A middle-aged woman stands on one leg, a vein popping out over her temple. Her hands are clutching the foot that’s raised straight in front of her, and beads of sweat the size of dimes roll off her heel and onto a towel.
“Chest up, chest up. You must touch your head to your knee; pull it harder, harder, harder; your hip should hurt,” says an instructor through a headset microphone. She sounds like a horse race announcer, standing on a raised platform in front of a mirrored wall.
She claps her hands twice to command students to change postures, and the class exhales in unison, sounding like a rocket launching.
The brightly lit room is over 100 degrees, and everyone inside is clad in suits similar to bikinis and swim trunks. They are practicing Bikram yoga, a routine of 26 postures and two breathing exercises created for Americans by Bikram Choudhury, an All-India National Yoga Champion.
“It’s safer to move in the heat. Heat is a natural disinfectant,” said Jill Koontz, co-owner of Bikram Yoga Boston.
The series of difficult poses were designed to work every bodily system, heal any ailments and balance the body and mind, Koontz said. During the six years she has been instructing Bikram yoga, Koontz has seen students go off depression medication, bring high or low blood pressure to normal levels and increase lung capacity to eliminate asthma, she said.
Many athletes turn to this type of yoga after sustaining injuries from years of running. Practicing Bikram yoga allows people to participate in other sports for longer than they could otherwise, Koontz said.
Stephen Boyle, 45, started going to Bikram Yoga Merrymack Valley in North Andover last December to become more flexible and get back into shape after years of competing in decathlons.
“I’m always energized after class,” Boyle, a Cambridge fire lieutenant, said. “There are days when you don’t want to be there, but you have to fight through it.”
Jen Bowers, 32, said she tried Bikram yoga because her body needed a break from her rigid running and spinning routines. She does yoga three times a week and runs on alternate days.
“It’s definitely different than anything I’ve ever done before,” Bowers said. “You’re not allowed to leave, so you get a guaranteed good workout, and I feel overall better health.”
Though beginners might feel frustrated with the heat, tough poses and string of commands, instructors encourage them to stay in the room for a full 90 minutes. But Koontz said she has had students run out, throw up and return feeling perfectly healthy. She asks students if they have any medical problems so she can watch them during class.
“People with low blood pressure are my fainters,” Koontz said. “But I could count on one hand the number of people I’ve had faint.”
Those who have tried other types of yoga before are usually the most resistant to Bikram yoga, said one of Koontz’s instructors, Heather Berlowitz. But people start seeing results and get used to the practice after just a few classes, she said.
“The first time after I did Bikram yoga, I woke up at 4 a.m. that night so thirsty. I felt high,” Belowitz, 35, said. “It was love at first sight.”
Although the postures never change, the practice becomes more challenging with time, said Diane Ducharme, owner of Bikram Yoga for You in West Roxbury. The poses are most difficult when the body can hold them more deeply, she said.
“People either love it or they hate it, but even some that hate it know really there’s something inside that says, “This is going to save my life,’ and they’ll come back,” Ducharme, who is 51 but feels 25, said.
The combination of intense heat and quick postures attract Americans, who are usually too busy to concentrate on anything, but repetition of the routine every day allows them to focus and relax, she said.
Fifteen years ago, Ducharme’s was the only Bikram studio in New England, she said. Massachusetts now has 14 studios, New Hampshire and Vermont have four, Connecticut has eight and Maine has one.
With the rising popularity of yoga, Bikram and his wife, Rajashree Choudhury, recently petitioned to bring yoga to the 2016 Olympics. As the first step, Choudhury founded the United States Yoga Federation in 2003, which hosts an international yoga competition in Los Angeles every year.
The Choudhurys hope that if yoga becomes an Olympic sport, public schools will integrate the practice into their physical education programs, Rajashree Choudhury said at the New England Regional competition in Medford on Oct. 24.
“The only way for kids to like this practice is if they think they can win something,” Choudhury said. “They think it’s boring, that it’s only for adults. But they want self-esteem.”
