Late-Onset Scoliosis is Common in Older Adults

by NinaReclining Nude, back by Henri MatisseA recent New Times article Scoliosis Can Hit Well Past Adolescence by Jane Brody confirmed something I have been observing in the yoga community: late-onset scoliosis is quite common in older people. I developed the problem myself in my fifties, so I’m quite aware of the condition, and I’ve noticed a large number of other older yoga practitioners with the same problem. Here’s what Jane Brody said about...[Readmore]

Dispatch from London

I'm in London for 48 hours, working with a group of international experts to define telehealth, care management, and big data opportunities for the UK, Europe, Australia, and US. During the afternoon break I had a remarkable experience.Unity Farm apples (40+ heirloom varietals) produce a crisp, well-balanced fermented cider that includes sweet, tart, aromatic, and astringent components.Kathy, my wife, searched the web for the best cider pub...[Readmore]

Sleep, Alzheimer’s Disease and Yoga

by NinaSun Behind Clouds by Melina MezaOne of the worst fears I think we all share about getting older is of developing dementia. Just recently I had a long phone conversation with a woman who is trying to deal with a mother in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, and it was just so sad. I had some advice for her, but no solutions, of course. Then I heard a news piece on NPR “Brains Sweep Themselves Clean of Toxins During Sleep”  that gave...[Readmore]

Home Practice: Is There an Optimal Length?

by BaxterHours of Operation by Melina MezaThis past August I was back in Ocean Springs, Mississippi at River Rock Yoga, leading a weekend workshop. One of the students, who has been a regular in class with me there over the years, brought in a few pointed questions for me that he hoped I could address on YFHA. He has been a regular reader since we started, and practices yoga on his own as well as attending classes regularly. In his search for the...[Readmore]

Pratyahara, the Sense of Sound and Hearing

by Ram In a Tunnel by Melina Meza"Deafness separates us from people" —Helen KellerIn my last post Pratyahara and Healthy Aging, I introduced the topic of pratyahara and defined the term as “Using our our senses with total/complete awareness.” It is through the five senses that we bring in impressions into our mind and body thereby absorbing the world around us. Thus, we are what we eat, smell, see, hear and touch. Since our five senses serve...[Readmore]

Friday Q&A: Yoga for a Sprained Ankle

Q: Nina—how bout yoga for a sprained ankle...got some ideas?A: Why, yes, thank you so much for asking! Last year Baxter did a three-part series on the ankle that is worth revisiting or visiting for the first time if you’ve never read these posts. So check out Getting to Know Your Ankles, Ankle Sprains, and Recovering from Ankle Injuries.In part 2, Baxter says that a typical recommendation from your doc is to elevate your foot and leg above the level...[Readmore]

Restorative Yoga Better Than Stretching for Reducing Subcutaneous Fat in Overweight Women

by NinaJust a quick announcement today about some research findings I think you’ll all enjoy hearing about. Baxter and I read about a recent study, designed by Maria G. Araneta, PhD, MPH, of the University of California, San Diego, to determine whether obese women would see a loss of fat from less intense exercise instead of aerobic activity. Although not a huge study, the group sizes were larger than most of those we see in recent studies, with...[Readmore]

Lessons Learned from the Health Insurance Exchange Launch

CIOs face many pressures - increase scope, reduce timelines, trim budgets.     After nearly 20 years as a CIO, I've learned a great deal about project success factors.When faced with go live pressures, I tell my staff the following:"If you go live months late when you're ready, no one will ever remember.If you go live on time, when you're not ready, no one will ever forget."I have hundreds of live clinical applications.    Does...[Readmore]

Building Unity Farm - Fall Hoop House Planting

It's Fall in New England and the weather is turning cold.  Nights are in the 30's and days are in the 50's and 60's.   All the ferns in the forest are brown and most of the insects are gone.   On the farm, the apples are harvested, cider made, mushrooms dried, paddocks/pastures readied for winter, and the pace of harvest-related food preservation projects is slowing down.We now turn our attention to Fall and Winter plantings....[Readmore]

Balancing Your Nervous System with Alternate Nostril Breathing

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