Articles Therapy
How Yoga Works With Modern Medicine: Medical Yoga Therapy
Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.
But what about conventional medicine?
Can general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?
The correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!
Turns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, and a medicine. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.
One of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!
What is medical yoga therapy?
According to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.”
Yoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.
The physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.
Studies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.
Medical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.
Yoga as a prescription
Yoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances.
It helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.
This is huge in the world of modern medicine!
Medical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.
Yoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first.
However, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring!
This would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!
While we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.
How medical yoga therapy works
The question many people ask about all of this is “how.”
How can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?!
First, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:
- Diabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.
- Hypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.
- Heart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference.
- Arthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.
There are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.
On top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally anyone can do!
We know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.
Yoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Throughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.
When one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs.
Here are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:
- Increased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.
- Increased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep
- Increased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.
- Increased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.
Yoga means better health. Better immunity.
There are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.
The science is there. Yoga can actually save lives.
Yoga and aging
We thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.
According to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?
We thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.
This process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.
Pretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!
Here at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.
If you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to grab your free 2-week trial here and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust.
We can’t wait to see you on the mat!
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{"slug":"yoga-as-medicine","recentPosts":[{"id":"cl58ufiqh4nw70cipth71e2fv","slug":"kundalini-yoga-for-breaking-bad-habits","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"How Kundalini Yoga Helps You Break Bad Habits for Good","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Kundalini yoga specifically helps strengthen intuition and willpower. Several of our expert and experienced yoga teachers at MyYogaTeacher focus specifically on teaching kundalini yoga! Learn more here.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Kundalini yoga specifically helps strengthen intuition and willpower. Several of our expert and experienced yoga teachers at MyYogaTeacher focus specifically on teaching kundalini yoga! Learn more here.\n","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-07-06T00:09:59.700384+00:00","coverUrl":"aqhpng8xmxojrvkucffv.jpg","content":{"text":"You have the power to break bad habits. Whether you feel like you do or not, you have the power inside you to make \\nany\\n changes you want in yourself!\\nWillpower is the main source of drive for most people trying to break bad habits.\\nUnfortunately, for most of us, the strength of our willpower ebbs and flows with the ups and downs in our lives! A bad day may lead to emotional eating. A stressful situation may lead to resuming something like smoking. Celebratory occasions may prompt someone who is trying to quit drinking to have “just one drink.” \\nYou’re not weak when you “fall off the wagon” from breaking whatever bad habit you’ve been working on breaking. You’re \\nnormal\\n.\\nThe secret of breaking bad habits is to be able to control your physical, mental, and emotional self no matter the ebbs and flows of life. So that the willpower you rely on to help you break bad habits is more stable and not subject to change on a whim.\\nYoga helps you break bad habits for sure! You certainly have more control over your emotions, better self awareness, a healthier mindset, and more harmony in your life. However, kundalini yoga specifically helps strengthen intuition and willpower.\\nSeveral of our expert and experienced yoga teachers at MyYogaTeacher focus specifically on teaching kundalini yoga! They understand that many people struggle with breaking bad habits and creating positive changes in their lives that last and want to help their students do just that.\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nLet’s talk about how kundalini yoga will help you break bad habits now and in the future (and permanently)\\n\\n\\nKundalini yoga and meditation focuses on repetitive behaviors\\nIn the physical aspect of a kundalini yoga practice, you’ll not only repeat asanas, but you’ll also hold poses for longer periods of time. Sometimes even up to five minutes!\\nDeveloping the mental and physical fortitude that is required to repeat poses in a structured flow on a regular basis is an excellent way to teach yourself how to kick bad habits and replace them with healthier ones.\\nBy committing to these repetitive movements, you are training your mind and entire nervous system to resist the temptation to give up. This is an important aspect to breaking bad habits and building new ones.\\nRemember, breaking a bad habit isn’t just about ending a cycle of negative repetitive behaviors. It’s also about \\ncreating a cycle of positive ones\\n!\\nAdditionally, there is always a meditative aspect to any traditional kundalini yoga practice, where you will learn chants, repeat chants, and learn breathing techniques you’ll use in times of stress, emotional upheaval, and/or when you’re feeling tempted to cave to whatever habit you’re trying to break.