Yoga is a drugless treatment process which emphasizes on Panchakoshas they are Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya. Yoga is not just a medical intervention but rather an ancient traditional, spiritual practice that brings whole individual into balance. There is a saying “मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बंध मोक्षयोः” which means, the manas of an individual is responsible for the collision among bandha and moksha. Here we can relate this to modern world, where evidences show that one’s low will power/imbalance in mindful thoughts leading to many psychosomatic disorders. Patanjali states, “योगः चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः”-Yoga helps in cessation of movements of consciousness. Thus, Yoga is the art and science of mental discipline through which the mind becomes cultured and matured.
In Yoga and Naturopathy food, thoughts and rest are the pure medicine which could replace the conventional medicines to treat many illnesses. A review by Vicki Brower stating: “Mind-Body research moves towards mainstream” concluded that ‘How stress influences both on the amount and types of food that people eat, varies’.
Yoga not only focuses on postures but also on an individual’s lifestyle starting from waking up from bed, food habits and daily chores. As Hippocrates once said, “Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” which was explained even before him in our Yogic text like Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
YOGA AND STRESS
Many in today’s world live in “sympathetic overdrive” this occurs when the body perceives a continuous stressor. The prevalence rate is around 75%-80% according to CDC. Many evidences show that yoga is stressbuster and can prevent and reduce the disease if it is given as a therapy. In 2011, Catherine explored the “Therapeutic effect of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life” which states, yoga is helpful in dissolving the stress and overcome other lifestyle disorders. In 2013, Naveen GH also found relation between cortisol and antidepressant effects of yoga, where yoga was successful in decreasing sympathetic overdrive and cortisol output.
YOGA AND GENETICS
We all know that DNA is a functional unit and contains instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. Yoga as a therapy has helped to bring changes even at DNA level. Review by Mrityunjaya Rathore - "Implication of asana, pranayama and meditation on telomere stability" was successful in assessing the available data on the effectiveness of asana, pranayama and meditation in maintaining telomere and telomerase. Thus, the conclusion is that practice of yoga can help to maintain genomic integrity and are of key importance to human health and lifestyle disorders.
Similarly, in 2008 Dean Ornish found a significant association between lifestyle changes and increased telomerase activity in human peripheral blood. We know that treating the core of the disease is most important aspect in Yoga and Naturopathy. Thus, this proves it.
YOGA AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Yoga practices can increase multiple neurotransmitters and hormones such as GABA, Serotonin and dopamine which are all-natural antidepressants. Many evidences shown to increase levels of melatonin which helps to initiate sleep and its quality as well as increasing levels of oxytocin. Multiple studies by Streeter, Jayaram and Donaldson, have shown that practice of yoga and meditation will work in increasing GABA levels in the brain. Thus, reducing the root cause that is stress.
YOGA AND INFLAMMATION
Inflammation is body's natural immune response to infection, injury and stress. In multiple studies from others like Thomas, Bhargav, Serrano, yoga has been found to decrease inflammatory markers such as CRP and cytokines in blood and increase natural immunoglobulins. Recent research by Christian and Andridge has shown that those who practice regular yoga have higher levels of leptin and adiponectin in their bodies. These are natural chemicals that alleviate information and act as cardioprotective too.
YOGA FOR PEDIATRICS
Growing amount of evidence is showing that yoga and other mindfulness-based practices are paramount for today's children. According to National institute of health children who practice yoga have an increased sense of self awareness and self-confidence. According to 2007 National health survey, mind body therapies including yoga was the most favored complementary medicine practices among children with mental health problems. In 2008, Galantino performed a systematic review and found 24 studies of yoga for children which concluded that there was certainly positive evidence regarding the use of Yoga in the pediatric population. In a research review from 2014, Hagen et al. Suggested that school-based yoga programs may help students improve self-regulation of emotions, stress coping skills, resiliency and overall mood. In 2016, 14 controlled studies were evaluated showing that yoga appears to be an encouraging therapy and stress management intervention for children and adolescents.
YOGA IN BACK PAIN AND ARTHRITIS
The American College of rheumatology states that exercise and physical activity is necessary part of an effective treatment program for patients with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Authors like Tilbrook and HR Nagendra showed importance of yoga therapy to improve pain, back functions, spinal mobility, depression and anxiety in patients with chronic low back pain to a greater degree than physical therapy. In 2015, Moonaz at Johns Hopkins University conducted largest randomized control trial of yoga on arthritis and health benefits were observed on different scales after 8 weeks of intervention. Of great interest, almost all benefits that were seen earlier where still observable nine months after study completion.
Although yoga helps to treat many diseases but should be practiced as said by Patanjali in Yoga sutras. He said “तत्र स्थितौ यत्नो अभ्यास:” which means continuous practice is needed to overcome the struggle. The practice of Yoga is not as easy as taking medications, but mounting evidences suggests it is worth the effort and investment. It can help to uncover why and how one’s illness may have started, and the practice can help one to see how they may be reacting to the world around them. Yoga helps one to reconnect with oneself. Slowing down, quieting our minds and connecting with our inner selves all help one to bring to the present moment.
-Dr VINAYA KUMAR T
BNYS
Nice article on Yoga therapy covering most of the lifestyle diseases with evidence.