A new study suggests that an increase in physical activity can help significantly lower the risk of depression. Matt Madd / Flickr
By Tina Benitez
Depression can take both a physical and mental toll on the body. But now experts say that staying active may help offset some of these symptoms, providing relief to the millions of people dealing with depression.
<p>Today, depression is still the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression" target="_blank">leading cause of disability worldwide</a> with more than 300 million people living with the disease.</p><p>Yet, there's very little research linking lifestyle changes, such as more exercise, to a decrease in cases.</p><p>Now a new study suggests that an increase in physical activity can help significantly lower the risk of depression among individuals at low and medium risk or at a higher predisposition to the condition.</p>
<h2>How Being Active Can Help Your Mental Health</h2><p>In a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/da.22967" target="_blank">study</a> published Tuesday in Depression and Anxiety, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found that incorporating more physical activity — whether high-intensity dance, aerobic, or machines to more low-intensity yoga or walks — for 4 hours per week (or approximately 35 minutes per day) can help decrease the chances of depressive episodes by 17 percent.</p><p>To reveal the impact of physical activity on depression, researchers pulled the genomic and electronic health records of 8,000 patients within the Partners Healthcare Biobank, a New England healthcare program that collects patient data from partner hospitals for research.</p><p>Participants provided blood samples and completed a brief survey, which included questions about their physical activity level.</p><p>Throughout the next two years, researchers also referenced millions of other health records to calculate genetic risk of depression and the impact of physical activity on the disease.</p><p>Those with a higher risk of depressive episodes were more likely to be diagnosed within the two years, yet, the individuals who were more physically active were less likely to show signs of depression.</p><p>"Depression is a major public health problem and a major source of suffering for people, and the study found that it's a fact that something like physical activity may have protective effects," said <a href="https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile?profile_id=617057" target="_blank">Dr. Jordan Smoller</a>, senior author and associate chief for research at MGH's Department of Psychiatry and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.</p><p>"Even if you have a history of prior episodes of depression, that doesn't take away this protective effect," he said. "Overall, it's a hopeful message."</p><p>The MGH study is the first to link exercise to an actual decrease in episodes of depression, even in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the condition.</p><p>Even if someone has a family history of depression, researchers believe this study can give mental health and primary care providers a manageable recommendation that's not medication to help lower the risk of the disease.</p><p>"You don't have to be jogging every day for 2 hours to get the benefit," said Smoller. "Even if you go out for a walk for a half hour a day, you could see some benefits. It can be demoralizing to set a goal and make people feel like they need to be doing something and they aren't measuring up. That's not really the goal here."</p><p>Some of the common symptoms of depression include poor appetite, poor sleep patterns, having negative ruminating thoughts, and poor energy levels.</p><p>Exercise can help improve general physical well-being, sleep, appetite, and energy levels, thus helping recover from depression, according to <a href="https://www.the-cma.org.uk/Articles/Meet-the-Fellows-of-The-CMA-6216/" target="_blank">Dr. Sarmila Sinha</a>, MBBS, MRCPsych, MSc, FCMA and author of "<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Expert-Guide-Stress-Management-ebook/dp/B07X4ZXJXX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3634IF33QMYOU&keywords=an+expert+guide+to+stress+management&qid=1572866084&sprefix=an+expert+guide+,aps,136&sr=8-1" target="_blank">An Expert Guide to Stress Management</a>" and "<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916073204/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1553109142&sr=8-19%CF%80=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=depression+a+guide+to+recovery&dpPl=1&dpID=51Ylw1J6LGL&ref=plSrch" target="_blank">Depression: A Guide to Recovery</a>."</p>
