YOGA: AN INTEGRATIVE PRACTICE FOR LIFE

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YOGA: AN INTEGRATIVE PRACTICE FOR LIFE

COURSE DESCRIPTION The practice of yoga is becoming increasingly popular as a way to relieve stress, live in harmony with nature, and enhance well-being of the mind and body. One reason for its growing popularity is that more many people are open to it and are using holistic approaches to manage their pressure-filled, fast-paced lives. Yoga provides an integrative, healthy way to connect mind, body, and spirit, resulting in improved physical, mental, and emotional health. The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the philosophical foundations of yoga, the eight-limb path of yoga, styles of yoga, Western yoga, benefits of yoga, contraindications and risks of yoga, factors to consider when choosing a yoga class, and the safe practice of yoga for children, adolescents, and seniors. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completing this course, you will be able to do the following:

1. Describe the philosophical foundations of yoga. 2. Explain the eight-limb path of yoga, 3. Differentiate between the styles of yoga. 4. Discuss Western yoga. 5. Describe the benefits of yoga. 6. Identify the contraindications and risks of yoga. 7. Compare factors to consider when choosing a yoga class. 8. Describe considerations for the safe practice of yoga for children and adolescents. 9. Describe considerations for the safe practice of yoga for seniors.


INTRODUCTION

Believed to have originated in India, yoga is considered an ancient form of active meditation in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This ancient practice links mind, body, and spirit through a combination of postures, breathing, and conscious relaxation and meditation (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM], 2017; White, 2009). By emphasizing postures (to strengthen the body), controlled breathing (to create a chemical and emotional balance in the body and mind), and meditation (as a form of prayer), yoga stimulates powerful healing abilities in its practitioners. Iyengar (2006) explains that yoga’s goal “is nothing less than to attain the integrity of oneness—oneness with ourselves and as a consequence oneness with all that lies beyond ourselves. We become the harmonious microcosm in the universal macrocosm. Oneness, what I often call integration, is the foundation for wholeness, inner peace, and ultimate freedom” (p. xiv). Derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “yoke, “constellation,” “conjunction,” or “union,” yoga is the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual energies that enhance health and well-being. It is a way to live in harmony with nature, and good health is the result (Leddy, 2006; Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010; Seaward, 2013). One of yoga’s greatest gifts is an increase in body awareness that happens when individuals link their body movements with their breath. As Iyengar (2006) says, “The yogic journey guides us from our periphery, the body, to the center of our being, the soul.


The aim is to integrate the various layers so that the inner divinity shines out as through clear glass” (p. 3). With the growing popularity of yoga in the West, researchers are studying the benefits of therapeutic yoga (also called integrative yoga therapy). It is used as an adjunct treatment for specific medical conditions such as clinical depression, heart disease, and relief of symptoms of asthma, back pain, and arthritis (WebMD, 2017). PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF YOGA

The Rig Veda (Hindu scriptures translated as “knowledge of praise”) defines yoga as a means of deliverance from pain, suffering, and sorrow through the mastery of whatever disturbs an individual’s peace and harmony on the path to a perfect union with God or the universal spirit (Leddy, 2006; Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010). The Bhagavad Gita (Lord’s Song), the most popular and treasured of all yoga scriptures, dates back approximately 2,500 years. Mahatma Gandhi called it “my mother.” Hatha yoga (or forceful yoga), an important style of yoga that emerged in the 11th century under the influence of Tantrism, has its own scriptures (Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010). Yoga has probably been practiced for more than 5,000 years and is believed to be a path by which its practitioners could transcend the human experience. Scholars have traced the roots of yoga as far back as the sixth century BC to the teachings of the Hindu philosopher Kapila. These teachings, along with those attributed to the Hindu deity Krishna, laid the foundation of yoga (Seaward, 2013). Yoga consists of five principles that apply to daily life and enhance well-being:

Proper relaxation (savasana)


Proper exercise (asanas)

Proper breathing (pranayama)

Proper diet (vegetarian)

Meditation (dhyana) Over the millennia, yoga has evolved into a way to develop the self mentally, physically, and spiritually and, through discipline, to achieve spiritual enlightenment. The philosophy of yoga is traditionally passed down from teacher to student through physical instruction and oral discussion (Seaward, 2013).

Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga in the United States when he made a presentation to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 and later toured the country for two years.

Swami Vivekananda

By the end of the 19th century, two ashrams (yoga centers) were established in California.

Yoga gained popularity in the 1960s when Americans began to take an interest in Eastern cultures and holistic medicines.

In the 1970s, Swami Rama, a yogi master from the Himalayan Institute, was invited to the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. He demonstrated an almost unbelievable control over his autonomic functions (respiration, heart rate, and blood flow) and indicated to researchers that bodily functions once thought to be involuntary could be controlled.


Yoga is now a multibillion-dollar industry in the United States with approximately 15

million practitioners. The number is steadily increasing as more and more people realize the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga (Statistic Brain, 2017).

THE EIGHT-LIMB PATH OF YOGA

Approximately 2,000 years ago, the sage Patanjali described ashtanga, the eight-limb path of yoga, in his text, the Yoga Sutra. The eight limbs serve as a practical guide to self-development. This yoga path outlines specific lifestyle, hygiene, and detoxification regimens, as well as physical and psychological practices that can lead to integrated personal development and enlightenment (Leddy, 2006; NCCAM, 2017; White, 2009). The limbs are not designed to serve as a step-by-step approach to yoga; instead, students can start at any limb. The eight limbs are (American Yoga Association, 2017; Leddy, 2006; Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010; White, 2009):

Yamas: Moral restraint from violence, lying, stealing, casual sex, and hoarding

Niyamas: Observance of purity, contentment, discipline, reflection, and devotion

Asana: The practice of postures or yoga poses

Pranayama: Controlled breathing techniques

Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the mind from the senses in preparation for meditation


Dharana: Concentration on one object for a length of time

Dhyana: The practice of a progressive deepening of concentration through meditation

Samadhi: Self-actualization or enlightenment Different schools of yoga incorporate the eight limbs in varying proportions. Modern Western yoga classes generally focus on asana, pranayama, and pratyahara. YOGA STYLES

There are many yoga styles that reflect different approaches and training techniques. One style may focus on meditation while another may focus on breathing. The following list provides a summary of some of the most common yoga styles (Leddy, 2006; Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010; White, 2009):

Ananda yoga is a gentle, classical style of yoga. Not athletic or aerobic, it is designed to maintain relaxation.

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic, physically demanding, and fast-paced practice that uses breath to link the flow from one movement to another. It is also called power yoga, and participants jump from one posture to another.

Anusara yoga (anusara means “flowing with grace”) is a spiritually oriented yoga using postures with a mind-body emphasis.


Bhakti yoga (bhakti means “devotion”) seeks the pathway to God through devotion and love. The practices take on the form of ritual and include chanting, singing, dancing, and meditation.

Bikram yoga is practiced in a room heated to at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The goal is to cleanse the body and increase flexibility. Consisting of 26 postures that are always done twice and in the same sequence, this challenging form of yoga can also be called hot yoga.

Hatha yoga (hatha means “force”) uses physical purification and body strengthening as an arduous means of self-transformation and transcendence. This form of yoga is based on the development of Tantrism (techniques and rituals outlined in Hindu or Buddhist scriptures). Many of its practices attempt to stimulate the chakras and cleanse and improve the condition of various physical organs. Hatha yoga is the most widely practiced style of yoga in the West.

Iyengar yoga is a slower paced form of yoga that focuses on the precise alignment of the feet and body. Blocks, belts, bolsters, and other props are used to achieve this alignment.

Jnana yoga, the yoga of the intellect, has the goal of attaining prajna, or transcendental wisdom through meditation and thought.

Karma yoga is a yoga of service, emphasizing doing for others as a remembrance of God. The individual who practices this form of yoga acts in daily life to lessen lawlessness and restore virtue and harmony.

Kripalu yoga uses traditional sitting postures (asanas) but emphasizes meditation and reflection by encouraging self-acceptance, objectively observing the mind’s activity, and applying what is learned to daily living.

Kundalini yoga incorporates chanting with powerful breath work and specific postures designed to awaken the energy (“serpent power”) in the sacrum.

Mantra or nada yoga focuses on the vibrations and radiations of life energy using sound.

