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Other common
name(s): hatha yoga
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Yoga is a form of nonaerobic exercise that involves a program
of precise posture, breathing exercises, and meditation. In ancient
Sanskrit, the word yoga means "union."
Overview
Yoga can be a useful method to help relieve some symptoms of
chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and heart disease and can
lead to increased relaxation and physical fitness. Available scientific
evidence does not support yoga as an effective treatment for cancer or
any other disease; however, it may enhance quality of life. Some cancer
treatment centers even offer yoga in addition to standard medical
treatment.
How is it promoted for use?
Yoga is promoted as a system of personal development. It is a
way of life that combines ethical standards, dietary guidelines,
physical movements, and meditation to create a union of mind, body, and
spirit. Yoga is said to cultivate prana,
which means vital energy or life force and is similar to qi (or chi) in
traditional Chinese medicine. People who practice yoga claim it leads
to a state of physical health, relaxation, happiness, peace, and
tranquility. There is some evidence that shows that yoga can lower
stress, increase strength, and provide a good form of exercise.
Supporters also claim yoga can help eliminate insomnia,
increase stamina, and help with smoking cessation. They further claim
that the mastery of yoga can give people supernormal mental and
physical powers. Yogis, who are masters and teachers of yoga, claim
they can obtain heightened senses, overcome hunger and thirst, and
develop almost total control over physical processes such as heart rate
and breathing.
What does it involve?
There are more than a hundred different types of yoga
practiced in the United States today. Most of them are based on hatha
yoga, which uses movement, breathing exercises, and meditation to
achieve a connection between mind, body, and spirit.
The goal of yoga is perfect concentration to attain Samadhi --
pure awareness without mental distractions. Hatha yoga uses
forbearance, breath control, withdrawal of senses, attention,
concentration, and meditation to attain Samadhi. The 3 most commonly
used aspects of yoga today include the postures of hatha yoga (called asanas), the
breathing techniques of pranayama,
and meditation.
Practitioners say yoga should be done either at the beginning
or the end of the day. A typical session can last between 20 minutes
and an hour. A yoga session starts with the person sitting in an
upright position and performing gentle movements, all of which are done
very slowly, while taking slow, deep breaths from the abdomen. A
session may also include guided relaxation, meditation, and sometimes
visualization. It often ends with the chanting of a meaningful word or
phrase, called a mantra, to achieve a deeper state of relaxation. Yoga
requires several sessions a week in order for a person to become
proficient. Yoga can be practiced at home without a teacher or in group
classes. Many books and videos on yoga are also available.
What is the history behind it?
First practiced in India more than 5,000 years ago, yoga is
one of the oldest mind-body health systems in existence. In the United
States, yoga was first practiced by the Concord transcendentalists in
the 1840s, but it did not become well known until the 1880s when the
English translation of Yoga
Sutras was published. This ancient book gave a detailed
description of yoga techniques and the quest for Samadhi, which is
central to yoga beliefs.
Four traditional yoga paths are meditative (Raja Yoga),
service (Karma Yoga), wisdom (Jnana Yoga), and devotional (Bhakti
Yoga). Hatha Yoga is based on a part of Raja Yoga, and is the best
known form of yoga. In the United States, it is what most people mean
when they refer to yoga.
Today, some health plans offer members access to yoga
instructors as a form of exercise and relaxation. Health clubs,
community centers, adult education centers, and individual teachers
offer classes in many subtypes of Hatha Yoga, including ananda,
ashtanga, bikram, integral, Iyengar, kripalu, and kundalini.
What is the evidence?
Research has shown that yoga can be used to control physical
functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, metabolism,
body temperature, brain waves, and skin resistance. This can result in
improved physical fitness, lower levels of stress, and increased
feelings of relaxation and well-being.
According to a report to the National Institutes of Health,
there is also some evidence to suggest yoga may be helpful when used
with conventional medical treatment to help relieve some of the
symptoms linked to cancer, asthma, diabetes, drug addiction, high blood
pressure, heart disease, and migraine headaches. Other studies have
shown limited benefit. Yoga may also help to reduce cholesterol levels
when used with diet and exercise. Randomized clinical trials have shown
that yoga can help relieve the pain of arthritis and may also help
anxiety, stress, and depression.
One small clinical trial showed that people with lymphoma
reported fewer sleep disturbances, fell asleep more quickly, and slept
longer after a seven-week yoga program, compared to patients who did
not participate in yoga. However, the patients showed no improvement in
depression or fatigue. More well-designed research studies are needed
to confirm all of these findings. Recent studies of cancer survivors,
especially women who have had breast cancer, suggest yoga may help
improve several aspects of quality of life. <
class="t7"p>Are there any possible problems or complications?
People with cancer and chronic conditions such as arthritis
and heart disease should talk to their doctor before starting any type
of therapy that involves movement of joints and muscles. Some yoga
postures are hard to achieve, and damage can occur from overstretching
joints and ligaments. There have been rare reports of damaged nerves or
discs in the spine. Rarely, eye damage can occur due to increased
pressure in the eyes when doing headstands. This can also worsen
glaucoma in some people. Blood vessels can sometimes become blocked due
to yoga postures, damaging the brain or other parts of the body.
Pregnant women may want to avoid postures that cause pressure
on the uterus, such as body twists. People who are sick, dehydrated, or
pregnant may be harmed by bikram yoga, which is a vigorous workout
practiced in a very warm, humid room (usually between 95° and
105° F).
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
About yoga. Asheville Yoga Center Web site. Accessed at
http://www.youryoga.com/ayc/~info.html on May 23, 2008.
Bower JE, Woolery A, Sternlieb B, Garet D. Yoga for cancer
patients and survivors. Cancer
Control. 2005;12:165-171.
Cohen L, Warneke C, Fouladi RT, Rodriguez MA, Chaoul-Reich A.
Psychological adjustment and sleep quality in a randomized trial of the
effects of a Tibetan yoga intervention in patients with lymphoma. Cancer.
2004;100:2253-2260.
Ernst E, ed. The
Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An
Evidence-Based Approach. New York: Mosby; 2001.
Garfinkel MS, Schumacher HR Jr, Husain A, Levy M, Reshetar RA.
Evaluation of a yoga based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of
the hands. J Rheumatol.
1994;21:2341-2343.
Garfinkel MS, Singhal A, Katz WA, Allan DA, Reshetar R,
Schumacher HR Jr. Yoga-based intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome: a
randomized trial. JAMA.
1998;280:1601-1603.
McDonald A, Burjan E, Martin S. Yoga for patients and carers
in a palliative day care setting. Int
J Palliat Nurs. 2006;12:519-523.
Moadel AB, Shah C, Wylie-Rosett J, et al. Randomized
controlled trial of yoga among a multiethnic sample of breast cancer
patients: effects on quality of life. J Clin Oncol.
2007;25:4387-4395.
National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding
Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on
Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States.
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication
94-066.
Taylor E. Yoga and meditation. Altern Ther Health Med.1995;1:77-78.
The tree of classical yoga/Hinduism. Classical Yoga Hindu
Academy Web site. Accessed at
http://www.classicalyoga.org/following_were_article_published.htm on
May 23, 2008.
Yoga. Aetna InteliHealth Web site. Accessed at
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?d=dmtContent&c=358876 on
May 23, 2008.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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