<h2>How to Add More Activity to Your Life<br></h2><p>Physical health is connected with mental health. And good physical health improves mental well-being, according to Sinha, who recommends finding a hobby or an activity that you enjoy and want to be involved in regularly.</p><p>"Join a dance club or simply register with your local walking group," she said. "These group activities also help improve social interactions. Social isolation makes depression worse."</p><p>Any form of low to high intensity activity works, such as swimming, walking, running, aerobic exercise, dancing, cycling, gardening, yoga, Pilates — even household chores that involve physical movement, such as climbing up and down stairs, Sinha recommends.</p><p>If you drive everywhere, try walking instead to pick up your local newspaper or your carton of milk from your local shop. All are small, easy steps that go a long way in maintaining a healthy mind and body.</p><p>"Exercise stimulates the brain to release neurochemicals like endorphins, also dubbed as the 'happy hormone,' or the body's natural painkiller and helps with stress relief and pain," she said.</p><p>It also helps prompt the release of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which are also linked to feelings of well-being and happiness.</p><p>"Exercise has other health benefits, such as weight reduction, regulating blood sugar, and it reduces the risk of heart disease," she added.</p><p>And it's never too late to start getting more physical — whether in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or older. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, it may become part of your lifestyle and, ultimately, help you stay happier, longer.</p><p>"Overall, take it easy, take it slow, and don't be too hard on yourself," said Sinha. "It's important that you enjoy the physical activity."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/physical-activity-can-help-stop-depressive-episodes#How-to-add-more-activity-to-your-life" target="_blank">Healthline</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
- If Meditation Is Not Your Thing, Try a Walk in the Woods - EcoWatch ›
- 8 Benefits of Sweating It Out With Hot Yoga - EcoWatch ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
Pexels
Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, MS, NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS
Hot yoga has become a popular exercise in recent years. It offers many of the same benefits as traditional yoga, such as stress reduction, improved strength, and flexibility.
<p>But, with the heat turned up, hot yoga has the ability to give your heart, lungs, and muscles an even greater, more intense workout.</p><p>Are you interested in learning more about the ways you can benefit from hot yoga? This article will take a closer look at what this sweat-inducing workout can do for you and how you can get started.</p>
<p> <em>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/hot-yoga-benefits" target="_blank">Healthline</a>.</em><em></em></p>
What is hot yoga?
<p>You may hear the terms "hot yoga" and "Bikram yoga" used interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same thing.</p><p>Bikram yoga, developed by a yogi named Bikram Choudhury, is done in a room heated to 105°F (41°C) with 40 percent humidity. It consists of 26 poses and two breathing exercises that are done in the same order in every class. Bikram yoga sessions typically last 90 minutes.</p><p>Hot yoga, on the other hand, really just means that the room is heated above normal room temperature. The heat can be set to whatever the yoga instructor wants, though it's typically between 80 and 100°F (27 and 38°C).</p><p>Hot yoga sessions can include any variety of poses, and the time of each class will vary from studio to studio. And unlike Bikram yoga, which is a quieter, serious practice, hot yoga often includes music and more interaction among the people in the class.</p><p>Bikram yoga has lost followers in recent years due to assault allegations against its founder. Some studios may use the term "hot yoga" rather than "Bikram yoga" to describe their heated classes. So, it's a good idea to read class descriptions carefully before signing up.</p>What are the benefits of hot yoga?
