic, in quick succession with many others, to emphasize the empirical evidence supporting her claim; fitness culture is growing. McClain then begins by emphasizing many of the points with which we are already familiar, summarily: diet and exercise lead to longevity and health. She then piques curiosity in her question that states that everyone knows why they should exercise, and then leads her readers to the

Dating all the way back to ancient Buddhist and Yogi practices, Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) has been implemented to treat anxiety and mood based disorders (Hofmann, 2010). Mindfulness is a process that leads a specific mental state where there is a nonjudgmental awareness of what is going inside and outside of the person who is having the experience (Hofmann, 2010). Anxiety is a mental disorder that keeps a person in a constant state of worry, nervousness, and unease. This disorder can cause many disruptions in a person’s life like being unable to properly communication with another person. Alternatively, anxiety can be as extreme as being afraid to leave the house for months at a time. The purpose of this study would be to create a theory

With the level of activity rising, a number health benefits due to sports also rise. If students participate in sixty minutes of “moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day”, they will lower the risk of obesity. According to the Australian government, “... [A]bout 40% of teens who didn’t play sports were overweight or obese compared with 20% of teens who played… sports…” (“Sport and Children”).Youth engaged in sports are less likely to have unwanted teen pregnancies and become a victim to suicide or sexual harassment (“Psychological and Social Benefits of Playing True Sport”). The cardiovascular system is strengthened while the body is receiving a cardio workout due to the sports activity. Because their heart is strengthened,

General recommendations are now widely accepted as to the general advantages of exercise in terms of physical health, such as its ability to prevent weight gain, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis.14 It appears that health promotion schemes have shied away from extolling exercise’s psychological benefits. After all, there is no government campaign, no public policy initiative, which pontificates exercise on account of a concern for mental wellbeing. Although many people would identify that exercise has a positive influence on mood state, it appears that, generally speaking, this is regarded as a positive correlation, rather than a causal relationship. The ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ concept is thus, for many, a heuristic utopia, rather than a scientifically proven

Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with their environment. This is a simple definition.

These therapies have proved to be of much benefit in supporting the normal healing course of the body. Even though there are many modern alternative remedies, with different beliefs, all of them operate under some common principles. One of these principles is that the body has the capacity to heal naturally and maintain stability (Paquette, 2000). The other one is that adverse health conditions can occur as a result of factors emanating from mind, emotions and the body. Alternative medicine, according to Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, (2002), focuses on determining the chief cause of a particular condition, and dealing with the whole person rather that concentrating on symptoms. If a person pays close attention to his/her health he/she can contribute to his/her wellbeing. Alternative medicine holds firmly to the principle that one treatment cannot be used for all people even though they may be suffering from the same condition. Each and every person as per alternative medicine has distinct bodily, mind and spiritual make up (Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, 2002).