This thesis proposes a hypothetical building that intends to provide a relatively "private space" while in a public park to facilitate a conversation with therapists, small group-talk sessions, and classrooms to practice yoga. People are encouraged to walk and talk, and exercises are methods of psychotherapy. The architecture plan of this thesis encourages people with depression to evolve with others, and all programs have at least two people as a group. The distance between the two is the main key for all the designing of space. In other words, this thesis is also about a study of human psychology about "comfort zones." / Overall, the project is going to be a two-story building on the empty space of an urban park while its existence does not break the original park's intention which is providing space for the community to relax and enjoy life. It is a project with its form and function that embodies care for humanity physically and psychologically.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of Yoga on improving low back stability (threshold of stability, and mean total velocity of center of pressure), trunk strength (isometric strength in extension and flexion), and back endurance (isometric endurance in extension, flexion, and side laterals). METHODS: A pretest posttest control group experimental design was used. Sixteen participants, 10 females and 6 males, without a history of low back pain, and no prior experience of Yoga, were recruited. Yoga participants were recruited following registration in a yoga class; the control subjects were selected and recruited selectively in order to match the stature and body mass of the Yoga participant pool. Performance was measured prior to the beginning of Yoga exercises and 7 weeks later for both the groups. RESULTS: Contrary to the control group, the Yoga group significantly improved in terms of low back stability (decrease in threshold of stability by ~19%) and sway parameters (decrease in mean total velocity of COP by ~17%). CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this study illustrate the potential of Yoga as a low-impact exercise regime for improving low back stability via neuromuscular control and proprioception. There was no significant difference in trunk strength and endurance when comparing the two groups; therefore, the Yoga exercise was equally effective as the regular exercises. / Master of Science

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo describir los niveles de Autogobierno en practicantes de yoga. Para ello se evaluó a 81 practicantes de yoga y a 80 personas que no practicaban yoga, que presentaban características sociodemográficas equivalentes, utilizando el Inventario de Componentes Volitivos (Kazén-Saad, 2004), adaptado en una muestra peruana (Argumedo y Romero, 2011). Los resultados indicaron que la práctica de yoga presentaba diferencias significativas con sólo dos áreas del Autogobierno, presentando una relación inversa con la Autorregulación y el Estrés General. Asimismo, se encontró una correlación inversa entre dichas áreas y la frecuencia semanal y el tiempo de práctica. / This research aims to describe the levels of Volitional Components in yoga practitioners. For this research we took 81 yoga practitioners and 80 non-practitioners, who shared the same socio-demographic characteristics. They were assessed using the Volitional Components Inventory (Kazén-Saad, 2004), adapted for a Peruvian sample (Argumedo and Romero, 2011). The results suggested an inverse relationship between yoga practice and two areas of the Volitional Components: Self-Regulation and General Stress. Furthermore, the results showed inverse correlations between these areas as well as the weekly frequency and the time of practice.

Drawing upon a wide range of previously neglected English- and Chinese-language sources, this dissertation offers a history and ethnography of a group of devotional yogis in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) popularly known as Hare Krishnas. As the first major work on either Hinduism or yoga in the country, it challenges previously held assumptions concerning these yogis and the institution to which they belong—the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)—while contributing to a more comprehensive picture of religion in the PRC, which, to date, is based primarily on ethnographic data collected before the Xi Era and from a limited number of religious traditions: so-called popular religion and the five officially recognized by the Chinese state (Buddhism, Daoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam). After providing a brief history of ISKCON, the work explores the ways in which devotional yoga transforms as it encounters the Chinese state. It proposes that the PRC government, while oppressive and self-serving, is, for some devotees, an unlikely source of inspiration. Next, it identifies strategies ISKCON leaders use to position their tradition within the Chinese cultural environment and looks at the various techniques which members use proselytize in the country. It then considers how and why some Chinese have embraced devotional yoga and uncovers the ways in which they are able to maintain and strengthen their faiths despite the PRC’s often hostile conditions. It finds that faith is, in part, bolstered when feelings of certainty spread from one practitioner to another via unconscious affective synchronization. Finally, it argues that current economic and demographic conditions in China offer a chance for ISKCON’s Chinese membership to grow substantially and suggests certain changes which ISKCON might introduce if it wishes to capitalize on the opportunity. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Humanity has created an ecological crisis of unprecedented severity. The crisis represents an existential risk to the species. There is an urgent need to recognize how operating in the context of existential risk affects society and individuals, especially those very professionals tasked with mitigating or adapting to the crisis. Terror Management Theory (Becker, 1973; Greenberg et al., 2015) is contributing to our understanding of how awareness of an existential threat can trigger unconscious defense reactions in human beings, making complex, collaborative problem solving extremely difficult. There is a gap in the literature, however, about how those most immersed in the evolving ecological situation navigate their proximity to existential risk. This understanding is timely given that direct experience with climate change is increasing the general public’s awareness of the existential nature of the crisis. To help address the gap in the literature, this exploratory study examined the learning experiences of 16 exemplars—longtime environmental professionals who employed mindfulness practices to sustain themselves and their work in the current context of existential risk. This qualitative case study investigated what motivated and sustained subjects’ ecological action, what facilitated and hindered their learning to sustain their ecological engagement, and the role of mindfulness in enabling their engagement. It also explored how subjects applied mindfulness practices to facilitating, promoting, or teaching ecological action to others. Each of 16 primary subjects was an environmental professional for at least five years; the median tenure in the field was 15.5 years. Three novice professionals were also interviewed to glimpse how the existential risk context was impacting professionals who have not yet learned to sustain their engagement over time. Data collection methods included a pre-selection questionnaire, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with individual subjects, and a focus group of five primary sample respondents. Analysis methods included thematic coding based on an extensive review of the literature, and an in-depth process of inductive coding and analysis. Outstanding findings from the study revealed that respondents attributed their mindfulness practices, which included meditation, cultivating a reciprocal relationship with nature, yoga, breathwork, present moment awareness, the use of psychedelics and plant-based medicines, and more, to enabling them to navigate the multilayered intrapersonal, interpersonal, and systemic challenges of their working context. Most subjects leveraged their mindfulness practices to endure, merge with, or transcend the psychological difficulties and potential defense reactions triggered by awareness of existential risk. The study findings align with transformative learning literature, particularly that exploring generative learning in ambiguity.

