International Journal of Yoga Natural Therapy

^{Dibyendunarayan Bid completed his Master of Physiotherapy (Orthopedics) from School of Medical Education, M.G. University, Kottayam; and Doctorate from RK University, Rajkot. Also, he has done a PG Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy. His work is published in International peer-reviewed indexed journals. He has received citations for his research papers in well-known journals. Presently, he is working as Senior Lecturer in Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Surat. He has authored a book “Sociology for Physiotherapists and Nurses” Jaypee Brothers, New Delhi.}

 ^{Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani is Chairman of the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India (www.icyer.com). He is also chairman of Yoganjali Natyalayam, the premier institute of Yoga and Carnatic Music and Bharatanatyam in Pondicherry (www.rishiculture.org). He is son and successor of the internationally acclaimed Yoga team of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj and Yogacharini Kalaimamani Ammaji, Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani.}

^{He is a Gold Medallist in Medical Studies (MBBS) with postgraduate diplomas in both Family Health (PGDFH) as well as Yoga (PGDY) and the Advanced Diploma in Yoga under his illustrious parents in 1991-93. A Fellow of the Indian Academy of Yoga, he has authored 19 DVDs and 23 books on Yoga as well as published more than two hundred papers, compilations and abstracts on Yoga and Yoga research in National and International Journals.}

^{He is a Classical Indian Vocalist, Percussionist, Music Composer and Choreographer of Indian Classical Dance in addition to his duties as Deputy Director of the Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and Research (CYTER) in the Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University at Pondicherry.}

^{In recent years he has travelled abroad 14 times and conducted invited talks, public events, workshops and retreats and been major presenter at Yoga conferences in the UK, USA, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. He is an Honorary International Advisor to the International Association of Yoga Therapists (www.iayt.org), the Australian Association of Yoga Therapists (www.yogatherapy.org.au),}

^{the World Yoga Foundation (www.worldyogafoundation.in) and Gitananda Yoga Associations worldwide  (www.rishiculture.org).}

^{He is currently Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the CCRYN, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India as well as the Expert Committee of AYUSH for Celebration of International Yoga Day 2015. He is also member of the Executive Council of the Indian Yoga Association (www.yogaiya.in)and Board of Directors of the Council for Yoga Accreditation International (www.cyai.org).}

^{Yoga Therapy, Yoga Education, Integrative Medicine, Physiology, Psychology.}

^{Dilip Sarkar, MD, FACS, CAP, a retired vascular surgeon turned yoga therapist and Ayurveda practitioner, teaches Yoga Therapy both nationally and internationally to health care providers, with a focus on integrating yogic wisdom and the science of conventional medicine. He started the first category one ACCME-approved CME course in the USA for physicians: “Yoga Therapy for Medical Professionals.” He is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner and continues to practice and teach classes in Yoga Therapy, mind/body connection, Ayurvedic wellness, integrative nutrition, and integrative medicine.  He serves on several local and national healthcare boards as: Past Chairman of the Board for the American Heart Association, Hampton Roads, Virginia; President of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT); Chairman of the Board, Life in Yoga Institute; Life Member, National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and Member of NAMA’s Standards Yoga Subcommittee; Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS); and Fellow, American Associations of Integrative Medicine (AAIM). He retired as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School and is currently the Chairman of the School of Integrative Medicine, Taksha Institute.} 

^{My research interest is in clinical application of yoga therapy in conventional medicine.}

Associate Professor Myers received his formal education in physics and mathematics. However, while living in Kenya and Nepal he became very interested in environmental issues, especially those related to the Third World. He subsequently became involved at the United Nations University in energy and development issues. Fred has also spent more than twenty years studying yoga, including its philosophy and practice, and studied under many renowned yogis.

While his major area of research has been quantum electronics and molecular spectroscopy, in recent years Associate Professor Myers has focused on investigative journalism. The subjects he has taken on include a very wide range of science and technology, environmental issues, and government policy.