When Bikram opened his first studio in the U.S. in the 1970s, he attracted mostly celebrities, Choudhury said. Bikram began certifying teachers in 1994 through nine-week intensive training programs at his studio in Los Angeles.
Studios that claim to teach “hot” yoga without certified teachers are harmful because all instructors must speak and teach the same way for students to get the correct benefits, she said.
Bikram has sued people for using his copyrighted system, making Frank Korom, professor of religion at Boston University, skeptical of Bikram’s teachings. Traditional yoga was originally intended to free the body from reincarnation through a mind-body connection. Such Hindu beliefs have been disconnected from yoga worldwide since the 1950s, he said.
“He is part of this trend that is capitalizing on the New Age market,” Korom said. “They’re catering to people who are looking to alternate forms of practice they can’t get in Western culture.”
Mind-body connection, however, is still an important part of Bikram yoga, said Robin Brace, a New England Regional judge and owner of Bikram Yoga New Haven. The competition aspect pushes individuals to achieve their best mental state, she said.
“It’s made a lot of people afraid because people think it’s a religion or a cult, but it’s about balance,” Brace said. “It makes you do everything better.”
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
BU researchers raise $20M for blood disorders
PUBLISHED by The Daily Free Press
HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, a company created a few weeks ago by Boston University researchers, announced recently it has raised $20 million to develop new drugs to treat serious blood disorders.
For the past 10 years, Dr. Susan Perrine and her husband and co-worker, Dr. Douglas Faller - both School of Medicine professors who founded the company - have been developing treatments for blood disorders. The disorders are commonly inherited diseases, such as sickle cell anemia - in which blood cells are deformed and harm organs - that can lead to infant deaths.
"[Perrine and Faller] developed new compounds that can detect [blood cell] abnormalities in the lab," said HemaQuest President and CEO Ronald Berenson.
Perrine, a specialist in blood-disease treatments in pediatrics, has treated patients for more than 20 years, 10 of which have been spent at the School of Medicine.
Although HemaQuest was created just weeks ago, Berenson said he has worked for a year to raise money for the company, and various venture capitalists have invested in it.
"[Fundraising] went really fast," Berenson said. "I went to people I knew, and they were really interested because of the team, the opportunity and the drugs, so it went well."
Berenson said HemaQuest mapped out a business plan detailing the company's strategy and costs. Company members then approached venture capitalists for funds to cover work for two years and received money from interested investors over a four-to-six-month period.
Investors include Palo Alto healthcare partnership De Novo Ventures, San Diego life sciences firm Forward Ventures and Indianapolis-based Lilly Ventures.
Berenson said the money will be used for drug development and to "test them in . . . healthy volunteers, and then patients who have these diseases."
Additionally, he said HemaQuest will provide funding for more BU research.
Faller said in addition to researching treatments for blood disorders, HemaQuest will continue drug development in other areas.
"HemaQuest has a diverse group of scientific discoveries licensed into it from our work," he said in an email. "Other licensed therapies at different stages of development are directed at . . . cancer and chronic wounds."
HemaQuest could develop the first safe drugs to treat blood disorders - such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, a deformity that causes deficiencies in blood cells - helping millions of patients, according to a Nov. 1 press release.
"As a practicing physician, the lack of effective therapies to alleviate the tremendous suffering of patients with [blood] disorders is discouraging," Perrine said in the release. "I am excited to have the opportunity to develop targeted therapeutics based on patented discoveries made by . . . my group at Boston University."
HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, a company created a few weeks ago by Boston University researchers, announced recently it has raised $20 million to develop new drugs to treat serious blood disorders.
For the past 10 years, Dr. Susan Perrine and her husband and co-worker, Dr. Douglas Faller - both School of Medicine professors who founded the company - have been developing treatments for blood disorders. The disorders are commonly inherited diseases, such as sickle cell anemia - in which blood cells are deformed and harm organs - that can lead to infant deaths.
"[Perrine and Faller] developed new compounds that can detect [blood cell] abnormalities in the lab," said HemaQuest President and CEO Ronald Berenson.