\\nWhich leads us to…\\n\n\\n\\nKundalini yoga improves your mood\\nHave you ever noticed if you’re going to give into temptation, \\nmost of the time\\n, it’s when you’re sad, mad, anxious, depressed, or stressed? Yes, of course we cave at celebrations too or at events when we’re happy. \\nBut we are certainly more inclined to stick to our guns when we’re in a good mood, feeling good about ourselves, or feeling accomplished.\\nA regular kundalini yoga practice entails a very spiritual (not religious) meditation and includes several different types of breathwork. Both of these aspects of yoga have been proven by scientific research to reduce stress and improve, or even eliminate, feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, and frustration. The reduction of negative emotions and the improvement of mental and emotional health are part of what makes kundalini yoga perfect for helping people stop bad habits for good!\\n\n\\n\\nKundalini yoga requires physical and mental strength\\nWhen you think about ending bad habits for good, maybe doing something that you \\nknow\\n requires significant effort to help you do so isn’t the first thing you think about. Because why take something hard like breaking a bad habit and make it harder, right?\\nWrong.\\nPart of the reason people struggle with permanently changing their habits is because they haven’t “exercised” the part of themselves that are needed to make the change for good. You don’t make physical changes without changing your diet or physical activity levels. And those changes aren’t maintained if you quit doing the things you did to make the change to begin with.\\nIt is the same for breaking bad habits! Kundalini yoga and meditation is a tool to keep your physical, mental, and emotional health strong so that you are more easily able to not just break \\none\\n bad habit, but any that you want to. \\nKundalini yoga requires you to use physical and mental strength and helps you maintain and grow in the areas you need to grow so you can create permanent positive changes in your life.\\n\n\\n\\n\nMany find kundalini yoga and meditation challenging, but they also walk away from their practice enlightened, strengthened, more relaxed, and prepared to live presently and positively in their life.\\nAt MyYogaTeacher, there are many amazing and experienced yoga instructors who work with yogis every single day on how to break bad habits. Many are experts in kundalini yoga and meditation and guide MyYogaTeacher students in this very special type of practice.\\nIf you’re interested in how to strengthen your physical, mental, and emotional fortitude so you are equipped to create permanent change in your life, I encourage you to grab your 2-week free trial of MyYogaTeacher! No credit card required.\\nWe offer 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\n"},"category":["anxiety","emotional_health","meditation","yoga"]},{"id":"cl503a57qk0o30ak2py18a0gb","slug":"yoga-for-healing-during-conflict","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Using Yoga for Healing in Times of Conflict","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"When we are in times of conflict, we hurt physically, emotionally and mentally. Find healing through yoga.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"When we are in times of conflict, we hurt physically, emotionally and mentally. Find healing through yoga.","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-06-29T21:07:49.859986+00:00","coverUrl":"jemyfna9t5qd5osx8r2n.jpg","content":{"text":"With the US government’s reversal of Roe vs. Wade, women worldwide are hurting. The United States has now entered a community of 24 other countries around the world that completely prohibits abortion. Whether you agree with this decision or not, is not the purpose of this article. \\nMyYogaTeacher strives to be sensitive to the needs of yogis everywhere, but particularly during times of conflict.\\nWhether you are rejoicing in the US government’s bold decision or you are mourning, there is still conflict. Conflict between government and citizens. Conflict between religions. Conflict between friends and family members who have differing views.\\nSo much conflict.\\nWe are here to help you heal in your time of need! Yoga has been used for centuries, millenia even, to heal physical, mental, and emotional wounds. \\nAnd \\nthis\\n is the purpose of this article. To guide you in all the ways yoga can heal during times of conflict.\\nIf you are not a MyYogaTeacher member yet, we encourage you take advantage of your free two-week trial. No credit cards needed.\\nAt MyYogaTeacher, we have members from all walks of life, religions, and all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities! MyYogaTeacher offers 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\nIn the meantime, let us talk about how yoga provides the healing that so many people worldwide need, especially now.\\n\\n\\nYoga opens space for healing\\nAmidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we tend to swallow our emotions. We set them aside to deal with later (or not) so that we can function the way we need to on a day to day basis. Until there’s a better time and place to process those emotions. Except so often, that better time and place never arises.\\nThrough a consistent yoga practice, you have time to give yourself permission to feel, to process, to meditate on that which causes you strife. Yoga gives you time to make space for that.\\nMeditation is a huge part of yoga, even if you only participate in the physical practice of yoga. Every yoga session \\nis\\n a form of meditation.\\nThrough meditation and breath work, our bodies naturally release tension, stress, and anxiety. Our mind is made clearer and our thoughts more reflective.\\nOur body releases hormones that make us feel better, happier, more peaceful. Our muscles relax, releasing us from physical pain and tension.\\nAnd we are allowed to feel all the feelings. That is the beginning of healing.\\n\\n\nYoga grounds us\\nWhen conflicts arise and life is stressful, it is so easy to lose touch with reality. Suddenly, a situation seems more terrible and scary than it is. We begin to focus more on the negative aspects of our lives.\\nWe detach further and further from the good in the world.\\nThere is a saying. If you look for the negative, you’ll find it. It’s everywhere. The same is true for the positive.\\nPracticing yoga grounds us. It helps us not only see the good in ourselves but also others. Yoga helps us change our focus and be present in the moment. From there, we can more easily see that not every moment is bad. Not every moment is full of conflict, stress, strife. \\nFocusing inward through yoga helps us live our best lives and be our best selves in each individual moment. That’s not only healing for us, but us being present and grounded heals others!