This page contains information about the USH India Webinar held on 1st August 2026.

Title: "How can Yoga and Naturopathy Help Families Affected by Usher Syndrome by Dr KM Kavana | USH India Webinar"

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81DpJ8D1HZE&list=PLnJv-HS_k052ZM51uHe5Spi5MYeg7EHLT&index=8

Contents:

Summary
Youtube Video Description
Full Transcript

SUMMARY

Key Outcomes

Dr. K.M. Kavana, a yoga and naturopathy physician with three relatives affected by Usher syndrome, presented evidence-based mechanisms by which yoga and naturopathy can slow disease progression and support mental health in Usher syndrome patients. The session emphasized that yoga cannot cure RP or restore lost vision, but consistent practice can slow progression, improve balance, and reduce stress-driven deterioration. Naturopathy and conventional (allopathic) should go hand in hand , not competing systems.

Decisions Made

Yoga and naturopathy should be practiced alongside allopathic treatment, not as replacements

No yoga asanas — especially balance postures — should be attempted without clinical supervision
General pranayama and meditation are safe for broader self-practice; asanas require individual prescription

Core Concepts Covered

1..Naturopathy Principles

Body has an innate healing capacity; the practitioner's role is to create the right environment for healing
Health is a "symphony" of sleep, exercise, emotional balance, and diet — imbalance in any one disrupts the whole
Root cause is always addressed before symptoms

2..Yoga & Eye Health

A 2021 study (Nims Hospital, Rajasthan) showed 55% improvement in low myopia patients after a 30-min/day, 5-day/week, 3-week ocular yoga protocol
Key ocular exercises: blinking, eye washing, directional movements, and trataka (candle gazing for concentration and circulation)
Early-stage intervention yields significantly better outcomes than late-stage

3..Yoga & Neuroprotection (RP)

Yoga stimulates smooth muscle contraction → releases myokines → produces BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
BDNF attaches to retinal ganglion receptors → increases retinal and choroidal blood circulation → slows RP progression
Goal is progression delay (e.g., extending functional vision from 15 to 30 years), not reversal

4..Mental Health & Usher Syndrome

A 2015 study (Domaniscus) using CT/MRI found structural brain changes in Usher patients linked to mood, memory, concentration, anxiety, and depression
Chromosomes 8 and 14 — involved in Usher syndrome — are also linked to mood and behavioral regulation
Chronic stress creates allostatic overload, disables the body's self-healing mechanism, elevates cortisol, increases oxidative stress, and further accelerates retinal degeneration
Yoga reduces cortisol via the hypothalamic-Pitutary-adrenal axis and improves interoception (body-mind awareness), directly regulating the emotional center

5..Balance

Usher syndrome causes vestibular dysfunction → mismatched signals to the brain → impaired balance
Yoga postures (e.g., vrikshasana/tree pose) train single-point concentration to stabilize balance
Walking exercises (straight line, crisscross, reverse) progressively challenge and retrain the balance system

Caregiver Role

Family members should practice yoga themselves first, then practice alongside the person with Usher — not merely supervise
Caregiver mental health must be maintained to provide effective support
Allow open conversation about fears and frustrations; support independent decision-making; avoid judgment

Monitoring Progress

No blood test exists for balance or vision field changes; progress is tracked via routine eye assessments, symptom observation and self-reporting
Routine eye assessments (refraction, visual field tests) with a retina specialist provide objective data
Example shared: Geri's son had no eyeglass prescription change for 4 years after combining Ayurvedic treatment with retina specialist monitoring, versus annual changes previously

Action Items

Dr. Kavana: Share research papers, book/website links, and yoga resources in the Usher India WhatsApp group
Geri: Post naturopathy/yoga content on the Usher India blog for centralized access. Post recording of the webinar in the USH India Youtube channel with corrected captions. Post transcript in USH India Blog (language translation available there).
All members: Contact Dr. Kavana directly for individualized consultation (in-person in Bangalore/Mumbai or home visits available)

YOUTUBE VIDEO DESCRIPTION

This video shows the presentation of Dr. KM Kavana, given at the USH India Zoom Meeting held on the 1st of August 2026. Dr. KM Kavana is a Doctor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences.

ACCESSIBILITY:

*Both ASL and ISL interpretation are available in the video.

*Auto-generated Closed Captioning is available. [The captions will be edited later.]

*A summary of this webinar is available here:

https://ushindia.blogspot.com/p/20260801-ush-india-webinar-information.html

To translate the summary to a different language, use the Google Translate button at the top of the page.

*A full transcript will be added later.

TOPIC COVERED:

1..What is Naturopathy?

2..Naturopathy vs Allopathy – when to seek help from one or the other?

3..What health conditions occur with Usher, or co-occur or add complications to Usher syndrome?

Vision Issues: Myopia, Macular Edema, Photopsia (Flashes of Light), Cataract, Optic Neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), etc
Balance problems
Hearing Issues
Mental Health: Depression, Stress
Add complications to Usher (vision): Diabetes, Low hemoglobin, etc

4..Based on scientific research, which Yoga and Naturopathy treatments have shown promise in helping with the conditions listed above? Explain/ Demonstrate each.

Eye activities: Yoga Ocular Exercises, Trataka, Palming, Eye movement
Breathing exercises
Meditation
Diet and Nutrition
Lifestyle Changes

5..How does a Naturopathy doctor typically treat a patient? What would a session with an Usher patient involve?

6..When should a patient go to a Naturopathy doctor, and what can be done at home (DIY)?

7..Are there good websites where we can learn more about Naturopathy treatments for Usher or Retinitis Pigmentosa or Hearing Loss?

8..How should a treatment be evaluated so that we can properly determine if it is “effective”?

9..Can Yoga or Naturopathy slow the progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) or hearing loss? What does current scientific evidence say? What are the limitations of existing research?

10. How can Yoga help with balance problems commonly seen in Usher syndrome?

11. How can Yoga and Naturopathy support mental health in people with Usher syndrome?

12. How can family members and caregivers support a person with Usher syndrome through Yoga and lifestyle practices?

CONNECT WITH US:

For more information about Usher Syndrome and the Usher Syndrome Coalition:

Visit https://www.usher-syndrome.org

http://www.youtube.com/@UsherCoalition

Connect with the Usher Syndrome India (USH India) Community:

Email: info.india@usher-syndrome.org

USH India Blog: https://ushindia.blogspot.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ushersyndromeindia2020

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ushersyndromeindia