Perrine, a specialist in blood-disease treatments in pediatrics, has treated patients for more than 20 years, 10 of which have been spent at the School of Medicine.
Although HemaQuest was created just weeks ago, Berenson said he has worked for a year to raise money for the company, and various venture capitalists have invested in it.
"[Fundraising] went really fast," Berenson said. "I went to people I knew, and they were really interested because of the team, the opportunity and the drugs, so it went well."
Berenson said HemaQuest mapped out a business plan detailing the company's strategy and costs. Company members then approached venture capitalists for funds to cover work for two years and received money from interested investors over a four-to-six-month period.
Investors include Palo Alto healthcare partnership De Novo Ventures, San Diego life sciences firm Forward Ventures and Indianapolis-based Lilly Ventures.
Berenson said the money will be used for drug development and to "test them in . . . healthy volunteers, and then patients who have these diseases."
Additionally, he said HemaQuest will provide funding for more BU research.
Faller said in addition to researching treatments for blood disorders, HemaQuest will continue drug development in other areas.
"HemaQuest has a diverse group of scientific discoveries licensed into it from our work," he said in an email. "Other licensed therapies at different stages of development are directed at . . . cancer and chronic wounds."
HemaQuest could develop the first safe drugs to treat blood disorders - such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, a deformity that causes deficiencies in blood cells - helping millions of patients, according to a Nov. 1 press release.
"As a practicing physician, the lack of effective therapies to alleviate the tremendous suffering of patients with [blood] disorders is discouraging," Perrine said in the release. "I am excited to have the opportunity to develop targeted therapeutics based on patented discoveries made by . . . my group at Boston University."
No butts about campus smoking
PUBLISHED by The Daily Free Press
As Alex Stewart flipped through college pamphlets and brochures last year in search of her ideal school, a campus-wide smoking ban at Gainesville State College caught her eye.
Now a freshman at the school, Stewart says she cannot cross the street or make her way back to her dorm without being bombarded by signs prohibiting the practice, and more and more universities across the country are following suit to help students kick their cravings.
"I just think it's a better atmosphere," Stewart said. "It's a big part of our school."
The small Georgia school enacted the ban five years ago, said Gainesville State President's Assistant Leora Myers.
"Before the policy, we had several complaints having to go through smoke-filled areas from all sectors -- faculty and students," Myers said. "It seemed when smokers go outside the building, they stand outside doors, and you had to run fast through the smoke to clear the air."
Almost 100 colleges and universities across the country have completely extinguished smoking on their campuses, according to a study the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation released last month.
No school in Massachusetts made the list, though, and Maine is the only state in New England in which colleges have adopted a complete ban.
"More student body governments as well as [college] administrations and faculty have identified [second- hand smoke] as a public health concern, taking initiative to provide safe campuses," said Americans For Nonsmokers' Rights manager Frieda Glantz.
University of Mississippi associate attorney Donna Gurley said her school has received positive feedback since enforcing a ban.
"Most people who don't smoke are relieved that they don't have to walk through a cloud of smoke around buildings," Gurley said. "Of course, we have had some very vocal smokers who have complained, but. . . . most people are in favor of the policy."
Students at the University of Central Missouri are still waiting for a total smoking ban to take effect at their school after a vote to ban it last year, said graduate Ben Money, who does not believe the ban is fair.
"You can't tell people to not emit carcinogens into the same air that hundreds of semis and cars pollute daily," Money said.
Boston University, which already bans smoking in all buildings and residence halls, has no plans to adopt a total no-smoking policy, said university spokesman Colin Riley.
"I can't imagine how you would stop someone walking through campus that is a city resident from smoking," he said. "I think smokers are well aware of how non-smokers are affected."
Some BU students who do not light up are mixed about any potential ban.
"When [smoking] infringes on your ability to walk through a space comfortably, it's not fun," said College of Communication freshman Alyssa Castelli.
COM freshman Pedro Falci said students should be allowed the option to smoke.
"Even though I'm not a smoker, I think people should have the liberty to smoke if they wish," he said.
