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Yoga and Spiritual Life

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Yoga and Spiritual Life

Spiritual life warrants dedication and detachment. A person willing to lead such a life should be prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of humanity at large. It is generally considered that this type of life is possible only when a person is not married and leading the life of a sanyasi (celibate). There are many Christian priests and nuns and several swamis and sanyasis of different denominations of Hinduism and Buddhism leading a life of celibacy.

When a person remains unmarried, to a great extent he will go against the natural instinct of sex, which is strongly embedded in every individual who is physically potent. Here, Yoga plays a predominant role in bringing about discipline of both body and mind in the lives of those who are leading a life of celibacy. The techniques evolved in Yoga are so advanced that no other system can match them in sublimating the sexual urge.

Indian sages and seers evolved Yoga techniques some 6,000 years ago primarily to sublimate the sexual urge, so as to enable them to lead a spiritual life in its most exalted form. The process of sublimation takes place when sexual energies are transformed into creative power, which is popularly known in Yogic parlance as the raising of Kundalini Shakti.

Sexual energies in the ordinary life pattern convert matter into a living organism through the process of sexual coitus. This might also be expended through masturbation and other sexual avenues. However, sexual energies could be conserved through certain well-defined techniques of Yoga without much tension and anxiety on the part of the individual in restraining sexual urges and thereby enhancing his creative life.

Yoga and Married Life

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Yoga and Married Life

Yogic practices were originally designed by Indian Yogis to attain spiritual emancipation. Sexual restraint was considered the most important prerequisite for spiritual development. Therefore, it is erroneously held by many that practise of Yoga is meant for sanyasis, saints and seers who are supposed to renounce the world and lead a life of celibacy. It is also believed by many married people that the practise of Yoga ultimately diminishes their sex drive and potential, eventually leading to impotence. This is not true.
It has been scientifically proved beyond any iota of doubt that Yoga does not hamper sexual potential. Instead, it revitalises the physical aspect of sex and also reconditions mental defects arising from one's own feeling of incompetence and an inferiority complex regarding sexual activities. Since Yogic practices enhance sexual vigour and vitality there should be no hesitation on the part of married people to practise Yoga.

Yoga and Sex

The mind plays a tremendous role in our life. The urge for sexual activity first and foremost occurs in the mind of a human being. Yoga takes care of the mind. It streamlines the nervous system that is responsible for the physical aspect of sexual life. Hence, practise of Yoga would definitely contribute in removing any weaknesses in sexual behaviour.

Yoga and Removing Sexual Defects

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Removing Sexual Defects

Indolence and lethargy are important causes that shatter physical and mental discipline. To attain efficiency, discipline is a prerequisite. Even to improve sexual efficiency, discipline is a must. One who is prone to sloth and lethargy cannot improve sexual potential. Therefore, everyone should endeavour to conquer indolence. Yoga definitely helps in bringing vitality and dynamism in a person, which in turn drives away sloth and indolence and thereby improves potential.

Psychosomatic techniques are applied in both Yoga and sex. Both take into consideration the physical, mental and emotional aspects of man. For example, Yoga gives importance to Asanas that are physical in nature. But through the practise of Pranayama and meditation, the mental and emotional nature of man is also substantially enhanced. Similarly, sex undoubtedly deals with the physical aspect in the form of various sex plays culminating in coitus. At the same time, the mental and emotional aspects in the form of love and affection between the married partners should also be given due place in sexual life. Particularly in married life, genuine love and affection between married partners are too important an aspect to be minimised by anybody. If sincere love were not exhibited in married life through sexual activities the entire life of married couples would end in despair.


The practise of Yoga will definitely improve the neurom uscular and psychosomatic machinery. Yoga generally promotes certain positive qualities like tolerance, forgiveness, cheerfulness, concern for others, etc., which are very conducive to a happy married life.

Setting Right Sexual Disharmonies

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Setting Right Sexual Disharmonies


The major causes for the increase in sexual disharmonies are tension, insecurity and emotional conflicts created by modern life. There are two important factors that determine human sexual behaviour viz., instinctive drives and social influences. Our sex conduct has been predominantly controlled and determined by modern society, which usually results in an emotional conflict between desire and inhibitions. Among primitive people, where social life and sexual standards are simple and natural, sexual inadequacies are not encountered. In our culture, however, the tension of daily living may lead to many disharmonies in the sexual life of a couple.
Yoga stresses physical and mental poise to accelerate relaxation through reduction of tension and clarity of mind. Once mental and emotional equanimity is achieved through constant practise of Yoga, sexual disharmonies among married partners would disappear.

Yoga for Impotence

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Yoga for Impotence

In simple terms, impotence may be defined as the inability to have satisfactory sexual relations with the opposite sex. At times, the terms 'impotence' and 'infertility' are misconstrued. A man may be highly potent but not necessarily fertile. Similarly, a man may be fertile but may not be sexually potent.

The causes for impotence may be due to constitutional disorders like hormone deficiency of the sex organs or other constitutional factors that lead to diminution of sexual desire.
There are a number of psychological factors too causing impotence in men. In most cases, it is caused by emotional factors like mental conflicts, various fears and anxieties, neurotic tendencies and negative influences in childhood and certain teachings condemning sex as obscene and vulgar. These factors result in an aversion to sex.

Yoga can definitely remedy impotence caused by constitutional disorders as well as psychological factors. The practise of certain Asanas would invigorate the functions of various ductless glands, particularly the sex gland, and thereby vigorously activate all organs connected with sex. In this way, constitutional disorders causing impotence are remedied through regular practise of certain Asanas. For details refer to the section on 'Practise of Asanas'.

Similarly, psychological factors causing impotence can also be remedied through the practise of Pranayama and meditation. Pranayama particularly helps tone up the nervous system and thereby ensures mental equilibrium. Similarly, regular practise of meditation tremendously improves emotional stability and ultimately removes psychological factors causing impotence.


There are certain subtle techniques in Yoga that are quite simple to perform but very effective in boosting the sexual urge to a considerable extent. These techniques are kept highly confidential by many Yogis in India and are therefore not explained in any of the books on Yoga, nor are they disclosed in public. The Guru passes on these techniques orally to the disciple after ascertaining his sincerity and honesty to ensure he will not misuse the techniques.

