YOGA STRESS RELIEF FOR SOLDIERS

YOGA REDUCES COMBAT STRESS
AND PTSD IN U.S. SOLDIERS

www.huffingtonpost.com - Faced with the highest army suicide rates in at least 30 years, U.S. military officials are examining ways to help treat psychologically wounded soldiers. A small 2012 study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found yoga reduced symptoms of combat stress and PTSD. The study was conducted among U.S. active duty military personnel deployed in Iraq. U.S. researchers administered nine sessions of the "Yoga Warrior method" to 35 U.S. air force and army personnel for three weeks, and this group was compared to another group of 35 personnel who did not receive any therapy. Tests assessing emotional responses and daily journals were obtained from the participants. 
The Yoga Warrior method, developed by yoga and occupational therapists, includes Hatha yoga and sensory-based occupational therapy techniques. The researchers found the yoga group had significantly greater improvement in mental health and quality of life than the control group. Furthermore, the yoga participants reported sleep improvement, increased feelings of calm, and reduced anger.

"The results support using sensory-enhanced Hatha Yoga for proactive combat stress management," the study authors conclude. A very small pilot study conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center reports that Yoga Nidra relieved PTSD symptoms in soldiers returning home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Integrative Restoration (iREST) program was created by Dr. Richard Miller, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology. 
Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a meditative practice that brings calmness and deep relaxation. The researchers found that PTSD symptoms including anxiety decreased and feelings of being in control increased among the participants. "As a result of these findings, Walter Reed Health Deployment Clinical Center has integrated Yoga Nidra protocol (now called 'Integrative Restoration, or iRest) into its treatment program for soldiers rotating through the Clinical Center," the study authors write. "Soldiers receive 12 iRest sessions during their three-week rotation through the clinic."

The increased risk of suicide among U.S. army members is linked to combat service and mental health problems like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Approximately 18.5 % of returning soldiers from Iraq or Afghanistan have PTSD which is an anxiety disorder that may occur after exposure to a traumatic event such as military combat, violence or a natural calamity. To 2011, the military has diagnosed 78,000 cases of PTSD, but the Veteran's Administration says the real number is closer to 800,000. Research reports that Yoga practice can help relieve PTSD symptoms like psychological distress, anxiety and sadness. Now the U.S. military is successfully turning to Yoga to help manage combat stress and decrease the risk of PTSD and suicide.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Regular practice of Yoga has become essential for every person today. Good health is unimaginable without it. Patients get vital life energy and good health with regular practice of yoga and pranayama. A diseased person can become healthy and strong and enjoy good longevity if he takes up Yoga.  Asanas can be classified into several categories. The patient should choose the Asana depending on their illness to get best results. Meditative Asanas: Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Padmasana, Vajrasana - Relaxing Asanas: Shavasana, Makarasana, Balasana -  Strengthening Asanas: Pavanmuktasana, Naukasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Chakrasana, Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Dhanurasana, Ardhamatysendrasana, Gomukhasana, Mandookasana, Ushtrasana, Sputa Vajrasana, Ekpadagreevasana, Paschimottasana, Akarna Dhanurasana, Yogamudrasana, Tolangulasana, Sinhasana, Parvatasana, Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Trikonasana, Vrikshasana, Garudasana, Utkatasana, Padhastasana, Gorakshasana, Bakasana, Shirshasana, etc.

Remedy Spot.com
“Practice Yoga and be Healthy”
Health, Ayurveda, Yoga and Natural Healing
Posted by The Editor - Published on 11-23-2010
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/138-practice-yoga-healthy.html
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/section/117-yoga-pranayama.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/