Therapeutic mind-body practices: Yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation for treatment of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and schizophrenia

For thousands of years Yoga, breathing practices, meditation and other mind-body techniques have been used for pysical, mental and emotional development. Modern research is revealing the neurophysiological effects of mind body practices and new ways to use them in the treatment of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and schizophrenia. Mind-body treatments are helpful in promoting wellness and stress resiliency, especially in mass disaster situations. Secular disciplines include therapeutic breath practices, the relaxation response, open focus, and mindfulness based stress reduction. Rapid yoga breathing can cause significant but avoidable side-effects in people with bipolar disorder, anxiety and PTSD. Dr. Gerbarg will discuss scientific studies of breath practices including her research with Dr. Brown on surivors of the Southeast Asia tsunami, the World Trade Center Attacks, the Horizon Gulf oil spill, and recently liberated Sudanese slaves. Dr. Brown will lead attendees in some of the movement and breath practices being used for psychiatric symptoms, stress resiliency, caregiver stress, mass disasters, and mental well-being.