Students and Yoga

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Students and Yoga

Present-day students are future citizens of the country. So, a strong nation, both in intellect and discipline, has to be moulded from these students.

The aim of education is not mere transmission of ideas and information from one to another. It involves the creation of a full-fledged personality, both in mind and body.

Students have a lot of energy. So, it is the duty of educationists to channel this energy for productive purposes. The main problem faced by students is controlling their minds to channelise them for concentrated learning and productive utilisation of energy. Most students are adolescents and there is every chance of their brimming enthusiasm being diverted from the main objective of learning to stray activities. It is here that Yoga can do tremendous good. When students are made to practise certain Yogic Asanas and Pranayama, they get into the habit of a disciplined system of life. This leads to the control of body and mind, creates awareness and helps them become responsible citizens. Yoga helps a wandering mind concentrate on a specific task with single-minded devotion. It inculcates a positive approach to life.

Also, if students regularly practise Pranayama, their nervous system gets toned up and memory, concentration, intelligence and imagination will develop substantially.

Thus, practise of Yoga by students not only helps them control their body, mind and emotions, but also improves mental, emotional and other faculties.


Yoga for Youthfulness

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Yoga for Youthfulness

Scientists are curious to know whether old age can be put off through deliberate and conscious efforts. They have discovered various factors that promote ageing. In order to "grow old youthfully" or gracefully, the elasticity of the body must be maintained. As one ages, hardened mineral substances replace the bone cartilages of childhood. These mineral substances are lime salts and calcium phosphate. When the percentage of these mineral matter increase, the cartilages gradually begin to ossify and become more and more brittle. In advanced years, on reaching an abnormal proportion, the mineral deposits in the bones cause old age.

Old age is also caused due to certain chemical changes in the circulatory system. As the years advance, an accumulation of sedimentary mineral deposits occurs in the circulatory system, leading to non-elastkity of the body in general and arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) in particular. This process hastens old age.

Similarly, as a person advances in age, his muscular tissues harden, leading to stiffness and non-elasticity in the muscular system. Moreover, hardening of muscular


tissues results in loss of normal tone and pliancy. These factors ultimately disturb the natural harmony between various internal organs and always end in some form of physical deterioration vaguely called old age.

In order to maintain youthfulness and postpone old age, the natural elasticity, balance and coordination between various parts of the body and the internal organs has to be maintained in perfect condition. The most desirable aspect in maintaining youthfulness is the preservation of a child-like adaptation of every part of the body, which upholds the relative harmony between and within the internal organs.

In his book, Old Age - Its Causes and Prevention, Samford Bennet explained the difference between the young and the old in the following words:

"The elasticity of the youth gives place to the non-elasticity of old age. The only difference between a young body and an old one. seems to be the elasticity of the former and the non-elasticity of the latter."

Thus, in order to maintain youth and defer old age, one must develop suppleness of the body. All the Yogic Asanas are designed to make each and every limb of the body supple and elastic. Moreover, most of the static as well as dynamic Asanas provide a massaging effect to alt the internal organs and thereby invigorate their functions to the optimum level, which generally brings about sound health in a person and promotes the maintenance of energy and a spirit of youthfulness in the practitioner.

It is now scientifically proved that the whole world is saturated with electro­magnetic waves, composed of positive and negative forces. We receive electromagnerically charged cosmic radiations from outer space. Our life itself is a manifestation of the electric current in one form or another expressed in terms of the cellular, cerebral and nervous system operating in the human organism. The human body receives certain subtle electrical magnetism that travels from the sky to the earth and from the earth to the sky. Ordinarily, when a person is in an upright position, these waves flow from head to foot, but when the body is inverted, these currents reverse their normal direction in the body.

The harmonious interplay of positive and negative electric currents in the human body is responsible for its good health. Illness or disease of the human body is the result of these currents going out of balance. If these currents are made to change their directions, they can regain equilibrium and, thereby, the physical and mental health of the person is restored. All the topsy-turvy Asanas perform this function of making the positive and negative currents in the body operate in harmonious fashion. Therefore, a person consistently practising topsy-turvy Asanas like Sanvanga Asana and Sirsha Asana maintains sound health throughout his life and postpones the ageing process for a considerable length of time.

Moreover, the process of ageing and direction of time is associated with the upright position and the normal flow of these currents. When the position of the body is reversed, as when performing topsy-turvy Asanas, the ageing process and time is also reversed. In this way, the usual direction of human development is reversed and youthfulness is regained and maintained.

Yoga for Curing Diseases

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Yoga for Curing Diseases

It has been proved scientifically that practise of Yoga eliminates chronic and incurable diseases. The process of cure may be slow but the result is certain and permanent,
provided the practitioner meticulously follows the prescribed methods and techniques of Yoga.
Doctors in the field of psychosomatic medicine and psychiatry suggest Yogic therapy to their patients. They have realised that Yoga helps eliminate psychophysical tensions that linger among patients even after their recovery from mental and nervous disorders.

Modern society forces us into unnatural and artificial ways of living. We don't eat, drink, sleep, breathe or clothe ourselves properly, resulting in diseases, disorders and ailments. Faulty ways of living, bad habits, improper food, and wrong thinking all give rise to negative emotions such as fear, hatred, prejudice, and despair, causing short term as well as prolonged malfunctioning of the human system.

Since the root cause of all diseases are wrong habits and mistakes committed by an individual, the cure lies in correcting them. The approach of Yogic therapy is therefore based on the principle that diseases can be cured by the patient's own efforts - self-control, patience and perseverance. It does not believe in medicines and surgery that are mostly external in nature. It emphasises the practise of Yogic Asanas, Pranayama, meditation and proper diet for curing all types of disease. Under Yogic treatment the patient has to strive hard himself for curing his disease without depending on doctors. The Yoga expert who acts as a doctor will inform and, if necessary, demonstrate the methods and techniques of Yoga suitable for the particular disease and it is left to patients to practise them and observe the prescribed diet.

