Ishan Shivanand Of Yoga of Immortals: How Scientifically Validated Meditative Protocols Can Dramatically Reduce Anxiety and Burnout

As a part of my series about “How To Develop Mindfulness”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Ishan Shivanand.

Dr. Ishan Shivanand, founder of Yoga of Immortals (YOI) https://yogaofimmortals.com is a mental health professor and researcher with specialization in scientifically validated Mental wellness modalities .His YOI protocols are currently being actively integrated into diverse sectors, including Healthcare, Educational institutions, Sports, Military, and the Corporate world.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

Born in a Monastery I spent my formative years at ShivYog Monasteries in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, in India, where I spent time learning the Indian knowledge systems and advanced meditative practices from the Father of Indian Healing, Shiv Yog Master Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand, who is also my father. During these years I also spent time learning Kalaripetu, a powerful and ancient martial art form and other meditative martial art forms, along with learning Alchemy and Herbal medicinal sciences.

In my growing years, I had developed a keen interest in human behavioral sciences and I also took formal education in the field of psychology and naturopathy.

While the world in the monastery was full of calm peaceful minds, with great Quality of life, however I did often see aged people or people in pain come there for peace, solace, compassion and care. For a long time my duty also included providing end of life care and pain management to them. These were the times I felt that though I am able to help them but as you age, your physical body may have limitations. This was the time I realized that the positive habits and discipline that are required for a Good Quality of Life must be taught and incorporated at an early age.

Following the principle of “Vasudeva Kutumbakam ‘’, that entire Universe in one Family, I made it my life’s mission to help build healthier, happier and compassionate communities, through the knowledge & expertise I have gained over the years.

When I started with this Mission, I realized that the world was full of Mental wellness techniques, however not many of them were scientifically proven to support mental health.

While talking to people I realized that few of them lost faith in Mental Wellness protocols just because they did not get the promised results. This is when I decided that I will curate Yoga Of Immortals (YOI ) Wellness protocols and will allow them to undergo a rigorous scientific research and validation by International Doctors to make sure the YOI protocols produced repeatable, tangible results that can be integrated with the Modern Medicine to enable better health and quality of life.

It took a couple years of effort to craft protocols that had advanced Meditative cognitive techniques from the Indian Knowledge systems along with YOI breath work, Yogic posture and sound therapy to help various wellness issues and bring a repeatable, reproducible, tangible result.

After the protocols were crafted, an IRB approved study was conducted on the YOI Protocols by an International panel of Doctors on more than 10,000 participants, , for a period of 8 weeks.

The clinical findings of scientific studies conducted by multi-disciplinary panels of physicians confirmed clinically significant beneficial effects of the practice of Yoga of Immortals IYOI) protocols, on mental, emotional and physical health of participants.

Research study on YOI has clinically proven to reduce symptoms of Insomnia, Anxiety and depression, while improving overall Quality of Life. These studies were published in peer Reviewed Medical Journals like, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Annals of Medical Research and Practice, Urology . Studies on YOI protocols showed

72% decrease in depression symptoms

75% decrease in anxiety symptoms

82% decrease in insomnia symptoms

61% decrease in urinary incontinence

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zwCxrGAAAAAJ&hl=en

The study also showed reductions in anxiety, depression and insomnia in health care workers using a non-pharmaceutical intervention. These research-backed protocols have promoted healthy living in more than a million participants across 150 countries and are being integrated into various government, healthcare, university, and corporate institutions.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I would not call it the most interesting but there have been many inspiring stories. One of the most inspiring experiences that I had was at the Hospice & Palliative care. During COVIDS 19 the Healthcare workers were facing severe Burnout. Burnout in healthcare professionals can impact the physical and mental & emotional health, and lower quality of care & their own Quality of Life. Hospice professionals particularly are at a high risk for burnout, their job can be mentally, physically & emotionally draining, staying hopeful and compassionate in such an environment can get challenging without necessary tools. As Patricia, Manager Patricia L. Daum, HOC Navigators quoted,

“ It has been a very traumatic time to serve in healthcare. Mr.Shivanand came to us with a heart of compassion and promise — he was able to give us hope that the negative symptoms we were experiencing — insomnia, anxiety and depression could be dramatically reduced with the yogic breathing modalities that he teaches. He offered to teach us for our own personal health as well as provide us tools and techniques to use with patients and family members in our care.”

“Mr. Shivanand has impacted us greatly — we have seen significant decreases in insomnia, especially. And, in the new year, we look forward to directly addressing the issues of depression and anxiety. We have also been taught how to increase joy and gratitude through these same techniques. People have commented, “I was skeptical that breathing differently could make an impact — but, it really works!!!” Mr. Shivanand has recorded breathing exercises for our team to access at any point where they might need it. He has been incredibly generous and kind. As an organization, we have appreciated his focused concern for our wellbeing and his support of our sacred work.” Patricia L. Daum, MDiv., BCC, Manager HOC Navigators

I was happy that I could bring hope, positivity in the lives of the healthcare providers and my mission is to support the Medical Fraternity as they are the backbone of a healthy compassionate community.

What advice would you give to other leaders about how to create a fantastic work culture?

With my experience of working with various institutions, each organization has its own challenges. The key is to understand their specific challenges and cater to their unique requirements by crafting protocols that address those issues.

