Yoga And The Medical Science

Modern medical science and Yoga are rational,We must remember Plato's words when he said, "The
scientific and universal in outlook and hence are naturaltreatment of the part shouldn't be attempted without a
allies. Their combination has the potential to provide ustreatment of the entirety," meaning that the treatment
with a holistic health science that will be a boon for theof the body without treating the mind and soul would
psychosomatic health of our masses. Yoga involves abe waste of time. Efficient medical scientist does the
holistic approach to healing and  integrates healingsame. A smiling, caring physician with sweet voice and
with the culture, diet, environment, and tradition.gentle touch is more of a Yogic therapist.
Modern allopathic medicine that originated fromYoga can help those recovering from accidents and
Greco-Roman Medicine and Northern Europeanphysical traumas to get back on their feet faster and
traditions is built on the science of anatomy, physiology,with better functional ability.
and biochemistry and the structure-function relationshipKUNDALINI JAGRAN
between cells, tissues, and organs. Allopathic medicineLajpat Rai, an eminent Physiologist has conducted
focuses on diagnosis, treatment, and cure for acuteextensive study on Chakras and Kundalini Jagran.
illnesses via potent pharmaceutical drugs, surgery,According to Kundalini Yoga, the potential energy
radiation, stem cell and other treatment modalities.located in the Chakras can be converted into kinetic
Modern medical advancements provide the rationaleform either spontaneously or by meditational practices.
for the integration of various traditional healingThis phenomenon of conversion of potential energy
techniques including Yoga to promote healing, health,into kinetic energy has been termed as "Awakening of
and longevity. It is imperative that advances in medicineKundalini" which leads to self actualization. Kundalini
include the holistic approach of Yoga to face theChakras are claimed to be vortices of energy spinning
current challenges in health care. The antiquity of Yogain circles like transformers. They are said to govern
must be united with the innovations of modernand regulate the flow and dispersion of power (etheric
medicine to improve quality of life throughout the world.or pranic energy of yoga) in an electrical human
Modern medicine has the ultimate aim and goal ofinfrastructure comprised of an extraordinary circuitry
producing a state of optimum physical and mentalof 72 thousand subtle channels (sukshama prana
health thus ultimately leadings to the optimum well beingnadis). Quantitatively, the five chakras on the spine are
of the individual. Yoga also aims at the attainment offurther claimed to be endowed with the qualities and
mental and physical well being though the methodologyattributes possessed and manifested by five cosmic
differs. While modern medicine has a lot to offerelements of earth, water, fire, air and ether
mankind in its treatment and management of acuterespectively. Intensive meditation on the chakras sites
illness, accidents and communicable diseases, Yogaat spine and cranium by way of visualization of a given
has  lot to offer in terms of preventive, promotive andchakra symbolically in terms of a number of petals of
rehabilitative methods in addition to many managementa lotus, its colour, sound and other ingredients
methods to tackle emerging challenges like Obesity,surcharges the body-mind-consciousness complex at
Diabetes, Heart, Joint and Psychosomatic Disordersall the five levels.
etc to modern medical science.Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY:NEUROPLASTICITY
The study of anatomy and physiology is a greatThinking and engaging in activity can physically alter the
meeting point for modern medicine and Yoga. Yogabrain, a concept called, "neuroplasticity". Repeated
therapists and practitioners can benefit from thethoughts and activities can turn our genes on or off.
intricate and detailed ‘break-down study' of modernModern scientists have observed that when you think
medicine where the body is broken down into manyrepeatedly, concentrate or meditate, you turn on genes
systems, then into many organs, many tissues andto make proteins that change the structure of the
finally into billions of cells including the emerging conceptneurons and increase the number of  connections
of stem cells. On the other hand the Yogic " holistic"between brain cells. In essence, neurons become
view of the Pancha Kosha (the five sheathedbetter communicators.
