Hip to the Yogi hop: Yoga in its many contortions

The word on everyone’s lips these days, besides Obama, is yoga. Freaked out about upcoming exams? Try yoga. Back pain? Go to Yoga! Arthritis or high blood pressure? Yoga will help. ADD? Yoga… Touted as a “stress-reducer” and “relaxation-aid” by popular medical vehicles WebMD and MayoClinic, yoga is the evolving American phenomenon in medical and therapeutic fields. Borderline panacea, yoga is being prescribed by doctors, psychologists and celebrities-Madonna, Sting, Russell Simmons, Christy Turlington and Gwenyth Paltrow are all self-declared yoga enthusiasts. “I was experiencing severe back pain,” UVM junior, Frank Plew said. “My doctor recommended yoga. After 6 months practicing Bikram Yoga, I noticed considerable reduction of pain and inflammation in my tendons,” Plew said. Read Article

By Ryan Winnick