October 18, 2010
School of Medicine, Kochi
 

Dr. Namitha M. A., Consultant (Yoga and Naturopathy) at the Center for Holistic Medicine at Amrita’s Health Sciences campus in Kochi won the best paper presentation award at the National Conference on Yoga and Naturopathy at Thiruchendur on October 2-3, 2010.
 

Dr. Namitha’s presentation titled Efficacy of Yoga and Naturopathy on Women’s Health focused on corrective life styles and positive outcomes on women’s health, especially during pregnancy.
 

“Studies have been conducted that prove the efficacy of yoga therapy for a positive outcome in pregnancy,” stated Dr. Namitha.
 

“I have observed that naturopathy and yoga are supportive therapies for a positive natural birthing experience also,” she emphasized.
 

Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and some nutritional therapies that are helpful in easing the difficult second stage of pregnancy were highlighted in Dr. Namitha’s presentation.
 

The presentation also included many cases of water births.
 

“One of my special areas of interest is underwater birthing,” explained Dr. Namitha. A birthing technique in which the woman delivers into lukewarm water helps both the mother and the new-born. For the mother, pain is eased and she can be more comfortable during the birthing process.
 

The cases presented how birth injuries are reduced for both mother and child. The energy expenditure for the process of birthing is conserved through the process of water birth.
 

“A lot of physiological changes that happen bring about a very positive outcome for a healthy mother and child,” underlined Dr. Namitha.
 

Dr. Namitha is a graduate in Yoga and Naturopathy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru. She has hands-on experience being a doula (birth support) trainee. Her area of research is interventions based on Yoga and Naturopathy in gynecology and obstetrics.
 

While yoga therapy is well-known, naturopathy includes diet therapy, acupuncture, shiatsu, reflexology, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and mud therapy, all alternative systems of healing based on traditional wisdom.
 

“Yoga and Naturopathy have proved themselves to be essential for maintaining a woman’s positive health through all stages of her life, including premarital counseling, family planning, pregnancy care, birth support, pre and postnatal care, etc.,” summed up Dr. Namitha.
 

We congratulate her on her achievement and wish her all the best in her work.