Yogic management of hypothyroidism in females: A randomized controlled trial.

Impact of Yoga and Naturopathy in a Patient with Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report.

Rectal carcinoma, particularly in advanced stages, represents a significant oncological challenge that substantially impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL) and is associated with severe pain and debilitating symptoms. Advanced-stage rectal carcinoma presents unique management challenges due to tumour invasion and nodal involvement. Conventional treatments, including chemotherapy and pharmacological interventions, often result in considerable adverse effects, necessitating the integration of complementary therapeutic approaches. Yoga and naturopathy have demonstrated promising potential in alleviating cancer-related symptoms and improving QoL in oncology patients. This case report documents the comprehensive treatment of a 48-year-old male diagnosed with CT4aN1 stage rectal carcinoma using integrative yoga and naturopathy interventions alongside conventional therapy. The intervention protocol included specific therapeutic asanas, structured pranayama techniques, mud therapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic massage, herbal packs and a carefully designed plant-based nutritional regimen. The treatment approach was tailored to address the specific challenges associated with advanced-stage rectal carcinoma. The interventions resulted in a clinically significant reduction in pain intensity and enhanced QoL, as objectively measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL questionnaire for colorectal 29 functional and symptom assessment scales. The patient demonstrated marked improvement in anxiety levels, reduced symptom burden and enhanced functional capacity throughout the intervention period. This case study provides evidence for the potential therapeutic benefits of integrative yoga and naturopathy approaches in managing pain and improving QoL in patients with advanced-stage rectal carcinoma. The findings suggest that such complementary interventions may serve as valuable adjuncts to conventional oncological care. Further controlled studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to validate these preliminary findings and establish evidence-based protocols for the integration of yoga-naturopathy interventions in advanced rectal carcinoma management.

Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga: A Critical Analysis

Abstract Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy of Integral Education offers a holistic approach to learning, emphasizing the development of the individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. This paper explores the key principles of Sri Aurobindo’s educational philosophy, highlighting its relevance in contemporary educational discourse. By examining the concept of Integral Yoga and its application to education, this study reveals the transformative potential of Sri Aurobindo’s ideas. The paper argues that Sri Aurobindo’s emphasis on spiritual growth, self-realization, and inner transformation provides a unique framework for holistic development. It examines the role of spirituality in education, highlighting its potential to foster a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. The study also explores the implications of Sri Aurobindo’s ideas for modern education, including the potential for more integrated and holistic approaches to learning. By analysing Sri Aurobindo’s writings on education, this paper demonstrates the significance of his philosophy in addressing the limitations of conventional education. It highlights the importance of cultivating inner awareness, intuition, and creativity, and argues that these qualities are essential for personal growth and social transformation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy of education and its relevance in contemporary educational contexts. It offers insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to develop more holistic and integrated approaches to learning. By exploring the transformative potential of Sri Aurobindo’s ideas, this paper aims to inspire new perspectives on education and its role in shaping individual and societal development. The findings of this study have implications for educational theory, policy, and practice, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to education that addresses the multifaceted nature of human development. Keywords: Integral Education, Holistic Development, Spiritual Growth, Inner Transformation, Self-Realization

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system in Colombia may face complex and intersecting trauma(s) that can affect key aspects of their well-being, including the regulation of difficult emotions such as anger or aggressive behaviors. The broader literature demonstrates that these well-being indicators may be crucial aspects of rehabilitation for youth in the Colombian juvenile justice system. Moreover, these indicators may be linked to the successful reintegration of youth into their communities and contribute to reduced recidivism rates. Presently in Colombia, few interventions for youth in juvenile detention centers seek to improve the emotional regulation or aggression levels of youth. The present study assesses the impact of a trauma-informed Integral Yoga intervention that focused on emotional regulation and aggression indicators in youth living in four juvenile detention centers located in three cities in Colombia (two in Cali, one in Bucaramanga, and one in Tunja). A pre/post quasi-experimental design was used in the evaluation, and the results demonstrated a nonsignificant increase in emotional regulation and a statistically significant reduction in aggression scores. The final discussion explores the role of trauma-informed and yoga-based interventions for youth rehabilitation in Colombia's juvenile justice system.