Many medical men practising Yoga have expressed their conviction that there is something in Yoga that cannot be provided by any other system of medicine.
The approach of modern medicine, by and large, is only to remove symptoms of the
disease temporarily and it rarely attempts removing the root cause of the disease. When a man suffers from headache he is given a pill that quickly relieves the pain. Unfortunately, the pain returns with greater intensity after a few days. This is due to the piecemeal treatment of symptoms and not the disease. For example, asthma, diabetes etc. are not easily amenable to modem medical treatment. A chronic disease is deep-rooted in the organism of an individual and so symptomatic treatment cannot help to remove it totally but may only provide some relief from pain and discomfort.

On the other hand, Yogic therapy cures all types of diseases, including chronic ones, because it revitalises the entire'human system through the following processes:

1. Constipation is one of the root causes for most diseases. Most Asanas aredesigned to remove constipation. Further, the Asanas render the body light andsupple, which are indicators of sound health.

2. Hatha Yoga has evolved six purificatory processes known as Shat Karma. Theirpractise ensures purification of the entire system through removal of toxins inthe body. For most chronic diseases, Shat Karma is advised.


3. Pranayama revitalises the nervous system and removes all defects in therespiratory system. It also paves the way for toning the circulatory system. Mostdiseases of the respiratory system are cured through Pranayama.

4. Meditation brings about mental poise, emotional balance and a dispassionateoutlook towards life. Worldwide, doctors and scientists have scientificallyproved the contribution of meditation in removing physical and psychologicalstress.


Thus the approach of Yogic therapy is practical and natural and the cure is permanent, though the process may sometimes be slow and time-consuming.
Generally, the approach of Yoga is curative as well as preventive. Regular practise of Yoga ensures sound health throughout life for an individual and also provides insurance against the onslaughts of chronic diseases in the later part of one's life.

Yoga a First-hand Experience

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A First-hand Experience

I was a sickly child with a weak constitution. Indigestion, dyspepsia, asthma, arthritis, stomach pain, headache, fever, etc. were my regular lot. Poor digestion and low energy were a constant problem.

At the age of 37, on the recommendation of an allopathic doctor, Dr Dhananjaya, I began practising Yogic Asanas, Pranayama, Shat Karma and meditation. Within four to five months my health improved considerably. Thereafter, I took serious interest in Yoga and followed a set regimen and my health continued to improve day by day.

I now advocate Yoga with religious fervour to all participants of my training programmes for the development of an integrated personality. Now I am in my late sixties, but wake up between 3 and 4 in the morning and continue to work till 11 in the night without an iota of tiredness. My energy levels are very high. I attribute my superb health to the practise of Yoga.

Baby Bottle Toxic or Not?

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Your baby's bottles may not be as safe as they seem. According to a new report from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, certain types of plastic bottles contain a potentially dangerous chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to a number of health conditions in animals, including early onset of puberty, increased diabetes risk, hyperactivity, and certain cancers. Freaked out a little? So were we. Because it can be downright scary and confusing to digest these health risks (especially amid conflicting statements from the plastics industry), we tapped expert researchers to understand the real deal. Here, answers to your major concerns:



Q. Why the sudden bad rap for bottles?



A. Here's what we know for sure: BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical found in hard, clear plastic baby bottles; over time, it can seep into the containers and into your baby's milk. Here's what we don't know: "We haven't yet found definitive long-term health consequences in people," says Rebecca Roberts, PhD, an associate professor of biology at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who studies BPA. Yet there are enough tangible risks -- especially for young babies and children, because they're still developing -- to be concerned. "I'm a mom too, and I believe it's important to balance your lifestyle with what the science says," Roberts says. "I can't say that my kid lives a completely BPA-free life, but I can minimize her contact."





Q. How can I tell if the bottles we use contain BPA?





A. Flip them over, says Roberts. Often, polycarbonate plastics -- the ones that contain BPA -- are marked by the recycling symbols #7 or PC. But the absence of these marks is not a guarantee of safety -- if the bottle is hard and clear, check with the manufacturer to be sure.





Q. What can I do to reduce my baby's exposure?





A. Consider BPA-free alternatives, like glass or softer, cloudy-looking plastic bottles (check out our finds below). "And if you are using bottles made with BPA, try not to microwave them or put them in the dishwasher," says Roberts, since heat can break down the plastic and trigger the chemicals to leach more readily. Also, toss bottles when they start to look scratched -- another sign of plastic degrading. According to one recent report, BPA may leach after as few as 50 to100 washings.





Q. Are there any other sources of BPA that could affect my baby?





A. There is some evidence that BPA is found in the lining of metal cans, including ready-to-feed formula. "To lessen the risk, it's best to opt for powdered formula, which is usually not sold in metal cans," says Sonya Lunder, MPH, an analyst at the Environmental Working Group. In a paper separate from the NIEHS study, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit found detected some BPA in liquid formula packaged in steel cans from companies including Enfamil and Similac. (Even though powdered formula containers may look like they're metal, most are actually made from a very stiff paperboard material). But if you're not sure whether your container is safe, then hold a magnet up to it, says Lunder. "If it sticks, then the can is metal and you should try to avoid it."





Q. I'm pregnant. Should I be worried?





A. BPA isn't just a baby bottles issue, says Phillip Landrigan, MD, a Parents advisory board member and a professor of pediatrics and community and preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "The chemical can cross the placenta, so if you're exposed during pregnancy, there's a chance it can impact your developing fetus." The best ways to protect your health while you're expecting: Avoid heating and dishwashing food containers made from polycarbonate (flip the storage container and look for the recycling symbols #1, #2, or #5 instead -- all safer forms of plastic) and Nalgene water bottles. "Luckily, BPA is not everywhere," says Roberts. "And there are plastic alternatives that are totally fine for moms and babies to use."


Help for making sure baby gets better.

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Help for making sure baby gets better.



When you're giving medication to your baby, make sure to follow all of your doctor's directions as well as these additional safety tips:



  • Take the whole course of an antibiotic as prescribed, even if your child seems cured after a few days.


