Nava Yoga Therapy

03/12/2024

Globally, approximately 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the population live with significant disabilities. Over 1 billion individuals experience some form of disability, including more than 100 million children. In the UK alone, over 14 million people are disabled, according to the charity Scope.

Visible disabilities are physically apparent and easily identifiable, such as mobility impairments or the use of assistive devices. In contrast, invisible disabilities are not immediately noticeable, such as mental health conditions or chronic illnesses.

Individuals with invisible disabilities may face additional challenges due to scepticism or lack of acknowledgment from others. For instance, they may find it difficult to explain their condition and feel misunderstood or judged.

Up to 70% of disabilities are invisible.

While yoga is often seen as a universally accessible practice, traditional forms may include movements and poses that are not ideal for individuals with limited mobility.

Yoga therapy extends beyond physical movement to include all eight limbs of yoga and uses the Panchamaya Kosha model as a framework. This model views the physical body as just one layer among many, all of which are interconnected and mutually influential. This enables a more profound and comprehensive understanding of health and healing. By broadening our perspective, healing can be approached in a more integrative and meaningful way.

Yoga Therapy is adaptive and unique to each individual, working alongside their current functional abilities and emphasising personalised practices over achieving traditional postures.

Yoga Therapy offers gradual and intentional progression with unique applications tailored to individual outcomes. By offering individualised modifications and supports, yoga honours and becomes accessible and inclusive to individuals of all brains, bodies and abilities.

Please visit my website to find out more about this on my blog and how I can work with you.

https://navayogatherapy.co.uk/no-limits-yoga-for-every-body-brain-ability/
https://idpwd.org/

21/11/2024

In today’s fast-paced world, where children and teenagers are often overwhelmed by academic pressures, social media, and the relentless pace of life, finding effective ways to promote mental and physical wellbeing is more crucial than ever. Yoga, an ancient practice that unites mind, body, and spirit, has shown itself to be a powerful tool for young people. Research increasingly highlights the many benefits of yoga for children and teens, from enhancing focus and emotional regulation to improving physical health and increasing resilience.

This blog provides a brief overview of how current research is showing that incorporating yoga into the lives of young people can not only support their overall development, but also empower them to navigate the complexities of growing up with greater ease and confidence.

Please visit my website to find out more.

14/11/2024

Research suggests that yoga offers significant therapeutic benefits for diabetes management:

Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity
Yoga can improve blood sugar regulation, helping to lower fasting and post-meal glucose levels and HbA1c. It may also reduce insulin resistance, improving glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetes.

Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Health
Yoga has shown benefits in lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Additionally, it can enhance heart function and decrease blood pressure, helping reduce cardiovascular risks tied to diabetes.

Weight Management and Body Composition
Yoga supports weight control and improves body composition, essential for diabetes care. Through mindfulness, yoga encourages healthier eating and reduces emotional eating, aiding weight loss and general well-being.

Stress and Mental Health
Yoga reduces stress, which is often linked to poor eating habits in diabetes. It can decrease emotional distress, enhance mindfulness, and improve coping skills, boosting resilience in diabetes management.

Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress
Yoga may help regulate blood pressure and reduce oxidative stress, which are critical in managing Type 2 diabetes and slowing related complications.

Nervous System and Lung Health
Practicing yoga may reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, benefiting overall nervous health. It may also improve lung function, enhancing physical wellness for those with diabetes.

Quality of Life and Sleep
Yoga practitioners often report better mood, sleep, and overall quality of life. Enhanced mindfulness and reduced diabetes-related anxiety may lead to better disease management and, in some cases, less reliance on medication.

Preventive Potential
For those with a family history of diabetes, yoga may lower risk by improving insulin sensitivity and heart health.

In summary, yoga shows promise for managing and potentially preventing Type 2 diabetes. Visit my website blog or worlddiabetesday.org for more information.

29/10/2024

Stress is a natural part of life, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. When we're stressed, we may overestimate the severity of the stressor and underestimate our own ability to cope.

This often triggers a cycle known as "stress reactivity," where we become so accustomed to feeling stressed that it becomes almost a habit and our bodies can become highly efficient at staying in "stress mode." Unfortunately, this state can have far-reaching negative impacts on both our mental and physical health.

In essence, stress is the mind's interaction with the environment. A certain amount of stress is necessary for growth—it sharpens our awareness and enhances our ability to adapt. Stress, when managed well, can shift us from a state of languishing to one of flourishing.