Complimentary and alternate medicine, especially Ayurveda is gaining popularity in United States. However, there are various barriers that people face in adopting Ayurvedic practices into their lives and making cultural, familial and societal changes to better their health. This research explores these relationships and barriers behind why some people adopt and are able/unable to sustain Ayurvedic practices in the presence of traditional bio-medicine.

Les programmes d'entraînement à la pleine conscience (PC) gagnent en popularité dans le milieu scolaire depuis la dernière décennie. En effet, la littérature suggère que ces programmes sont prometteurs pour soutenir la réussite éducative sous ses différentes dimensions (p.ex. académique, cognitive, affective et sociale). Jusqu'à maintenant, les recherches chez les enfants ont principalement évalué les effets de ces programmes sur la santé mentale, les compétences socio-émotionnelles et le comportement. Seulement un petit nombre d'études ont évalué les bienfaits sur la cognition et les habiletés de PC, bien que ces deux domaines soient considérés dans les modèles théoriques comme les premiers à être améliorés par la pratique de la PC. De plus, les études qui ont porté sur ces deux aspects présentent plusieurs limites méthodologiques qui restreignent la compréhension des effets observés. Également, les programmes utilisés dans ces recherches comprennent plusieurs activités afin d'entraîner la PC comme le yoga ou la méditation. Toutefois, les effets respectifs de ces différentes activités ne sont pas connus aujourd'hui, ce qui limite notre compréhension des ingrédients actifs et des mécanismes de changement des programmes. La présente thèse visait donc chez des enfants de 8 à 11 ans en milieu scolaire à évaluer et comparer les effets de deux programmes de PC, un basé sur le yoga et l'autre sur la méditation, à ceux d'un groupe contrôle actif de lecture, sur la cognition et les habiletés de PC. Plus précisément, la thèse a poursuivi trois objectifs : 1) évaluer et comparer les effets de la méditation et du yoga sur l'alerte, l'orientation de l'attention, le contrôle exécutif, l'inhibition de la réponse et la flexibilité cognitive à l'aide d'une approche de neuropsychologie cognitive, 2) évaluer et comparer les effets de ces deux programmes sur l'état et le trait de PC, et 3) vérifier si, au cours des programmes, l'évolution de l'état de PC est associée à celle du trait de PC. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le yoga et la méditation mènent à des bienfaits différents sur la cognition et les habiletés de PC. Comparativement au groupe contrôle, uniquement le yoga a amélioré le contrôle exécutif, l'orientation de l'attention et l'état de PC tandis que seule la méditation a amélioré la flexibilité cognitive. Aucune différence n'a été observée entre les groupes sur l'alerte, l'inhibition de la réponse et le trait de PC et aucune relation significative entre l'évolution sur l'état de PC et celle sur le trait de PC n'a été obtenue. La présente thèse contribue à la littérature, car elle est la première étude à avoir évalué et comparé les effets spécifiques des activités principales incluses dans les programmes de PC chez les enfants. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de proposer différentes hypothèses novatrices sur les facteurs explicatifs des bienfaits de l'entraînement à la PC sur la cognition et les habiletés de PC. La thèse propose également diverses pistes de recherche futures ainsi que des considérations méthodologiques et pratiques qui pourront être utiles aux chercheurs, cliniciens et enseignants intéressés par la PC en milieu scolaire.