Osteomalacia is a metabolic bone disorder characterized by the softening of bones due to impaired mineralization, primarily caused by deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. It results in weakened bones and increased fracture risk. The global prevalence varies, with higher rates in areas with significant vitamin D deficiency. Common symptoms include bone pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue, significantly impacting quality of life and healthcare costs. Management typically involves high-dose vitamin D and mineral supplementation. This study evaluates the effects of Integrative Yoga and Naturopathy Management in a 34-year-old female patient with osteomalacia. After a 30-day intervention incorporating heliotherapy, yoga therapy (Surya Namaskar), dietary therapy (germinated ragi milk), and acupuncture, the patient showed marked improvements. Pain levels, measured by the Visual Analog Scale, decreased from 8 to 2, and serum calcium levels increased from 6.5 mg/dl to 8 mg/dl. Additionally, depression severity assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, significantly improved. This case suggests that Integrative yoga and naturopathy treatments may effectively reduce symptoms and improve bone health in osteomalacia patients, addressing both physical and psychological aspects. Further randomized controlled trials with larger samples are recommended to validate these findings and explore IYN as a potential adjunct therapy in osteomalacia management.

Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher, mystic, and poet, holds a significant place in Indo-English literature for his unique synthesis of spiritual philosophy and creative expression. His works embody a deep mysticism that permeates his poetry, critical writings, and philosophical discourses. This research paper explores the mystical elements reflected in Sri Aurobindo’s creative and critical works, focusing on his vision of Integral Yoga, the supramental consciousness, and the transformative power of poetry. His major philosophical texts, such as The Life Divine and The Synthesis of Yoga, provide insights into his concept of spiritual evolution, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and soul for divine realization. Sri Aurobindo’s poetry, particularly Savitri, exemplifies his mystical vision, using profound symbolism and mantric rhythms to evoke spiritual experience. His poetic philosophy, as outlined in The Future Poetry, envisions poetry as a medium of divine expression, where words transcend intellectualism and become vehicles of higher consciousness. Additionally, his critical analyses, including Essays on the Gita, explore the integration of action, devotion, and knowledge in spiritual realization. This study delves into how mysticism shapes Sri Aurobindo’s literary and critical approach, positioning him as both a seer-poet and a philosopher-sage. By examining his integral philosophy and poetic vision, this research highlights how his works bridge the material and the spiritual, offering a transformative path for humanity. Ultimately, the paper underscores the relevance of Sri Aurobindo’s mystical ideas in contemporary spiritual and literary discourse.

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses, with around 25% of women having experienced at least one depressive episode during their lifetime. In the present study, a 38-year-old woman with chief complaints of a sad mood, poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt, and decreased interest in household activities. She was diagnosed with depressive disorders in the year 2021, and she was recommended to follow conventional medications. However, a few years later, during her relapse phase, she was referred to be admitted to JSS Nature Cure & Yoga Hospital with a specific protocol at the residential facility between May and June 2024. An integrative Yoga and Naturopathy (Y&N) treatment was administered for about three weeks, which included manipulative therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, mud therapy, diet therapy, yoga therapy, and mind-body interventions. Results showed a better reduction in depression, and she has gained confidence in her social interactions. Patients reported improved quality of life (QoL) and mental status with no side effects. The results of this study indicate clinical significance for depression, and it suggests that integrative Y&N-based intervention can be a convenient strategy for depression. However, further studies are required to validate this effect.

The crises of political instability, conflict, and fragmentation in contemporary society demand frameworks that go beyond materialistic and transactional approaches to governance. Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher, mystic, and revolutionary, provides a transformative vision of politics rooted in spiritual principles and the evolution of human consciousness. His philosophy of integral yoga emphasizes the need for a supramental transformation, which harmonizes individuality and universality. This paper critically examines the theoretical underpinnings of Aurobindo’s spiritualized politics, focusing on seminal texts such as The Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity, and The Life Divine. It also explores the practical applications of his ideas in conflict resolution and peace-building, drawing insights from grassroots initiatives and restorative justice frameworks. It also looks at the idea of Divine Anarchy as the model of governance and how it leads to conflict-free governance. By addressing critiques and contextual challenges, this research underscores the enduring relevance of Aurobindo’s ideas in fostering a harmonious and unified global society.

