Untitled - Api-fellowships.org

146 Panel 4Figure 11. Summary of Results of Clinical Studies on Effects of Mindfulness and Yoga Training in Healthy and Chronically Ill PatientsRecent studies have indicated that the balancing ofparasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems notonly induces the “relaxation response”, but also affectsthe immune system through vagal innervations ofimmune tissues, thereby improving immune functionseven among those with cancer. 17Recent studies have focused on the effects of long-termmindfulness training on preserving the telomerelength of human chromosomes, which is a sign oflongevity. 18 A probable model has been presentedbelow (Figure 12), adapted from the work of Epel et al.(2009) presented during a scientific convention on thetheme “Longevity, Regeneration and Optimal Health”of the New York Academy of Science. According tothe authors, “some forms of meditation may havesalutary effects on telomere length by reducingcognitive stress and stress arousal and increasingpositive states of mind and hormonal factors that maypromote telomere maintenance”.Figure 12. A hypothetical model by which mindfulness practices can affect longevity.The Work of the 2010/2011 API Fellows