  • Don't reuse a prescription left over from a previous illness, even if you suspect it's another bout of the same sickness.


  • Measure medicine carefully -- even the difference of a mere milliliter can overdose a baby -- and use an appropriate dosing device rather than a kitchen spoon.


  • Don't call medicine "candy."


  • Don't forcibly squirt medicine down the back of your child's throat. A portion can get into the lungs, causing her to gag.


  • Call your doctor if the medicine doesn't seem to be working, your child's condition worsens, or you notice unexpected side effects.

Yoga and Religion

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Yoga and Religion

Yoga is not a religion but just a science expounding certain methods and techniques for all-round development of the personality. Therefore, what is required in Yoga is not faith in a particular religion but practise with conviction.

Yoga is very well known as one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was specially evolved by Hindu saints and monks. However, it has nothing to do with any religious doctrines or dogmas. It is primarily concerned with the practise of some techniques and methods suited to develop the physical, mental and emotional faculties of man. Therefore, it should be viewed as a Science of Man dealing with disciplining the body, mind and emotion. It does not attempt to advocate the faith of any particular religion. There are various branches of science dealing with different aspects of man such as physiology, sociology etc. We do not make any demarcation of these sciences, viz., Hindu physiology, Christian anatomy and Muslim psychology. Similarly, there is no question of Hindu Yoga or Christian Yoga.

Unfortunately, some devout Christians, particularly Catholics, are often opposed to the very word 'Yoga', thinking it is one of the doctrines of Hinduism. They are apprehensive that the practise of Yoga is against Christian faith. In his book Christian Yoga, Rev. Fr. J.M. Dechanet, O.S.B., a veteran Catholic priest, explained how the techniques of Yoga would enhance Christian life to a considerable extent. He said: "Every day the exercises, and indeed the whole ascetic discipline of Yoga, make it easier for the grace of Christ to flow in me. I feel my hunger for God growing and my thirst for righteousness, and my desire to be a Christian in the full strength of the word - to be for Christ, to be of Christ, without any half-measures or reservations... There shall be no compromise; but only borrowing of methods to be adopted immediately and introduced into an ascetic discipline authentically Christian in tenor and spirit."

He further narrated his initial experiences with Yoga in the following words:

"What I then read about Yoga and about some of its aims simply encouraged me to embark on, and then go through zvith, an experiment about the appropriateness of which I became convinced at the very first attempt. Yoga, I found, rvas first of all a particular way of fashioning oneself, the way of the man who by means of certain disciplines, both physiological (postures and breath-control) and psychical (focussing of thought), was joined; that is to say, in a condition of coherence in accordance with vital functions, and in a state of balance such that life could be controlled and made effective, Tfiis is therefore the opposite of fragmented living, of naive incoherence, impotence and unawareness... On the physical plane, the problems of general health disappeared; I no longer suffered from those fits of tiredness and temperature that pointed clearly to oi'erwork. I found myself possessed of an extremely supple body, ready to serve me and the life of the spirit..."

After the publication of this book, the outlook of the Christian community underwent a thorough change regarding Yoga. Many Catholic priests and nuns started showing keen interest in Yoga. I had several opportunities to conduct Yoga courses exclusively for these people all over the world.My personal experience is almost identical with that of Fr. Dechanet. Consistent practise of Yoga has brought tremendous improvement in my health, as mentioned earlier. Considerable change has also occurred in my behavioural pattern. A calm and serene feeling has set within me permanently and I do not feel inclined to even get angry with anybody for anything. I certainly feel that it is possible for me to love my enemies. And I sincerely feel that regular practise of Yoga has enabled me to lead a better Christian life. All sincere and regular practitioners of Yoga can have the same experience

Yoga and Vegetarianism

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Yoga and Vegetarianism


It may be observed that many Yogis in India staunchly advocate that practitioners take only vegetarian food. Yogis consider wilful adoption of a vegetarian diet implies a moral act that strengthens control over oneself in the first instance and then over one's environment. This need for exercising self-control arises only in the case of born non-vegetarians and not for born vegetarians. Hence it facilitates vegetarians practising Yoga


without exercising any self-control, whereas many non-vegetarians feel hesitant to practise Yoga as long as they continue to eat non-vegetarian food.
In the past, vegetarianism evolved as an Indian philosophy based purely on the principle of Ahimsa, which is one of the tenets of Raja Yoga. Thus, vegetarianism becomes not a mere dietetic principle but a religious doctrine.

Here, the words of Swami Vivekananda, a noted exponent of Yoga, are worth quoting:

"The test of Ahimsa is absence of jealousy. Any man may do a good deed or make a good gift on the spur of the moment, or under the pressure of some superstition or priest craft, but the real lover of mankind is he who is jealous of none. The so-called great man of the world may all be seen to become jealous of each other for a small name, for a little fame and for a few bits of gold. So long as this jealousy exists in a heart, it is far away from the perfection of Ahimsa. The cow does not eat meat nor does the sheep. Are they great Yogis, great non-injurers (Ahimsakas)? Any fool may abstain from eating this or that; surely that gives him no more distinction than to herbivorous animals. The man who will mercilessly cheat widows and orphans, and do the vilest deeds for money is worse than any brute even if he lives entirely on grass. The man whose heart never cherishes even the thought of injury to anyone, who rejoices at the prosperity of even his greatest enemy, thai man is the Bhakta, he is the Yogi, he is the Guru of all, even though he lives every day of his life on the flesh of swine. Therefore, we must always remember that external practices have value only as it helps to develop internal purity. It is better to have internal purity alone, when attention to external observances is not practicable. But woe unto the man and woe unto the nation that forgets the real, internal, spiritual essentials of religion and mechanically clutches with death-like grasp at all external forms and never lets them go. The forms have value only so far as they are expressions of the life, within. If they have ceased to express life, crush them out without mercy."