\\n\\n\nYoga and meditation help us connect\\nStudies have shown that human connection and connection to nature both provide internal \\nand\\n external healing. Every time you enjoy nature or spend quality time with the humans in your life that you care about and love, you are healing your body mentally, emotionally, and physically!\\nWhile yoga and meditation is a very individual, unique experience for each yogi because you discover (or rediscover) your connection to self, yoga provides human connection as well.\\nAnd if you practice outside, you are also connected to nature!\\nOften, during conflict, our instinct is to retreat. To hide away or “sweep it under the carpet.” This is not healthy and only leads to a deeper dive into reclusivity, anger, resentment, and hatred. Those are heavy emotions to carry around and only prove to hurt us.\\nA regular yoga and meditation practice not only helps us stay connected to our highest self, it connects us to others. From your yoga instructor, to other yogis in your class, to friends and family, yoga is a way to help us stay connected, work through conflict, and heal.\\n\\nAny time we are hurting, we are never in a place to help others. We are not in a place to create change in ourselves or the world if we do not make time to heal ourselves in healthy ways. When we respond out of fear, anger, resentment, and/or hatred, we are inviting more of the same. More darkness.\\nTrue yoga, beyond just a healthy body, helps us to build a world based on love and compassion\\n - not dominance, force and fear.\\nTrue yoga evokes change in ways we need individually and in the world.\\nIf you are looking for healing or need a respite from the darkness of the world, or you just need a space to \\nhold\\n space for the processing of emotions, MyYogaTeacher is here for you.\\nOur expert yoga teachers aren’t just teachers. They’re friends. And we all truly care about you!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert, highly qualified yoga instructors\\n to choose from\\nThe \\nability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to \\nunlimited group classes, taught live\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of \\na HUGE community of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here!\\n\\n\\n"},"category":["emotional_health","mental_health"]},{"id":"cl4snbs3ynles0ek252yy7qod","slug":"yoga-for-sleep","author":{"name":"Bodhi","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga for Sleep: How Yoga Helps You Get Your Zzzzz’s","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Do you struggle with insomnia? Falling or staying asleep? Snoring? Check out how yoga helps you sleep better in this article on yoga for sleep!","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Do you struggle with insomnia? Falling or staying asleep? Snoring? Check out how yoga helps you sleep better in this article on yoga for sleep!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-06-24T16:06:49.075383+00:00","coverUrl":"vb9kfvbm9y53vmbu6cw0.jpg","content":{"text":"There is a lot of controversy on how much sleep the human body needs to survive and thrive. Short 4-hour bursts or a full 8 hours? Are cat naps ok? What about sleeping 10 or even 12 hours?\\nWe’re not here to tell you how much sleep you should get, but we \\nare\\n here to provide you with natural solutions for insomnia and to tell you how to obtain a truly restful, restorative sleep.\\nStudies show that yoga improves sleep in several ways, which we’ll talk about shortly. But first…\\nHi, I’m Bodhi! One of the yoga instructors here at MyYogaTeacher. Not only do I have over 500 hours of teacher training, I also have a Masters of Science in yoga and consciousness. And I truly believe in the power of yoga to improve sleep quality and the amount of sleep you get. \\nSleep is therapeutic and helps the body heal in so many ways! That’s why I love teaching yoga classes and workshops that help you get your zzzzz’s!\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nHow does yoga impact your sleep?\\n\\n\nDo you snore?\\nMany people struggle with snoring and sleep apnea, which interferes with sound sleep. When you snore, your body is not receiving the same amount of oxygen it does when you are breathing normally, sometimes because the airway is obstructed by the relaxation of the tongue but there are other reasons too. \\nSnoring is often attributed to weak respiratory muscles and narrowed airway passages. It can also be caused by too much pressure being placed on the vagus nerve if you are overweight or have a larger than average neck circumference. \\nYogic breathing exercises improve sleep by strengthening the muscles used to breathe. Yoga classes for sleep are often focused on breathwork, stretching and lengthening the muscles of the neck and chest, and opening up the airway passages.\\nIn return you may not only snore less (or not snore at all), but your body is receiving more oxygen, increasing your oxygen saturation, and improving sleep quality two fold!\\n\\n\\nDo you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep?\\nThe two main reasons people struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep are:\\nLack of movement or exercise throughout their day\\nMental, emotional, physical stress or anxiety \\nFrequent movement and regular exercise are an important part of healthy sleep patterns. If you are sedentary a large portion of the day and do not take the time to move your body, you may struggle with falling and staying asleep.\\nWhen this happens, many people seek out natural and prescribed remedies for their sleep disturbances.\\nHowever, a regular yoga practice improves sleep quality more holistically and naturally than any supplements or prescribed medications! Not only are you able to get your daily dose of exercise during a yoga session, your muscles are stretched and tension is released physically, mentally, and emotionally.\\nHere are just some of the ways yoga helps to release tension so you can get the sleep you need:\\nReduces pain in back, shoulders, and joints\\nReleases negative thoughts and emotions\\nCalms mind \\nRelaxes muscles \\nReleases hormones that calm body physiologically\\n\\n\\n\\nDoes your body release enough melatonin?\\nTaking a melatonin supplement is a common way people combat insomnia. But did you know that one melatonin supplement contains more melatonin than your body makes naturally? Even the lowest dose.\\nYoga improves sleep health through the cultivation of mindfulness. Whether you’re practicing mindfulness meditation or are developing mindfulness through the physical practice of yoga, more mindfulness means more melatonin!