Originally published on Harvard’s Medical blog. Since the 1970s, meditation and other stress-reduction techniques have been studied as possible treatments for depression and anxiety. One such practice, yoga, has received less attention in the medical literature, though it has become increasingly popular in recent decades. One 2012 national survey estimated, for example, that 8.7% [...]
Yoga is, at its core, a spiritual discipline, practiced in order to achieve a union of the mind, body and soul. Not to mention following it up with deep relaxation has been proven to buffer stress and stress-related diseases — heart disease, obesity, depression and anxiety, to name a few. While the practice itself [...]
A 97-year-old New York woman is a yoga instructor who teaches eight classes a week and travels the world pursuing her two passions of yoga and dance. Tao Porchon-Lynch, who will turn 98 next month, is a full-time yoga instructor at a studio in Westchester County, New York. The White Plains, New York, resident [...]
The nature of pregnancy itself is a yogic state. The profound union between mother and baby naturally shifts a woman’s attention inward. This is reflected in Yoga as women draw into themselves, unifying the breath with the body and mind. I love to hear the moms-to-be set up their props for class and talk [...]
Rheumatoid arthritis of the thumb is common with aging, but also becoming more frequent now that everyone seems to be texting and typing so many hours of the day. Thumb arthritis is characterized by calcification and swelling around the joint. This can cause severe pain and decreased strength and range of motion, making it [...]