From the above words of Swami Vivekananda, we may now understand that vegetarianism is only an external practice, which does not have much relevance to the real practise of Yoga.
Many non-vegetarians are hesitant to practise Yoga believing that non-vegetarian diet coupled with the practise of Yoga would harm their health. There is no scientific evidence to prove this. The practitioner of Yoga is always advised to be moderate in everything. The Bhagavad Gita states:

"Yoga is not possible for him who eats too much or for him who abstains too much from eating; it is not for him who sleeps too much or too little. For him who is moderate in eating and recreation, temperate in his actions, who is regulated in sleep and wakefulness."

Therefore, it is not the type of food that one takes but the manner and attitude with which it is taken that is of paramount importance. However, it may be stressed that the practitioner of Yoga should always have proper control over food habits. Do also remember that we eat to live and not live to eat.

Guidance from the Guru for Yoga

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Guidance from the Guru for Yoga

There cannot be two opinions regarding the preferability of having a competent Guru (teacher) to teach Yoga, It is always advantageous and beneficial to attend classes in schools or colleges to learn any art or science than to undertake self-study through books or correspondence.

Even though the benefits of Yoga are widely acknowledged, competent teachers are unfortunately not available in required numbers. However, if a proper Guru is not available, a person sincerely interested in learning Yoga may try to initiate the practice by referring to some standard books on Yoga. Initially, he may start with very simple Asanas and only when he wants to learn advanced techniques would he require the guidance of a competent Guru.

It is not good to remain passive just because a Guru is not available to teach Yoga. If a person is very earnest in his approach he will definitely find a suitable Guru. Therefore, one need not wait for a Guru to take up Yoga. In this context, Swami Sivananda's words are worth quoting:
"Do not hesitate. Do not wait to get a Guru who will sit by your side and watch you daily... If you are sincere, regular and systematic and if you follow the rules and instructions of this book very carefully, there, will not be trouble at all. You will get success. Slight errors may crop up in the beginning, but it does not matter. Do not unnecessarily be alarmed. Do not give up the practices. You will learn how to adjust. Common sense, instinct, the still inner voice of the soul will help you on the path. Everything will come out smoothly in the end. Start the practice this very second in right earnest and become a real Yogi "

(The Science of Pranayama, the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy, 1962, pp. 105.)

Yoga and the Elderly

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Yoga and the Elderly


Authorities on Yoga have different views on this aspect. Some say that Yoga should be taken up only after the age of nine and others advocate that even children above the age of three can practise simple Yogic Asanas.

The real problem arises only with elderly persons after the age of 40. As a person grows older, his body stiffens and flexibility of the limbs decreases. Hence, an elderly person taking up Yoga finds it difficult to perform certain Asanas well. However, they may attempt to practise simple Asanas without making any strong and jerky movements. Over some time, they may be able to attain flexibility and suppleness of body.

Yoga is not confined only to Yoga Asanas, The practices include Pranayama, Mudras, Bhandas, Shat Karmas and meditation. Elderly persons who cannot perform Yogic Asanas can very well take up Pranayama and Meditation, There is absolutely no age restriction for anybody to take up Yoga. But the practise should be continuous and there is no need to stop it at any age. As long as a person is capable of performing the Asanas comfortably, he can go ahead.



However, as a person advances beyond 60 years, he may restrict his time for practising Asanas and devote more time for Pranayama and meditation. I have seen many elderly persons even beyond the age of 70 performing some of the difficult Asanas with ease. This depends upon regular practise over a long period.

Best Place and Time to Practise Yoga

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The Best Time to Practise

In order to derive maximum benefit, Yoga should be practised early in the morning before sunrise. One should develop the habit of waking up at least before 5 A.M. Since the mind is fresh in the morning, meditation can be taken up first. Then Asanas, Pranayama, Mudras and Bhandas could follow.

Usually, the limbs are stiff in the morning. So, it is difficult to perform advanced Asanas. These can be performed with ease and comfort in the evening. The stress and strain of the day can be removed if Asanas and Pranayama are done in the evening.

The Best Place to Practise

Yoga should be practised in a well-ventilated, clean and airy room, free from insects and noise. The floor of the room must be even. The room should be spacious enough for free movement of all limbs. Greater benefits could be derived if Yoga is practised on the sands of rivers, in open places or by the seaside.

Cold Water Bath and Yoga

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Cold Water Bath and Yoga



Most people practising Yoga prefer to take bath in cold water. A cold water bath invigorates the nervous system and promotes effective blood circulation. However, it is not necessary to take a bath in cold water. When the weather is cold, it is better to take bath in warm water. This can be varied according to individual requirements.



I take bath in cold water. When the weather is very cold, I then take bath in warm water. I practise Yoga after bath. The body gains flexibility after bath and Yoga should be practised preferably after bath. Taking bath both before and after doing Yoga refreshes the body and mind.

Smoking, Drinking and Yoga

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Smoking, Drinking and Yoga


Many people are under the impression that Yoga is something mysterious and supernatural, therefore, certain habits like smoking and drinking should be avoided before taking up Yoga. A person may feel it is better not to practise Yoga rather than to stop smoking or drinking in order to take up Yoga. Advising a person to do so is not required. It is akin to advising a person to learn swimming first before plunging into the water.

My simple suggestion to all those who are addicted to smoking or drinking is that they need not worry about their habits, but simply start practising Yoga in a milder form to begin with. In course of time they will gain better health, steadiness of mind, self-control over themselves and achieve emotional balance and, soon, it will not be surprising if they give up these habits effortlessly.

