Yoga’s Lost Spirituality By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. Yoga developed in India millennia ago as a deep spiritual practice. It developed as a contemplative practice that unified body and mind. Yoga was known to have physical benefits, but the most important benefit was seen to be spiritual development. Indian Prime Minister Narendra […]
Reduce Negative Emotions and Stress Sensitivity with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness training teaches people to be fully attentive to their present experience in a nonjudgmental way, which is believed to help reduce the rumination common to mood disorders. A mindful perspective teaches people how to apply a brake between […]
Reduce Stress with Preventative On-line Mindfulness Training By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness not only reduces stress but also gently builds an inner strength so that future stressors have less impact on our happiness and physical well-being.” – Shamash Alidina Mindfulness training has been shown through extensive research to be effective […]
Mindfulness Improves Stress and Psychological Well-Being in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Studies show that for some people with MS, chronic exposure to stress is associated with worsening neurological symptoms and increased brain lesions. . . and relapses. Researchers believe that mindfulness may help people better respond to […]
Improve Mood and Stress Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “One of the main reasons people with cancer use meditation is to help them to feel better. Meditation can reduce anxiety and stress. It might also help control problems such as pain, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, feeling sick, […]
Improve Veteran Health with In-Person and Telehealth Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The fact that veterans are embracing yoga and realizing its benefits speaks directly to the stigmas attached to both yoga and PTSD. Veterans practicing yoga illuminate the value of the practice for any person, from any walk of life, […]
Improve Major depression with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Yoga gives us an active role in healing. And by slowing down mental chatter through breath work, it helps facilitate self-acceptance. In other words, through practicing yoga, we become quieter and more grounded. Yoga can help perfectionists as well as those who […]
Maintain a Yoga Practice to Improve Absences due to Back Pain By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “For people with lower back pain, stretching is very important. For example, stretching the hamstring muscles (in the back of the thigh) helps expand the motion in the pelvis, decreasing stress across the lower back. In […]
Improve Stress and Trauma Effects on Children with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness practice helps children connect with positive emotional and social experiences, often things that a traumatized brain struggles to do.” – Mindful Trauma comes in many forms, from abuse to warfare, from children to the elderly, from […]
Bikram Yoga Does Not Affect Cardiovascular Risk Factors with Healthy Participants By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “those with a regular yoga practice are likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and to experience lower levels of perceived stress and depression than runners or inactive adults.” – B. Grace Bullock Cardiovascular disease is […]