<p>Regardless of the room temperature, both hot yoga and Bikram yoga aim to provide relaxation of the mind and improve physical fitness.</p><p>A heated environment can make the practice of yoga more challenging, but some of the benefits may be worth it, especially if you're looking to make progress in one of the areas outlined below.</p><p>If done correctly and safely, hot yoga can provide the following benefits:</p>1. Improves Flexibility
<p>You may already know that stretching after you <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931" target="_blank">warm up your muscles</a> is safer than stretching cold muscles.</p><p>So, it follows that an environment like a hot yoga studio can make yoga poses easier and more effective. The heat allows you to stretch a little further and achieve a greater range of motion.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22592178" target="_blank">2013 studyTrusted Source</a> of Bikram yoga found that after 8 weeks, yoga participants had greater flexibility in their low back, shoulders, and hamstrings than the control group.</p>2. Burns More Calories
<p>A 160-pound person can burn around <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-many-calories-does-yoga-burn" target="_blank">183 calories</a> an hour with traditional yoga. Turning up the heat can help you burn even more calories.</p><p>According to researchers at <a href="https://source.colostate.edu/researcher-hot-yoga-yields-fitness-benefits/" target="_blank">Colorado State University</a>, the calorie burn can be as high as 460 for men and 330 for women during a 90-minute Bikram yoga session.</p><p>Hot yoga, even if it's not quite as intense as a Bikram session, will burn more calories than a traditional yoga workout.</p>3. Builds Bone Density
<p>Supporting your weight during a yoga pose can help <a href="https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/exercise/exercise-your-bone-health" target="_blank">build bone density</a>. This is especially important for older adults and premenopausal women, as bone density declines as you age.</p><p>A <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ad1b/43b2d9ec325f9dcefa0f71fbab565c3a6dfd.pdf" target="_blank">2014 study</a> of women who participated in Bikram yoga over a 5-year period found that premenopausal women had increased bone density in their neck, hips, and lower back.</p><p>This lead the authors of the study to believe that Bikram yoga may be an effective option for reducing the risk of osteoporosis in women.</p>4. Reduces Stress
<p>Many people turn to yoga as a natural way to deal with stress.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28866110" target="_blank">2018 studyTrusted Source</a> of stressed, physically inactive adults found that a 16-week program of hot yoga significantly reduced the participants' stress levels.</p><p>At the same time, it improved their health-related quality of life, as well as their self-efficacy — the belief that you have control over your behavior and social environment.</p>5. Eases Depression
<p>Yoga is well known as a technique to help you relax and improve your mood. According to the <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/08/yoga-depression" target="_blank">American Psychology Association</a>, it may also be a helpful therapy for reducing the symptoms of depression.</p><p>Additionally, a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871291/" target="_blank">2017 reviewTrusted Source</a> of 23 different studies that focused on yoga as a treatment for depression concluded that yoga is an effective way to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/yoga-therapy" target="_blank">reduce depressive symptoms</a>.</p>6. Provides a Cardiovascular Boost
<p>Striking different yoga poses in high heat can give your heart, lungs, and muscles a more challenging workout than doing the same poses in a lower temperature.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/05001/Acute_Metabolic,_Cardiovascular,_And_Thermal.450.aspx" target="_blank">2014 study</a>, just one session of hot yoga is enough to get your heart pumping at the same rate as a brisk walk (3.5 miles per hour).</p><p>Hot yoga also revs up your respiration and metabolism.</p>7. Reduces Blood Glucose Levels
<p>While any type of exercise can help burn energy and reduce circulating levels of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream, hot yoga may be an especially helpful tool for people at higher risk for <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes" target="_blank">type 2 diabetes</a>.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24138995" target="_blank">2013 studyTrusted Source</a> found that a short-term Bikram yoga program improved glucose tolerance in older adults with obesity, but it had less of an effect on young, lean adults.</p>8. Nourishes the Skin
<p>Sweating, and a lot of if, is one of the main objectives of hot yoga.</p><p>One of the benefits of sweating in a warm environment is that it can improve circulation, bringing oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to skin cells. This, in turn, may help to nourish your skin from the inside.</p>Safety Tips
