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

June 25, 2009

Numerous

studies have been done in the past few decades on psycho-physiological 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.

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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.com

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