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Author: Anand Kekre

Anand is an Information Technology (IT) professional with graduation in Computer Science from IIT Mumbai. He is currently working for Veritas Software as Head of Technical Innovations. His interest in Yoga grew in 1998 after he suffered from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a repetitive strain injury common in IT professionals. After no significant improvement from the therapies of Chiropractor and Physiotherapist in the US, he took Yoga therapy classes in Iyengar Yoga in 1998. In just 3 months of regular practice, the symptoms of CTS almost disappeared. Since then Anand has been practicing Yoga and has been a regular student of Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute (RIMYI), Pune (India). Beyond his profession of IT, his interest includes research on the correlation between modern Neuroscience and ancient Yogic wisdom. 'Yog Chikita - Yoga Therapy backed by Neuroscience' is his brainchild to help Yoga teachers and serious practitioners understand the scientific reasons behind various aspects of Yoga. Singing Indian Bollywood songs is also his hobby (@AnandKekre on Smule).
Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama in COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment

Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama in COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment

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I am writing a YogChikitsa post after a long gap. I hope you all are keeping safe, and taking all necessary precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic.   There has been breaking news about a Canadian pharma company SaNOtize claiming that its Nitric Oxide Nasal spray (NONS) kills 99.9% COVID-19 coronavirus. The company is now seeking emergency approval from different governments to help in the fight with COVID. This NONS has been found to dramatically reduce Covid-19 viral load in infected…

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Managing Migraine Symptoms through Yoga Therapy (Part 2 – Migraine)

Managing Migraine Symptoms through Yoga Therapy (Part 2 – Migraine)

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In our previous post, we covered the root cause, potential triggers, and some lifestyle changes for migraines. In this post, we plan to cover the management of migraine symptoms – primarily the headache. The poses suggested in this post are known to alleviate the symptoms if done correctly under the guidance of an experienced Yoga therapist. All the poses are based on Iyengar Yoga. As mentioned in the earlier post, migraine is a secondary manifestation of the primary disorder, which…

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The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

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In this post, we will discuss the link between the breath and mind – which forms the foundation of Pranayama, the fourth limb of Ashtang Yoga (Ashtang means 8 limbs in Sanskrit) as formulated by the Lord Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra. There are different schools of thought in defining the mind. According to Yogic texts, the mind is the awareness of consciousness. The consciousness is itself is an unexplored subject when it comes to neuroscience. Hence, for simplicity, we…

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Neurotransmitters and Diseases – Neuroscience Perspective

Neurotransmitters and Diseases – Neuroscience Perspective

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There are approximately 80 billion neurons in the human nervous system interconnected through trillions of synapses. These neurons communicate with one another, and with muscle cells and gland cells, by releasing chemical messengers called “Neurotransmitters”. These neurotransmitters are involved in countless functions of the nervous system and in controlling bodily functions. They play a major role in the functioning of the body in everyday life. There are also other chemicals in the body called “Hormones” that are produced by the…

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Understanding Central Nervous System – Brain and Spinal Cord

Understanding Central Nervous System – Brain and Spinal Cord

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The nervous system is the main controlling system of the body. It helps us experience the external world. The main purpose of Yoga is to cleanse the consciousness. This requires controlling the mind, which is considered a seat of consciousness. The mind involves the higher-level functions of the nervous system – memory, cognition, and intelligence. The nervous system is most influenced by Yoga and hence needs to be understood well. The nervous system is divided in two components – both…

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Yoga Therapy for Migraine Attack
Somatic Nervous System and Cranial Nerves

Somatic Nervous System and Cranial Nerves

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The Nervous System is a huge subject. Covering it in a few blog posts is very difficult. Still, we will try to give an overview – particularly covering the points that are of interest from the perspective of Yoga. In this post, we will cover the “Somatic Nervous System” – a part of the nervous system. A few readers may find it too technical. If so, they can skip the initial part and go directly to “Yoga and Cranial Nerves”….

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Adho Mukha Virasana Insomnia Yoga Chikitsa Neuroscience
Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

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This is the next post in the series on sleep disorders. So far, we covered the importance of sleep, neuroscience brain waves, sleep stages, healthy sleep habits, and types and causes of Insomnia. In this post let’s see how Yoga (Yogasana and Pranayama) can be used as a therapy for insomnia. Please note that this information is not a health or medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional or qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about…

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Understanding Insomnia from a Neuroscience Perspective

Understanding Insomnia from a Neuroscience Perspective

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Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and the third most frequent health complaint worldwide – pain and headache being the first two. So far, in the series of posts related to sleep, we covered the importance of sleep, neuroscience brain waves, sleep stages and healthy sleep habits. In this post, we will cover the causes of insomnia from a neuroscience perspective. The next post will be a continuation of this one and will elaborate on why yoga helps alleviate…

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Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

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Good quality sleep is vital to the health of the body and mind. Long term sleep deficiency or irregular sleep is known to carry significant health risks. So far, in a series of three posts related to sleep, we covered the importance of sleep, the brain waves and stages of sleep from a neuroscience perspective. In this post, we will cover some simple habits to help you get a relaxing and rejuvenating sleep. There is nothing more rewarding than awakening refreshed…

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