<p>If you're in good health, hot yoga is generally safe. But, as with most types of exercise, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind.</p><ul> <li><strong>Dehydration</strong> is a major concern with hot yoga. Drinking water before, during, and after a hot yoga class is essential. A low-calorie sports drink may also help restore electrolytes lost during your hot yoga workout.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>Some pre-existing health conditions</strong> may make you more prone to passing out in a hot room. This includes <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease" target="_blank">heart disease</a>, diabetes, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/arteriovenous-malformations" target="_blank">arterial abnormalities</a>, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/anorexia-nervosa" target="_blank">anorexia nervosa</a>, and a history of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fainting" target="_blank">fainting</a>.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>If you have low blood pressure or low blood sugar</strong>, you may be prone to dizziness or lightheadedness with hot yoga. Check with your doctor to make sure hot yoga is safe for you.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>Pregnant women</strong> should consult their doctor before trying hot yoga.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>If you've had heat intolerance problems</strong> in the past, you may want to stick with yoga that's done at a normal temperature.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Stop right away</strong> if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous. Leave the room and rest in a cooler environment.</li></ul>How to Get Started
<p>If you haven't done yoga before, you may want to try a regular yoga class first to see if the instructor and studio are a comfortable fit for you. While there, ask about hot yoga classes and if there are classes that cater to beginners.</p><p>You may also want to try out a few different yoga studios before you commit to one. Ask if the yoga studio offers free or discounted trial classes so you can see if it's the right fit for you.</p><p>If you're ready to give hot yoga a try, consider these tips to get started:</p><ul> <li><strong>Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics</strong> that can wick away your sweat.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>Bring a towel to place over your yoga mat</strong>, which may get a little slippery once you start sweating. You can also bring an extra towel for your face and hands.</li></ul><ul> <li><strong>Consider special gloves and socks</strong> that can provide a better grip in a hot yoga studio.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Bring a large, insulated water bottle</strong> filled with cold water that you can sip throughout your hot yoga session.</li></ul>The Bottom Line
<p><br>Hot yoga may not be for everyone. But if you enjoy regular yoga, and want to step it up a notch, it may be just what you're looking for.</p><p>Hot yoga offers a wide variety of benefits for both your mind and body. It can help you burn calories, build bone density, boost your cardiovascular fitness, and improve your flexibility. It may also help ease depression and reduce stress.</p><p>If you have any health conditions, including heart or artery issues, diabetes, anorexia nervosa, a history of fainting, or heat intolerance, consult your doctor first before doing a hot yoga session.</p>
Read More
Show Less
EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
Pexels
If you can flow from "downward dog" to "upward dog," then you're part the growing number of yogis in the U.S.
In the last 5 years, the number of American adults and children who practice yoga and meditation has significantly increased, according to a government survey conducted last year.
<p>
The questionnaire—administered every 5 years as part of the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm" target="_blank">National Health Interview Survey</a> (NHIS)—is based on the responses of thousands of Americans about their health- and illness-related experiences.
</p><p>
"The survey data suggest that more people are turning to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/what-is-mindfulness-meditation-2118242331.html">mind and body approaches</a> than ever before," NCCIH acting director David Shurtleff said in a <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/more-adults-children-are-using-yoga-meditation" target="_blank">press release</a>.
</p><p>
The results show that roughly 14 percent of adults practiced yoga and meditation in 2017. That's up from about 9.5 percent and 4 percent respectively compared to a similar survey fielded five years ago.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODgxNDM0Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODk5MDI2OH0.2aSWoV8_u1XVCy0kd2mESRAiyzk0x767FLwF7v-Q59A/img.jpg?width=980" id="3acd6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ac9da7fe465f4e591f6d6958dc922765" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">More Americans are doing yoga and mediation, according to a nationally representative survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.</small>
</p><p>
The percentage of children between ages 4 to 17 who practiced yoga in the past 12 months also jumped from 3.1 percent in 2012 to 8.4 percent in 2017. More youngsters are also meditating, from 0.6 percent in 2012 to 5.4 percent in 2017.
