<p>Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Dr B N Gangadhar said even if a small group of 10 patients with Parkinson’s Disease can come to the Institute, yoga sessions can be arranged for them.<br /><br />Speaking at an awareness programme that was organised by the Parkinson’s Disease Society of Karnataka on Sunday to observe World Parkinson’s Day, he said that yoga therapists from the Nimhans Advanced Centre for Yoga could take time for an hour to teach the patients. <br /><br />Dr Gangadhar urged the caretakers of patients as well to practise yoga to help relieve themselves of the physical and mental stress.<br /><br />Recalling from a study that was conducted by Nimhans on the elderly, he said changes in the hippocampus were noted among a group of people who practised yoga regularly for six months. <br /><br />“There were positive effects on the Hippocampus in the brain,” he added. <br />Meanwhile, former director of the Institute, DR P Satish Chandra said the government has recently included Parkinsons disease for income tax exemptions up to Rs 50,000 per year.</p>.<p><br />Speaking at the event, Ameeta Patel, president, Parkinson’s Disease Society of Karnataka said they hope to start more centres in Bengaluru in addition to the existing two in Jayanagar and Okalipuram. <br /><br />As part of the programme, yoga and Tai Chi sessions were organised for patients and their caretakers.<br /></p>
<p>Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Dr B N Gangadhar said even if a small group of 10 patients with Parkinson’s Disease can come to the Institute, yoga sessions can be arranged for them.<br /><br />Speaking at an awareness programme that was organised by the Parkinson’s Disease Society of Karnataka on Sunday to observe World Parkinson’s Day, he said that yoga therapists from the Nimhans Advanced Centre for Yoga could take time for an hour to teach the patients. <br /><br />Dr Gangadhar urged the caretakers of patients as well to practise yoga to help relieve themselves of the physical and mental stress.<br /><br />Recalling from a study that was conducted by Nimhans on the elderly, he said changes in the hippocampus were noted among a group of people who practised yoga regularly for six months. <br /><br />“There were positive effects on the Hippocampus in the brain,” he added. <br />Meanwhile, former director of the Institute, DR P Satish Chandra said the government has recently included Parkinsons disease for income tax exemptions up to Rs 50,000 per year.</p>.<p><br />Speaking at the event, Ameeta Patel, president, Parkinson’s Disease Society of Karnataka said they hope to start more centres in Bengaluru in addition to the existing two in Jayanagar and Okalipuram. <br /><br />As part of the programme, yoga and Tai Chi sessions were organised for patients and their caretakers.<br /></p>