Raja yoga (“royal union”), formulated about 200 BC, is an orthodox system of Hindu philosophy. In this form of yoga, the mind is king, and the body must first be tamed through self-discipline and purification. Social and personal codes of conduct prepare the mind and body for higher stages of meditation by reducing attachment and inducing tranquility.

Yin yoga focuses heavily on stretching the joints and connective tissue. Poses are passive and often held for long periods.


Although the forms of yoga vary in terms of their rituals and religiousness, all are spiritual and may be regarded as India’s common brand of spiritualism. WESTERN YOGA

Modern Western yoga refers to certain yoga types that evolved mainly from the interaction of Western individuals interested in spirituality and yoga with more traditional yoga practitioners. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda attended the Chicago Parliament of Religions and presented Hinduism and yoga to the West (DeMichelis, 2005). Interestingly, the same range of spiritual expressions reflected in the different yoga types can be found in the spiritual traditions of Judaism, Islam, and Roman Catholicism (Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010). Western yoga is one of the top ten complementary and alternative modalities used by Americans. Individuals use yoga for a variety of health conditions including anxiety disorders or stress, asthma, high blood pressure, and depression (NCCAM, 2017). The practice of yoga is broadening and integrative yoga therapy (IYT) is currently used in fitness and wellness programs in gyms, community centers, and yoga studios. Yoga is also provided in schools, hospitals, and community treatment centers (Kaley-Isley, Peterson, Fischer, & Peterson, 2010). Developed by Joseph Le Page in 1992, the aim of integrative yoga therapy is to bring yoga to the broader population. It focuses on mainstream wellness and stress management programs. Integrative yoga therapy is a holistic, mind-body approach to health and healing, which combines the ancient wisdom of yoga with the latest advances


in body/mind medicine. The methods and techniques used in IYT are based on four principles (Body Therapies Yoga Training, 2017):

IYT focuses on a particular health condition and the individual’s specific needs.

It is based in the psychology and philosophy of yoga as it pertains to health, including the yoga sutras (text of yoga with 196 sutras, i.e., aphorisms).

It embraces all aspects of yoga, including breathing (pranayama), mudra (positions of the body that have influence on the energies of the body, or mood. The hands and fingers are held in a specific position, but the whole body may be part of the mudra as well), guided imagery, and meditation. Poses (asana) are an important aspect of this integrated practice.

It is creative, student-centered education, where the teachers are facilitators of yogic practice.

According to Leddy (2006), the West has primarily adopted three aspects of different yoga practices: the breathing techniques of prana yoga, the asanas of hatha yoga, and meditation.

Prana yoga emphasizes pranayama, or yogic breathing. The name of this ancient form of deep breathing literally means regulation or control of prana, the life force or universal energy (Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010). Through deep breathing techniques, the life force is brought into the body. This practice involves taking an initial breath and blowing it out through the mouth, then inhaling through the nose to the count of four, holding it without tension to a count of eight, and exhaling through the nose to a count of eight. This cycle is repeated seven times. The practice is done in preparation for meditation.

Asanas are postures; the word asana and literally means “seat.” While yoga postures may involve very little movement, the mind is involved in every asana. This awareness and discipline help circulate qi (life energy) by opening up the body’s energy channels and chakras. Asanas help to purify and strengthen the body and control and focus the mind. Breathing slowly and deeply during asanas is essential.

Meditation: This aspect of yoga is called Samadhi, or spiritual realization. This stage requires long, dedicated, disciplined practice and is said to be a stage in which the individual enters the fourth state of consciousness, separate from and beyond the ordinary states of wakefulness, sleep, and dreams.

Since yoga was introduced to the West, there has been a substantial increase in the number of yoga schools and teachers. Yoga schools differ on a variety of dimensions that influence the instructions given by the teacher and the structure, content, and


environmental conditions of the class. A group class is the traditional mode of instruction in the West (Kaley-Isley et al., 2010). BENEFITS OF YOGA

Yoga encompasses three main techniques: breathing, postures, and meditation.

Breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the body. Yoga postures are designed to apply pressure on the body’s glandular systems, which increases the body’s efficiency, total health, and well-being. The posture and breathing techniques prepare the body and mind for meditation. Regular practice of all three yoga techniques helps to enhance the health of the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga enhances body awareness and improves concentration. It may reduce high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and chronic pain, and it may improve coronary function. As a form of exercise, yoga has been found beneficial in reducing the symptoms of asthma, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Yoga has also been effective in reducing medication use and improving nerve function (Miryala, Micozzi, Vlahos, & Singh, 2010; Seaward, 2013). In addition, research conducted by the NCCAM (2017) suggests that yoga might

Improve mood and one’s sense of well-being Counteract the effects of stress Increase lung capacity Improve muscle relaxation and body composition Improve conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals


During yoga stretches, lactic acid (which builds up with muscle use and causes stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue) is reduced. Yoga also helps increase range of motion and joint lubrication. Practicing yoga not only stretches the muscles but also lengthens the soft tissues of the body (ligaments, tendons, and the fascia sheaths that surround muscles) (WebMD, 2017). Several yoga styles, both vigorous and less vigorous, provide strength and endurance benefits, which are crucial as people age. Standing poses strengthen the lower back and stabilize hamstrings, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles to increase stability, reduce back pain, and prevent falls (WebMD, 2017). CONTRAINDICATIONS AND RISKS OF YOGA With few side effects, yoga is generally considered to be safe and well tolerated in healthy individuals when practiced appropriately. Yoga needs to be performed correctly. If done incorrectly, practiced for too long, or done too strenuously, it can cause physical damage, particularly to the back. For example, individuals with sciatica should not perform forward bends or intense stretching as those moves may aggravate specific muscles that affect the sciatic nerve (Leddy, 2006).

Additional contraindications and risks include the following (NCCAM, 2017):

Individuals with ear congestion should avoid inverted poses and breath retention. Individuals with certain medical conditions should not use some yoga practices.

For example, individuals with disc disease of the spine, extremely high or low blood pressure, glaucoma, retinal detachment, fragile or atherosclerotic arteries, a risk for blood clots, severe osteoporosis, or cervical spondylitis should avoid some inverted poses.

Although yoga practiced during pregnancy is safe if practiced under expert guidance, pregnant women should avoid inverted poses.


There are many factors to consider when choosing a yoga class. An individual’s level of flexibility, fitness level, and style preferences are important.

Table 1. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Yoga Class

Differential Class Factors Variations

Temperature and humidity of the room to either enhance the practice or contribute to the practitioner’s comfort

Heat of the room between 90 and 104 degrees F

Heat of the room between 75 and 80 F

Fixed vs. variable sequence Repetition of same poses in the same order in each class

Sequence of poses varies within the class and between classes

Pace of movement in and out of poses and between poses

Poses may change with each inhalation and exhalation

Poses may be held for between 5 inhalations and exhalations up to one minute

Combination of repetition of movement in and out of the pose, then holding the pose for several inhalations and exhalations

Use of props to support the poses and make them more accessible and comfortable

Block Strap Blanket Bolster Chair Wall

Use of augmenting yoga practices Bandha (energy locks within the body that direct energy to specific parts of the body)

Kriya (purification as a method to attain the union of breath and soul in each inhalation and exhalation)

Mudra (gesture or attitude)

Use of more regulated or vigorous breathing practices

Nadhi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing)

Kapalabhati (means skull shining/illumination and is the yogic system of body cleansing techniques)

Krama (inhale and/or exhale in segments)

Bramuri (means bumblebee or that which produces ecstasy, a humming sound produced while exhaling in a breathing exercise)


Ratio – regulate individual components of inhale, retain after inhale, exhale, suspend after exhale

Meditation Guided visualization Focus on breath Witnessing thoughts Mantra japa (silent repetition of a

meaningful sound or phrase)

Spirituality Kirtan (devotional chanting) Mantra japa (silent repetition of a

meaningful sound or phrase) Connection with the divine

Adapted from “Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Clinicians,” by L. C. Kaley-Isley, J. Peterson, C. Fischer, and E. Peterson, 2010, Psychiatry, 7(8), pp. 20–32.