\\nWith the release of more melatonin, you can fall asleep more easily and naturally.\\n\\nTips on how to use yoga to sleep better\\nKnowing, now, that yoga improves sleep quality and quantity, you might be wondering where to start and what types of yoga to try for optimal sleep! I’ve got you!\\nFollow these tips for the best results:\\nDon’t practice yoga in your bedroom. Your brain should always associate your bedroom with sleep, not exercise or electronic devices.\\nHave a designated, quiet space for your evening yoga practice.\\nKeep all props you need for your practice close by, within arm’s reach.\\nWear comfortable clothing.\\nMake yoga for sleep the last thing you do before going to bed.\\nTry these best types of yoga for sleep: Yoga nidra, yin yoga, hatha yoga, or restorative yoga\\n\\nNeed more guidance? Many of our yoga teachers here at MyYogaTeacher are experts in teaching yoga for better sleep! We can definitely help you get your zzzzz’s!\\nAt MyYogaTeacher, we have members from all walks of life, religions, and all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities! MyYogaTeacher offers 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\n"},"category":["restorative"]},{"id":"cl48g8ef9083o0ck0tphsfrs3","slug":"yoga-for-core-strength","author":{"name":"Anuj","teacherMytSlug":"","pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga for Your Core and Why a Strong Core is So Important","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Do you think your core is just your abdominal muscles? Why is your core SO important anyway? Check out here!","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Do you think your core is just your abdominal muscles? Why is your core so important anyway? Check out here!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-06-10T12:52:50.55803+00:00","coverUrl":"gquggawfs651sixtg92d.jpg","content":{"text":"Most of the time, when we hear the word “core,” we think of our abdominal muscles. And those muscles certainly are a part of your core.\\nIn yoga, when we talk about our core, it is similar to talking about the core of an apple or the inside of a tree trunk. The flesh of the apple or the bark of the tree need to be strong, yes. But it is not those that will hold the apple or the tree together.\\nYour core is the abdominal muscles, and all the muscles closest to your organs that hold your torso (and body) upright and keep you stable, strong, and aligned.\\nThis is why most of our teachers here at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n will incorporate poses into each class that are designed to strengthen your core. I am a firm believer in the power of your core to improve posture, breathing, spine health, and even confidence! That’s why I started the \\nYoga for Core and Muscle Strengthening class on MyYogaTeacher\\n.\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nLet’s look at some common yoga poses for your core that you’ll encounter in my class and many other types of yoga class!\\n\\n\\n\\n1. Boat pose\\nAs you can see in the picture, boat pose works upper, lower, and oblique abdominal muscles! It’s a toughie but has lots of modifications for those who aren’t ready for full fledged boat pose. What you \\ndon’t\\n see is that boat pose also strengthens your upper and lower back, your inner thighs, and your arms!\\n\\n\n2. Plank pose\\nMany of you will be familiar with plank pose from yoga and/or other forms of exercise! Plank pose is practiced \\na lot\\n in \\nyoga\\n, particularly in the Sun Salutation series. But it’s also used as a transitional move when going from standing poses to floor poses. \\nI don’t know if there’s a part of your body that plank \\ndoesn’t\\n strengthen! Clearly, your abdominal muscles will be engaged, but you’ll be squeezing almost every other muscle as well: glutes, thighs, back, and obviously your arms will be supporting a lot of your weight.\\n\n\\n\\n\\n3. Side plank pose\\nSide plank is not one you’ll encounter in every yoga session. It will be one you practice when you’re focusing on balance postures or in core yoga sessions – and maybe one you experience in a deliberately challenging yoga class.\\nStill. Visually, you know that plank pose works your obliques (yes, those love handles many complain about!). Internally, you’re also strengthening your arms, shoulders, inner thighs, upper and lower abdominal muscles, and your back. \\nDo you see the theme here? Your core comprises a lot of different muscles that support your body! Of note, you also have internal \\nand\\n \\nexternal\\n abdominal muscles. You even have transverse abdominal muscles. \\nAll of these types of ab muscles work together to support your skeletal system, organs, and weight.\\n\\nNow…moving on!\\n\n\\n\\n\\n4. High lunge\\nDon’t discount this pose as one just for your legs! Because your back foot is not planted on the ground, there is a lot of balance required for this posture. Any time we have a yoga poses that requires balance, we almost automatically engage our core. Why?\\nYour body knows what it needs to remain stable and upright! You just may not always be aware of it. In high lunge, you’ll want to focus on engaging your core even though your body will do a lot of that for you automatically. You can consciously engage even more to stabilize you in this posture.\\nOnce again, you’ll be working internal and external abdominal muscles along with many other muscles!\\n\n\\n\\n\\n5. Down dog splits\\nThink this pose is mostly focused on your arms and glutes? Think again!\\nIf you don’t have semi-strong abdominal muscles, this pose will be particularly challenging for you. In a good way!\\nWhether your core is strong or not, though, this yoga pose works your core in ways other poses might not. Down dog splits work the deepest of your abdominal muscles almost exclusively, the transverse abdominis. \\n\nIf you are familiar with any or all of these poses, I invite you to practice them regularly to develop or maintain a really strong core! If you need \\nmore core\\n (ha ha get it?), or you’re unfamiliar with these core yoga exercises, I’d love to have you join me in the \\nYoga for Core and Muscle Strengthening class at MyYogaTeacher!\\n\\nWe offer 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\n"},"category":["fitness"]},{"id":"cl469gwqveebx0bk2bobg395k","slug":"common-sanskrit-yoga-words","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"18 Common Sanskrit Words to Know Before Your First Yoga Class","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":"Ever wondered what your yoga teacher is saying but don't want to ask? Discover common yoga words and what they mean here!","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-06-09T00:07:57.890522+00:00","coverUrl":"so7zp7thknpvd3b7mtd1.jpg","content":{"text":"Whether you’re a new yogi or you’ve been practicing for a while, there’s bound to be words you’ve heard in a yoga class that you didn’t know or understand.