HEALING OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE THRU YOGA

Yoga is a 5000 year old practice which involves the physical, mental and spiritual discipline originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is to achieve a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Within Hindu philosophy, the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy. Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as Rāja Yoga to distinguish it from later schools. Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. The Bhagavadgita introduces distinctions such as Jnana Yoga ("yoga based on knowledge") vs. Karma Yoga ("yoga based on action"). Other systems of philosophy introduced in Hinduism during the medieval period are Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.

Yoga (Devanagari:योगा) ) is also a term for a range of traditional systems of physical exercise and meditation in Hinduism.

Modified versions of the physical exercises in Hatha Yoga have become popular as a kind of low-impact physical exercise, and are used for therapeutic purposes. "Yoga" in this sense, in common parlance, refers to the physical exercises, i.e. the asanas or postures. Aspects of meditation are sometimes also included.

Both the meditative and the exercise components of yoga show promise for non-specific health benefits. According to an article in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, the system of Hatha Yoga believes that prana, or healing "life energy" is absorbed into the body through the breath, and can treat a wide variety of illnesses and complaints.

Yoga has also been studied as an intervention for many conditions, including back pain, stress, and depression. A survey released in December 2008 by the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that yoga was the 6th most commonly used alternative therapy in the United States during 2007, with 6.1 percent of the population participating. The physical asana of Hatha Yoga have a tradition that goes back to the 15th century, but they were not widely practiced in India prior to the early 20th century. Hatha Yoga was advocated by a number of late 19th to early 20th century gurus in India, including Sri Krishnamacharya in south India, Swami Sivananda in the north, Sri Yogendra in Bombay, and Swami Kuvalyananda in Lonavala.

In the 1960s, western interest in Hindu spirituality reached its peak, giving rise to a great number of Neo-Hindu schools specifically advocated to a western public. Among the teachers of Hatha yoga who were active in the west in this period were B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, and Swami Vishnu-devananda, and Swami Satchidananda.  A second "yoga boom" followed in the 1980s, as Dean Ornish, a follower of Swami Satchidananda, connected yoga to heart health, legitimizing yoga as a purely physical system of health exercises outside of counter culture or esotericism circles, and unconnected to a religious denomination.

Since then, yoga has been used as supplementary therapy for diverse conditions such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, and AIDS. The scope of medical issues where yoga is used as a complementary therapy continues to grow including Parkinson's disease. This can be demostrated in the recently concluded First Annual Convention of Pinoy Parkinson's Disease (Pinoy PD) in Makati City, Philippines last October 22, 2011.

There are many different styles and disciplines and people practice yoga for a variety of reasons. One of the main goals of yoga is to improve overall well-being through teaching discipline and self-regulation. Recently, research has focused on the healing properties of yoga and how it relates to positive psychology. Researchers wonder what psychological advantages it can afford, in addition to the previously discovered physical benefits. Yoga has proven to offer different and multiple benefits for individuals ranging from consciousness of one's body and its capabilities, satisfaction from challenging oneself physically, and increased energy and mental clarity and concentration. While the topic is still somewhat new and some research is still preliminary, results have shown significant improvements in both physical and mental health among a variety of subjects in various circumstances.

The practice of yoga traditionally includes both meditation and exercise, but in the West the focus is mainly on exercise. The more classical approaches, such as Iyengar Yoga, move at a more deliberate pace, emphasize proper alignment and execution, hold asanas for a longer time. They aim to gradually improve flexibility, balance, and strength. Other approaches, such as Ashtanga or Power Yoga, shift between asanas quickly and energetically. And more recently, contemporary approaches to yoga have developed [(such as Scaravelli inspired, as taught by the likes of Diane Long, Sophie Hoare and Marc Woolford )], inviting students to become their own authority in yoga practice by offering principle based approaches to yoga that can be applied to any form.

Nearly all types of yoga practices include asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and savasanas (relaxation techniques).

                                                                            Emily Slonina

In a book by Emily Slonina, "Anywhere, Anytime and Any Body Yoga", she discussed the simple yoga principles that one can use and incoporate in everyday ordinary activity like sitting in a chair, working at the office, lying on the bed, traveling, standing and even doing household chores. For someone too busy or with limited agility or flexibilty, the book has been designed as a practical guide that one can utilize without taking too much time, planning and effort. Breathing exercises, anytime neck and shoulder de-stressers, warm-ups, chair yoga poses like sun and moon salutation and relaxation-meditation are presented complete with instructions and illustrations. Even the models Ms. Slonina used in her book are not the typical folks but are differently-abled.

THE FIRST PINOY PD CONVENTION, A SUCCESS!

The first annual convention of the Pinoy Parkinson's Disease (Pinoy PD) on Healing of Parkinson's Disease thru G-MEN (God, Medicine, Exercise and Nutrition) has been successfully launched last October 22, 2011 at the Multi-purpose Hall, Paseo Parkview Suites, Makati City. It was also the Feast Day of Blessed John Paul II.

Father Joey Paras, SDB, officiated the Thanksgiving Mass with Miss Rowena Bicaldo as Lector while the trio of Eufe and Mary Rose Tantia and Marie Ness Cabahug led the choir.  In his homily, Fr. Paras emphasized the virtues of Blessed John Paul II and the latter's love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He said that the family and the caregivers of those with Parkinson's disease were in a privileged position because they can see the face of Jesus everyday in the face of those suffering from PD.