目前計畫是創立一間律動瑜珈教室，交導學生熱瑜珈，交導如何放鬆身心、避免受傷，並由此獲益。 / The product of Movement Yoga Studio is Bikram yoga. Bikram Yoga is a demanding series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Each posture stretches, strengthens and prepares specific muscles, ligaments and joints for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100% of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Bikram scientifically designed this 90-minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness, injury, promote weight loss and limit the effects of aging. The series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self-control which increase mental clarity and reduce stress. Bikram Yoga is practiced in a heated room at 40 °C with a humidity of 40% to warm your muscles, allow a deeper workout and cleanse the body by flushing toxins. Deep relaxation is taught in each class after completion of the postures. The intention of the instructors at Movement Yoga Studio is to assist students in the development of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being - a truly priceless health advantage. Movement Yoga Studio features well-trained, professional instructors, progressive teaching methods, a non-competitive and encouraging atmosphere, and a beautiful light-filled facility. Movement Yoga Studio also has a shop that will sell workshop clothing and yoga training aides.

O objetivo desta pesquisa é esclarecer as várias possibilidades de chegar a um modo mais natural e equilibrado de tocar o violoncelo. Inicialmente, o panorama geral da pedagogia e técnica violoncelística foi analisado com a finalidade de determinar conclusões e opiniões a respeito de recursos pedagógicos atuais, somados aos conhecimentos próprios do autor. Em seguida, houve uma pesquisa bibliográfica e dos meios eletrônicos sobre seis técnicas de reeducação corporal, sendo que, em média, dez aulas particulares para cada técnica foram realizadas pelo autor. Foram também analisadas informações sobre o aumento da ocorrência de danos físicos no meio musical, bem como sobre o corpo dos atletas e seus cuidados. Todas as informações colhidas serviram de base para uma discussão, visando à construção e a elaboração de uma proposta de uma nova pedagogia para os violoncelistas, buscando um funcionamento mais natural do corpo e auxiliando no combate das posturas viciosas, a fim de evitar danos físicos futuros aos executantes deste instrumento. / The object of this work is to suggest various possibilities to arrive at a more natural and balanced mode of playing the violoncello. Initially, the general panorama of violoncello pedagogy and technique was analyzed in order to determine conclusions and opinions with regard to pedagogical resources today, together with the personal knowledge of the author. Next, six methods of corporal reeducation were researched, through bibliographic and electronic means, with the author participating in an average of ten private lessons in each technique. Information with regard to the increasing occurrence of physical injuries in the musical class was also analyzed, as well as that pertaining to athletes bodies and their care. All information garnered served as the basis for a discussion aimed at the construction and elaboration of a proposal of a new violoncello pedagogy that strives for a more natural functioning of the body and helps combat detrimental postures, so that future injuries to violoncellists may be avoided.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:39:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcella Barbosa Neuman.pdf: 3796379 bytes, checksum: 7aab7a7e86e2b81f847a4f46e10c63f2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-11 / It´s expected that at pre-school age the attention is still in training. Nevertheless, the complaints about attention behavior in this age group have been justifying new studies on interventions which may minimize the damages from such patterns, mainly in the educational arena. Despite the growth in the literature suggesting new studies about pre-schoolers and attention this still being poorly documented. This study aimed to observe the effects of a psychosomatic practice as yoga can have in behavior attention and external problems shown in the educational arena in such age group. This randomized clinical trial deals with the development, implementation and evaluation of a yoga practice protocol of 11 weeks in two public schools in São Paulo City. 24 children were randomly screened and distributed between control group and experimental group. C-TRF scale was used as the evaluation method. The outcomes have shown significant improvements in attention problems, external behavior as well as in the time spent in the activity. The essay also discusses factors which contributed to the practical methods results and the development of attention in pre-school age / É esperado que na idade pré-escolar a atenção esteja ainda em formação. Entretanto, as queixas de problemas atencionais nessa faixa etária têm justificado novos estudos sobre recursos terapêuticos eficientes para minimizar os prejuízos desses traços, especialmente no ambiente escolar. Poucos estudos foram encontrados sobre essa questão, apesar do recente aumento de indicações na literatura. Este estudo teve como objetivo observar os efeitos da prática da yoga nos traços de dificuldades atencionais e comportamentos externalizantes apresentados no ambiente escolar em crianças entre 4 anos e 6 anos e 11 meses. Esta pesquisa clínica e randomizada trata do desenvolvimento, aplicação e avaliação de uma intervenção de prática de yoga de 11 semanas em duas escolas públicas na cidade de São Paulo. No total, 24 crianças foram triadas e distribuídas aleatoriamente entre grupo controle e grupo experimental. O método de avaliação usado foi a escala C-TRF. Os resultados demonstraram melhoras significativas nos problemas de atenção, comportamentos externalizantes e melhora no tempo de permanência na atividade. O estudo ainda discute fatores que contribuíram com os resultados da prática e com o desenvolvimento atencional na idade pré-escolar