Those who practice yoga are quick to praise this ancient art’s ability to increase flexibility and relieve stress. New research now suggests that yoga may also be an effective pain management technique.

Living with chronic pain can be the cause of constant discomfort, rob you of your strength reserves and create feelings of depression and anxiety. Yoga techniques may minimize pain, medication usage and help you build a fuller and happier life.

The best Yoga techniques for pain management are breathing, relaxation and meditation. These three act to distract your mind from the pain, reduce the sress, allowing you to “move through” the pain, lessening it’s full impact.

Relaxation can be mental or physical. Physical relaxation simply means reducing muscle tension. It can reduce both acute and chronic pain. Chronic pain often responds better to mental relaxtation techniques such as meditation. Meditation is the conscience effort to reduce your mind’s “chatter” and to concentrate on “not thinking”.

Yoga is beleived to reduce pain by assisting the areas of the brain which respond to pain. The spinal cord also has a gate controlling pain mechanism which Yoga is beleived to influence. Like other forms of physical activity, Yoga increases the production of natural painkilling substances called endorphins. Finally, breathing exercises promote an increased exhalation time which is associated with a natural biological pain killing mechanism.

If you live with chronic pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Today, Yoga is a wide spread fitness practice. The breathing, relaxation and meditation exercises can furthur aid in pain reduction. Regular yoga practice allows you to build a foundation of internal strength by opening a window to a part of yourself that is not dictated by the demands of the physical body. This detachment can lead to a reduction in pain.

Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and the President of The International Fitness Academy, For more cutting edge health and fintess news go to www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com

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You probably know that a deeper and more relaxed sleep will make you feel better the next day and you will be more alert. But have you considered using meditation to help you to fall asleep more quickly and let you sleep more soundly through the night? Meditation relaxes the mind and the body, helping you to fall asleep sooner.

A lot of people, for a variety of reasons, may try taking numerous different pills. However, you should know that with sleeping pills, you run the risk of interrupted sleep and daytime drowsiness. If you decide to use meditation instead of medication, it takes practice to learn the techniques that work for your body in particular, so be patient.

There are several ways you can meditate – listening to music or in silence, burning candles, sitting calmly and allowing your mind to drift, or by the more concentrated practice of yoga meditation. Meditation relieves tension and eases anxiety, which will lead to a more restful and refreshing sleep.

There are several tips to help you reach better results with your meditation. You could try utilizing techniques such as a mantra, which is a positive phrase repeated aloud or in your mind, listening to relaxing CDs, or focusing on deep breathing exercises. When negative thoughts creep into your head and interrupt your meditation, try sweeping them away, making room for positive thoughts.

You can more easily practice meditation techniques when you create an atmosphere that enables you to focus and shut out distractions. Try the following tips.

1. Find a location that’s quiet and where you’re not likely to be interrupted. It could be a secluded room in your home or an isolated nook in the park. Eliminate disturbances such as the TV, phone and similar irritations.

2. Make yourself comfortable. Sit in a position in which you feel relaxed. You can use cushions or pillows if you prefer. Take off your shoes and make sure you are in light, easy flowing clothing instead of something binding and uncomfortable.

3. Now relax. Shut your eyes and allow your thoughts to wander. Picture a calming scene such as a meadow of grazing sheep or a quiet pond to help you concentrate.

4. Take a deep breath. Inhale deeply and rhythmically, while concentrating on the air being drawn in and exiting your body with each breath. Stress relief and increasing your oxygen levels can be achieved by these deep breathing techniques.

Meditation right before bed can improve your sleep patterns and help you to get a good night’s sleep. Even just 10 to 15 minutes per day will help you relax and sleep better.

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Keira Adams is passionate about women’s wellness, and often writes about meditation techniques. If you want to know more about this calming practice, visit Meditation-Info at www.meditation-info.com.

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Why are doctors referring their patients, who have chronic back pain, to Yoga classes? How many studies have been conducted on back pain and Yoga? Is Yoga a “cure all” for back pain? What kind of Yoga class is best for back pain? Let’s look at all of these issues and see if we can clear up some answers.

It is conservatively estimated that more than half of the world adult population suffers from some sort of back pain. Yoga, for back pain, is the most popular subject that teacher interns write about at our Yoga teacher training center.

However, this does not explain why so many doctors, within the United States, refer their patients to Yoga studios as an additional alternative to medication and physical therapy. The truth is, that within the U.S., there have been very few studies, and I only know of one in particular, which was the Group Health Cooperative study, which recently took place in Seattle, Washington.

Therefore, one study is not the answer; especially one study which just happened. The truth is, most of the studies on back pain and Yoga, as a form of therapy, are taking place in India. So, why does your family doctor, chiropractor, or orthopedic doctor, take a leap of faith outside the view of traditional western medicine? To put it simply, doctors read and continually educate themselves. They do not look down the narrow path of medicine that is laid down by bureaucracy.

Yoga is relatively inexpensive, in comparison to prescription medicines, so why bother to do a study? In comparison to the joint ventures, and potential profits involved in pharmaceutical studies, Yoga can’t promise a “big pay day.” Yet, the fact that physicians, within the United States, are willing to “look outside the box” for answers, speaks volumes in regard to their integrity. Doctors are often accused of being too quick to prescribe medicines, but the public often demands quick and effortless solutions in regard to health care.

Is Yoga really a “cure all” for back pain? In short, the answer is “no.” How can I say that? Nothing is a cure all for back pain, but Yoga helps most of the students I work with. No prescription can claim 100% patient satisfaction either. Odds are that most people, with pre-existing back pain, who take up Yoga classes for relief, will reduce the number of pain killers needed. This fact has been stated by my Yoga students over the years.

If you have pre-existing back pain, which style of Yoga should you seek out? Regardless of style, you may want to observe a Yoga class before trying it. You should seek out a gentle style, and you should talk to your prospective Yoga teacher ahead of time.

Stay away from vigorous Yoga classes. I would advise against taking part in my Vinyasa Yoga class, but I would welcome you with open arms in my Restorative Yoga class. Why do I say this? Yoga styles, class formats, lesson plans, and teachers differ.

My suggestion is that you get a private session first, and your Yoga teacher will work with you “first hand.” If possible, get a referral from your doctor, or from a friend, who practices Yoga. This will help you avoid the guessing process.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher. www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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