As Alex Stewart flipped through college pamphlets and brochures last year in search of her ideal school, a campus-wide smoking ban at Gainesville State College caught her eye.
Now a freshman at the school, Stewart says she cannot cross the street or make her way back to her dorm without being bombarded by signs prohibiting the practice, and more and more universities across the country are following suit to help students kick their cravings.
"I just think it's a better atmosphere," Stewart said. "It's a big part of our school."
The small Georgia school enacted the ban five years ago, said Gainesville State President's Assistant Leora Myers.
"Before the policy, we had several complaints having to go through smoke-filled areas from all sectors -- faculty and students," Myers said. "It seemed when smokers go outside the building, they stand outside doors, and you had to run fast through the smoke to clear the air."
Almost 100 colleges and universities across the country have completely extinguished smoking on their campuses, according to a study the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation released last month.
No school in Massachusetts made the list, though, and Maine is the only state in New England in which colleges have adopted a complete ban.
"More student body governments as well as [college] administrations and faculty have identified [second- hand smoke] as a public health concern, taking initiative to provide safe campuses," said Americans For Nonsmokers' Rights manager Frieda Glantz.
University of Mississippi associate attorney Donna Gurley said her school has received positive feedback since enforcing a ban.
"Most people who don't smoke are relieved that they don't have to walk through a cloud of smoke around buildings," Gurley said. "Of course, we have had some very vocal smokers who have complained, but. . . . most people are in favor of the policy."
Students at the University of Central Missouri are still waiting for a total smoking ban to take effect at their school after a vote to ban it last year, said graduate Ben Money, who does not believe the ban is fair.
"You can't tell people to not emit carcinogens into the same air that hundreds of semis and cars pollute daily," Money said.
Boston University, which already bans smoking in all buildings and residence halls, has no plans to adopt a total no-smoking policy, said university spokesman Colin Riley.
"I can't imagine how you would stop someone walking through campus that is a city resident from smoking," he said. "I think smokers are well aware of how non-smokers are affected."
Some BU students who do not light up are mixed about any potential ban.
"When [smoking] infringes on your ability to walk through a space comfortably, it's not fun," said College of Communication freshman Alyssa Castelli.
COM freshman Pedro Falci said students should be allowed the option to smoke.
"Even though I'm not a smoker, I think people should have the liberty to smoke if they wish," he said.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Parents react to Gov. Patrick's anti-obesity campaign in Mass. schools
Created for BUTV's Inside Boston
This proposed regulation was passed by the Massachusetts public health council on April 8, 2009
This proposed regulation was passed by the Massachusetts public health council on April 8, 2009
Group looks to men for help in preventing rape
PUBLISHED by The Daily Free Press
Reaching out to a group not normally in discussions about preventing sexual assaults, health experts asked men to consider how they can prevent rape by being more self-aware and having good communication with sex partners at a workshop at Boston University last night.
Although representatives from Men Can Stop Rape target a male audience, only five of the 15 students at the workshop were male in the Terrace Lounge of the George Sherman Union.
"Men really are a minority at BU, and their voices aren't always heard," said Alexandra Alderfer, president of Every Person Counts, the BU gender-equality group that sponsored the lesson.
"We want to show them what they can do, to stand up for themselves. This is a different way of looking at the same topic we've been talking about for years."
The workshop is a component of Washington, D.C.-based group Men Can Stop Rape, which was founded to prevent men's violence against women through education.
Consulting and Training Coordinator Joseph Vess opened the discussion by asking the men to put themselves in a woman's place and asked them what they would do to prevent a rape.
"Many men don't think they have to worry about sexual assault because they think, 'I won't rape,'" Vess said. "There are so many things men can do, and we don't have an excuse not to be doing them."
Vess also showed pictures of men and said a man's self-image can make him think less of women. He talked about men's essential machismo qualities and said male power perceptions make women more prone to sexual assaults.
"[The workshop] made me realize how much in society harms women," said Every Person Counts Secretary Emily Ortuso.