</p><p>
It's not clear what drove the increases, but two of the report authors, Tainya Clark and Lindsey Black, told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/07/meditation-use-rises-as-apps-such-as-headspace-calm-become-popular.html" target="_blank">CNBC</a> it may be related to the popularity of meditation and yoga cellphone apps such as <a href="https://www.headspace.com/" target="_blank">Headspace</a> and <a href="https://www.calm.com/" target="_blank">Calm</a>. Companies and schools are also offering such programs for employees and students, they added.</p><p>
"Something really special is happening with our culture at a time when we need it most," Megan Jones Bell, Headspace's chief science officer commented to CNBC. "At a time when mental health problems are on the rise, something that improves focus and compassion is certainly something the world needs more of."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="7b72b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ENI76B1576662647"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="805797652755529728" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Mindfulness Meditation for Anxiety: https://t.co/h1pNv7SKFz from @EcoWatch</div> — Glo (@Glo)<a href="https://twitter.com/YogaGlo/statuses/805797652755529728">1480952106.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>Here are some of the report's highlights among adults:<br></p><ul class="ee-ul">
<li>Yoga was the most commonly used complementary health approach among U.S. adults in 2012 (9.5 percent) and 2017 (14.3 percent). The use of meditation increased more than threefold from 4.1 percent in 2012 to 14.2 percent in 2017.</li>
<li>The use of chiropractors increased from 9.1 percent in 2012 to 10.3 percent in 2017.</li>
<li>In 2017, women were more likely to use yoga, meditation and chiropractors in the past 12 months than men. </li>
<li>Non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to use yoga, meditation and chiropractors than Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults.</li>
</ul><p>
And here are some for children:
</p><ul class="ee-ul">
<li>The percentage of children aged 4-17 years who used yoga in the past 12 months increased significantly from 3.1 percent in 2012 to 8.4 percent in 2017.</li>
<li>Meditation increased significantly from 0.6 percent in 2012 to 5.4 percent in 2017.</li>
<li>There was no statistically significant difference in the use of a chiropractor between 2012 and 2017 (3.5 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively).</li>
<li>In 2017, girls were more likely to have used yoga during the past 12 months than boys.</li>
<li>In 2017, older children (aged 12-17 years) were more likely to have used meditation and a chiropractor in the past 12 months than younger children (aged 4-11 years).</li>
<li>Non-Hispanic white children were more likely to have used yoga and a chiropractor in the past 12 months than non-Hispanic black children or Hispanic children.</li></ul><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="94e1b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3BVYYW1576662647"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="933460123799998465" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Connecting With Nature Improves Minds and Moods https://t.co/zKsT0bDGJk @Greenpeace @ScienceNewsOrg @WoodlandTrust</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/933460123799998465">1511389211.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
Pexels
By Jeremy David Engels
On June 21, on International Yoga Day, people will take out their yoga mats and practice sun salutations or sit in meditation. Yoga may have originated in ancient India, but today is practiced all over the world.
<p>
In the U.S., it was philosophers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau who first engaged with the philosophy of yoga in the 1830s. Yoga gained a wider American audience only in the late 1800s.
</p><p>
Today, part of yoga's appeal is that it continues to be seen as a mystical, ancient tradition. However, as I've discovered in <a href="https://www.jdengels.com/scholarship.html" target="_blank">my research</a>, the practice of yoga has gone through some profound shifts. Here are four.
</p><p>
<strong>1. Yoga for Health and Happiness</strong>
</p><p>
It was a Hindu reformer, <a href="https://vedanta.org/our-teachers/swami-vivekananda/" target="_blank">Swami Vivekananda</a>, who first introduced yoga to a larger audience. Vivekananda originally came to the U.S. to seek funds to relieve poverty in India. Several electrifying addresses he delivered at the <a href="https://parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/chicago-1893" target="_blank">World's Parliament of Religions</a>, the world's first global interfaith dialogue held in 1893 in Chicago, brought him instant fame. He then traveled around the U.S. for the next several years, giving lectures and teaching yoga.
</p><p>
Vivekananda revived the tradition of an ancient Indian sage, <a href="https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/who-was-patanjali" target="_blank">Patanjali</a>, that had been almost forgotten. Patanjali likely lived in India somewhere between the first century B.C. or the fourth century A.D. He claimed that the goal of yoga was <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=i7yoPwAACAAJ&dq=encyclopedia+of+yoga&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqr8idnqvbAhWytlkKHf8zBqMQ6AEIKTAA" target="_blank">isolation from existence</a> and freedom from the bonds of mortal life.
</p><p>
According to <a href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Yoga-Sutra-of-Patanjali/Georg-Feuerstein/9780892812622" target="_blank">Patanjali</a>, to overcome suffering, individuals needed to renounce the very comforts and attachments that seem to make life worth living for many today. As the journalist Michelle Goldberg, author of <a href="http://www.michellegoldberg.net/the-goddess-pose/" target="_blank"><em>The Goddess Pose</em></a>, puts it, Patanjali's yoga "is a tool of self-obliteration rather than self-actualization."
</p><p>
No one today is likely to see yoga as a way to renounce their existence. Most people are drawn to yoga to find happiness, health and compassion in everyday life.
