The Latest on Yoga From the Symposium on Yoga Research With Yoga Therapist Nicole DeAvilla! by Renee
Calling all yoga enthusiasts or those thinking about trying yoga! Certified Yoga Therapist and 30Seconds contributor, Nicole DeAvilla, is a published researcher on yoga and the bestselling author of “The 2 Minute Yoga Solution: Fast and Easy Stress and Back Pain Relief for Anyone at Anytime.” Nicole attends the Symposium on Yoga Research (SYR) every year and knows the scientists and researchers who investigate how yoga works, what yoga works and the benefits of yoga from a medical point of view. Nicole joined us to share the most recent information about yoga and how it can help you!
Q: What is the Symposium of Yoga Research?
The Symposium of Yoga Research (SYR) is the premier international scientific conference devoted solely to yoga research. It is an annual conference put on by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. It is the brainchild of Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, a yoga researcher and professor at Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital.
At the SYR, scientists from top research institutions around the world gather at Kripalu Center, a yoga retreat and training center, to present the latest research and developments in yoga research.
A1: It is the brainchild of @SatBirKhalsaPhd a yoga researcher and professor at Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital. @Harvardmed @BrighamWomens #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/J0rQh1Isna
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
A2: If you go here you will see my scientific papers and citations listed: https://t.co/ESTZvmQyIe#yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/iNM0kosi9Y
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: How did you get involved in the world of yoga research?
Growing up I didn’t even know about yoga. But I did know that I wanted to do scientific research. Back then I was more interested in learning about and studying animals. By the time I graduated from college I had incurred a lot of sports and active life injuries. They really caught up with me when I landed a desk job. I was in a lot of pain! I turned to yoga for relief, taking the Ananda Yoga teacher training back in 1984. It changed my life! It gave me a therapeutic approach to yoga. Now I am faculty on the Ananda Yoga therapist training program.
My first co-author scientific paper was published in 1993. I was working as a research assistant at the Center for Sports Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco, Injuries in Recreational Adult Fitness Activities. I was one of the early members of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and have served on many committees over the years. I published my first solo research paper in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.
A1: This is me having dinner with yoga therapists and researchers from around the world on Monday evening. #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/YLD5iD0HD1
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: So, we can’t wait to hear, what is the latest in yoga research that you discovered at the Symposium of Yoga Research?
It would truly take all night for me to share everything! I will do my best to share the most relevant and interesting work that I think our 30Seconds tribe will be happy to learn about!
- There’s several of studies of yoga in schools, showing yoga helped improved teenagers sleep, children with emotions and attention challenges, college students’ well-being and studies on yoga for kids with disabilities There even was a study on yoga for teachers!
- There were several studies of yoga benefits for veterans, Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, self-esteem and mood, cancer, mental health and more!
- A shout out to fellow 30Seconds tribe member, Debbie Howard, who is writing a book about caregiving, including how yoga helps. You have scientific research to back you up now! More than one study was presented at SYR.
- Many studies looked at fatigue caused by a variety of issues. Yoga helps! One finding for fatigue was that you need to start with gentle, more restorative yoga first to relax and help the body build up to more active yoga. Some patients reported feeling more energy after just one session!
A2: Now I am faculty on the Ananda Yoga Therapist Training program. This is me teaching recently. #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/oxs8jYJOrZ
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: What about yoga for low-back pain? Any news there?
There was a lot of yoga for low-back pain research presented at the conference. Dr. Karen Sherman presented again this year. Dr. Sherman conducted the first large NIH funded study on the effect of yoga therapy on low-back pain that got yoga therapy on the map in the Western healthcare system.
A great development was a recent review of the scientific literature on yoga and low-back pain which led to the American College of Physicians recommendations saying yoga is one of the first lines of treatments for low-back pain. Most studies are for non-specific low-back pain. Though in clinical situations we are also finding if you have a well-trained yoga therapist, other back pain conditions can be helped. Be sure you have a C-IAYT yoga therapist!