_{His primary research interests are Alzheimers disease and yoga and sexuality.}

^{Dr. Raghuraj Puthige is a yoga researcher and India’s first qualified Yoga & Naturopathy physician [1994] with 22 years of research; academic and clinical experience.}
 

^{Currently he is working as an operational and functional manager, Scientific writing for a reputed Pharmaceutical company, Novartis healthcare Pvt Ltd, India and as an Honorary Consultant, Foundation for Assessment & Integration of Traditional Health Systems [FAITHS-since 2008], Bengaluru-since 2014]}

^{Dr. Puthige’s doctoral work [2004] on Psycho-physiology of voluntary regulated yoga breathing (Pranayama) has led to several research publications in indexed peer reviewed journals and besides he is also a scientific reviewer for journals published by SVYASA (www.ijoy.org.in) and AMMONS SCIENTIFIC. Dr. Puthige has lectured and conducted yoga workshops at several prestigious institutes both in India and abroad.}

_{Dr. Naveen Visweswaraiah, a Fulbright Fellow, is a consulting Integrative Medicine physician and a yoga researcher. He is India’s first qualified Yoga & Naturopathy physician [1994] and leads the field with 22 years of research; academic and clinical experience.}

_{Currently he serves as a Honorary Professor at SVYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru; Trans Disciplinary University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru and at SDM College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Mangalore; serves as Founder & Executive Director, Foundation for Assessment & Integration of Traditional Health Sytems [FAITHS-since 2008] and as Medical Director & CEO at Yogaksema-Stress & Lifestyle Clinic [a unit of Yogaksema Healthcare Pvt Ltd., Bengaluru-since 2014]}

_{Dr Visweswaraiah has co-authored over 45 research publications in indexed peer reviewed journals. Dr.Visweswaraiah has lectured at institutes of repute viz., Harvard Medical School; Mayo Clinic; Center for Brain & Mind, University of California, Davis; MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Houston; Center for Brain Research, University of Florida; Center for Mental Health, University of Melbourne; and National University of Singapore.}
 

_{Dr.Visweswaraiah’s doctoral work [2004] on Psycho-physiology of higher states of consciousness induced by meditation has lead to prestigious ICMR Center for Advanced Research in Yoga & Neuro-physiology and cognitive science initiative project by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, which he co-heads with Dr Shirley Telles. Dr. Telles & Dr. Visweswaraiah’ s research labs are rated as world’s most publishing lab [2008] by a medical publishing company based on published work on Yoga & Allied Sciences. SVYASA}

_{Considering the fact that the Integrative medicine is emerging as a future-medicine Dr. Telles & Dr. Visweswaraiah founded [2008] a research NGO called ‘Foundation for Assessment & Integration of Traditional Health Systems [FAITHS].  To offer unique meditation retreat and lifestyle training FAITHS has established a retreat center [2009] in collaboration with Mahabodhi International Meditation Center in the Himalayas at Leh-Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India}

^{Yoga and Meditation}

Clinical Toxicology, Standardization of herbo-mineral drugs, Clinical Trials, Toxicity studies

^{Dr. M.Rajajeyakumar, MBBS, MD, MSc Yoga, CCEBDM (PHFI), PhD, is working as Assistant professor of Physiology at Chennai medical college hospital & research Centre (SRM Group) Trichy,Tamilnadu, India (Affiliated by Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai). He received MBBS degree from Tirunelveli Medical College and completed MD Physiology, at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER-An Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India). Then he worked as a senior resident (2009-2012) in the same department and research assistant in Advanced Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research (ACYTER) Lab, JIPMER, collaboration with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). He did MSc yoga in Annamalai University and completed ISAK (International Society for the Advancement ofKin anthropometry Level 1 & 2 in the year of 2010-11).He had trained for recording & Analysis of bio signals of CMC dag instrument for Heart rate Variability (HRV) in Department of Bioengineering, Christian Medical College (CMC), and VELLORE- 2011. He had completed theBasic Course on ECG Interpretation (2013) from Dr.Chenniappan’s ECG & ECHO Club of Trichy and Evidence Based Diabetes Management (CCEBDM), under Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), which was recognized by international Diabetic Federation (IDF) at Trichy diabetic centre in the year of 2013-14.He is serving as one of the biomedical expert in the department of instrumentation and control engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), & biomedical department, Bharathidasan University, Trichy. He was one of the Invited for honorable guest Speaker in the international conference on Weight Loss and Fitness-2015, Philadelphia, USA. Recently, His research paper was accepted for presentation in World Diabetes Congress Dec-2015, Vancouver, Canada, organized by the International Diabetes Federation.}

^{Yoga ,Autonomic Function , Cognitive Function , Cardio-Respiratory Physiology ,Neurophysiology , Medical Education and Bio-Medical Engineering.}

