Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes dementia. Alzheimer’s causes nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. The damage harms memory, speech, and comprehension. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Alzheimer’s disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells start to deteriorate. The body attempts to stop this process by producing a protein called amyloid. However, amyloid deposits build up in the brain, leading to further deterioration. These deposits of amyloid are referred to as “plaques” and cause the brain cells to shrivel up and form “tangles”, which in turn lead to changes in the brain structure and cause the brain cells to die. The formation of plaques and tangles also prevents the production of some important brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Over time the loss of brain cells causes the brain to shrink.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s:
Regularly forgetting recent events, names and faces.
Becoming increasingly repetitive.
Regularly misplacing items or putting them in odd places.
Confusion about the time of day/ Night.
Disorientation, especially away from your normal surroundings.
Problems to finding the right words..
Mood changes, including irritability and anxiety
Difficulty processing new information and learning new things
Loss of spontaneity and initiative, Confusion about time and place
Communication difficulties, Decline in ability to perform routine tasks.
Still there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s and no way to slow the nerve damage it causes in the brain. But there are medications & Therapies that appear to help maintain mental skills and slow the disease’s effects.
Yoga & Meditation
The ancient Indian practice of yoga has been improving the mind-body connection under the appearance of a distinct philosophy for over 5,000 years through breathing, posture, and meditation exercises.
Yoga & Meditation plays an important role in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root word “yuja“, which means “to yoke” the spirit and physical body together. Yoga has evolved over thousands of years to embrace a wide range of disciplines. Yoga is a popular activity for all. Yoga can be modified to suit all levels of fitness. Yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure and increases strength and flexibility. Yoga energizes our bodies and calms our minds.
Yoga is an art as well as a science. It is a science, because it offers practical methods for controlling body and mind, thereby making deep meditation possible. And it is an art, for unless it is practiced intuitively and sensitively it will yield only superficial results. Yoga is not a system of beliefs. It takes into account the influence on each other of body and mind, and brings them into mutual harmony. So often, for instance, the mind cannot concentrate simply because of tension or illness in the body, which prevent the energy from flowing to the brain. So often, too, the energy in the body is weakened because the will is dispirited, or paralyzed by harmful emotions. Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, yoga for energy-control. Prana means ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. Yoga for those with Alzheimer’s disease is a safe, effective way for them to stay physically strong as well as mentally engaged. Often exercise can stimulate areas of the brain that remain otherwise unused. Yoga is an art as well as a science. It is a science, because it offers practical methods for controlling body and mind, thereby making deep meditation possible. And it is an art, for unless it is practiced intuitively and sensitively it will yield only superficial results. Yoga is not a system of beliefs. It takes into account the influence on each other of body and mind, and brings them into mutual harmony. So often, for instance, the mind cannot concentrate simply because of tension or illness in the body, which prevent the energy from flowing to the brain. So often, too, the energy in the body is weakened because the will is dispirited, or paralyzed by harmful emotions. Practicing yoga poses cleanses and detoxifies the body, by increasing the circulation of fresh blood through the body, you will be able to cleanse and flush out toxins which are the direct result of an irregular lifestyle, unhealthy habits, and poor posture.
“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom”.- Mahatma Buddha….
Mantras originated in the Vedic religion of “Aja Nabha Varsha” as nowadays Modern India, later becoming an essential part of the Hindu tradition and a customary practice within Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. The use of mantras is now widespread throughout various spiritual movements which are based on, or Branches of, the practices in the earlier religions. Saying any word produces an actual physical vibration. Over time, if we know what the effect of that vibration is, then the word may come to have meaning associated with the effect of saying that vibration or word. This is one level of energy basis for words. The most basic or primordial mantra is Aum, also known as the “Super Logical Mantra”, is the source of all mantras. Aum is regarded to be the most fundamental and original mantra. Aum represents the reality and totality of the world. Thus, Aum can be prefixed and suffixed to all Sanskrit Mantras or Shlokas. Chanting of mantra was also a concept of the Vedic saints whose end is seen as Nirvana.
Benefits of Chanting Aum ॐ
The ॐ chanting removes toxin from your body. It gives you better immunity and self-healing power.
It improves your concentration and helps you focus on your target.
The ॐ chanting improves your voice and gives strength to vocal cord and muscles during old age.
Om Mantra has a cardiovascular benefit too which keeps blood pressure normal.
It helps in keeping your emotions controlled and thus by putting a control over emotions and leads you to excel in life.
The ॐ chanting produces a vibration and sound which is felt in your vocal cord and sinus. It opens pore which in turn helps in removal of sinus problems gradually and if done in complete faith.
ॐ वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥ ॥ ॐ
O Lord Ganesha, of huge body with elephant head, shining like
Billions of suns, O God, remove all obstacles from my endeavors, forever.
* Information on the traditional uses and properties of Yoga are provided on this Article is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. All Image credit goes to their Authors/ Photographers.