For example, post Covid students in some educational institutes may face issues related to loneliness or addiction, the YOI Rehabilitation protocols for them will be different from those who are looking for techniques to reverse burnout, or to improve performance & resilience.

My suggestion will be

• Integrate wellness protocols in the work environment, so that when the employee/ students need support they have tools that can help them.
• The protocols must be uniquely crafted by understanding the challenges of the individuals . There cannot be one set protocol to tackle various kinds of Wellness Issue. For example, A veteran with PTSD is supported through YOI Advanced cognitive protocol, while we support the Athletes through YOI Injury prevention & Performance protocols.
• More so, the Wellness protocols should be treated as preventative tools and be included in the weekly work routine. This will aid them in their support before they break.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

There is a beautiful line by Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand, “You be the book and you be the reader and only then you shall find the truth “.

This line has been inspirational and so has been the journey of Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand. I have learnt the science of Wholisitic Wellbeing from him. Living a 200 percent life. A life where you strive for worldly success, but also equally remember that “Quality of life “is also your state of mind. So give your hundred percent on your inner growth too. When you are internally strong you can achieve a lot in the world, while still staying humble, compassionate and grateful. The most important thing that I learnt for Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand is to give back to the community and help as many people as you can.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. From your experience or research, how would you define and describe the state of being mindful?

State of Being Mindful is a deep state of Awareness. You will realize that sometimes we are physically somewhere and mentally we are not there, this either leads to less productive hours or poor quality of work. Actually it also impacts your overall experience of life itself that’s happening around you each moment. Through YOI I teach the breath work and Meditation protocols that help you reconnect to the inner self. These guided techniques help you ground and center yourself, making you more mindful with each practice.

Actually YOI Protocols is a way of life, if these protocols are included in one’s everyday life, the person will see that they are becoming more and more mindful.

This might be intuitive to you, but it will be instructive to spell this out. Can you share with our readers a few of the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of becoming mindful?

Life is happening around us, if we are not Mindful it will pass by. Just for the fact that we are alive, we must learn to Live life.

Also the moment you are aware, things happen in a different way in your body, versus when you are not mindful.For example when you are mindful you can instruct yourself to do or not do certain thing. If you are not mindful, you will do things and regret later.

The more mindful you become, you start enjoying what you are doing be it eating, working etc. Being Mindful is the first step to train your mind to take your orders rather than you being overpowered by your 5 senses and emotions , you get self control and you can choose your actions and behavior.

In the initial stages of being Mindful you try to grow over your limitations, feel calm, while as you continue the practice the protocols you bring in discipline and strength to focus. Finally you reach a state where you have full control on your 5 senses and you can guide your body rather than being enslaved.

The past 5 years have been filled with upheaval and political uncertainty. Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. From your experience or research, what are five steps that each of us can take to develop mindfulness during such uncertain times? Can you please share a story or example for each.

Yes, post pandemic the Mental health crisis is alarming and it does need attention.

We need to incorporate research backed clinically proven techniques not only in our systems but also in our personal daily routine.

Three Yoga Of Immortals ( YOI ) steps that can indeed be effective in combating burnout and promoting overall well-being. This one can easily integrate in their daily life.

Reconnecting with Your Inner self:

Take a moment for deep breathing, inhale and exhale to center yourself. Visualize a connection from the top of your head to the center of the earth. Repeat to strengthen feelings of inner peace and stability.

Self-Love:

Close your eyes and send unconditional love to each part of your body. Extend this unconditional love to your surroundings, all beings and to the entire universe, fostering empathy. Recognize an inherent potential to counteract negativity contributing to burnout.

Gratitude:

Your focus will slowly shift from stress to serenity by expressing gratitude.

Acknowledge and thank each part of your body for serving you today. Silently radiate gratitude, from your heart to your colleagues, workplace, loved ones, and the entire universe, and slowly open your eyes.

Incorporate this simple daily YOI technique to address burnout and cultivate well-being, resilience, and fulfillment in your life.

From your experience or research, what are five steps that each of us can take to effectively offer support to those around us who are feeling anxious? Can you explain?

The most important steps we can take for our loved ones who are feeling anxious is:

- Let them know you are there for them and they are not alone.

- Give them your undivided attention.

- Motivate them and by reminding them of achievement stories from their own life in the past.

- Be compassionate, loving and hopeful , let them know they matter and they are important.

- Slowly introduce them to simple wellness practices to help them feel better.

What are the best resources you would suggest for someone to learn how to be more mindful and serene in their everyday life?

- The Yoga of Immortals App based Protocols are very handy to use anywhere and anytime. Giving one flexibility to practice them at the comfort of their home as a self-help practice.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

“Healthy people make Healthy Nation “, by Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand. It’s so relevant in everyone’s life, because we all are connected, we are part of one global consciousness. If there is disharmony in one part of the world it impacts the global consciousness, similarly if we create compassion, self love, acceptance in one part of the community it will slowly and steadily impact the global community.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I believe there is goodness in everyone, my mission is to integrate research backed Wellness protocols in our systems and daily life of people to build compassionate healthy communities.

What is the best way our readers can follow you online?

You can follow me on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishanshivanand/

https://www.instagram.com/ishan.shivanand/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/IshanShivanand

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!