Hindu University Of America Press Release

November 23^rd 2003

Hindu University Arranges Yoga Research Seminars at UCF, Rollins and Valencia Colleges

Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Professor Hindu University of America and Director of Vivekananda Yoga Research Institution in Bangalore (India) presented three seminars of the status of Yoga therapy Research at three of Orlando area colleges on Friday October 31, 2003.

The seminar at Rollins College (at 9:00 am in Gallaway Hall) attracted more that 60 students, staff and community members. The talk had the focus on “The Science of Yoga and its Applications in Education and Creativity” and was hosted by Professor Dr. Yudit Greenberg of Department of Religious Studies. The seminar explained the science of yoga practices. Double blind-folded systematic scientific research carried out has shown the yoga and meditation practice help learners to inprove memory and IQ.

The other two seminars at UCF and Valencia East Campus focused on “Yoga in Stress Management and Therapy.” Dr. Nagendra presented quantitative results to show how yoga practices have been demonstrated to help in bronchial asthma, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, and even eye-sight improvement. These Yoga therapy results have been published in reputed medical journals. For example a landmark paper on “Yoga for Bronchial Asthma” was published in British Medical Journal, 1985, Volume 291, pp. 1077-1079. Research on Diabetes Mellitus was published by Dr. Dandona of British Journal of Complimentary Medicine in 1992 (Volume VI-2). Details and references for other research publications are available at www.vyasa.com.

Hindu University of America, located in Orlando (Florida), operates an extension center at Vivekananda Yoga Research Center in Bangalore (India) for Master and Doctoral programs in Yoga. Details of Hindu University programs are available at www.hindu-university.edu

About the Seminar Speaker:
Dr. H. R. Nagendra is the President of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (sVYASA, a unique yoga research institution) near Bangalore (India) and a Professor at Hindu University (HU) of America. He is in charge of Hindu University’s Extension center in India where 14 students have completed HU degree of Master of Hindu Studies in Yoga Philosophy and Meditation, and currently 10 students are working towards Doctoral degree in Yoga Philosophy and Meditation. Dr. Nagendra joined Vivekananda Kendra (sVYASA), a service mission in 1975 as a whole time worker in 1975, and has brought that institution to the level of a deemed university duly recognized by Government of India University Grants Commission.

Dr Nagendra has published numerous research papers published in the field of Yoga in National & International Journals. Area of specialization within the overall ambit of Indian Systems of Medicine include: Diabetes and Yoga: Royal Free Hospital, London (1988-90), Yoga for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Middleborough General Hospital (1987-89), Yoga and Asthma: Yoga Bio-medical Trust, Cambridge, UK (1986-90), Bronchial Asthma and Yoga: Chest clinic, Fort Collins, Colorado (1987 to present) etc. He has been the advisor for more than 115 dissertations on Yoga submitted in partial fulfillment of Yoga Therapy Instructor’s Course, Post-Graduate Diploma in Yoga for doctors & Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy. Also acted as co-guide to MBYR & MBYT students. He has organized several Symposium, Seminars at state, national and international level, and received several awards at state and national level.