YOGA FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS Yoga is suitable for children and adolescents, and its use is increasing among this group. Interest is growing in yoga’s usefulness in calming the mind, improving mental and physical health conditions, and improving overall well-being in this age group (Kaley-Isley et al., 2010). Special yoga programs for children and adolescents are being developed in schools. Children and adolescents who practice yoga receive many of the same benefits as adults who practice it, including improved cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and behavior and increased physical functioning, coordination, and posture (Galantino, Galbavy, & Quinn, 2008). In addition, for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) yoga may be an effective complementary or concomitant treatment (Haffner, Roos, Goldstein, Parzer, & Resch, 2006).


Yoga is a gentle, noncompetitive form of exercise. Its focus for children and adolescents is less on the perfection of postures and more on the cultivation of compassion, the development of a nonjudgmental attitude, the creation of a connection between breath and posture, and the development of the foundations for a lifelong practice. The yoga teacher should adapt the style of the class to the developmental and physical needs of the children in the class (Kaley-Isley et al., 2010). Table 2 lists factors to take into consideration when choosing a yoga class for children and/or adolescents. It is important to consider the structure, content, and environmental conditions of the class.

Table 2. Developmental Considerations in a Yoga Class for Children and Adolescents

Age of Participants Duration of Elements of Class

Preschool age (3–6 years)

Total duration of class (15–20 minutes) Focus awareness (2–3 minutes) Poses (10 minutes) Breathing or singing (2–3 minutes) Guided visualization (2–3 minutes)

School age (7–12 years)

Total duration of class (30–45 minutes) Focus awareness (3–5 minutes) Poses (15–25 minutes) Breathing or singing (3–5 minutes) Guided visualization relaxation (5 minutes)

Adolescents (13–18 years)

Total duration of class (45–90 minutes) Focus awareness (5–10 minutes) Poses (30–50 minutes) Breathing or singing (5–10 minutes) Guided relaxation (5–10 minutes)

Age of Participants Special Considerations

Preschool and school age (3–12 years)

Use English names for poses. Use short and simple instructions. Demonstrate poses. Hold poses for a maximum of 3 breaths. Maintain an attitude of playful calm. Create a safe environment (practicing on level ground,

using a clean mat, moving slowly with postures and poses).

Adolescents (13–18 years)

Be sensitive to body image issues. Touch students (to adjust their postures) with care; give

students the opportunity to opt out of being touched. Be aware of clothing issues (tight jeans, bare feet, revealing

shirts or shorts) and explain appropriate attire. Encourage nonjudgmental and noncompetitive attitudes and behaviors.

Adapted from “Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Clinicians,” by L. C. Kaley-Isley, J. Peterson, C. Fischer, and E. Peterson, 2010, Psychiatry, 7(8), pp. 20–32.


YOGA FOR SENIORS Seniors, age 65 and older, are the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. population and are increasingly drawn to yoga as a gentle way to improve fitness, connect socially, and improve overall well-being. The senior population is expected to more than double to over 80 million by the year 2050, with approximately one quarter expected to live to age 85 and older (Duke University, 2017).

Seniors benefit from yoga by experiencing increased flexibility, mobility, and strength. Quality of life may also improve with the regular, safe practice of yoga. Pain may diminish. Muscle tone increases and circulation to the body, including the vital organs, improves. Working with seniors presents both an opportunity and a challenge for yoga teachers. A typical yoga class of seniors most likely represents the most diverse mix of abilities of any age group. Many seniors in a yoga class are very healthy, but seniors are more likely than younger groups to have health challenges that affect their participation in a yoga class. Simply because of their age, they often have at least one chronic disease. They may also have a physical disability (such as hearing or vision loss; knee, hip, or back pain; tremors; dementia; incontinence; or arthritis). They are at risk during the class for osteoporotic fractures as well as other life-threatening conditions including heart attacks and strokes (Krucoff et al., 2010). Yoga teachers must create a safe environment and class structure specifically targeted to older adults. For example, instructors can use adaptive equipment (such as blocks, straps, blankets, chairs, or bolsters) and provide clear explanations for various positions so individuals with disabilities or physical constraints can modify their postures and prevent injuries. Despite the presence of impairments or chronic diseases, yoga teachers have the opportunity to help seniors improve their overall health, strength, and balance through their excellent teaching skills. Through yoga, seniors can reduce the risk of falls,


improve the comfort and control of breathing, and improve vitality, mood, cognition, and alertness (Krucoff et al., 2010). To provide a framework for teaching yoga to seniors, practitioners have developed specific principles of practice that integrate knowledge from Western medicine with yogic teaching (Krucoff et al., 2010). Table 3 explains these principles.