\\nThat’s normal! And you’re certainly not the only one.\\nIf you don’t know already, Sanskrit is the ancient language of India. Many Hindu scriptures and epic poems were written in this beautiful language, but so were all the original Yoga Sutras! Sanskrit has a sort of harmonious fluidity to it, almost spiritual sounding, which makes it an effective tool for practicing yoga.\\nWe don’t want anyone to feel lost or confused in our yoga classes, and we certainly don’t want anyone to be embarrassed to ask questions about any particular words that are used.\\nMyYogaTeacher instructors teach and believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of traditional yoga, and most of them are from the birthplace of yoga, India! \\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nAnd after this article, I hope you’ll feel comfortable joining one of our classes, knowing much of the vocabulary that your yoga instructor might use!\\n\\n\nYoga \\nYoga means to “yoke” or “bind” and is often interpreted as “union.” Union of breath, body and mind.\\n\\nAsana\\nIn these times, “asana” is interpreted as the physical yoga poses you’ll practice, but it originally means “seat.”\\n\\nChakra\\nA chakra indicates an energy center within the body between the base of the spine and the top of the head. We have seven. You can learn more about chakras in \\nthis article\\n.\\n\\nNamaste\\nTraditionally, “namaste” means “the light within me bows to the light within you,” but in this day and age it also is a common greeting for “hello.”\\n\\nPranayama\\nThe word “prana” means life energy. Pranayama is a series of yogic breathing exercises that helps your breath move freely through your body.\\n\\nMudra\\nA mudra is a hand position or gesture used to help one focus, concentrate, and develop a deeper connection to self. Prayer hands at the heart (Anjali) is an example of this.\\n\\n\\nVinyasa\\nAlso a type of yoga, a vinyasa is a series of postures connected to your breath, strung together in a longer flow.\\n\\nHatha\\nIn Sanskrit, “ha” refers to the sun and “tha” refers to the moon. Hatha yoga is a slower paced, basic style of yoga and helps form the foundation of other styles.\\nSavasana\\n\\nSavasana is corpse pose, meaning you literally lie on the floor in total relaxation, typically at the end of a yoga session.\\nChaturanga\\n\\nChaturanga is low plank pose or also known as four-limbed staff pose and is usually a transitional pose from plank position to upward facing dog.\\n\nUjjay\\nAlso known as “victorious breath,” ujjay is the common form of breath used in many types of yoga where air enters and leaves a constricted throat. It often sounds like the ocean.\\n\\nOm\\nThe universal sound of consciousness, chanting “om” causes a vibration in the back of your throat and has many benefits.\\n\\nDrishti\\nA focal point used in yoga set up by the yogi to assist with concentration, balance, and focus. This is particularly helpful for balancing postures like tree pose.\\n\\n\\nShanti\\nIn Sanskrit, shanti means “peace.” It is often chanted at the beginning or end of class.\\n\\nIyengar\\nIyengar is a type of yoga that is focused on precision and alignment while practicing yoga poses. It is a fairly popular style and often requires the use of props.\\n\\nShakti\\nShakti literally means “power” in Sanskrit and is the female principle of divine energy. Shakti is often represented by a lotus flower.\\n\\nKundalini\\nThis form of yoga is a system of chanting, meditation, breathwork, and, sometimes, singing. The word itself is a form of female energy that resides at the base of the spine.\\n\\nBhanda\\nBhanda is a lock or bind in yoga, an internal mudra. The purpose of bhanda is to lock in the body’s life energy/force.\\n\n\\nSome of these words you may understand based on the definition and some you may not. That’s ok! Yoga is an experience, which means some words you will simply have to experience to truly understand what they are and the impact they have on your mental, physical, and emotional health.\\nAnd if you still don’t know after you’ve experienced them? Ask!\\nAt MyYogaTeacher, we have members from all walks of life, religions, and all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities! MyYogaTeacher offers 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\n\\n"},"category":["yoga"]}],"randomPosts":[],"relatedPosts":[],"blogContent":{"id":"cks0vdmewusrb0b32oi65ka9z","slug":"yoga-as-medicine","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"How Yoga Works With Modern Medicine: Medical Yoga Therapy","createdAt":"2021-08-06T21:38:11.077476+00:00","coverUrl":"jtsbxwjcix1u5emuxe0l.jpg","seoDescription":"Medical yoga therapy works with modern medicine to benefit people just like you. Explore how yoga and medicine work together!","content":{"text":"Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.\\nBut what about conventional medicine? \\nCan general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?\\nThe correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!\\nTurns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, \\nand\\n a \\nmedicine\\n. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.\\nOne of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. \\nIf you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!\\n\\nWhat is medical yoga therapy?\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” \\nYoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.\\nThe physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.\\nStudies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.\\nMedical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.\\nYoga as a prescription\\nYoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. \\nIt helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.\\nThis is huge in the world of modern medicine! \\nMedical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.\\nYoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. \\nHowever, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! \\nThis would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!\\nWhile we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.\\nHow medical yoga therapy works\\nThe question many people ask about all of this is “how.”\\nHow can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! \\nFirst, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:\\nDiabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.\\nHypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.\\nHeart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. \\nArthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.\\nThere are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.\\nOn top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally \\nanyone\\n can do!