What's Shakin' around the Yoga, Dance and Wellness Community

	Yoga, stretching may ease chronic back pain - CNN Health " People who suffer from chronic back pain may find some relief in yoga or intensive stretching, but neither form of exercise appears to be more effective than the other, a new study suggests. Roughly 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lives, and as many as 8% will experience chronic symptoms that last three months or longer. Primary care physicians regularly prescribe painkillers and muscle relaxants to these patients with varying degrees of success, or refer patients to physical therapists, chiropractors, or other specialists..."
	Reading, Writing and Yoga? - CNN Video Special Report "A Canadian high school offers yoga classes for middle and high school students to improve concentration, comprehension, grades, cope with peer pressure..."
	Yoga may be better at reducing anxiety and lifting mood than other forms of exercise - The Los Angeles Times "Both groups took part in the programs for an hour three times a week for 12 weeks. Study participants were tested several times to measure mood and anxiety. They were also given magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans to measure levels of the brain chemical gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that quiets brain activity, reducing anxiety and producing a state of calm. The scans were done at the beginning and end of the study and immediately following a yoga or walking session...."
	Making Soldiers Fit to Fight, Without the Situps - The New York Times "That familiar standby, the situp, is gone, or almost gone. Exercises that look like pilates or yoga routines are in. And the traditional bane of the new private, the long run, has been downgraded... What we were finding was that the soldiers we're getting in today's Army are not in as good shape as they used to be," said Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who oversees basic training for the Army. "This is not just an Army issue. This is a national issue..."
	Does Yoga Promote Weight Loss? - Livestrong "Yoga is credited with a multitude of health benefits: enhanced flexibility, muscle toning, stress reduction and improving overall physical and mental health. Yet does it promote weight loss? According to recent studies, if you choose a form of yoga that raises your heart rate enough to burn calories and practice it a few times a week, it can be an ally in meeting your weight loss objectives. Yoga should not, however, be its sole component.."
	Yoga is Cheaper than Therapy - The Examiner "Yoga is definitely cheaper than psychological therapy but will it work? The answers from research say it will, either on its own or with the help of psychological therapy. If you are just mildly depressed going to yoga/meditation classes will definitely help. It is exercise, so you reap the benefit of getting those endorphins running as well as getting the relaxation and socialization. These are all beneficial for depression and anxiety..."
	Yoga Exercises for Sleep - Livestrong "Lack of sleep can stem from your mind being at unrest as well as tension in your muscles. This produces stress and does not allow your body to relax, unwind and fall asleep. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs may help but are only temporary and often lead to dependency. However, consistent yoga practice can restore balance and help you get the rest you need. According to "Yoga Journal," Savasana, or corpse pose, is an asana of total relaxation..."
	Movement therapies may reduce chronic pain - The Los Angeles Times "Movement-based therapies such as yoga, tai chi, qigong and more mainstream forms of exercise are gaining acceptance in the world of chronic pain management. Many pain clinics and integrative medicine centers now offer movement-based therapy for pain caused by cancer and cancer treatments, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases and conditions. And Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles offers a three-year yoga therapy course as part of the school's yoga studies program..."