Dealing with low-back pain is one of the topics I teach yoga therapy students. I am faculty on the Ananda Yoga Therapists Training Program, a professional accredited program in northern California.
A4: Me with Dr. Sherman at @IAYTorg ‘s Symposium of Yoga Research. #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/CCeernQtV0
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: When they study yoga, what aspects of yoga are they looking at? I usually think of yoga as the postures, but I know there is more to yoga than the physical!
Great question! They study all kinds of yoga and yoga practices. That means the yoga postures, breathing practices, meditation, mudras, chanting, mantras and yoga philosophy. Some time the researchers will look at just a single aspect of yoga, or a few different aspects or all of them. There is so much to yoga!
One of the reasons I believe that yoga is so effective for so many conditions is because of the complexity and diversity of yoga. One study compared the effects on the brain of long-time yoga practitioners with long time meditators. Both groups showed positive findings. Many changes in the brain were the same and several findings were different. I suggest you do both yoga and meditation and get ALL of the benefits – I do!
One study just looked at pranayama, breathing exercises and they measured levels of hormones. Just the yoga breathing practice alone showed support for reducing stress, boosting the immune system and cardiovascular system.
A4: A great development was a recent review of the scientific literature on yoga and low back pain led to the American College of Physicians Recommendations saying yoga is 1 of the first lines of treatments for low back pain #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/cb1FExhsZU
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: All of this yoga research news makes me want to do some yoga right now! Can you give us something simple to do right now?
Sure! Stand up right now wherever you are! Take three deep breaths. Do only what's comfortable. Lift your arms over head, clasp hands and stretch to one side for a few seconds, breathing deeply. Then the other side. Affirm “Strength and Courage fill my body cells!” How do you feel now?
- Try this one for helping you wake up with yoga breathing in the morning.
- This yoga breathing technique will help you fall asleep at night.
- Here is a simple chair yoga practice for when you are feeling anxious or stressed.
- These yoga moves will help you when you are feeling tired and need to move!
Oh! You should see ME in class! I am not coordinated and have a roll (or2) around the middle. Yoga’s so relaxing. You concentrate on yourself #30Seconds
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) October 18, 2018
Q: This is amazing news. Can we get these therapeutic benefits by going down to our local Y yoga class or yoga studio?
Another great question! Maybe, but probably not. For some people, in some situations a general yoga class, appropriate for their experience level and fitness to practice with a quality yoga teacher, they will find the local class will work for them, however they might get worse. For many issues being researched, you will need a certified yoga therapist. Yoga therapists are required to have significantly more training. They train for more hours and focus on learning medical conditions and interventions.
The International Association of Yoga Therapists certifies yoga therapists. In fact, I was on the first committee that accredited the schools that train yoga therapists. C-IAYT yoga therapists are well trained and mentored. To learn more and to find a yoga therapist near you, go to the International Association of Yoga Therapists’ website. Get more information about the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Symposium of Yoga Research.
A7: To learn more and to find a yoga therapist near you, go to the @IAYTorg website, https://t.co/8JdTcXcs4r -- That’s me pictured with a client, colleague and friend, Steph Ritz @iamstephritz #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/QrpVqAFSoe
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Q: Wow! This is exciting news about yoga. How can our tribe get some more 2 Minute Yoga practices and keep up with the you and the latest news in yoga?
- Follow me on your favorite social media platform – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
- Join me on retreat or for a training at the Expanding Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat.
- Get my book, “The 2 Minute Yoga Solution: Fast and Easy Stress and Back Pain Relief for Anyone at Anytime.”
- Read my 30Seconds tips.
- And the best way is to join the The 2 Minute Yoga Stress Free Zone on Facebook group. I answer questions, provide practices and inspiration and you will find some 30Seconds tribe members already there!
A8: Join me on retreat or for a training at the Expanding Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat. https://t.co/fUarECiz1n #yoga #yogatherapy #research #YogaResearch #30Seconds #yogaretreat #retreat pic.twitter.com/KmPSZ5I6kE
— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) October 18, 2018
Photo: Steph Ritz
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