Regularity

There is no scientific evidence that Yoga has harmful effects if it is stopped abruptly. In order to derive complete and full benefits from Yoga, one should be regular and consistent in the practice. Many start with enthusiasm but stop later. Such persons do not suffer any harmful effects at al], but they do not derive the full benefits of Yoga,

Common diseases

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Osteoporosis


A condition in which the amount of bone mass decreases to the point where the bones are fragile and easily fractured, affecting twice as many women as men. Women are particularly risk from the osteoporosis as they have a lower density of bone, because of smaller body size than men. The risk increases those who have a premature menopause, early hysterectomy, previous anorexia nervosa etc. Also women who smoke or drink excessively are at the greater risk. Weight-bearing exercise , a diet rich in calcium, Vitamin D and other minerals, and not smoking can help to prevent bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective preventive treatment but is not suitable for all women. Physiotherapy and acupunture can help to relieve pain. Osteoporosis can be detected by doing Bone Density Test

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)


It is an inflammation of the Fallopian Tubes, ovaries and Uterus. The disease can be acute or chronic. Acute PID causes severe abdominal pains, high fever , chills, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and abdominal tenderness. PID is a result of bacterial infection, but chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are responsible for mini cases. Treatment is by means of antibiotics and bed rest. The condition usually improve within two weeks. But if not, another antibiotics is given. If 3 courses of antibiotics do not clear the infection, then the disease is deemed to have become chronic, Chronic PID results in a low level of infection that can continue for weeks or months.
Symptoms are persistent abdominal pain or cramps, fatigue, weakness and very heavy menstrual periods. Some mild cases have few or no symptoms but can cause partial or total infertility.



Gonorrhoea


It is an extremely common venereal or sexually transmitted disease, that is caused by the bacterium Neissera-gonorrhoeae. The bacteria are found in the Mucous Membrances of the Vagina, Urethra, throat and mouth. If gonorrhoea is not treated it can damage and inflame the Fallopian Tubes and other pelvic organs, and this can arise after only 8-10 weeks. Other possible damage includes eye infection that can cause blindness, septicaemia (blood poisoning), Gonococcal Arthritis, it may occur in conjunction with a painful skin rash and inflammation of heart valves. Symptoms of gonorrheoa include vaginal discharge (green or yellow in colour), Dysuria, possible inflammation of the rectum and a sore throat . To diagnose the disease, swabs of the discharge are obtained and organisms grown are identified in the laboratory. Treatment is by a single , very large dose of penicillin, or tetracycline if the organisms is resistant to penicillin.


Mastitis inflammation of the breast


It occurs usually because of bacterial infection during breast feeding. Symptoms include, pain in the affected breast, tenderness, swelling, fever and possibly a chill. Treatment with warm compress and antibiotics normally resolves the condition. If the inflammation does not subside then a breast abscess may form.

Menorrhagia

It is menstruation with abnormally heavy or prolonged blood flow. This may be frequent periods, one that continuous for 7 days or more, or one with exceptionally heavy flow over two to three days. Menorrhagia can occur because of fibroids, inflammation in the pelvic cavity, an Intrauterine device (IUD) or hormonal imbalance.
The bleeding can cause anaemia with pallor fatigue, which can be treated with iron supplements. Treatment depends on the cause and may include a D and C, the combined contraceptive pill, removal of an IUD, or danazol, a drug that inhibits the hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

Major Ladies Disease

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Amenorrhoea (Absence of periods)


It is a failure to have periods, which may be described as primary or secondary . Primary amenorrhoea is the failure to menstruate by age 16, and the main cause is the late onset of puberty. A girl may have the other signs of puberty but lack of periods. this may be a cause of a pituitary tumor, which can be found via a skull X -ray , or because of cryptomenorrohea, where menstrual bleedings does occur but it is held inside the vagina by an obstruction such as imperforate Hymen. The condition may arise because parts of the female reproductive system are missing. The most common reason for primary amenorrhoea is disruption of the relationship between the ovaries and the pituitary gland.
Secondary amenorrhoea occurs when a woman stops menstruating for 3 months or more after normal menstrual periods have been established but before the onset of the Menopause. It may arise as a result of stress, chronic diseases. Stopping the contraceptive pill, which affects hormone production in the brain , can cause amenorrhoea for up to a year, and it may arise after child birth and breast feeding. Failure of ovaries, prompting a premature menopause before the age of 40, is another cause. Amenorrhoea is permanent after the menopause or if the uterus is removed in a Hysterectomy




Acne


It is a common inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the face, neck, chest and upper back. it is caused by an interaction between hormones, bacteria and sebum produced by the comedones (pimples), pustiles (lesions filled with pus) and occasionally CYSTS. This is possibly caused by changing hormone levels.

Mild cases may be eased by washing the face with a gentle toilet soap or by drying agents such as benzoyl peroxide. Severe acne may need oral treatment with antibiotics such as tetracycline or hormone therapy such as Dianette, which also acts as a Contraceptive.

Very severe acne can be treated using a derivative of Vitamin A, called tretinoin or Retin A. This cream is applied in each night and takes about 3 weeks to be effective. An oral version called Ro- accutane is very good against severe acne but carries serious risks of foetal abnormality


Leucorrhoea


A discharge of white-yellow coloured mucus from the vagina. it may be normal condition, increasing before and after menstruation, but a copious vaginal discharge, especially if it has a strong smell, probably indicates an infection in the genital tract. A common cause is thrush, but it may also be because of Gonorrhoea or some other sexually transmitted disease

Understanding Birth Defects

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Understanding Birth Defects



The vast majority of babies born in this country are healthy. But if your child is one of the 3 in 100 infants born with a congenital (acquired after conception) or hereditary birth defect, how can you ensure her long-term health?



While some defects are treatable with drugs or surgery, it's usually your family's efforts to create a positive environment for your child that help minimize the disability.



First Steps





The first thing you should do if your child is diagnosed with a birth defect is get a second (or more) opinion. Start with your pediatrician or obstetrician, who can refer you to appropriate specialists. In addition to appointments with specialists, you should also keep up with regularly scheduled well-baby visits, because many birth defect complications can be treated through early detection and intervention.

Here are some of the most common birth defects in the U.S. and the impact they may have on your baby and you.




9 BIRTH DEFECTS AND TREATMENTS





FRAGILE X SYNDROME

SPINA BIFIDA

DOWN SYNDROME

BABY CLEFT LIP

PKUPHENYLKETONURIA

CLUBFOOT

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

INFANT CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS

UNDEVELOPED LIMBS

Fragile X Syndrome

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A Chromosomal Birth Defect




Prevalence:




Fragile X syndrome primarily affects males (1 in 1,500). Although 1 in 1,000 females is a carrier, only one in three shows outward signs of having the defect, including intellectual impairment. The range of retardation varies from mild to severe.