</p><p>
<strong>2. Value of Physical Exercise</strong>
</p><p>
Most people today associate yoga closely with physical exercise and postures, known as asanas, designed to strengthen and stretch the body. There is more to yoga, however, than the physical. Yoga also encompasses devotion, contemplation and meditation. In fact, the primary focus on the body would surprise both Patanjali and Vivekananda, who prioritized mental over physical exercise.
</p><p>
Patanjali treated the body with disdain, believing it to be a prison. He was emphatic that we are not our bodies, and that any attachment to our bodies is an impediment to yoga. Vivekananda <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=tUgBIrn5REwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=yoga+body&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIl8GZnKvbAhWpq1kKHfMeD5IQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=yoga%20body&f=false" target="_blank">echoed</a> these thoughts. He treated asanas with scorn. Vivekananda argued that an obsessive focus on the body distracts from the true practice of yoga: meditation.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODEwNTIxMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTE4ODQ5M30.hqIwpmI0aMRnGu3-miLT-B0T8L_-Px0MxaP7KvHKqiQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="105a4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="35fea8e3f7e2492bc4268c5e6937e3dd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Asanas, or exercise poses, are central to today's practice of yoga. </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Anna Sunderland Engels / CC BY 4.0</small>
</p><p>
In contrast, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=tUgBIrn5REwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=yoga+body&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIl8GZnKvbAhWpq1kKHfMeD5IQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=yoga%20body&f=false" target="_blank">contemporary practitioners embrace asana as central to yoga.</a> Contemporary yogis recognize that the mind, and the soul, is embodied. By "<a href="http://www.laraheimann.com/blog/get-smart-in-your-yoga" target="_blank">getting smart in their yoga</a>," contemporary yogis attend to their bodies, and also to their emotions, because the health of the body impacts the ability to see clearly and act deliberately.<br>
</p><p>
<strong>3. Focusing on the Self</strong>
</p><p>
A central practice of yoga is self-study, known in Sanskrit as "<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=i7yoPwAACAAJ&dq=encyclopedia+of+yoga&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqr8idnqvbAhWytlkKHf8zBqMQ6AEIKTAA" target="_blank">svadhyaya</a>." In the tradition of Patanjali, this means "<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=yivABQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Bryant+yoga+sutras&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiK3vn1nqvbAhXmzVkKHdRcAl8Q6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=scared%20scriptures&f=false" target="_blank">the reading of sacred scriptures.</a>"
</p><p>
Today, svadhyaya has come to mean the study of oneself. People often take up the practice of yoga to lead happier, less stressed and more compassionate lives. Yoga involves, as I argue in my book <a href="http://www.sunypress.edu/p-6539-the-art-of-gratitude.aspx" target="_blank"><em>The Art of Gratitude</em></a>, paying attention to one's habits. Only by first noticing one's habitual patterns does it become possible to change them.
</p><p>
Sacred texts, broadly understood, can help this practice of self-study, as they encourage reflection on deep and difficult questions that do not have easy answers. For today's practitioners, these questions include: What is the purpose of life? How can I live an ethical life? And, what would truly make me happy?
</p><p>
Ultimately, self-study resides at the heart of a healthy yoga practice. It allows yogis to recognize their deep connection to others and the world around them. This recognition of interdependence and interbeing is central to today's yoga.
</p><p>
<strong>4. Ethics of a Yoga Guru</strong>
</p><p>
In ancient practice, the relationship between a guru and a student was crucial. Today, the guru-student model is going through a shift. Yogis no longer train for years in their guru's home, as was the practice in ancient India. Yogis instead practice in studios, in parks, at fitness centers, or at home on their own.
</p><p>
Still, many contemporary yoga teachers claim the title of "guru."
</p><p>
However, some practitioners of yoga <a href="https://yogainternational.com/article/view/does-the-guru-student-model-work-in-modern-yoga" target="_blank">are calling for an end to the guru model</a>, given that it comes with an inherent power, which opens the door to abuse. There are many examples of such abuse, with a more recent one being the case of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/opinion/yoga-code-of-ethics-bikram-choudhury.html" target="_blank">Bikram Choudhury</a>, the 73-year-old founder of Bikram yoga, who fled the country to avoid an arrest warrant in California in 2017 after being accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/feb/18/bikram-hot-yoga-scandal-choudhury-what-he-wanted" target="_blank">sexual assault</a>.
