VYASA signed a MOU with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Press Release M. D. Anderson Announces Collaboration with India’s Largest Yoga Research Institution to Gain Scientific Evidence of Yoga Benefit to Cancer Patients M. D. Anderson News Release 04/28/05 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (Research Foundation), Bangalore, India, today announced a research collaboration to scientifically validate the age-old belief that mind-body interventions have a beneficial impact on the health of cancer patients. The effort builds on a cooperative, cross-cultural relationship between researchers, representing a shared mission to increase integration of yoga-based therapies into cancer treatment regimens to enhance quality of life. Representatives of both institutions met today at M. D. Anderson, advancing a framework for future academic and clinical collaborations that will involve research, physician education and training, and personnel exchanges. In their future research, they plan to utilize brain-imaging technology in an effort to pinpoint precisely where changes take place in the brain and to confirm previous research that showed certain brain regions were affected by meditation-based programs. “Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has an outstanding history of clinical and research-based discoveries related to the effects of yoga on both healthy people and those suffering from cancer,” says Thomas Brown, M.D., vice president for Extramural Programs at M. D. Anderson. “By sharing our expertise in multidisciplinary cancer care and translational research, together we can advance scientific understanding of how the mind works in concert with the body to benefit cancer patients around the world.” Under the leadership of Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., director of the Integrative Medicine Program and associate professor in the Departments of Behavioral Science and Palliative Care & Rehabilitation Medicine at M. D. Anderson, researchers from both institutions are currently studying the effects of Indian-based yoga on breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments. They are exploring whether participating in a yoga program diminishes patients’ fatigue and sleep disturbances, while improving overall quality of life, mental health, stress hormone levels, and aspects of immune function. The randomized controlled trial is monitoring patients’ physiological responses to yoga as determined from blood and saliva samples, lung function tests and goniometric (joint motion) measurements. A follow-up study that will be funded by the National Cancer Institute in July 2005 will measure the benefits of yoga on similar outcomes including more objective measures of sleep quality as measured by actigraphy (sleep restfulness) and in a sleep laboratory compared to patients participating in an educational support group that includes learning relaxation skills. “The ancient Eastern practice of regulated breathing, gentle movement and meditation has long been ascribed anecdotal healing benefits,” says H. R. Nagendra, Ph.D., vice chancellor of the Swami Vivekanada Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana. “We are pleased to partner with M. D. Anderson to answer key cancer questions and expand yoga research to produce more tangible results that the scientific community would view as solid medical evidence of the benefits of these types of mind-body interventions.” M. D. Anderson recognizes the growing body of research indicating that relaxation-based interventions can contribute to the well being of patients with cancer. Through the Integrative Medicine Program, clinical delivery offers complementary therapies through Place . . . of wellness that are used in concert with mainstream care to manage symptoms, relieve stress, and enhance quality of life. Integrative Medicine Program faculty also conduct research into the biological and behavioral effects of mind/body-based interventions; the anti-cancer potential of natural compounds; and acupuncture to treat common cancer treatment-related side effects. Research that Cohen published last year in the journal Cancer found that cancer patients participating in a Tibetan yoga program had lower levels of sleep disturbances than did the patients in the control group. Improving sleep quality in a cancer population may be particularly salient as sleep disturbances are common problems for patients with cancer. “From meditation to music therapy, the key to the success of mind-body interventions is to ensure they are easily incorporated into conventional treatments. As a comprehensive cancer center, we don’t just treat cancer, we treat people who have cancer,” says Cohen. “It is incumbent upon us to explore the potential benefit of therapies that have some evidence of efficacy, even non-conventional therapies such as yoga.” For more information on the Integrative Medicine Program see www.mdanderson.org/intmedprogram About The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center M. D. Anderson, a nonprofit institution founded in 1941, has established an international reputation as one of the world’s preeminent centers for cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. A multidisciplinary approach, and dedication to translational research, education and prevention are hallmarks of M. D. Anderson, which also holds the distinction of being designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as one of the first three Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. It has been ranked the number one cancer center in the United States in four of the past five years by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals.” M. D. Anderson has provided care for more than 600,000 cancer patients since 1944 and 70,000 in the last year alone. Its faculty currently hold more NCI research grants and grant dollars than any other academic center in the United States. In 2003, nearly 1,000 new patients from outside the United States came to M. D. Anderson for care. www.mdanderson.org About Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana The Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana was established to examine the efficacy of yoga practices and to develop yoga courses to ease the stresses of modern society using a scientifically-based research approach. The largest yoga therapy research Health Home Arogyadhama (with 163 beds) in India, the foundation has published 45 research papers on yoga therapy and other applications of yoga in national and international research journals and has trained nearly 3,500 yoga teachers to introduce yoga in schools in 8 Indian states. Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has reached 20 countries with collaborative research projects in the United Kingdom and the United States. ©2005 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 1-800-392-1611 (USA) / 1-713-792-6161

The Dallas Morning News: UTMDACC & Yoga UT cancer center joins yoga study Is radiation plus a full lotus better for cancer patients than radiation alone? The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is about to team up with a research institute in India to see whether yoga can improve the quality of life for cancer patients. No claims that meditation can cure cancer, mind you. But the scientific study will try to determine if yoga helps patients sleep better, control stress, fend off illness and maintain a positive outlook. For further information, contact:Rama Rao Yoga Teacher 281 568 5232, Dr.Sudha Rajan President 281 461 8844, Prakash Morolia Secretary 713-582-4233

Enrolled twice weekly in a class offered at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Ladrillo performed exercises aimed at calming tension and recovering lost mobility, problems stemming from her treatment.

