S12 Episode 01: Health Benefits of Yoga

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Physical therapist and yoga instructor Dr. Allison Mitch discusses some of the many benefits of yoga both for the general population and for those with medical conditions or special needs.

This episode is part of Series 12: Yoga. For a list of ParkTalk episodes and series and to submit ideas and questions, visit https://www.napervilleparks.org/PODCASTS

Quote from the episode:

"You get the flexibility benefits (of yoga), of course, but there are so many more, from stress reduction to relief from anxiety and depression, joint lubrication and joint health, posture, improved lung capacity, improved venous flow and improved lymphatic flow." - Dr. Allison Mitch

Looking for a local yoga class in the Naperville, Illinois area?

Naperville Park District offers a variety of classes each season. Check the current program guide under "Fitness and Wellness."

Adaptive Yoga Instruction

One on One adaptive yoga sessions: email Dr. Allison Mitch at wildwomaninthesuburbs@gmail.com

Adaptive Yoga: NextSteps Chicago, where Allison offers once a month adaptive yoga classes: http://www.nextstepschicago.org/

Finding a qualified yoga instructor: Yoga Alliance - https://yogaalliance.org

Finding a yoga therapist: International Association of Yoga Therapists - https://www.iayt.org

Learn more about yoga and health with these resources

Yoga as a complementary health approach: information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - part of the National Institutes of Health:

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga

Access abstracts of research about the effects of yoga practice on specific health conditions or symptoms by using Pubmed, a free search engine:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed

Resources for adaptive yoga:

Mind Body solutions In Minneapolis: started by Matthew Sanford, who wrote a book (Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence) about his healing journey using yoga following a spinal cord injury. Offers classes and trainings.

http://www.mindbodysolutions.org/

Yoga Today for people with MS. Developed by Eric Small, who has MS.

http://www.yogams.com/

Love your Brain - For people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury and their caregivers. Offers classes, trainings, retreats.

https://www.loveyourbrain.com/yoga/

Books:

Yoga for everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body by Dianne Bondy

Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body by Jessamyn Stanley

Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing by Timothy McCall, MD

Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care by Sat Bir Singh Khalsa