\\nWe know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.\\nYoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. \\nThroughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.\\nWhen one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. \\nHere are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:\\nIncreased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.\\nIncreased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep\\nIncreased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.\\nIncreased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.\\nYoga means better health. Better immunity.\\nThere are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.\\nThe science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. \\nYoga and aging\\nWe thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?\\nWe thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.\\nThis process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.\\nPretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!\\nHere at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.\\nIf you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to \\ngrab your free 2-week trial here\\n and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. \\nWe can’t wait to see you on the mat!","html":"<p>Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.</p><p>But what about conventional medicine? </p><p>Can general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?</p><p>The correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!</p><p>Turns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, <em>and</em> a <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\">medicine</a>. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.</p><p>One of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!</u></a></p><h2>What is medical yoga therapy?</h2><p>According to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” </p><p>Yoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.</p><p>The physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.</p><p>Studies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.</p><p>Medical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.</p><h2>Yoga as a prescription</h2><p>Yoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. </p><p>It helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.</p><p>This is huge in the world of modern medicine! </p><p>Medical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.</p><p>Yoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. </p><p>However, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! </p><p>This would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!</p><p>While we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.</p><h2>How medical yoga therapy works</h2><p>The question many people ask about all of this is “how.”</p><p>How can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! </p><p>First, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:</p><ul><li><div>Diabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.</div></li><li><div>Hypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.</div></li><li><div>Heart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. </div></li><li><div>Arthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.</div></li></ul><p>There are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.</p><p>On top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally <em>anyone</em> can do!</p><p>We know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.</p><p>Yoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. </p><p>Throughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.</p><p>When one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. </p><p>Here are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:</p><ul><li><div>Increased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.</div></li></ul><p>Yoga means better health. Better immunity.</p><p>There are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.</p><p>The science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. </p><h2>Yoga and aging</h2><p>We thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.</p><p>According to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?</p><p>We thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.</p><p>This process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.</p><p>Pretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!</p><p>Here at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.</p><p>If you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>grab your free 2-week trial here</u></a> and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. </p><p>We can’t wait to see you on the mat!</p>"},"category":["therapy","yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.</p><p>But what about conventional medicine? </p><p>Can general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?</p><p>The correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!</p><p>Turns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, <em>and</em> a <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\">medicine</a>. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.</p><p>One of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!</u></a></p><h2>What is medical yoga therapy?</h2><p>According to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” </p><p>Yoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.</p><p>The physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.</p><p>Studies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.</p><p>Medical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.</p><h2>Yoga as a prescription</h2><p>Yoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. </p><p>It helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.</p><p>This is huge in the world of modern medicine! </p><p>Medical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.</p><p>Yoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. </p><p>However, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! </p><p>This would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!</p><p>While we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.</p><h2>How medical yoga therapy works</h2><p>The question many people ask about all of this is “how.”</p><p>How can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! </p><p>First, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:</p><ul><li><div>Diabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.</div></li><li><div>Hypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.</div></li><li><div>Heart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. </div></li><li><div>Arthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.</div></li></ul><p>There are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.