Pricey Yoga Mats Defy Recession

'Mindfulness' effective in preventing relapse

(NEWSER) - The best prescription for recurrent depression isn't pills or talk therapy, it's "mindfulness"—a combination of meditation, yoga, and breathing techniques that empties the mind of negative thoughts. So claims a UK mental health organization so impressed by its effectiveness in combating chronic depression that they're urging doctors to start prescribing courses for patients. Clinical trials have shown that it halves the rate of relapse in people with recurrent depression, they note, urging Britain's national health insurance system to start covering it. More»

From food to handbags, high-cost items are suffering

(NEWSER) - Hundred-dollar melons and pricey designer handbags used to sell so well in Japan that companies considered luxury goods a mass-market sector. But while the Japanese kept on shopping through previous recessions, this one has produced a sea change. The luxury industry has been hard hit, and the change may be permanent, the New York Times reports. The local version of Wal-Mart, in the red for seven years, is finally on track to turn a profit this year. More»

Ashrams enjoying newfound popularity

(NEWSER) - Many left unemployed or weary by recession are heading to yoga retreats, where they get meals, lodging, spiritual education, and quiet reflection for some chores and a low fee. “I figured if I stayed for a year, the economy would be warming up by then, and I could head back and see what’s available,” one participant—who’s been at Pennsylvania’s Himalayan Institute since 2007—tells the New York Times. More»

Upper crust forced to adjust as struggling clubs aim for the common touch

(NEWSER) - Struggling country clubs have decided to ditch their exclusiveness to stave off extinction, the Washington Post reports, slashing fees and opening facilities to the public. Long-standing members often sniff as dress codes vanish, nachos replace filet mignon on menus, pickup trucks appear in parking spots, and the public floods in—but directors say it's the only way to stay afloat amid tough economic times and changing demographics. More»

The economy has changed social etiquette

(NEWSER) - If you've got it, don't flaunt it. Forbes warns against boasting about these lavish purchases,:

1. As your friends' faces get droopy, it's not cool to discuss cosmetic surgery splurges.
2. The duck confit may have been exquisite, but resist describing a lavish meal.
3. Lest you suffer the same scrutiny as Michigan's Big Three, keep that private jet under wraps.