Table 3. Principles of Practice for Yoga Teachers Who Work with Seniors

Principle Explanation

First, do no harm. Make this a primary intention.

Create a safe environment, physically and psychologically.

Honor the student’s own personal journey.

Encourage yogic balance. Challenge students but never encourage them to strain their bodies.

Meet people where they are. Honor limitations and abilities.

Emphasize feeling over form. Let go of how a pose should look and support how the student feels in a pose versus whether the pose is perfect or not.

Honor the inner teacher. Consider yourself a guide.

Encourage gratitude and joy. Celebrate what students can do.

Emphasize fluidity. Minimize static “holdings” and support the easy transition from one pose to another.

Respect the scope of yogic practice. Teach only what you are trained to teach.

Use skillful language. Encourage and invite students to explore and be open to the philosophies of yoga.

Be a guardian of safety. Get proper training in CPR.

Teach people, not poses or conditions. Recognize each student’s spirit and abilities. Adapted from “Teaching Yoga to Seniors: Essential Considerations to Enhance Safety and Reduce Risk in a Uniquely Vulnerable Age Group,” by C. Krucoff, K. Carson, M. Peterson, K. Shipp, and M. Krucoff, 2010, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(8), pp. 899–905.


Yoga teachers who work with seniors must recognize the importance of adapting the practice to senior bodies, minds, and spirits. Krucoff, Carson, Peterson, Shipp, and Krucoff (2010) state, “It is a great honor and responsibility to meet our elders where they are, as they are, and to celebrate however they can join us in the practice of yoga—with great love and integrity” (p. 904). SUMMARY Yoga is one of the best ways to achieve health, fitness, and balance. Through the regular practice of yoga, a harmonious integration of the body, mind, and spirit can result. The three main techniques of yoga are exercise, breathing, and meditation. The exercises of yoga put pressure on the glandular systems of the body, thus increasing overall well-being. Breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the body. The systems of exercise and breathing prepare the body and mind for meditation.


REFERENCES American Yoga Association. (2017). What is yoga? Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://www.americanyogaassociation.org/contents.html Body Therapies Yoga Training. (2017). What is integrative yoga? Retrieved September 25, 2014 from http://www.yogatogo.com/what-is-integrative-yoga-therapy/ DeMichelis, E. (2005). A history of modern yoga. New York: Continuum. Duke University. (2017). Yoga professional training: Therapeutic yoga for seniors. Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://www.dukeintegrativemedicine.org/professional-training/therapeutic-yoga-for-seniors Galantino, M., Galbavy, R., & Quinn, L. (2008). Therapeutic effect of yoga for children: A systematic review of the literature. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20(1), 66–80. Haffner, J., Roos, J. Goldstein, N., Parzer, P., & Resch, F. (2006). The effectiveness of body-oriented methods of therapy in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Results of a controlled pilot study. Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16485612 Iyengar, B. K. S. (2006). Light on life: The yoga journey to wholeness, inner peace, and ultimate freedom. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books. Kaley-Isley, L. C., Peterson, J., Fischer, C., & Peterson, E. (2010). Yoga as a complementary therapy for children and adolescents: A guide for clinicians. Psychiatry, 7(8), 20–32. Krucoff, C., Carson, K., Peterson, M., Shipp, K., & Krucoff, M. (2010). Teaching yoga to seniors: Essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(8), 899–905. Leddy, S. K. (2006). Integrative health promotion: Conceptual bases for nursing practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Miryala, R., Micozzi, M. S.,Vlahos, C. & Singh, D. (2010). Yoga. In M. S. Micozzi, Fundamentals of complementary and integrative medicine (pp. 482-494). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM]. (2017). Yoga. Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/ Seaward, B. L. (2013). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being (8th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.


Statistic Brain. (2017). Yoga demographic and industry statistics. Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://www.statisticbrain.com/yoga-statistics/ WebMD. (2014). Yoga. Retrieved June 20, 2017 from http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga White, L. S. (2009). Yoga for children. Pediatric Nursing, 35(5), 277–295.

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YOGA: AN INTEGRATIVE PRACTICE FOR LIFE