THE QUESTION Might the physical and mental aspects of yoga help people with chronic back pain? THIS STUDY involved 313 adults, mostly women, who averaged 46 years old and who had had back pain for an average of 10 years. They were randomly assigned to take a once-a-week, 75-minute gentle yoga class or to continue with regular care through their physicians. All participants were given educational material on back pain; the yoga group also received handouts and a CD to help practice yoga stretches and mental relaxation at home. When the classes ended after three months, as well as when participants were evaluated nine months later, little difference overall was found in back pain levels between those who had practiced yoga and those who had not, although 8 percent of the yoga group, vs. 1 percent of the others, noted some increased pain. However, yoga participants on average reported better functioning of their backs, allowing participation in 30 percent more activities than the others and the ability to walk more quickly, stand for a longer time and get dressed without help. Read full article > >

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Yoga may improve functioning in people with back pain, study suggests

Apple Store employee Jana Svrzo said that on the night of March 11 she heard what sounded like “hitting” or furniture being moved at the yoga store next door. Then, Svrzo said, she heard “high-pitched squealing.” Then “screaming and yelling.” There were more noises and more screaming. Svrzo heard one voice through the shared wall between the stores: “Talk to me. Don’t do this. Talk to me. What’s going on?” Read full article > >

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Apple store employees heard screaming from Lululemon

A yoga guru vowed to continue his hunger strike against corruption in India after a raid dispersed his followers.

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After Raid, Indian Guru’s Protest Stirs a Firestorm

NEW DELHI — In a swift midnight action, Indian police cracked down with canes and tear-gas shells to drive away tens of thousands of people who were on a hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi and detained the yoga guru who led the massive nationwide protest. The yoga guru, Baba Ramdev , was ordered to leave the Indian capital and taken on a special plane Sunday morning to Dehradun, a northern city on the foothills of the Himalayas. He later traveled to his sprawling ashram in Hardwar. Huge crowds thronged the ashram shouting slogans, as a tired-looking Ramdev got out of the car in white clothes, unusual for the orange-robed guru. He declined to accept the marigold flowers with which his supporters were garlanding him. He said he had worn women’s long white tunic, pants and veil and hid himself for two hours near the protest site when the police swooped in. Read full article > >

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India cracks down on hunger strike led by yoga guru

If you haven’t already joined the yoga movement, here’s another reason to practice your sun salutations: A U.S. study released Saturday says yoga can halve the risk of irregular heartbeat, a common and potentially dangerous condition that can lead to…

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Study: Yoga Cuts Stroke Risk

Hands-on instruction is essential for many forms of yoga but isn’t always welcomed.

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Stretch: The Delicate Art of Adjustments

In recent years, so-called “yoga for fertility” classes have become increasingly popular.

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Yoga’s Stress Relief: An Aid for Infertility?

Memberships and community are out of date as people go to a gym for exercise and nothing more.

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Skin Deep: Full-Service Gyms Feel a Bit Flabby

A small foundation has generated buzz with a campaign asserting that “Hinduism has lost control of the brand.”

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Hindu Group Stirs a Debate Over Yoga’s Soul