Yoga as a therapy-4: SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF APPLYING YOGA AS A THERAPY

[Guest guest]

Why cant something be done to augment the research process in Yoga? Knowing that it gives so many benefits , we have to.--- On Thu, 25/6/09, Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Bhavanani <yognat wrote:

Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Bhavanani <yognat Yoga as a therapy-4: SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF APPLYING YOGA AS A THERAPY Date: Thursday, 25 June, 2009, 1:32 PM

 

 

 

Yoga as a therapy-4: SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF APPLYING YOGA AS A THERAPY

 

Numerous studies have been done in the past few decades on psycho-physiologica l and biochemical changes occurring following practice of Yoga. A few clinical trials have also been done that have shown promise despite Yoga not being ideally suited for the scientific gold standard of ‘double-blind’ clinical trials. It is virtually impossible for subjects to be taught Yoga without their knowing it is Yoga! The difficulty of finding right methods and apparatus to study higher aspects of Yoga is still to be overcome as there doesn’t seem to be much money in it and as we know, money makes the world go round!

Some of the researched benefits that are quite well proven are given below to facilitate an understanding of how Yoga works at least at the physical level though we are yet to research and understand subtler effects of Yoga.

 

SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF YOGA

 

It has been found that yoga produces stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium with a tendency toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance rather than the usual stress-induced sympathetic dominance. This is of great potential in psychosomatic stress related illnesses that abound in populations all over the world.

Both the heart rate and blood pressure decrease implying a better state of relaxation leading to reduced load on the heart. The heart rate response to exercise and stress is also found to be lowered with a quicker return to normal levels post exercise. Ultimately all of this leads to an improved cardiovascular efficiency.

The respiratory rate decreases with improved respiratory efficiency. Amplitude and smoothness of respiration increases along with other pulmonary parameters like tidal volume, vital capacity and breath-holding time.

It is found that the alpha waves in EEG increase implying a relaxed state of mind. Theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation and other concentrative practices.

The gastrointestinal, endocrine and excretory functions improve with better utilization of energy resources for optimal function.

Musculoskeletal flexibility and range of joint motion increase giving an improved sense of physical health enabling one to perform day-to-day activities comfortably and with ease. Physical posture also improves giving self confidence and strength to face challenges of life better.

Strength, resiliency, endurance and energy levels increase thus giving vitality for daily activities.

It is also found that weight of those practicing normalizes. In those who are overweight, yoga reduces weight bringing it to normal range while in those who are underweight an increase occurs bringing it to the normal range.

Yoga improves both quantity and quality of sleep. This is an important ‘quality of life’ issue for many patients of chronic conditions who find great improvement with Yoga. The pain threshold is also raised enabling such patients to tolerate and understand the nature of their pain better.

It has been seen that Yoga increases the immunity thus creating a sense of fortification against infections that can occur when immunity is weakened. On the other hand it is also found that yoga is useful in patients of auto immune disorders where the reaction against their own body in reduced.

 

SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF YOGA

There are many psychological changes that occur with the practice of Yoga. This is especially true if Yoga is understood and practiced as a way of life. Some of the major changes that occur are given below.

· The somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase with Yoga. It is also found that mood improves and subjective well-being increases. As health is a ‘state of well being’ this aspect is of vital importance and must be understood of being of great value for all patients. If we are in a better mood, those around us can also be in a better mood and harmony both external and internal results. Swamiji used to say, ‘mocking is catching’ and then extol us to act happy even when we weren’t, for if you act happy you will become happy sooner than later.

 

The self-acceptance and self-actualization increase creating inner harmony that then results in reduction of the disharmony that is the primary cause of the disease in the first palace. The primary psychological cause of many disorders can be traced to the fact that people hate themselves or have been comparing themselves with unrealistic models and expectations leading to a sense of disappointment resulting finally in the manifest disease.

Social adjustment is found to increase with Yoga and this is an important aspect of health, social health. Many health disorders result from social tensions and if a sense of adjustment and accommodation is developed, many such problems can be avoided or rectified.

Yoga is found to decreases the anxiety, depression and hostility thus improving both inner and outer aspects of one’s life with a healthy interaction of the individual with society.

Psychomotor functions such as grip strength, balance, dexterity and fine motor skills, eye hand coordination and reaction time, steadiness and depth perception, and integrated functioning of body parts improves with Yoga. This enables the mind-body complex to work together creating health, harmony and a sense of well being.

Cognitive functions such as attention, concentration, memory, and learning efficiency improve with Yoga. This is useful when dealing with children suffering from learning disabilities. So many such childhood difficulties can be managed by introducing Yoga into the school health care and educational system. I have personally been witness to the improvement of cognitive functions in so many children in the past 16 years of working with them at Pondicherry that I am surprised it has not yet been introduced for young children all over the world in the way it should.

 

SOME BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF YOGA

Biochemical studies on Yoga practice have shown a clear cut improvement in the biochemical profile indicating an anti-stress and antioxidant effect which is important in prevention of degenerative diseases.

It is found that there is a decrease in levels of blood glucose (good for diabetics), total white blood cell count (lesser infection), total cholesterol (better fat metabolism), triglycerides (better fat metabolism), LDL (less of the naughty fat that is bad for the heart and blood vessels) and VLDL (less of another naughty fat that is bad for the heart).

There is also an increase in levels of HDL cholesterol (the good guy who mops up all extra fat from blood stream), ATPase (giving more energy), hemoglobin (better oxygenation of tissues), thyroxin (better metabolism) and total serum protein (rebuilding capacity).

 

An understanding of these changes at physiological, psychological and biochemical levels helps us to consciously promote Yoga as a therapy with renewed vigour and take up the challenge of helping our population become more health conscious and healthy thus making this planet a better place for all of us.

-- Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi BhavananiChairmanICYER and Yoganjali Natyalayam25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar NagarPondicherry, South Indiawww.icyer..comwww.geocities. com/yognat2001------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --DISCLAIMER : Information transmitted in this e-mail is proprietary to Ananda Ashram at ICYER, Pondicherry, South India. It is intended only for the addressee and may contain private, confidential and/or privileged material. Review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by any person other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. Please be aware that this email may have been a group mailing (bcc) and if you received this through error we

apologize. If you have received this communication in error, please contact us at yognat (AT) gmail (DOT) com and delete the material from any stored format/computer.

ICC World Twenty20 England '09 exclusively on ! CRICKET