Coach Virginia, this is fascinating information. In addition to respiratory illness, the mind-body connection was also influential in recovery time for breast cancer patients. Last year, researchers reported at the American Physiological Society meeting in Washington DC that breast cancer survivors who engaged in the Iyengar method of yoga not only experienced psychological well-being but also benefited the patients’ immune system. Here's an excerpt from from the article.
"According to lead researcher Pamela E Schultz, practicing the yoga form resulted in decreased activation of an important immune system protein
called NF-kB in patients, which is a marker of stress in the body.
"So it’s possible," Schultz said, "that decreased activation of NF-kB indicates decreased stress in the body. NF-kB is activated in the body by physical or mental stress."
A little bit of irony on a personal level ... A friend had recommended Iyengar to me as a way to boost my immunity and maybe lessen my allergy symptoms. During allergy season, I'm usually in bed by 8:30 because I'm so exhausted. Not sure if anyone here has tried Iyengar, but it involves a lot of 'inverted poses' which means standing on your head, placing your feet on the wall, etc. While initially it felt really good, the nose bleeds that are a result of my allergies really kicked in during these poses and I had to look for something else.
Someday, I hope to reap the benefits of this type of conditioning, but I definitely need to work on my timing.
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Coach Virginia, this is fascinating information. In addition to respiratory illness, the mind-body connection was also influential in recovery time for breast cancer patients. Last year, researchers reported at the American Physiological Society meeting in Washington DC that breast cancer survivors who engaged in the Iyengar method of yoga not only experienced psychological well-being but also benefited the patients’ immune system. Here's an excerpt from from the article.
"According to lead researcher Pamela E Schultz, practicing the yoga form resulted in decreased activation of an important immune system protein
called NF-kB in patients, which is a marker of stress in the body.
"So it’s possible," Schultz said, "that decreased activation of NF-kB indicates decreased stress in the body. NF-kB is activated in the body by physical or mental stress."
A little bit of irony on a personal level ... A friend had recommended Iyengar to me as a way to boost my immunity and maybe lessen my allergy symptoms. During allergy season, I'm usually in bed by 8:30 because I'm so exhausted. Not sure if anyone here has tried Iyengar, but it involves a lot of 'inverted poses' which means standing on your head, placing your feet on the wall, etc. While initially it felt really good, the nose bleeds that are a result of my allergies really kicked in during these poses and I had to look for something else.
Someday, I hope to reap the benefits of this type of conditioning, but I definitely need to work on my timing.
November 28, 2008 - 7:47amThis Comment
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