Yoga is a complete and precisely developed method of fusing the individual consciousness with the vast, all-pervasive consciousness. Accepting yoga’s spiritual roots and philosophical tenets is unquestionably more significant than recognizing its superficial applicability to its physical asanas, poses, and breathing techniques. By completely relaxing the body and putting the mind in a condition of quiet tranquility, yogis who have mastered the practice of yoga are able to manage the agile activation of the body and mind. It eliminates all signs of physical and mental exhaustion and assists in directing the conscious force into the innermost regions of the self. This finally leads to a trance condition that permits spiritual emancipation and a transformation of all aspects of one’s existence. Only when the awakened self experiences spiritual illumination and transcending thoughts, is it possible to realize (Brahma Vidya) ultimate knowledge.
The concepts of yoga deal with this awakening of the inner realms of the soul, as mentioned in the Upanishads. Yoga is an all-encompassing discipline that strengthens and enhances one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The science of yoga focuses on enhancing the body’s health and strength in relation to physical aspects of life. The first phase of a yoga sadhana focuses on the asana, pranayama, and various yogic kriyas of refinement. As one advances in yoga, the physical postures of the body that are practiced through various Asanas, bandhas, and mudras harmonize intra-body and brain activities and facilitate the activation of otherwise dormant vital energy centers. This includes the “Hathayoga” exercises (kriyas) taught for internal body-system cleanings, such as Neti, Dhouti, Basti, Nauli, Vajroli, and Kapalbhati. Fasting, austerity, penance, and other such disciplines assist to purify the physical and mental selves and improve self-control.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the groundbreaking research findings that have contributed to the modern world’s validation and acceptance of this ancient science. According to the current fashion, laboratory experimentation, demonstration, and verification make up the majority of the criteria for determining whether a concept or a theory is valid and true.
With the aid of yogic asanas and kriyas, Dr. R. Nagaratna of SVYASA University has had amazing success in healing hundreds of patients with various cardiovascular and chest-related disorders. Her effectiveness in curing asthma patients without the use of any medicine by having them perform particular pranayamas and breathing exercises has given hope and direction to the treatment of this incurable disease/disorder. Pranayama, or controlled breathing and focus, is a technique for increasing and harmonizing the flow of prana (life force energy) within the body. cleaning the bronchial tube, increasing lung capacity, and balancing the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen.
The first few researchers of the modern era to describe the results of systematic research on the benefits of yoga in the management of diabetes mellitus were Dr. Dharmvir N. Varandani and Swami Anand. The Central Council of Research in Indigenous Medicine and Homoeopathy had invited them to discuss the findings of their preliminary research at a national scientific congress.
A l clinical research including 283 diabetic patients of diverse ages was conducted at the “Yogic Treatment cum Research Centre” in Jaipur for three months. A balanced meal of 98 gm fats, 400 gm carbohydrates, 100 gm proteins, and a total of about 2900 calories was supplied to the patients. During the study period, the subjects’ urine, blood sugar, weight, glucose, ECG, and other tests were conducted consecutively. Under the correct supervision, the patients were performing several important kriyas each morning and evening, as well as sarvangasana, halasana, mayurasana, padahastasana, uttana padasana, sirshasana, janusirsasana, shavasana, and pavanmuktasana. Their schedule also included time for spiritual activities, daily prayers, and some meditational sadhanas.
Results revealed that 52% of patients had shown considerable improvement after three months, and the majority had been completely cured. The remaining individuals either have diabetes for more than half their age or are in an acute state. A few more days of treatment continued to provide beneficial results.
Yoga and the Heart, an article by Dr Lakshmikanthan, appeared in the 1977 annual issue of “Yoga Life.” His research on two groups of hypertension patients in the government hospital, where allopathic medications were largely useless, was summarised in this article. Along with high blood pressure, the individuals in the first group also had weak hearts or other cardiac issues. The second group’s members had heart health.
The patients in the first group were made to perform shavasana while supporting their legs with soft pillows. Additional practices of sarvangasana, halasana, and viparitkarni mudra were provided to the second group. The patient felt generally at ease and began receiving good sleep, which was the initial advantage observed in both groups. In the second group, normalizing the B. P. had considerable healing effects. Many people in the first group started to react favorably to the medications.
Dr K. K. Date has observed the positive effects of savasana on heart conditions in related investigations. Dr Shrinivasan of Patna, India, and Dr Benson of the United States both documented the beneficial effects of yogic meditation on patients with various heart ailments.
Asanas are forms of physical training that have been recommended by science and that naturally affect the mind-body system. For instance, the stretching and compression of the muscles control the blood flow in a balanced way, bringing about an energising freshness in the body parts and improving the muscles’ flexibility. Other workout activities like Danda-baithaka and some aerobics may produce quick benefits, but they typically cause the muscles to harden and run the risk of being overworked to the point of damage. Yoga asanas also have the benefit of being perfectly biomechanically sequenced since if one asana demands forward bending, there is another in the same set that requires backward bending.
When it comes to the benefits of both physical and mental health together, Sirsasana is regarded as the best. However, it should only be performed after receiving adequate instruction and having familiarity with other asanas. Dr. Alexandro W. Julian, the director of the Thord Clinic of Meditation in Poland, said that this higher level asana had been the subject of the first scientific investigation prior to 1980. Using X-ray, ECG, EMG, and other tools, he evaluated the effects of sirsasana on several bodily organs and physiological processes in a healthy subject.
The participant who was undergoing the study was mentally focused and experienced with this asana. He was forced to perform this exercise for two to three minutes on an empty stomach, followed by shavasana. The crucial variables should be sold prior to, during, and following asana practice. The immediate favorable effects were noted in the balancing of serum levels in the blood, control of blood flow, increase in WBC count, etc. These were suggestive of enhancing the body’s resilience to illnesses and preventing coronary artery blockage, heart attacks, and strokes. The x-ray shows an expansion of lung volume without any pressure on the heart; the pulmonary test revealed an increase in oxygen intake of 33% during inspiration and a decrease in carbon dioxide changes of 10% during expiration. The pace of breathing has returned to normal. These provided additional evidence that cardiac relaxation and an increase in vital capacity were real.
During the “First Conference on the Application of Yoga in Rehabilitation Therapy,” which took place in 1978, the findings of a control clinical trial on the effects of Bhujangasana were presented. This asana has been shown to lower stress and restore normal blood pressure.
Sarvangasana and mayurasana were found by Kaivalyadham, Lonavala (India) studies to be the most effective poses for preserving regular health and fitness. On anaemic or physically weak patients, these asanas were also discovered to be simpler to perform and more effective than the other asanas.
In addition to establishing the scientific validity of yogasanas, the studies from the previous year paved the path for further study on yoga therapy for the treatment of psychosomatic illnesses around the world. This broadens the range of ways that yoga can be used to improve public health. These ostensibly straightforward habits can have a remarkable positive impact on both physical and mental health.