Symptoms:






The physical characteristics of Fragile X syndrome may include large ears, an elongated face, poor muscle tone, flat feet, large testicles, overcrowded teeth, cleft palate, heart problems, and autistic-like tendencies. Affected children may also suffer seizures.

However, many children with Fragile X syndrome appear to be physically normal at birth, so a diagnosis may not be made until the ages of 18 months and 2 years. At that time, a lack of language development coupled with other developmental delays usually prompts testing.






Treatment:






As with Down syndrome, children with Fragile X syndrome can be expected to do most things that any young child can do, although they also generally learn these things later than unaffected children. And, as with most of these birth defects, early-intervention programs begun in infancy can help maximize the child's development.

Down Syndrome

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Chromosomal Birth Defects






Two of the most common abnormalities, Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, are also frequent causes of mental retardation. Both can be diagnosed before birth. While neither defect is curable, early intervention allows a child to develop to his full potential.




Down Syndrome






Prevalence:




Though Down syndrome occurs in 1 in 800 births overall, the incidence is much higher in older mothers.






Symptoms:






A child with Down syndrome generally has characteristic physical features, including slanted eyes; small ears that fold over at the top; a small mouth, which makes the tongue appear larger; a small nose with a flattened nasal bridge; a short neck; and small hands with short fingers.

More than 50 percent of children with this defect have visual or hearing impairments. Ear infections, heart defects, and intestinal malformations are also common among children with this defect.






Though children with Down syndrome have some degree of mental retardation, most can be expected to do many of the same things that any young child can do -- including walking, talking, and being toilet trained -- although generally they learn how to do so later than unaffected children.

PKU(phenylketonuria)

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A Biochemical Birth Defect




Prevalence:




PKU (phenylketonuria) is an inherited metabolic disorder that occurs in 1 in 15,000 births (less commonly among African-Americans and people of Jewish descent).






Detection:






All babies in the U.S. are tested for the disease soon after birth.






Symptoms:




A child with PKU is missing a crucial enzyme that breaks down a protein called phenylalanine that is found in many goods. If PKU is left untreated, this protein can rise to high concentrations in the body and cause mental retardation.






Treatment:






Children born with PKU can live a normal life if put on a strict diet. Usually started before the fourth week of life, this diet is low in foods that contain phenylalanine, including breast milk and cow's milk. Instead, an affected child must be fed a special formula.

As the baby gets older, however, she can eat certain vegetables, fruits, and grain products but usually must avoid cheese, meat, fish, and eggs. Regular blood tests of phenylalanine levels can help determine what an affected child can and can't eat.

Sickle-Cell Disease

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Biochemical Birth Defects




Sometimes certain substances essential to a baby's proper body functioning are either abnormal or completely absent. Without intervention, deficiencies like the following can be devastating (and often even fatal) because they affect many bodily systems.

Sickle-Cell Disease






Prevalence:






Sickle-cell disease occurs in around 1 in 625 births, mostly affecting African-Americans and Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry.

Detection: Because of its prevalence, 30 states require that newborns be given the blood test that detects the disorder.






Symptoms:






The disease can cause debilitating bouts of pain and damage to vital organs and can sometimes be fatal. Sickle-cell disease affects the hemoglobin (a protein inside the red blood cells) in such a way that the cells become distorted: Instead of their normal, round shape, they look like bananas or sickles (hence the name).




These misformed cells then become trapped in and destroyed by the liver and spleen, resulting in anemia. In severe cases, an affected child may be pale, have shortness of breath, and tire easily. The episodes of pain, called crises, happen when the cells become stuck, blocking tiny blood vessels and cutting off the oxygen supply to various parts of the child's body.




Another complication of sickle-cell disease, noticeable mostly in infants and young children, is vulnerability to severe bacterial infections. Two weapons against this risk are immunization (the usual vaccines, as well as pneumonia and flu shots) and daily preventative penicillin treatments.






Treatment:






Although the disease can't be cured, a number of new therapies that reduce the severity and frequency of crises are being studied. Acupressure is very effective

baby Missing or Undeveloped Limbs

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An Anatomical Abnormality




Causes:




Unfortunately, the cause of this birth defect is largely unknown. Some experts believe that maternal exposure during pregnancy to a chemical or virus that only mildly affects the mother might be possible causes.






Treatment:






When a child is born with a limb anomaly, the doctor refers the parents to an orthopedic specialist and a physical therapist. The child is then fitted with a prosthesis (artificial body part) as soon as possible so that he becomes comfortable with it early on.

He will also undergo intensive physical therapy so that he learns to use the prosthesis much as other children learn to control their body parts.

Spina Bifida

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An Anatomical Abnormality




Prevalence:




Spina bifida occurs in about 1 in 2,000 births, most frequently among Caucasians of European extraction.




Causes:




It's caused by a malformation of a neural tube (the embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spine) that prevents the backbone from closing completely during fetal development. Some cases of neural-tube defects can be detected through tests given to the mother during pregnancy. When one is suspected, the baby usually is delivered by cesarean section so specialists can be on hand during and after the birth.




Symptoms:




Spina bifida ranges in severity from practically harmless to causing leg paralysis and bladder- and bowel-control problems.






Treatment:






In the most severe cases, the baby is operated on within 48 hours of birth (or in-utero through a new technique that is not yet widely available). Parents then learn how to exercise the baby's legs and feet to prepare her for walking with leg braces and crutches. Some children will eventually need to use a wheelchair. The child will also work with specialists in orthopedics and urology.

Baby Cleft Lip or Palate

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An Anatomical Abnormality




Prevalence:




Cleft lip or palate appears in about 1 in 700 Caucasian babies, more often among Asians and certain groups of Native Americans, and less frequently among African-Americans.

Causes: The exact cause is hard to determine, but it's likely that genetic and environmental factors interact to prevent either the hard palate (the roof of the mouth), the soft palate (the tissue at the back of the mouth), or the upper lip, all of which normally are split early in fetal development, from closing.




Symptoms:




The cleft can be mild (a notch on the upper lip) or severe (involving the lip, the floor of the nostril, and the dental arch). A child with a cleft palate usually needs a speech pathologist. Language development can be affected not only by the structure of the lip and palate but also by the side effects of middle-ear infections, which are common in babies and toddlers with this defect (probably because their ears don't drain properly).