The ancient philosopher Marcus Aurelius observed that stress isn't in the event itself but in how we interpret it. This perspective remains valuable today; it reminds us that we have some control over our reactions to stressful situations.

Interestingly, the mind’s response to stress mirrors the body's digestive system. Just as the digestive system breaks down food for nutrients, the brain (particularly the limbic system) processes and "digests" experiences. If we fail to process our stress, it may linger, much like undigested food. But when properly managed and "digested," stress can be transformed into wisdom, enriching our life.

Studies have shown that mind-body practices like yoga can be effective in managing stress and improving symptoms of conditions worsened by chronic stress. Yoga-based interventions help improve vagal tone, which is associated with better heart rate variability, mood stability, and digestion.

Yoga therapy follows a structured course for stress management:

Reduction: Stabilising the mind through coordinated breath and movement or mantra.
Integration: Developing harmony between mind and body.
Building: Growing a toolkit of practices to call upon in times of future stress.

If you would like to know more, please visit my website where you can find my blog "Using the Ancient Practice of Yoga to Manage Modern Stress" and isma.org.uk

29/10/2024

A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in blood flow to the brain. This is caused by either a blocked blood vessel or a blood vessel rupture. Without proper blood flow, brain cells quickly die because they are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.

In the case of a stroke, every minute counts. The faster a person receives medical care, the better their chances of survival and recovery.

Each year, it is estimated that around 12 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, making it one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability across the globe.

While many people survive strokes, the consequences can be life-altering and result in a wide range of physical and cognitive challenges. Many stroke survivors face the following symptoms:

• Asymmetrical weakness & sensory deficits
• Persistent balance issues, increasing the risk of falls
• Limited movement, withdrawal from social activities, reduced quality of life
• Muscle tension and hunched posture
• One-side neglect
• Slurred speech
• Aphasia
• Heightened stress response
• Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which can affect nutrition and hydration
• Memory loss
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Social isolation
• Personality changes

The World Stroke Day campaign this year is channelling the emotional power of sport to drive stroke awareness and to motivate us all to take action every day to reduce our stroke risk.

Yoga not only offers a holistic approach to stroke prevention, but also to rehabilitation, addressing the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges faced by survivors, targeting:

• Neuroplasticity
• Cognitive function, including memory loss, fatigue and mood
• Relaxation & releasing muscle tension
• Alleviating chronic pain
• Improved strength, range of motion, balance, mobility & spatial awareness
• Stress management
• Improving anxiety & depression
• Increasing confidence & independence
• Improving quality of life
• Increasing physical activity
• Awareness of lifestyle choices

Please visit my website to learn more on my blog "Yoga Therapy for Stroke Prevention & Recovery" and www.world-stroke.org

20/10/2024

20/10/2024

Osteoporosis (from the Greek “porous bone”) is a condition in which bones become less dense, increasing the risk of fractures.

Recognized by the World Health Organization as a disease in 1994, osteoporosis is a silent, progressive condition affecting both men and women.

Whilst it is primarily caused by ageing, it can affect individuals of any age. Despite its widespread impact, osteoporosis is often underdiagnosed, even after fractures occur. Globally, osteoporosis and osteopenia affect up to 200 million people worldwide.

Osteoporosis and fracture risks increase due to various factors, with lack of physical activity and calcium deficiency being two major contributors.

Common medical advice for managing osteoporosis and osteopenia includes frequent, gentle to moderate, weight-bearing activities that work against gravity, as these help stimulate bone formation. Exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting the spinal column, improve posture, enhance balance, and promote a better quality of life are particularly beneficial.

Yoga can provide beneficial mechanical stress on bones through weight-bearing postures, helping to improve bone density not just in the legs but also in the arms. Many yoga poses involve bearing weight on all four limbs, and the combination of muscle contraction and stretching offers additional positive stress on the bones.

Osteoporosis is a serious health issue, and yoga therapy has the potential to play a vital role in supporting those affected by the condition. Yoga therapy encourages clients to explore and address not only the physical symptoms of osteoporosis but also the emotional and social effects, such as fear, pain, breathlessness, social isolation, and body image issues.

Yoga therapists are also in a position to be able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and best outcomes for their clients. Through this multidisciplinary approach, yoga therapy can serve as an integral part of osteoporosis care.

Please go to my website to learn more on my blog: "Bend, Don’t Break: How Yoga Therapy Can Support Osteoporosis Management" and www.worldosteoporosisday.org