Evolution of Consciousness: Unveiling the Journey from Human form to Divine Instrument in Integral Yoga Psychology

This article examines the influence of the Bhagavad Gita on Sri Aurobindo Ghosh's literary and philosophical works. The Gita's teachings on karma, bhakti, and jnana shaped Aurobindo's philosophy of Integral Yoga, emphasizing spiritual growth through the integration of life’s physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. His writings, especially Savitri and Essays on the Gita, reflect the Gita’s themes of selfless action, divine will, and spiritual struggle. By reinterpreting the Gita's message as a call for spiritual activism, Aurobindo created a modern path for seekers, extending the text’s relevance to contemporary spiritual and social transformation.

Posttraumatic stress complaint (PTSD) can do after trauma. While PTSD operation strategies include first- line pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, mind – body curatives, similar as yoga, are applied in the PTSD population. This overview aimed to epitomize the effectiveness of yoga interventions on PTSD symptoms in grown-ups in a methodical review (SR) including randomized controlled trials RCTs). While yoga remedy seems promising for dwindling PTSD symptoms, unborn exploration should regularize yoga remedy duration/ frequence/ type and consider long- term efficacity to more delineate yoga remedy efficacity in PTSD cases. numerous individualities with internal health judgments, including post-traumatic stress complaint (PTSD), have incorporated a group of reciprocal and integrative health strategies known as mind and body practices in their health care authority. Test anxiety may be a contributing factor to low- performing examination scores among scholars. There can be multitudinous physiological responses in the body that lead to test anxiety. One is the body’s response to stress, which activates the brain to release hormones that stimulate central and supplemental nervous responses. Stressors during testing include the system of information delivered, previous knowledge of the subject material, emotional state, or how directly the pupil can retain knowledge.

This article aims to reflect on ongoing research that investigates cosmopolitical and spiritual practices in Auroville, an urban experience in southern India that emerged from the teachings of Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950), creator of Integral Yoga, philosopher, yogi, poet and icon of the nationalist struggle. This city adopts sustainable urban planning and architecture techniques that seek to be an example for the creation of a new human being integrated into the cosmos, living a collective life centered on the Yoga of Nature. Auroville aims to be "the city the world needs" and to inspire other cities towards sustainable practices, enabling a transformation in the world. The city center is a temple dedicated to concentration and meditation, but not linked to any religion. Ecological and spiritual practices act as guidelines for a more balanced and natural collective life, enabling an integration of material-spiritual architecture and urbanism with nature. The methodology used included in-depth interviews and participant observation during the field visit. The one-month experience in Auroville showed that, despite its many positive aspects, the contradictions inherent in such an experience are inevitable. The concentration of national and international resources, the recovery of the soil and forest, the solutions to guarantee drinking water supplies, roads, paths and infrastructure in general have changed the entire region. Spiritual tourism and commercial migration have contributed to a process of micro-regional real estate speculation. An internal conflict over the direction of the city and its surroundings, over the very integration of city-nature, is worrying Aurovillians today.

The integration of spirituality in the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo represents a profound exploration of the spiritual dimensions of human existence and a synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies. Both spiritual luminaries played pivotal roles in shaping the intellectual and spiritual landscape of India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering unique perspectives on the nature of reality, human consciousness, and the purpose of life. Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, emphasized the universality of spiritual truths. Born in 1863, he sought to harmonize science and religion, reason and faith. Vivekananda believed in the divinity of the soul and stressed the importance of direct experience of the divine. His teachings underscored the idea that each individual is potentially divine and that the goal of life is to manifest this divinity through self-realization. On the other hand, Sri Aurobindo, born in 1872, delved into the evolutionary aspect of spirituality. His philosophy posited that spiritual evolution is an integral part of human existence, and he envisioned a future where humanity would undergo a radical transformation leading to a higher spiritual consciousness. Aurobindo's integral yoga sought the divine not only through renunciation and meditation but also through active engagement with the world. He emphasized the importance of transforming all aspects of life, including the physical, vital, mental, and spiritual dimensions.