Babies with a cleft palate may also need help with feeding. (Those with a cleft lip generally don't have problems in this area.) Because they have trouble sucking, they must be fed in a sitting position with a special bottle. Depending on the severity of the condition, mothers who breastfeed may have to express milk and bottlefeed baby until the cleft is repaired.




Treatment:




Surgical repair for a cleft lip should be done by about 3 months of age. Surgery to repair a cleft palate, which restores the partition between the nose and the mouth, is usually done later -- between 6 and 12 months of age -- to allow for some normal growth of the child's face.

Though follow-up treatment is sometimes necessary, repair of a cleft lip or palate almost always leaves the child with only minimal scarring and a face that looks like that of most other children.

Clubfoot

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An Anatomical Abnormality




Prevalence: Clubfoot occurs in approximately 1 in 400 newborns -- affecting boys about twice as often as girls -- and includes several kinds of ankle and foot deformities. The exact cause of clubfoot isn't clear, but it's probably a combination of heredity and environmental factors that affect fetal growth.




Symptoms:




Clubfoot can be mild or severe and can affect one or both feet. Mild clubfoot is not painful and won't bother the baby until he begins to stand or talk.




Treatment:




For a mild case, treatment starts immediately after diagnosis and involves gently forcing the foot into the correct position and helping the child do special exercises.




Often, however, the baby needs more drastic treatment, such as plaster casts, bandaging with splints followed by time in special shoes, or surgery followed by exercises. The process may take three to six months, which checkups for several years after.

Infant Congenital Heart Defects

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An Anatomical Abnormality



Prevalence: Congenital heart defects occur in about 1 in 110 births and have a variety of causes, including genetic abnormalities or a mistake during fetal development. Some may be so mild that they have no visible symptoms.



Detection: In such cases the doctor usually discovers the problem when she detects an abnormal heart sound -- called a murmur -- during a routine examination. Some murmurs are meaningless; further tests are usually required to determine whether your baby's is due to a heart defect.



Serious heart defects are outwardly detectable and, if left untreated, can cause congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes incapable of pumping enough blood to the lungs or other parts of the body.





Symptoms:





  • Rapid heartbeat


  • Breathing difficulties


  • Feeding problems (which result in inadequate weight gain)


  • Swelling in the legs, abdomen, or about the eyes


  • Pale grey or bluish skin



Treatment: Most heart defects can be corrected or at least improved through surgery, drugs, or a mechanical aid like a pacemaker.

Infant Anemia

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The most common cause of anemia in babies is iron deficiency. This usually can be corrected pretty easily with supplemental iron. Supplements are quite safe at that age, at the appropriate dose, which is about 3mg of iron per kg of body weight. The iron drops are usually given for about a month and then the blood test is repeated.



If the anemia isn't much better, it's time to consider reasons other than iron deficiency for his anemia. He may just have a normal hgb at that level, for instance, and not need any treatment at all.

If the anemia has improved, kids usually stay on the iron for another two months or so. He should also have a careful physical, if he did not have one recently, to be certain that his development is proceeding on course.



Iron in the diet is great, but forcing kids to eat, pushing them, or even coaxing them with fun airplane noises usually does not improve eating. Offer foods, but if he is happy, growing well, and making plenty of wet diapers, it's okay not to take much in the way of solids. Kids get most of their nutrition at that age from what they drink, not what they eat. The solids are mostly for the experience.


Baby Sleep Problems and Solutions 1

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The Rocker



Sleep Scenario #1



My baby is 5 months old. I've always rocked her to sleep, but I'd like to be able to lay her down and have her fall asleep on her own. How can I make this happen without a lot of trauma and tears for either of us?



In order for a baby to transition from falling asleep while rocking in your arms to falling asleep on her own, she has to master two smaller skills -- the ability to fall asleep someplace other than in your arms, and the ability to fall asleep without being rocked, explains Ann Douglas, author of Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler (Wiley).



If you aren't comfortable with making your baby learn to put herself to sleep "cold turkey," you can try substituting what Harvey Karp, MD, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block (Bantam) and an American Baby advisor, calls a new sleep association. From being inside your body, babies are born accustomed to drifting off to sleep amid noise, tactile stimulation, and rocking. Gradually replace rocking with white noise (you can play a CD), Dr. Karp recommends. If you play the sounds while you're rocking the baby to sleep for four or five consecutive nights, she will begin to create a new association with sleep, and her transition from falling asleep in your arms to falling asleep in the crib will be easier, Dr. Karp says. "The idea is to create other sleep associations that don't require your presence to help the baby fall asleep," he adds.



Be prepared for your baby to put up a big fuss the first few times you lay her down awake. Some sleep-training techniques instruct parents not to pick up a crying baby but to come into the room at set intervals (every five minutes, for example) and talk to her in a reassuring voice.



But that approach doesn't work for all babies or parents. Christine George, of Lansing, Michigan, tried that method with her 6-month-old, Kayleigh, but the crying didn't stop, even after 10 or 15 minutes. Instead, Kayleigh became more and more upset until she was screaming, red faced, and gagging. "After two nights of becoming almost as upset as my baby was," George says, "I decided that technique just wasn't going to work for me."



What did work? "We'd walk around the room with her for a few minutes until she was drowsy, and when we laid her in the crib, we'd gently bounce the mattress with one hand while pressing her belly with the other hand and saying 'Shhhh' for a minute or two until she fell asleep," George says. "After a while, we were able to do it without the hand on the belly, and then without the bounce, and finally we were able to lay her down awake and she'd fall asleep." The process took two weeks.



Remember that there's no one-size-fits-all approach, advises Claire Lerner, LCSW, an American Baby advisor and the director of parenting resources at Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. "With some babies, you can pat them or just sit there so they can see you, but for a lot of babies that's just confusing," she says. But even if you choose to walk away from her bed, the crying isn't likely to last more than a few nights. "The more consistent you are, the quicker she'll learn," Lerner says.