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Namaste! Welcome to the Spring 2018 Issue of the YogaSetu Newsletter (YSN)!
In the content-packed classrooms of 21st century learning, kids’ brains are jam-packed with screens, sports, homework, and other activities. Furthermore, both teachers and students feel the pressure to perform. Read the article by Rebecca Tilhou about the tried and tested practice of introducing mindfulness and yoga in a simple, silly, fun way in the classroom and how it provides a brief yet welcome break (a “brain break”) by infusing the much needed quietness and stillness into their hectic days.
It is the choices we make that determine whether we expand or contract our state of being. The two balancing wings of Abhyasa (practice with awareness) and Vairagya (detached dispassionate practice) teach us about how to control our state of being. Learn about these two elements of yogic practice in Aparna Bararia Shah’s article on the Elements of Transformation to learn more.
Read the latest research on how mind-body interventions (MBIs) such as meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi not only relax us, but also can ‘reverse’ the molecular reactions in our DNA that cause ill-health and depression, according to the study by Coventry University published in ScienceDaily (2017).
Other contributions of interest in this issue include Ann Perkins’ personal account on “Yoga for the Parkinson Patient,” in our Letters to the Editor section. “Quotes for Inspiration“ brings an ancient verse from Bhagvad Gita that says, Excellence in Action is Yoga (YogaH Karmasu Kaushalam)! And last but not least, check out the upcoming exciting events that are happening both locally and globally in the coming weeks.
As always, we welcome your comments, thoughts, questions, and opinions.
~ Abha Gupta, PhD, YSN Editor-in-Chief