</p><p>
In the wake of the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/10/the-movement-of-metoo/542979/" target="_blank">#MeToo movement</a> in the <a href="https://theconversation.com/metoo-in-the-art-world-genius-should-not-excuse-sexual-harassment-91554" target="_blank">U.S.</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/metoo-is-riding-a-new-wave-of-feminism-in-india-89842" target="_blank">India</a>, many yoga practitioners have initiated <a href="https://www.yogaalliance.org/Learn/Article_Archive/A_Response_to_Recent_Allegations_of_Misconduct" target="_blank">important conversations</a> about the ethics of being a yoga teacher. At the heart of these conversations is how yoga teachers must, above all else, treat their students, who are often deeply vulnerable, with dignity and respect.
</p><p>
<strong>Ancient, But Not Timeless</strong>
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODEwNTIwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNDI1NTM4NX0.6OA7c18WtDcruF1LMTE4DAa6FDn3HtDs49b33qooRi8/img.jpg?width=980" id="e6bc2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f4a05170771111511127436df08f81ec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">International Yoga Day in London's Trafalgar Square, 2017. </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Anna Sunderland Engels / CC BY 4.0</small>
</p><p>
Indeed, there is great power, and great mystique, in just how old yoga is.<br>
</p><p>
But as a professor of communication, I observe that one of the most common errors people make in daily conversation is to appeal to antiquity—what scholars call the "argumentum ad antiquitatem" fallacy—which says that something is good simply because it is old, and because it has always been done this way.
</p><p>
Yoga is ancient, but it is not timeless. By stopping for a moment to consider yoga's past, we can recognize the crucial role that all of us can and must play in shaping its future.
</p><p>
<span></span> <em>Reposted with permission from our media associate </em><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/yoga-isnt-timeless-its-changing-to-meet-contemporary-needs-97162" target="_blank">The Conversation</a></em><em>.</em>
</p><script async="async" data-counter="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/97162/count?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" id="theconversation_tracker_hook" src="https://theconversation.com/javascripts/lib/content_tracker_hook.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
By Lauren Bowen
So many of the products that we buy and use daily will end up in a landfill at the end of their lives—especially those made from plastics or other unrecyclable (or uncompostable) materials.
Yoga mats usually fall into this category.
<p>Fortunately, more and more incredible companies are producing sustainable, chemical-free <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/4-yoga-inversions-that-will-improve-your-health-1891181480.html">yoga</a> mats. Most are made from jute or all-natural rubber—materials that are gentle on the Earth, without sacrificing grip quality.</p><p>Sound like something you'd be into? Read on.</p><p><strong>1. <a href="https://www.manduka.com/yoga-mats/eko-lite/eko-lite-yoga-mat-4mm-ebb-marbled.html" target="_blank">Manduka eKO Lite Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDgzL29yaWdpbi5qcGciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjUxNDE2NTI3fQ.ZDUs_H4LSC1w6gZQ2GuwLTkg5VODv3phK4e7Urh3YsU/img.jpg?width=980" id="c83b0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2da0110d510ba424e14329f59cf47022" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>Thick and extra-cushioned for joint support (but weighing less than five pounds) this high-quality mat may very well change your life. It's made from biodegradable, non-Amazon-harvested, natural tree rubber which means no toxic PVC, no plasticizers and no foaming agents! Trust me, it's worth the investment.<br></p><p><strong>2. <a href="http://yolohayoga.com/best-sellers/nomad-cork-yoga-mat" target="_blank">Yoloha Nomad Cork Yoga Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDg0L29yaWdpbi5wbmciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjU0OTY1NTYxfQ.2paISjcHMQa4b50-IXUpTJV-w8kEOURckf1wu9mFVzw/img.png?width=980" id="7d704" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b9348fbe1530aea16065c5c95c5be715" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>If you're tired of your yoga mat getting slippery when wet, you've just found your holy grail. This 4 millimeter yoga mat is constructed from anti-microbial, premium-grade cork that is both self-cleaning and biodegradable! Bonus: Any cork material leftover during the mat's no-waste manufacturing process is reused to make new products. Pretty cool, huh?