 |
|
|
| |
Religious, Spiritual Practices
Good for Your Health 
By N. Saini M.D.
It is the season to be healthy, especially if you're giving
your religious and spiritual beliefs a workout. According
to new research, reciting rhythmic formulas such as the
Ave Maria prayer or a yoga mantra has a measurable calming
effect on the cardiovascular system. Our autonomic nervous
system responds to stress, fear, or anxiety with increased
breathing, a pounding heart, and rising blood pressure.
Remarkably, the regularity of breathing seen during recitation
of the Ave Maria or the mantra was similar to regularity
during controlled breathing ... According to the researchers,
these two seemingly unrelated religious rituals might
not be as different as we'd imagine. "There is historical
evidence for a link," they write. "The rosary was introduced
to Europe by the crusaders, who took it from the Arabs,
who in turn took it from Tibetan monks and the yoga masters
of India."
The lesson of the study? Whatever your personal religious
or spiritual beliefs may be, stopping to take a few slow,
deep breaths during the hectic holiday season can make
a big difference to your health in the coming year.
|
|
|
|
|