existence) can help modern doctors realize that weUniversity of Wisconsin neuroscientist Richard
are not just, ‘one-body' organisms but have fourDavidson demostrated the effect of meditation on the
more bodies that are equally if not more important. Webrain. He measured the brain activity of the novices
are a manifestation of the Divine and have, not onlyand highly practiced Budhist monks, and found that ,
the physical body but also an energy body, a mentalunlike the novices, when the monks meditated on
body, a body of wisdom and a body of eternal bliss."unconditional loving-kindness and compassion," they
An understanding of the psychic anatomy andgenerated powerful gama rays- the type involved in
physiology of Nadis, Chakras and Bindus when coupledhigher brain processes like perception and
with the practical understanding of the details of theconsciousness. Thus, the repeated mental activity of
physical body can inspire real knowledge of the self inmeditation altered brain functioning.
all health care personnel. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi hasHEALTHY DIET:
tried to correlate 37 areas of human physiology withYoga teaches us that the cause of most disease is
37 areas of intelligence or consciousness as availablethrough under (Ajjeranatvam), over (Atijeeranatvam)
in Vedic literature. Some of the examples are theor wrong (Kujeeranatvam) digestion. Yoga also
correlation between Nyaya and the Thalamus as wellteaches us about the approach to food, the types of
as Samkya and the types of neuronal activity.food as well as the importance of timings and
In his excellent book, "The Shambala Guide to Yoga",moderation in diet. A combination of the modern
Dr. George Feuerstein says, "Long before physicistsaspects of diet with a dose of Yogic thought can help
discovered that matter is energy vibrating at a certainus eat not only the right things but also in the right way
rate, the Yogis of India had treated this body-mind as aand at the right time thus assuring good health and
playful manifestation of the ultimate power (Shakti), thelongevity. Eminent Physiologist Prof Lajpat Rai in his
dynamic aspect of Reality. They realized that tovast scientific studies has given great importance to
discover the true Self, one had to harness attentionYogic Dietary Regimen and has observed the effect
because the energy of the body-mind followsof Fasting Therapy to buildup the internal milieu by
‘attention'. A crude example of this process is therestoring the homeostatic mechanisms.
measurable increase of blood flow to our fingers andRELAXATION:
toes that occurs when we concentrate on them.Relaxation is a key element of any Yoga therapy
Yogis are very careful about where they place theirregimen and must not be forgotten at any cost.
attention, for the mind creates patterns of energy,Shavasana has been reported to help a lot in
causing habits of thought and behavior that can behypertensive patients and practices such as Savitri
detrimental to the pursuit of genuine happiness".Pranayama, Chandra Pranayama, Kayak Kriyas, Yoga
Professor Dr SV Rao, an eminent medical doctor andNidra, Anulom Viloma Prakriyas and Marmanasthanam
Yoga Scientist says, "Yoga is a science because it isKriya are also available to the person requiring this
verifiable. Yoga as a science of living is also an art.state of complete relaxation. It is important to
Yoga, therefore, may be defined as the science andremember that relaxation on its own is less effective
art of optimum living"than relaxation following activity.
PREVENTION OF DISEASE:AGING:
As per the concept of great Maharishi Patanjali, YogicAging is inevitable and Yoga can help us to age
lifestyle that includes the Yama and Niyama can helpgracefully.  Healthy diet, regular exercise, avoidance
prevent a great many of the modern diseases likeof negative thoughts & habits and cultivation of the
Hepatitis B and AIDS. Cleanliness that is taught throughpositive attitude and a healthy lifestyle can help us to
Soucha can help prevent and limit the spread ofage with dignity. Yoga can also help our ‘silver
contagious and infectious diseases. Mental peace andcitizens' retain their mental ability and prevent
right approach to Yoga such as Samatvamdegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease,
(equanimity of mind) and Vairagya (dispassionateAlzheimer's and various other aging problems.  Swami
detachment) can help prevent many of theGitananda Giri, Yogashri Krishnamacharya, Kannaiah
psychosomatic ailments running wild in the modernYogi, Swami Suddananda Bharathi, Yogeshwarji,
world. If these Yogic values as well as practices suchYogendraji, Swami Ram Dev and  Padma Bhushan
as Asanas, Pranayamas, Kriyas and Dhyana areBKS Iyengar are but a few of the Yogis who have
inculcated in the modern human race, we can preventshown us that its is possible to grow old without losing
virtually all diseases that abound today.   Howeverany of the physical or mental faculties of youth.