<br></p><p><strong>3. <a href="https://affirmats.com/collections/shop" target="_blank">Affirmats Yoga Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDg2L29yaWdpbi5qcGciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjA5MzQ0OTkxfQ.MHGUDNKRLYSaAg-d7WgYWmBWGnZ8mHn31PPDS0rqqSk/img.jpg?width=980" id="7914e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0f10e819a105444aa4c0a0213a927747" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>This eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mat is a real treat! Each mat is decorated with a positive affirmation like "I am enough" or "I am free" to inspire you during your practice. Made from slip-resistent jute and eco-PVC, this 5 millimeter mat is completely free of nasty phthalates, latex and heavy metals. It even gets more slip-resistant with use!<br></p><p><strong>4. <a href="http://www.barefootyoga.com/the-original-eco-yoga-mat" target="_blank">Barefoot Yoga Original Eco Yoga Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDg5L29yaWdpbi5wbmciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjA3MTY4NDcxfQ.NgevIv4hfMmcn9pbVKIKjPP6-wygAKRJE8CAsp4JBVI/img.png?width=980" id="2df80" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e63f4d8335e446f9de958154918b5a5a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>The Original Eco Yoga Mat is eco-conscious and non-toxic. Composed exclusively from all-natural rubber and jute fiber, you can rest assured that it is free of chemical additives. Highly durable, flexible and natural-feeling, you'll never go back to your old mat.<br></p><p><strong>5. <a href="http://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat?variant=29094244434" target="_blank">Jade Harmony Yoga Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDkyL29yaWdpbi5qcGciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjI3NTkxMjA1fQ.afR4gkgD7lO-Vda4i884fep1x9KzdjEjngZhlpGciAA/img.jpg?width=980" id="15962" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b04687afe207b87a0c582f137c2331d6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>This Jade Yoga mat is a favorite among yogis. It contains zero PVC, EVA or other synthetic rubber and is made instead from sustainable, renewable rubber. Designed in a number of sizes and widths, odds are you've just found the perfect tailor made option. Bonus: For every mat sold, Jade plants a tree!<br></p><p><strong>6. <a href="http://www.dfyoga.com/Dragonfly-TPE-Lite-Mat_p_47.html" target="_blank">Dragonfly TPE Lite Mat</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDk0L29yaWdpbi5wbmciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjIyMTc3NzI0fQ.ATUz1TdVC4-RfobJvhavLAq9ATzIAfDEHrckqXDiLt4/img.png?width=980" id="98da9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="eac0fbf9476a6322c293762c59173ffe" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>The TPE Lite Mat is a beautiful take on minimalism in yoga gear. Look closely and you'll discover that the entire surface is imprinted with tiny dragonflies! This mat is made using closed-cell technology to prevent any sweat and other nasties from penetrating its surface. So, rest assured: your mat will stay germ-free.<br></p><p><strong>7. </strong><a href="http://www.prana.com/henna-e-c-o-yoga-mat.html?color=dragonfly" target="_blank"><strong>PrAna Henna ECO Yoga Mat</strong></a></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy85NjQyMDk1L29yaWdpbi5wbmciLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjI3MDE5NDc1fQ.s6mEdq6IKdriUlbhMlb6CNAJgkc0jMbrMNVJMCUFfxo/img.png?width=980" id="06770" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="87112bec25ef1af106f1c91b0755ce64" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p>This top selling yoga mat is made from non-toxic TPE that is both chemical-free and UV-resistant. Plus, it has a gorgeous henna print on the top side. This product also has a closed-cell construction so you don't need to worry about anything nasty absorbing into the mat.<br></p><p>You spend a lot of time on your yoga mat! So invest in one that has a long lifespan and won't expose you to nasty chemicals. Which mat is your favorite?</p><p><em> <em>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-eco-friendly-yoga-mats-that-wont-go-to-landfill.html" target="_blank">Care2</a>.</em></em></p>
Read More
Show Less