</p><p>On top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally <em>anyone</em> can do!</p><p>We know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.</p><p>Yoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. </p><p>Throughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.</p><p>When one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. </p><p>Here are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:</p><ul><li><div>Increased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.</div></li></ul><p>Yoga means better health. Better immunity.</p><p>There are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.</p><p>The science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. </p><h2>Yoga and aging</h2><p>We thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.</p><p>According to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?</p><p>We thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.</p><p>This process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.</p><p>Pretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!</p><p>Here at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.</p><p>If you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>grab your free 2-week trial here</u></a> and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. </p><p>We can’t wait to see you on the mat!</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"yoga-as-medicine","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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Explore how yoga and medicine work together!","content":{"text":"Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.\\nBut what about conventional medicine? \\nCan general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?\\nThe correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!\\nTurns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, \\nand\\n a \\nmedicine\\n. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.\\nOne of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. \\nIf you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!\\n\\nWhat is medical yoga therapy?\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” \\nYoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.\\nThe physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.\\nStudies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.\\nMedical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.\\nYoga as a prescription\\nYoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. \\nIt helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.\\nThis is huge in the world of modern medicine! \\nMedical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.\\nYoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. \\nHowever, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! \\nThis would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!\\nWhile we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.\\nHow medical yoga therapy works\\nThe question many people ask about all of this is “how.”\\nHow can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! \\nFirst, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:\\nDiabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.\\nHypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.\\nHeart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. \\nArthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.\\nThere are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.\\nOn top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally \\nanyone\\n can do!\\nWe know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.\\nYoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. \\nThroughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.\\nWhen one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. \\nHere are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:\\nIncreased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.\\nIncreased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep\\nIncreased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.\\nIncreased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.\\nYoga means better health. Better immunity.\\nThere are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.\\nThe science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. \\nYoga and aging\\nWe thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.\\nAccording to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?\\nWe thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.\\nThis process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.\\nPretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!\\nHere at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.\\nIf you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to \\ngrab your free 2-week trial here\\n and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. \\nWe can’t wait to see you on the mat!","html":"<p>Modern science is slowly, but surely embracing so many things from ancient Eastern culture. More and more therapists are using yoga as a tool for psychotherapy, a “prescription” for mental health problems.</p><p>But what about conventional medicine? </p><p>Can general practitioners use yoga as a prescription for some illnesses instead of leaning solely on medications?</p><p>The correct mix of modern technology and ancient medicine could be just what the conventional medicine world needs to be untouchable!</p><p>Turns out yoga has been proven to heal all kinds of ailments, which technically makes it an exercise, meditation, <em>and</em> a <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/different-types-of-medicine\">medicine</a>. Here at MyYogaTeacher, we think that’s pretty cool and wanted to explore how the modern medicine and yoga worlds are starting to collide.</p><p>One of the benefits of being a myYogaTeacher member is that you get to experience all kinds of yoga classes, even ones designed to help treat or prevent medical problems, taught by highly trained and experienced expert instructors. <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to enjoy your 2-week free trial!</u></a></p><h2>What is medical yoga therapy?</h2><p>According to the National Institute of Health, medical yoga is defined as “the use of yoga practices for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions.” </p><p>Yoga clearly has therapeutic benefits when it comes to helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other mental illnesses. In many cases, a regular yoga practice can end those debilitating issues completely.</p><p>The physical side effects of yoga are what truly makes this ancient practice a “modern miracle” for patients suffering from various medical conditions.</p><p>Studies show that medical yoga therapy improves (and helps control) glucose levels, musculoskeletal ailments, and helps keep the cardiovascular system in check.