The course “Yoga: Theory and Practice” (YTP) evolved from the realization that although graduate and undergraduate academic yoga course offerings were filled beyond capacity with waitlists, students were often not being exposed to the depth and breadth of yoga as a holistic, integrative health practice. In the authors' experience, students experientially understood the contribution that yoga practice made in their lives and sensed the health benefits it afforded, yet they were hungry for the scientific evidence for using yoga to address various clinical conditions and to understand why yoga felt like a grounding practice. Students wanted scientific evidence for what they experientially knew to be true: Yoga helped them feel more grounded in their bodies. In 2004, when YTP was designed, college yoga courses were typically in departments of physical education, and little to no attention was given to the theoretical/philosophical roots behind why yoga is practiced. This is no longer the case. YTP is an elective within an academic minor of study, Integrative Approaches to Health and Wellness, and the course offers college students an indepth, academic study of yoga that incorporates both scientific (reductionist) and holistic health perspectives. The clinical/educational objective of this course is to expose university students (including those studying to become healthcare professionals) to the evidence-based integrative health benefits that yoga and yoga therapy have been shown to provide. Using the university's educational setting provides a venue to augment the future use of yoga in healthcare.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine if the use of evidence-based cognitive and cardiovascular screening prior to initiating a prevention-focused exercise program that utilizes a physical therapist (PT) direct consumer access referral model is safe. MethodsA retrospective descriptive analysis of data from a prior randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed. Two data sets emerged: Group S was screened for study inclusion but not enrolled, and Group E was enrolled and participated in preventative exercise. Participant outcomes of cognitive screenings (Mini-Cog, Trail Making Test-Part B) and cardiovascular screening (American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Preparticipation Health Screening) were extracted. Descriptive statistics were generated for demographic and outcome variables and inferential statistics were analyzed (p < 0.05). ResultsRecords from 70 individuals (Group S) and 144 individuals (Group E) were available for analysis. Overall, 18.6% (n = 13) in Group S were not enrolled due to medical instability or potential safety considerations. The need for medical clearance prior to initiating an exercise program was identified and then clearance was obtained for 40% (n = 58) of the participants in Group E. No adverse events related to program participation were reported. ConclusionsA PT-led program utilizing direct access referrals from senior centers offers a safe option for older adults to participate in individualized preventative exercise programming.

More than a decade ago, tasked with the creation of an undergraduate research team in the field of integrative health and wellness, the discovery was made that undergraduate study is the perfect venue through which to ignite integrative researchers and clinicians for the future. This research team has produced a lasting impact on our university and community, at the individual, local, national, and international levels. From meager beginnings to numerous funded research projects, programs, publications, and presentations, the students have obtained invaluable skills in the field of integrative health and wellness, equipping them to be effective clinicians for our future. Team members have demonstrated collaboration and commitment and brought a variety of perspectives to our projects, which has been critical to the success of our work. Being part of this team has served to both expand their knowledge of integrative medicine and to help the students develop personally and professionally, instilling in them a dedication to the scientific method, evidence-based practice, and an integrative approach to health and wellness. Ultimately, this research team has empowered the creation of future health professionals that will contribute to the advancement of global health and wellness.