Saturday, February 29th, 2020
Please join us for the first Yoga & Science Conference in Austin as we bring together incredible thought leaders to explore the science supporting yoga and mindfulness. The panel will share their years of research and experience in explaining the underlying physiological mechanisms that make yoga an effective practice for health and wellness. The Conference will include experiential exercises and a joint panel Q&A to be moderated by Eddie Stern.
Yoga & Science Conference Schedule
1:00 – 1:15 pm
Welcome and Introduction
1:15 – 2:00 pm
Marshall Hagins, PhD, PT, OCS: YOGA AND SCIENCE: THE BASICS
How a human being changes through the practice of yoga and meditation is a truly complex phenomenon. Even the best science can only reveal some of the truth about yoga. This talk will describe foundational concepts related to the scientific study of yoga. In particular, how the questions and methods which scientists use influence and limit the interpretation of the results. Despite the inherent limitations of Western science, a case will be made that a factual scientific consensus of what yoga can and cannot do will generally expand the use of yoga in society and help us personalize and target our practice to ourselves, our clients and patients more specifically.
2:00 – 2:45 pm
KEYNOTE: Larry Scherwitz, PhD, C-IHYT: THE HEALING POWER OF THE YOGIC LIFESTYLE
The author will present his 20+ year journey as a research director with Dr. Dean Ornish into discovering how a 4-component yoga-based lifestyle change program can reverse a host of related chronic diseases including coronary artery disease, diabetes, and prostate cancer. While the results of several studies will be reviewed the focus will be upon the effects of yoga practice, exercise, social support, and a plant-based diet on angiographic measured changes in the blockages of coronary arteries. The author will present unpublished new results on how important each of the 4 components is to disease reversal, how much change is necessary to reverse the disease, and what specific foods were eaten by those whose disease progressed and reversed. Also, presented will be surprising findings on which of the 30 different types of fat intake are most related to disease progression. And a multiple regression analysis will show the strength of yoga practice when compared with dietary cholesterol and fat in predicting 5-year coronary artery disease reversal. The presentation will end by discussing possible mechanisms by which a yogic lifestyle has its healing powers including studies showing the benefits of this 4-component lifestyle changes program on oncogene expression and telomere lengthening.
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Kristin Neff, PhD: SELF-COMPASSION: A HEALTHIER WAY OF RELATING TO YOURSELF AND YOUR BODY
This talk will discuss the role of self-compassion in creating a kinder and more connected way of inhabiting our minds and our bodies. It will discuss research on the health benefits of self-compassion, including yoga as a way to enhance self-compassion. It will also compare self-compassion to self-esteem, arguing that self-compassion provides a more stable and less contingent sense of self-worth. Finally, a brief self-compassion practice will be taught for use in daily life.
3:30 – 3:45 pm
BREAK
3:45 – 4:30 pm
David Ring, MD, PhD: RECOVERING FROM INJURY AND SURGERY: HOW THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES CAN ENHANCE OR HINDER OUR ABILITY TO HEAL
The story we tell ourselves about our experience of pain can either strengthen or weaken our recovery. There are effective strategies that we can use to create healthier narratives for optimal recovery. This in part involves understanding the difference between tissue damage and our experience of it, which can include unpleasant thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In this presentation we will discuss and define nociception, which is the physiology of actual or potential tissue damage in contrast to the narrative that often accompanies injury and pain, and management strategies that we can incorporate to facilitate recovery.
4:30 – 5:15 pm
Deborah Kesten, MPH: ANCIENT YOGIC NUTRITION MEETS MODERN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE
Yogis turn all eating into a potentially sacred activity, each encounter with food into an opportunity to meet the Higher Self. This presentation is steeped in Anna Yoga, India’s ancient dietary wisdom. Discover the what-and-how-to-eat guidelines of yogic nutrition, and the science behind its ability to nourish the “whole person”—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
5:15 – 5:30 pm
Eddie Stern: BREATHING EXERCISE
5:30 – 6:00 pm
Q&A with all speakers moderated by Eddie Stern
For more information on Yoga & Science Conferences around the world visit https://yogaandscience.com/.
To register for the Austin 2020 Yoga & Science Conference please visit https://ashtangayogaaustin.com/yoga-science-austin-tx-29-february-2020/.
Location:
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
4700 Grover Ave
Austin, TX 78756
Time: 1 pm – 6 pm