"It proved very helpful," says Ladrillo, 52, a dentist from the Philippines now preparing to take U.S. licensing exams. "Learning to breathe deeply and slowly gave me relief when I would get tense and some of the poses gave me back the elasticity and flexibility that radiation takes away."

Unsung Heros Recognized for ServicesSeptember 22, 2006By Kalyani GiriHOUSTON — Humble and reserved, the furthest thought in Bettadapura Shankar Rama Rao’s mind was the need to be recognized for performing a service close to his heart. As reputed and highly skilled teachers of yoga, he and wife Meera worked arduous hours and expected nothing in return but the means to eke out a simple living. So imagine Rama Rao’s amazement when the Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) named him Unsung Hero at the recent Janm-ashtami celebrations. He was presented the award by Indian Ambassador, Hon. Ronen Sen. The award was instituted in commemoration of yet another unsung hero, community activist Akhil Chopra who was robbed and slain as he meditated in a public park in broad daylight last August. Chopra, who in his short life had endeared himself to so many and accomplished so much silently and with a smile, had taken instruction in yoga from the Raos. Rama Rao is the first recipient of the Unsung Hero recognition.“I’m thrilled, surprised, and very, very moved by this honor. Tears came to our eyes,” confided Rama Rao emotionally. The couple forged a close friendship with Chopra and were devastated by his death. “Akhil was like a son to us. He was so good-natured. He took a yoga instructor’s course with us and started teaching a “laughing” yoga class. I got this honor in his memory, and for me that is special,” added Rama Rao, who is popularly known to his students as Rama.An honor that is well-deserved, say all who have come under his tutelage. “I wish to share my experience on attaining good health by practicing the yoga therapy provided by Rama Rao. He provided instruction and excellent demonstrations of asanas for heart health, hypertension, high cholesterol and numerous exercises for ankle pain. Rama Rao emphasizes how yoga is necessary in our day-to-day activities and he should be commended,” said Rosa de la Fuente, a beneficiary of Rama Rao’s holistic knowledge. A former engineer and architect by trade, Rama Rao was motivated by his wife Meera to complete his diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy from the Vivekananda Yoga Kendra in Bangalore, Karnataka. The couple came to Houston nine years ago to the SVYASA program here, a move facilitated by area businessman and owner of Star Pipe Products, Ramesh Bhutada. In a short nine years Rama Rao conducts classes at seven locations throughout this city. He offers relaxation techniques and pain management exercizes to breast cancer patients at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and for the past five years,has been teaching yoga at the Memorial Hermann Hospital to alleviate patients’ chronic ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, back pain, depression, and headaches. He has trained over 300 yoga instructors and taught the intricacies of therapeutic yoga and healing to over 30. Therapeutic yoga with the accent on relaxation, slow breathing, and a calm mind, has had wide success in helping with some health conditions, and consistency in doing the exercizes is crucial for long-term relief, said Rama Rao. Yoga for weight loss takes longer, he adds.Corporate America also enjoys Rao’s proficiency with yoga — executives at BP and Shell are regular clients. The Raos have conducted stress management and hypertension therapy courses at the Universities of Illinois and South Florida to much acclaim. Rao has been invited to coalesce with Dr. Sangeeta Dass, a well-known naturopathy practitioner based in Los Angeles — future plans include him lending his expertize at that city, as well as at the proposed American Yoga University at New Jersey. As his renown as an empathetic and patient tutor rapidly spreads, his classes grow in direct proportion, but he remains undaunted by the increase in workload.“I enjoy my work, this is the best job a person cando,” said Rama Rao with quiet conviction.Physician and a firm advocate of the benefits of yoga, Dr. Sudha Rajan, has worked on various projects with the Raos. “Rama Raoji is yoga-friendly, computer-friendly, and people-friendly,” enthused Dr. Rajan. Chandrakanth Jogale, praised Rama Rao for helping him deal with sciatica and lower back pain. “The classes I had with Rama Rao helped me a great deal. I had some relief from the numbness of the left foot and I am sure with regular practice of the exercises it will eventually go away. Not only have I lost weight after the regular practice of yoga but my blood pressure is lowered. I am so grateful,” said Jogale. Vijay Pallod, whose family was one of the first to take lessons in yoga from Rama Rao, told of the yoga guru’s compassionate and helpful nature.“We are so fortunate to have someone of Rama Rao ji’s caliber in Houston. He has inspired not only Indo-Americans, but the mainstream community to understand the benefits of yoga. He’s made a difference to so many lives,” said Pallod. Meera and Rama Rao work twelve-hour days. It is a very rare Sunday that sees them without a heavy schedule. They are usually busy seven days a week. “We are leading a very satisfying life working hard and taking care of our health along with the health of others. This is the way we wish to spend our days,” said Meera Rao. For more information on the SVYASA program, visit www.vyasausa.org Man 'sentenced' to yoga lessons