the ‘will' to do so is also of paramount importanceLIFE STYLE CHANGES:
as there is no money or fame in prevention and weYoga helps patients to learn to make an effort and
don't know what we have prevented because wechange their life style for the better so that their health
have prevented it from happening!can improve. Life style modification is the buzzword in
To quote the eminent neurosurgeon  Dr Bmodern medical circles and Yoga can play a vital role
Ramamurthi, "The widespread revival of the Sciencein this regard. Yogic diet, Asanas, Pranayamas, Mudras,
of Yoga by modern Yogic teachers and Gurus, bodesKriyas and relaxation are an important aspect of
good for mankind. The only way to keep fit & healthylifestyle modification. Dr Dean Ornish, an eminent
is through the Science of Yoga, which transcends allAmerican medical doctor who has shown that Yogic
religions and cults. It is a science of the mind and thelifestyle can reverse heart disease. He says, "Yoga is
body and needs to be practiced by all human beingsa system of perfect tools for achieving union as well
to ensure their own future".as healing."
PROMOTIVE HEALTH:Scientists such as Dr BK Anand, Dr KK Datey, Dr KN
The practice of Yoga leads to the efficient functioningUdupa, Dr B Ramamurthy, Dr W Selvamurthy, Dr T
of the body with homeostasis through improvedDesiraju, Dr Nagendra, Dr Nagaratna, Dr Shirley Telles,
functioning of the psycho-immuno-neuro-endocrineDr MV Bhole, Dr Rajapurkar, Dr Mittimohan, Dr Lajpat
system. A balanced equilibrium between theRai and Dr Madanmohan and Yogacharya Dr.Ananda
sympathetic and parasympathetic wings of theBalayogiBhavananihave contributed extensively
autonomic nervous system leads to a dynamic statetowards the scientific understanding of Yoga Vidya
of health. Yoga not only benefits the nervous systemand Yoga Vidhi
but also the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive,Dr VSSM Rao writes that, "The tradition of Yoga is so
muscular, endocrine and immune system.perfect that we have to seek ways of expounding it
Hath Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sagein modern scientific terminology instead of simply
of 15th century India, in his book  Hatha Yogaevaluating it in terms of current concepts of science,
Pradipika, is the most practiced form of body discipline.which is expanding so rapidly that a time may come
In the last forty to fifty years, Hath Yoga has alsowhen man would like to live by his intuition rather than
been accepted as  " Therapeutic Modality" all overby scientific planning, bristling with conflicts and
the world , supported by many scientific studiesbalancing a number of variables not completely
Various types of yogic ‘ Kriyas' or techniques, mayunderstood."
be Asans, pranayama, mudras, bandhas andThis is because Yoga has a sound system of etiology,
Meditation etc have been administered to demonstratediagnosis and pathogenesis of disease. Thus, we have
their effect on health and diseases in a scientifica complete system by itself in Yoga
manner.Kundalini Jagran
DISEASE REVERSALThe importance of Yoga in India is known from the
Yoga has a lot to offer in terms of psychosomatictime of Krishna which is evident from Gita.
disorders and in stress related disorders such asLord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita (vs. 16-17, Chapter VI)
diabetes, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy,has said, "Yoga is not for him who eats too much or
hypertension, back pain and other functional disorders.too little. It is not for him who sleeps too much or too
Yoga can help reduce and in some cases eliminatelittle. It is for him who is temperate in food and
drug dosage and dependence in patients sufferingrecreation, temperate in his exertion at work,
from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, epilepsy, anxiety,temperate in sleep, yoga puts an end to all sorrows"
bronchial asthma, constipation, dyspepsia, insomnia,With the increasing evidence gathered by modern
arthritis, sinusitis and dermatological disorders.medical scientists in coordination with Yoga practioners,
Asanas are probably the best tool to disrupt anythey have no hitch to say their patients ‘Never fear
learned patterns of wrong muscular efforts.shadows. They simply mean there is light somewhere
Pranayama and Pratyahara are extremely efficientnearby'
techniques to divert the individual's attention from the‘I burn my candle at both ends;
objects of the outer environment, to increase aIt may not last the night.
person's energy potential and 'interiorize' them, toBut oh! my friends, and ah! my foes,
achieve control of one's inner functioning.It makes a lovely light.