Handbook of Research on Evidence-Based Perspectives on the Psychophysiology of Yoga and Its Applications (Hardcover)

Presents research exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of yoga therapy and its physiological effects. The book includes information regarding the physiological effects of yoga; neurobiological effects of yoga meditation; psychological benefits related to yoga; molecular changes associated with yoga practice; and therapeutic applications.

While yoga was originally intended to be practiced for spiritual growth, there is an increasing interest in applying yoga in all areas of life. It is important to understand this ancient science and way of life through as many perspectives as possible (e.g., based on biomedical engineering). As its popularity and interest grows, more practitioners want to know about the proven physiological effects and uses in healthcare.

Evidence-Based Perspectives on the Psychophysiology of Yoga and Its Applications provides research exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of yoga therapy and its physiological effects from diverse, evidence-based viewpoints. The book adds in-depth information regarding the (1) physiological effects of yoga; (2) neurobiological effects of yoga meditation; (3) psychological benefits related to yoga, such as mental wellbeing; (4) molecular changes associated with yoga practice; and (5) therapeutic applications (for lymphedema, mental health disorders, non-communicable diseases, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and trauma, among other conditions). Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as pain management, psychotherapy, and trauma treatment, this book is ideally designed for yoga practitioners, physicians, medical professionals, health experts, mental health professionals, therapists, counselors, psychologists, spiritual leaders, academicians, researchers, and students.

About the Author

Shirley Telles has a degree in conventional medicine (MBBS) and a MPhil and PhD in Neuurophysiology at the National Institute of Mental of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. For both MPhil and PhD her theses were on the effects of yoga practice and their applications in health and rehabilitation. Dr. Telles received a Fulbright fellowship in 1998 to assess fMRI in meditators at the University of Florida. Later Dr. Telles was awarded the first ever Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research to assess the effects of meditation through autonomic and respiratory variables, evoked and event related potentials, polysomnography and fMRI. From 2007 Dr. Telles has been the Director of a research foundation committed to researching the effects of Yoga and Ayurveda (Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India). Dr. Telles has 152 publications related to yoga, most of them appear in PubMed, the others appear in PsycLit or similar databases. Dr. Telles is an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga herself and believes that yoga research can positively impact all aspects of life.