One and a half hour of yoga at dawn and the same at dusk in a small group at an open circular studio with a thatched roof, looking on to the Beas river valley – this is luxury. We are led by one of the most proficient teachers I know. She helps us chant some ancient Sanskrit verses that are directly or indirectly dedicated to the peaceful and joyful co-existence of all beings. The practise also aims to enable us to become connected with our ‘higher selves’.

Over the last week, we have gradually come to feel at ease within ourselves and the world. Some interesting questions have come up from this creative space – How do we see our future? What is important? Which forces would we like to align ourselves with?

Some of the dust from the storm is visibly settling.

There is scientific evidence to prove that yoga reduces the brain’s stress response in many different ways, thereby helping with conditions that worsen with stress, for example, depression, PTSD and Chronic pain. These 2 articles by C. Streeter et al from Boston University provide good evidence for the same:

: Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987712000321)

: Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study” (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2010.0007)