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh emerges as a multifaceted luminary whose life's narrative transcends conventional categorizations. Rooted in Calcutta, his journey evolves from a passionate political activist and freedom fighter to an introspective philosopher and yogi. This metamorphosis is threaded by a seamless fusion of spirituality and practicality, culminating in the articulation of his Integral Yoga philosophy – a synthesis of Eastern mysticism and Western thought. His writings, including "The Life Divine" and "Savitri," weave an intricate tapestry of existence's interconnectedness. This journey is embodied in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where he collaborated with The Mother to nurture a community devoted to spiritual evolution. This legacy continues to inspire seekers, embodying the infinite possibilities when spirituality and materiality converge. Sri Aurobindo's life resonates as a testament to the transformative power of a life committed to bridging the spiritual and the material.

Mirra Alfassa’s influence, power, and authority are essential to the integral yoga according to Aurobindo Ghose, yet most scholars have so far refused to examine their contours. Aurobindo saw her as the incarnation of the divine mother or Mahāśakti and said her spiritual growth “followed the same course” as his, which radically universalized Rāmakṛṣṇa’s teaching of vijñāna, which he called “supermind” and she “the domain of love”. Aurobindo left key parts of his supramental vision incomplete in his writings; however, Mirra claimed to complete it with new revelations that I call the “Descendant Manonāśa Period” of their practice. Manonāśa or “mental annihilation” is central to what scholars call “Yoga Advaita”. Mirra’s revelations include: 1. a posthuman vision of a sexless supramental humanity that is evolving now and in the future; 2. this evolution is coming with a cost: the mind and vital natures are being destroyed as we are going through an anatomical metamorphosis surpassing the one that yielded homo sapiens 300,000 years ago; 3. this shambolic process centrally involves what Mirra called “the psychic being” or evolving soul, somehow stimulating its materialization into what she called “the glorified body” in her early life in France. Though Aurobindo did not make a direct connection between the psychic being and what he called “the divine body”, he thought from the beginning of their partnership in the 1920s that her body could endure supramentalization better than his, no matter how it unfolded.

Yoga enthusiasts are typically pictured as young, fit, and flexible; yet the reality is that more than a third of Americans who practice yoga are 50 years and older. Health benefits are a main reason why seniors practice yoga, as a growing body of evidence suggests yoga can enhance health and reduce the risk of numerous age-related disorders. Yet, like any therapeutic intervention that offers benefits, yoga practice also carries potential risks, which may be heightened in vulnerable populations such as older adults. This article outlines essential safety considerations developed in the Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training offered at Duke Integrative Medicine, and details the Continuum of Practice, which is a tool we created to help yoga teachers and yoga therapists skillfully translate evidence-based movement considerations into safe, effective, and enjoyable variations of classic yoga postures.

Introduction: The Internet is integral to modern life, but its overuse harms health and is treated as an addiction. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) among university students and propose an integral yoga prescription for its prevention and treatment.

Distress is a growing public health concern. In this three-armed randomized controlled trial, n = 102 adults with elevated stress levels and stress-related symptoms were randomly assigned to (1) “integrative” yoga classes which combined physical exercises, mindfulness training, and ethical/philosophical aspects of traditional yoga; to (2) Iyengar yoga classes which entailed primarily physical exercises; or to (3) mindfulness training without physical training. We hypothesized the synergistic effects of physical yoga exercises, mindfulness, and ethical/philosophical aspects. The primary outcome was the group difference on Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included burnout, quality of life, physical complaints, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, interoceptive awareness, self-regulation, spirituality, mysticism, and posttraumatic stress. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline (V0), after 12 weeks (V1), and after 24 weeks (V2). A subset of participants took part in qualitative interviews. A lasting and clinically relevant stress reduction was observed within all groups (PSS ΔV0–V1Integrative Yoga = −6.69 ± 6.19; ΔV0–V1Iyengar Yoga = −6.00 ± 7.37; ΔV0–V1Mindfulness = −9.74 ± 7.80; all p < 0.00). Effect sizes were also statistically large at the end of the follow-up period (Cohen’s d Integrative Yoga = 1.41; d Iyengar Yoga = 1.37; d Mindfulness = 1.23). There were no significant group differences or evidence of relevant synergistic effects from combining mindfulness and physical yoga exercises. All three interventions were found to be equally effective methods of stress reduction. Their use in practice should be based on availability and patient preference.