</p><p>Medical therapy yoga includes all the aspects of yoga that one may expect from any other yoga practice: asanas, breath work, meditation. But it is much more comprehensive than that.</p><h2>Yoga as a prescription</h2><p>Yoga doesn’t just treat and prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. </p><p>It helps people create a state of well being, where they can understand the underlying cause of their conditions. When they can understand it themselves, they are more capable of being proactive in preventing the recurrence of their illness or the development of new ones.</p><p>This is huge in the world of modern medicine! </p><p>Medical yoga therapy is an individualized (and holistic) approach to medicine. This means it doesn’t just incorporate the actual practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. It involves a patient’s family, work environment, support network, and culture in the treatment plan.</p><p>Yoga alone may not be the best prescription. It’s up to a person’s doctor to decide if other treatments are necessary in conjunction with medical yoga therapy. And we are in no way recommending you abandon your doctor’s treatment plan without speaking with them first. </p><p>However, it is not an unlikely scenario that patients who are at risk of developing certain medical conditions could be prescribed yoga to prevent said conditions from occurring! </p><p>This would help people avoid more intense (and costly) medical interventions!</p><p>While we are a long way from doctors prescribing yoga as a medicine over pills, there is room to believe that it’s a possibility in the future.</p><h2>How medical yoga therapy works</h2><p>The question many people ask about all of this is “how.”</p><p>How can something as simple as yoga actually cure and prevent physical medical problems?! </p><p>First, we’d like to give you a good idea of types of conditions yoga can help with:</p><ul><li><div>Diabetes - Yoga reduces fasting insulin levels, which normalizes the insulin-to-glucose ratio. It also increases circulation, which improves nerve damage caused by the disease.</div></li><li><div>Hypertension - The various breathing techniques practiced in yoga, along with meditation, alleviates stress, tension, and physical pain in various areas of the body, all of which can be a primary cause of high blood pressure.</div></li><li><div>Heart disease - Yoga is a useful lifestyle intervention for people who suffer from high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and helps decrease waist circumference. </div></li><li><div>Arthritis - The improved strength and flexibility that are associated with yoga also help relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic back pain, knee pain, and neck pain.</div></li></ul><p>There are many medical conditions that are improved by a consistent yoga practice, but the above illnesses are especially receptive to medical yoga therapy.</p><p>On top of that, yoga is an exercise that literally <em>anyone</em> can do!</p><p>We know we’ve said it before, but we can’t iterate it enough. Yoga is good for everyone, whether you’re practicing for medical reasons or not. Any size, shape, or age. And it’s incredibly accessible.</p><p>Yoga balances the autonomic nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. </p><p>Throughout your day, your body is responding to the outside stimuli it experiences, whether you realize it or not. Stress, a not so healthy diet, pain (physical, mental, or emotional), disease, illness. All of these things stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode your body has to protect itself against all the bad things it encounters.</p><p>When one practices yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) is activated, lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins. Your blood vessels dilate, which means better circulation, more nutrients to your organs. </p><p>Here are some other benefits of a regular yoga practice:</p><ul><li><div>Increased release of hormones such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all hormones that prevent and cure depression and anxiety.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of melatonin, the naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps you sleep</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of oxytocin, the chemical in your body that helps you feel connected, feel seen and heard.</div></li><li><div>Increased levels of leptin and adiponectin, chemicals that work to alleviate inflammation in the body.</div></li></ul><p>Yoga means better health. Better immunity.</p><p>There are no bad side effects, like you may have with prescription or OTC medications.</p><p>The science is there. Yoga can actually save lives. </p><h2>Yoga and aging</h2><p>We thought this topic deserved a section all to itself. The science demonstrates that yoga increases your lifespan.</p><p>According to the National Institute of Health, studies show that regular yoga practice stabilizes, and even lengthens, telomeres. What are those?</p><p>We thought you’d never ask. Telomeres are small, repetitive chromosomal sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect the chromosome from dying. They prevent cell death. The older we get, the shorter the telomeres get. The structural integrity of our chromosomes decreases.</p><p>This process is one of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, amongst others.</p><p>Pretty impressive that yoga can play such a significant role in our wellbeing and longevity!</p><p>Here at myYogaTeacher, we are passionate about advocating for the betterment of people. We want to help you feel better, be healthier, and support you on your journey to harmony with your inner and outer world.</p><p>If you’re still on the fence about becoming a MYT member, we invite you to <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\"><u>grab your free 2-week trial here</u></a> and take advantage of the 35+ classes we offer with experienced, expert instructors you can trust. </p><p>We can’t wait to see you on the mat!</p>"},"category":["therapy","yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null},"recommendations_group_class":[{"session_uuid":"8ec3727d-7042-4ab1-8045-65636277fd50","student_uuid":"15ab4bce-e140-45cd-afa2-22445eb27134","teacher_uuid":"0d0b3d46-7aa0-4107-8918-e54117004996","teacher_name":"Neha Govindan","teacher_first_name":"Neha","teacher_slug":"neha-2","teacher_photo":"https://res.cloudinary.com/dgerdfai4/image/upload/v1645607859/teacher/photos/rnt2dnit2f7jyswssovy.jpg","group_session_name":"Yoga for Back Health","group_session_description":"Back pain can be caused by many things, but doctors agree that yoga is a great way to help it. 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