Ricordate “L’Intelligenza Emotiva“? e la collaborazione tra il Dalai Lama e un gruppo di neuro-scienziati americani (tra cui l’autore del suddetto libro) , il cui frutto fu “Le Emozioni Distruttive”? NO? Non importa: il loro sito, MEDITATIONLIST, sorta di piattaforma di studio e ricerca degli effetti delle discipline orientali sul sistema neurologico, sta raccogliendo i frutti di numerosissimi studi in tutto il mondo e… gli effetti benefici dello YOGA sul sistema più nascosto (limbico), sede delle emozioni e dei sentimenti più profondi e per questo fondamentali per la personalità, sono stupefacenti per efficacia e vastità di casi. Qui di seguito ne riporto alcuni:

Brotto, L. A., M. Krychman and P. Jacobson (2008). “Eastern approaches for enhancing women’s sexuality: Mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga.” Journal of Sexual Medicine 5(12): 2741-2748.

Introduction. A significant proportion of women report unsatisfying sexual experiences despite no obvious difficulties in the traditional components of sexual response (desire, arousal, and orgasm). Some suggest that nongoal-oriented spiritual elements to sexuality might fill the gap that more contemporary forms of treatment are not addressing. Aim. Eastern techniques including mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga, are Eastern techniques, which have been applied to women’s sexuality. Here, we review the literature on their efficacy. Methods. Our search revealed two empirical studies of mindfulness, two of acupuncture, and one of yoga in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Main Outcome Measure. Literature review of empirical sources. Results. Mindfulness significantly improves several aspects of sexual response and reduces sexual distress in women with sexual desire and arousal disorders.
Although yoga has only been empirically examined and found to be effective for treating sexual dysfunction (premature ejaculation) in men, numerous historical books cite benefits of yoga for women’s sexuality. Conclusions. The empirical literature supporting Eastern techniques, such as mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga, for women’s sexual complaints and loss of satisfaction is sparse but promising. Future research should aim to empirically support Eastern techniques in women’s sexuality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA ) (journal abstract)

Franzblau, S. H., S. Echevarria, M. Smith and T. E. Van Cantfort (1800). “A preliminary investigation of the effects of giving testimony and learning yogic breathing techniques on battered women’s feelings of depression.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol 23(12): 1800-1808.

Researchers have shown that mood and sense of control over one’s life are significantly affected by testimony and other forms of disclosure and that learning to control breathing has positive effects on mood and anxiety. This preliminary experiment tests whether African American and European American abused women who give testimony about their experiences of intimate partner violence and learn how to use yogic breathing techniques have reduced feelings of depression. Results indicate that learning yogic breathing techniques alone and combined with giving testimony significantly reduces feelings of depression. Recasting women as authorities on domestic violence and teaching them how to calm their minds by focusing on yogic breathing may be simple and effective ways to help women take control over their bodies and lives. [Author Abstract]KEY WORDS: IPV; abused women; domestic violence; depression; disclosure; testimony; yoga; yogic breathing; pranayama.