_{After 10 years of successful career in Hospitality Management and Tourism Industry, I embraced Iyenger Yoga and Complementary Alternative Medicine into my life in 2006.I was a member of a national Iyengar Yoga Association (Swiss, Dutch and Spanish).}

_{Parallel to my yogic “career”,  I also studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture, Acupressure and Tuina), Reflexologyas well as Foundations of Conventional Medicine and obtained accredited certifications in Hungary, Switzerland, The Netherlands (at the renowned Shenzhou Open University of TCM) and Spain. Currently I am a member of Spanish Society of Professional Acupuncturists and Swiss Foundation of Complementary Therapies (ASCA).}

_{Successfully graduating from the University of Geneva, Switzerland affiliated with Institute of Global Health and obtaining a diploma of Master of Advanced Studies in Public Health (2012 – 2016) has facilitated me that indispensable knowledge. Personal and group projects within the study curriculum also included knowledge of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Planning & Management, Evaluation of Health programs, Promotional Health Campaigns, Communication, Development of Health personnel, Health Economics, Environment & Health, scientific research & publications.}

_{In the recent years (2009-2016), next to my rigorous education I have been also working as aTherapist and teaching Iyengar yoga to various age and ethnic groups and to persons with different health conditions and / or ailments in wellness / yoga centers and schools in Geneva (Switzerland), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Malaga (Spain). Fluency in seven European languages helped to attain smooth communication with my patients/ students.}

_{My main interest is centered around Biomedical Clinical Research around CAM therapies, Physical activity and Health, Yoga (especially Iyengar Yoga), Energy Medicine, Neurosciences and Mental Health, AutoImmune diseases}

^{Nidhi Ram completed her Masters and Doctorate from S-VYASA Yoga University Bangalore. As part of her doctoral work, She estimated the prevalence of PCOS in adolescent girls from south India, and also studied the efficacy of yoga based lifestyle program on adolescent girls with PCOS. Her work is published in international peer-reviewed indexed journals. She is presently conducting further research in the field of Infertility, Obesity and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation.}

^{My field of research interest is yoga as an alternative, complementary medicine for non-communicable diseases.}

^{S.N. Omkar received B.E. degree in mechanical engineering from the University Viswesvaraya College of Engineering in 1985, the M.Sc. (Eng.) degree in aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of Science in 1992 and the Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1999. Currently he is working as a Chief research scientist at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.}

^{Helicopter dynamics,Satellite image processing, Biomechanics, Uninhabited Air Vehicles (UAV),Composite design optimization, Structural health monitoring.}

^{Lídia Bezerra  graduated in Physical Education at the Catholic University of Brasilia (2002), graduate in Physiology and Evaluation Morpho-functional by the University Gama Filho RJ / BSB (2003), master's degree (2005) and doctorate’s degree (2010) in Physical Education at the Catholic University of Brasilia. She teaches the disciplines of neuroanatomy, learning and motor development, accident prevention and first aid and “extension project” for graduation in physical education and Statistics master under graduation program of Physical Education and Rehabilitation Science at the Brasilia’s University. In addition, she is the coordinator of “VIVA ATIVO” - student-training program of Physical Education course for exercise prescription in people with Parkinson's disease at the Brasília’s University. Sheis an active reviewer of national and international journals. She has experience in Physical Education with an emphasis on human anatomy, exercise for seniors, yoga for young and old.} 

^{Physical activity, Health and quality of life, Physical activity and Aging, Parkinson's, Osteoporosis, Bone Biochemical Markers, Bone Mineral Density, Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and its polymorphism (Fok I)}

_{"I'm a Biologist and Physical Educator specialized in the effects of exercise on the brain, graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After finishing a Master's in Psychiatry (Institute of PsychiatryFederal University of Rio de Janeiro) where I studied the neurobiology of exercise, I've started a new line of research investigating the effects of yoga and meditation on the brain.}

_{Afterwards, I've concluded a PhD in Psychology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, studying the impact of contemplative techniques on mental health.}

_{Now, as Post-Doctoral Fellow in Health Sciences at the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil, I continue to investigate the effects of both exercise and meditation on the brain. I'm a Full Professor at UNESASE, Brazil, where I teach neuroanatomy.}

_{Since 2008, I receive traditional yoga traning directly from my Teacher, Dharma Bodhi (Thailand), who's a Hatha Yoga Acarya and Bon Buddhism Lineage Holder."}

^{Effects of Yoga and Meditation on the Brain.}