His Excellency, Most Reverend Patricio A. Buzon, SDB, and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care conveyed his inspirational message from the Diocese of Kabankalan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. He stated that the healing of Parkinson's disease resides in God and in Man. "God is the source of life. Life is a gift from above. Man is also another source of healing. Life is also a responsibility. We have our own part to play for healing to happen. The human counterpart of healing is thru MEN - Medicine, Exercise and Nutrition. Do your part and God will do His."

Brother Michael Angelo F. Lobrin gave an animated talk on Spiritual Healing of Parkinson's Disease. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts, Major in Classical Philosophy in San Carlos Seminary Guadalupe. He has obtained units in Master of Arts in Theology from the same institution.  He was a professor of Theology at the De La Salle University, Manila Doctors College and St. Paul University, Quezon City.  He is currently a professor of Philosophy at the Entrepreneur School of Asia in Quezon City and serves as Adviser for Religious Affairs to a number of local and national politicians.  Brother Michael is – in more ways than one – a prolific and sought-after inspirational speaker.  He is also the best selling author of “Laugh with God Today!”

After his talk, Brother Michael Angelo prayed over those with Parkinson's disease. He also loaned the relic of Blessed John Paul II so the participants of the convention can touch it after reciting the "Prayer for Healing of Parkinson's Disease through the Intercession of Blessed John Paul II.

Read more ....www.pinoyparkinsonsdisease.blogspot.com

Author who suffers from Parkinson's teaches innovative yoga class

By Katie Curley Katzman

Renee Le Verrier leads a group of five women in stretching, balancing and relaxation poses on a recent afternoon at the Yoga Center of Newburyport.

The only difference between this class and others is that a chair and variety of other props makes the class more accessible.

Blocks, straps, blankets and cushions all help to make stretches lighter and bring the distance from hand to foot closer for the participants.

"This isn't chair yoga because we are not just in the chair," Le Verrier said. "The chair is just a prop to bring the floor closer to us."

Le Verrier teaches yoga for movement disorders, a weekly class aimed at making yoga possible for individuals who have any restrictions, including those stemming from osteoporosis or Parkinson's disease.

But it is also geared at those who just feel a little "creaky."

"If you can breath, you can do yoga," Le Verrier said. "Yoga can be intimidating to people especially when you go to a yoga studio, but yoga is most beneficial to those with limitations and movement disorders."

Le Verrier should know. As a child, she suffered a stroke. Five years ago, at age 42, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a brain disorder affecting both men and women. She has been practicing yoga for eight years and teaching for three at the Yoga Center of Newburyport as well as Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Bradford and Massachusetts General Hospital.

"I've learned through yoga to live in the moment," she said.

Le Verrier was recently chosen as one of 25 people nationwide to attend the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's Clinical Research Learning Institute. The training prepares participants to serve as advocates for bringing new treatment information to their communities as well as serving as a formal representative on clinical research and advisory boards.

According to the National Parkinson' Foundation, the condition usually develops after age 65, but 15 percent of people, like Le Verrier, are diagnosed before age 50. About 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's, with an estimated 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Le Verrier said yoga is an effective tool for Parkinson's because the disease affects certain dopamine-producing nerve cells (neurons) in one part of the brain that die or become impaired. Dopamine allows for smooth, coordinated muscle movement, so when it becomes limited in the body, symptoms such as tremors, shaking and rigidity are said to result.

Le Verrier credits yoga with aiding her not only physically, but spiritually as well. While her once excruciating back pain is now gone, she said she continues to benefit by the lessons yoga has taught her about breathing through hard times and noticing life more.

"When I feel myself being affected by something, I can go back to my breathing," she said. "I'm not dismissing whatever is happening, but I can breath it out."

Le Verrier said yoga also helped her unblock energy flow and allowed her to become more creative through painting.

"Before, I had a phobia of art," she said. "But one snowy day, I started painting with my first grader and I just let the creative energy happen."

As a yoga teacher, Le Verrier has pushed to provide classes for other students like herself and has also worked to educate teachers on how to work with individuals who have Parkinson's. Recently, she taught a large workshop for yoga teachers from area gyms, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and studios.

"Exercise is beneficial in managing Parkinson's," she said. "It gives a sense of well being, makes breathing easier, affects posture. I hope I can bring a little of that in."

When students with movement disorders or Parkinson's attend a typical yoga class, Le Verrier said teachers often don't tailor the class to their limitations or become too gentle with them, and they're unable to fully garner the benefits.

"The teachers get nervous and tell the student to sit a pose out," said Le Verrier, who gives instructors specific things they can do to change their teaching approach.

In addition to her work teaching, Le Verrier has published a yoga book, with another on its way to the printer. "Yoga for Movement Disorders," published by Merit Press, is a workbook with poses and stretches those with limitations can do at home or in a studio setting. "A, B, C ... X, Yoga, Z," a playful introduction to yoga for kids using the ABCs, is due out soon.

Le Verrier said many people stop doing the activities they used to when they are diagnosed with Parkinson's or a movement disorder, including playing with children and grandchildren.

"The ABC book is a wonderful way to do something and move together," she said. "Grandparents can do this with their grandchildren even though they may not be able to play soccer with them anymore."