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Inquiry Blog

Rainah A. Mizell

Arizona State University

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Abstract

This inquiry blog is a multimodal composition of various texts, explaining the various

benefits of yoga across different aspects. Some of these aspects include school, depression,

stress, and physical fitness.

Keywords: yoga, benefits, mind, body, depression, children, parents

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Inquiry Blog

Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit A Return to Wholeness by

Donna Farhi

Summary This book is more of an instructional piece by Donna Farhi, the world-

renowned yoga instructor. Its objective is giving its audience a more sensitive way of

approaching yoga, focuses on Hatha (restorative) yoga. Although there arent many quotes that

support this (it is mainly a picture book), the poses align with a Hatha flow, which is focuses on

soft movements, slow-paced flow, and inner restoration.

Evaluation I used this one, and books depicting other forms of yoga, because it does a

good job at illustrating what your mind and body should receive from practicing Hatha yoga.

Every type of yoga, from Vinyasa to Bikram, serves a different purpose to the body, and affects

it in a different way.

Reflection From the perspective of someone who practices yoga, reading into this book

and the author was a great experience. Farhi has a very delicate approach to yoga, which is

different than most, and it shows in her poses and her wording.
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Citation - Farhi, D. (n.d.). Yoga Mind, Body, & Spirit - A Return to Wholeness. Holt Paperbacks.

Bikram Yoga: Poses and Their Benefits by J. D.

Rockefeller

Summary This is more of a novel, with directions for the twenty-six bikram poses and

their benefits. J. D. Rockefeller gives an extensive and instructional guide to how one would

prepare for bikram yoga, execute a flow, and the benefits that would come from it.

Evaluation This novel does a very good job at explaining the many benefits of bikram

yoga. In the book, he states different benefits in very simplistic terms, claiming that the poses

will help lower spine problems, increase hip flexibility, and relieve muscular aching

(Rockefeller, 2015.)

Reflection This, like the last text, was just another example of a different kind of yoga

servicing different benefits to those who practice. Hatha yoga does more for inner restoration,
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general flexibility and spiritual pursuit; Bikram focuses more on strength and cardiovascular

endurance, being that its mildly difficult poses performed in a heated room.

Citation: Rockefeller, J. (n.d.). Bikram Yoga: Poses and Their Benefits. CreateSpace

Independent Platform.

Five Scientifically Proven Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga by Katerina Pozzi Baratta

Summary - This is an article from the website Delta Terra Wellness, a blog ran by

Katerina Baratta that is dedicated to physical and mental wellness. It is mainly informative, but

could be persuasive towards people who may be on the fence about beginning a Vinyasa

practice. It gives five reasons one should be practicing, backed with credible research from

studies on these claims.

Evaluation This article would be really well for people who would like to see proof

surrounding the many claims that yoga has endless health benefits. It would also do a good job

persuading someone who is maybe considering adding yoga into their lives for the health

benefits.

Reflection I definitely think this did a good job of being persuasive and informative. I

dont see why someone who had doubts about the benefits of yoga would be unsure after reading

this.

Citation - 5 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga. (2014, November 17). Retrieved

October 17, 2017, from https://dellaterrawellness.com/benefits-of-vinyasa-yoga/

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8 Ways Kids Benefit from Yoga by Aine Kerrigan

Summary Aine Kerrigan is speaking in this podcast about the multiple benefits

children experience from practicing yoga. Some of the points she brings up include a boost in

confidence, increase in body awareness, freedom of expression, and boost in creativity. While

this is mainly informative, it can also be pretty persuasive if listened to my parents-to-be, or

current parents of young children.

Evaluation I really liked this source because I felt as if it was really convincing. It adds

another perspective to what my main umbrella topic is which is the effects of yoga on the body

and mind. Generally, people would assume I am talking about people who already practice yoga,

or maybe even an out of shape person. However, yoga can benefit many people.

Reflection Most of this podcast was a learning experience. I was vaguely aware that yoga has

good benefits on children, but I assumed they were the same as adults. However, yoga has many
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beneficial impacts on the development of children, which would not necessarily happen to

adults.

Citation - 8 Ways Kids Benefit from Yoga[Advertisement]. (2017, August 14). RTE.

Effects of Yoga for Depression by the

American Psychological Association

Summary Research was done by members of the Center for Integrative Psychiatry,

Lentis Mental Health Care, and University of Groningen, Netherlands, to examine whether yoga

was actually a feasible factor in aiding depression. The experimental group practiced yoga for

two and a half hours a day for nine weeks, with an instructional videos and pamphlets. There was

a unanimous agreement amongst the participants to engage in the practice, and only two stopped

the training due to health regards. At the end of the study, the average effectiveness of this

practice on a scale of one to ten was an 8.7.

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Evaluation While the data itself may not be the most reliable (due to the lack of

quantity in participants), I think that this is still something to consider when thinking of the

possible beneficial effects yoga can have on someone. The fact is, yoga is more widely available

than ever, with countless videos on the internet for first-time participants and beginners. If

someone with depression was looking for a natural way to combat the way they are feeling, this

could be a start.

Reflection Although this was a learning experience, like every other source, I felt as if

this was one that I already had an inclination about. I have always assumed that yoga COULD be

a credible way to combat depression, but not completely cure it. There are so many different

things to consider in that situation, but I think yoga is definitely a positive start.

Citation - Nina K. Vollbehr, H.J. Rogers Hoenders, & Agna A. Bartels-Velthuis. (n.d.). The

Effects of Yoga for Depression. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/08/yoga-

depression.pdfhttps://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/08/yoga-depression.pdf

Beyond Namaste: The Benefits of Yoga in Schools by Dana Santas

Summary In this CNN article, the beneficial outcomes of practicing yoga in school is

touched on by Dana Santas, a sports coach who specializes in yoga and mobility in athletes. In

this article, the topic of parents not wanting their children to be exposed to yoga mainly due to

the false connection they think yoga has to Hinduism. While yoga is merely portrayed in schools

as a physical practice, and yoga itself is not a religious endeavor, most people choose to be
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ignorant to those things, and going forward only shield their child from various beneficial

opportunities.

Evaluation I thought this article was really helpful in terms of describing the different

things yoga can do for a child. While some parents are open to letting their child be exposed to

whatever religions they please and different spiritual practices, some only want their children to

follow the religion they believe in. With yoga in particular, one of the most important things is

that it is not designed to convert someone into Hinduism, or any other religion for that matter. If

you are of no religion, it is an experience for your wellbeing and your body. If you do practice

any religion, yoga will merely give you a heightened experience and connection with your

religion.

Reflection I genuinely think was a great source to put in my inquiry blog, it did a great job of

helping gain a new perspective for not only me, but parents as well.

Citation - Santas, D. (2016, May 10). Beyond 'Namaste': The benefits of yoga in schools.

Retrieved October 17, 2017, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/10/health/yoga-in-

schools/index.html
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References