Ortuso, a School of Education junior, said she agreed with Alderfer's observation that the issue is especially important to BU students - not only because college campuses have high rates of sexual assault, but because of the school's urban atmosphere.
College of Arts and Sciences senior Ryan Moore said discussing about men's roles in preventing rape is especially relevant in light of a female visitor to Warren Towers reporting she was sexually assaulted in a bathroom early Sept. 30.
"The biggest part is a lot of guys don't know what sexual assault is," Moore said. "We don't talk about it enough."
Moore said he was upset more men did not show up, because the workshop focused on clearing up myths about rape and the root causes of sexual assault.
Every Person Counts Vice President Carrie Chiusano said she agreed the issue is not talked about enough, adding she hopes people will "stop and think about society and things we stereotype."
"A lot of people are questioning [society's perceptions], which is what I wanted," the College of Communication junior said.
Chiusano said she would like to host the workshop again. The workshop was in planning since August, and its occurrence after the alleged recent assault was a coincidence.
Reaching out to a group not normally in discussions about preventing sexual assaults, health experts asked men to consider how they can prevent rape by being more self-aware and having good communication with sex partners at a workshop at Boston University last night.
Although representatives from Men Can Stop Rape target a male audience, only five of the 15 students at the workshop were male in the Terrace Lounge of the George Sherman Union.
"Men really are a minority at BU, and their voices aren't always heard," said Alexandra Alderfer, president of Every Person Counts, the BU gender-equality group that sponsored the lesson.
"We want to show them what they can do, to stand up for themselves. This is a different way of looking at the same topic we've been talking about for years."
The workshop is a component of Washington, D.C.-based group Men Can Stop Rape, which was founded to prevent men's violence against women through education.
Consulting and Training Coordinator Joseph Vess opened the discussion by asking the men to put themselves in a woman's place and asked them what they would do to prevent a rape.
"Many men don't think they have to worry about sexual assault because they think, 'I won't rape,'" Vess said. "There are so many things men can do, and we don't have an excuse not to be doing them."
Vess also showed pictures of men and said a man's self-image can make him think less of women. He talked about men's essential machismo qualities and said male power perceptions make women more prone to sexual assaults.
"[The workshop] made me realize how much in society harms women," said Every Person Counts Secretary Emily Ortuso.
Ortuso, a School of Education junior, said she agreed with Alderfer's observation that the issue is especially important to BU students - not only because college campuses have high rates of sexual assault, but because of the school's urban atmosphere.
College of Arts and Sciences senior Ryan Moore said discussing about men's roles in preventing rape is especially relevant in light of a female visitor to Warren Towers reporting she was sexually assaulted in a bathroom early Sept. 30.
"The biggest part is a lot of guys don't know what sexual assault is," Moore said. "We don't talk about it enough."
Moore said he was upset more men did not show up, because the workshop focused on clearing up myths about rape and the root causes of sexual assault.
Every Person Counts Vice President Carrie Chiusano said she agreed the issue is not talked about enough, adding she hopes people will "stop and think about society and things we stereotype."
"A lot of people are questioning [society's perceptions], which is what I wanted," the College of Communication junior said.
Chiusano said she would like to host the workshop again. The workshop was in planning since August, and its occurrence after the alleged recent assault was a coincidence.
For health lessons, BU employees turn to university for help
PUBLISHED by The Daily Free Press
Every two weeks, a small group of Boston University employees attend health lectures about topics not usually covered in Student Health Services.
At the 21 lessons held throughout the year at the Occupational Health Center, the older crowd at BU may learn causes, treatments and misunderstandings about diseases small and large.
"Employees should be informed about what's out there, what [information] is correct and what is totally useless," said Occupational Medical Director Dr. Cheryl Barbanel. "Our highly talented department heads . . . speak in a way employees understand."
Barbanel developed the program 11 years ago when the Center first opened.
Topics range from basic issues, such as "Nutrition and Exercise," to diseases featured during medical months, such as breast cancer, said Helen Williams, the Center's manager. Sixteen employees attended last night's lesson -- "Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Extinguishing 'the Fire Inside,'" commonly known as heartburn.
"These events help assist BU employees by educating them [about] health and disease," Williams said. "[They learn to] help themselves or to know when to call a physician."
Employees fill out an evaluation form after each lecture, Williams said. Many employees follow up with physicians at BUOHC, which accomplishes the goal of encouraging employees to use its free services, she said.
"I use some of the doctors who do the lectures," said retired programmer analyst consultant John Cusson. "It makes you think a little more about your health and makes things a little better for you."
In addition to the lectures, BUOHC encourages employees to ask questions to the doctors about their health and their families' health, Williams said.
Emails and flyers help spread the word about events, and employees who attend the lectures say they gain a better understanding of a disease they or their relatives have. At last night's lecture, presented by gastroenterology chief Dr. M. Michael Wolfe, many professors said they could relate to the topics about the reflux disease.
"There's a lot of misunderstanding about [GERD]," Wolfe said. "Reflux disease is extremely common with serious complications."
University Information Systems analyst Robert Hurkett said he attends the reflux lecture every year because he has reflux issues, and "the more you know, the better."
Although lectures attract regulars like Hurkett, there are new employees who show up for each topic, Williams said. Andy Campolieto, a College of Arts and Sciences economics program administrator, said he attended his first event last night because he was recently diagnosed with acid reflux.
"[The events] never applied to me before, but this one affects my daily life," Campolieto said.
While the lectures are only for employees, Barbanel said she would like to offer a similar program for students, but Wolfe said most topics are not relevant to young people.
"We feel strongly about the BU community, student and employees alike," Wolfe said. "When they come in, we see them right away. They get VIP treatment."
Every two weeks, a small group of Boston University employees attend health lectures about topics not usually covered in Student Health Services.
At the 21 lessons held throughout the year at the Occupational Health Center, the older crowd at BU may learn causes, treatments and misunderstandings about diseases small and large.
"Employees should be informed about what's out there, what [information] is correct and what is totally useless," said Occupational Medical Director Dr. Cheryl Barbanel. "Our highly talented department heads . . . speak in a way employees understand."
Barbanel developed the program 11 years ago when the Center first opened.
Topics range from basic issues, such as "Nutrition and Exercise," to diseases featured during medical months, such as breast cancer, said Helen Williams, the Center's manager. Sixteen employees attended last night's lesson -- "Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Extinguishing 'the Fire Inside,'" commonly known as heartburn.
"These events help assist BU employees by educating them [about] health and disease," Williams said. "[They learn to] help themselves or to know when to call a physician."
Employees fill out an evaluation form after each lecture, Williams said. Many employees follow up with physicians at BUOHC, which accomplishes the goal of encouraging employees to use its free services, she said.
"I use some of the doctors who do the lectures," said retired programmer analyst consultant John Cusson. "It makes you think a little more about your health and makes things a little better for you."
In addition to the lectures, BUOHC encourages employees to ask questions to the doctors about their health and their families' health, Williams said.
Emails and flyers help spread the word about events, and employees who attend the lectures say they gain a better understanding of a disease they or their relatives have. At last night's lecture, presented by gastroenterology chief Dr. M. Michael Wolfe, many professors said they could relate to the topics about the reflux disease.
"There's a lot of misunderstanding about [GERD]," Wolfe said. "Reflux disease is extremely common with serious complications."
University Information Systems analyst Robert Hurkett said he attends the reflux lecture every year because he has reflux issues, and "the more you know, the better."
Although lectures attract regulars like Hurkett, there are new employees who show up for each topic, Williams said. Andy Campolieto, a College of Arts and Sciences economics program administrator, said he attended his first event last night because he was recently diagnosed with acid reflux.
"[The events] never applied to me before, but this one affects my daily life," Campolieto said.
While the lectures are only for employees, Barbanel said she would like to offer a similar program for students, but Wolfe said most topics are not relevant to young people.
"We feel strongly about the BU community, student and employees alike," Wolfe said. "When they come in, we see them right away. They get VIP treatment."
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