The power point was presented on All Assam Yoga Convent held at Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, Guwahati campus(Assam) on 1st July 2018.

1. THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF YOGA
DR. MUKUNDAM BORAH
DEPT. OF PHARMACOLOGY
GAUHATI MEDICAL COLLEGE
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2. INTRODUCTION
• The term Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘YUJ’, meaning
‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’; the union of individual
consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness leading
to a perfect harmony within oneself and with the existence.
• A spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science.
• From a therapeutic point of view, yoga focuses on achieving and
maintaining a state of psychophysiological balance.
• However, beyond this therapeutic approach, the purpose of yoga
is to act on the very origin of all kinds of sufferings leading to a
state of equanimity and poise within oneself.
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WHAT IS “HEALTH”?
 WHO definition (1946)
 “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” to lead a “socially
and economically productive life.”
 Well-being:
 a qualitative word of ‘being’ healthy as well as ‘feeling’
healthy.

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Social health
Positive material environment
(financial & residential)
Positive human environment
(social networking)

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Determinants of Health

6. YOGIC PERSPECTIVE:
 SWYASTHA = “SWA” (SELF/LIFE) &
“STHA” (Enshrined/manifest)
 So, if the source of life which is within us is manifested in a
stable and balanced manner through our physical body, mind
and intellect in our system, then we can call it “HEALTH”.
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Health is part of our evolutionary process towards Divinity
Physical,
Mental,
Social Wellbeing
Spiritual
wellbeing
THE PANCHA KOSHAS

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9. WHAT IS “DISEASE’?
“Disease” literally mean “without ease.”
Illness (Subjective awareness of not being well)
Sickness (Social dysfunction)
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10. Yogic Concept of Disease
Ignorance about one's real state of bliss (Anandamaya Kosha)
(AJNAN)
Lack of awareness & wisdom about life
(Vijnanamaya Kosha)
Disturbed mind, Impaired judgement & Wrong desires
(Prajna aparadha)
(ADHI) (Manomaya kosha)
Wrong actions (Pranamaya/Annamaya kosha)
(Eating of unwholesome food, living in unhealthy dwellings, doing things
at untimely hours, association with the wicked, evil thoughts etc.)
DISEASE(VYADHI)
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11. THERAPEUTIC USES OF YOGA
 The application of yoga as a therapeutic intervention, which
began early in the twentieth century, takes advantage of the
various psychophysiological benefits of the component
practices.
 The yogic holistic approach comprises all the constitutive
aspects of an integral management of health:
 a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle,
 natural environment,
 physical practice (Asanas)
 breath work (Pranayama),
 Meditation (Dhyana)
 healthy thinking, and practicing of an attitude of
mindfulness in daily activities.
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YOGIC METHODS TO ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN HEALTH

13. Current evidence on the clinical effects of yoga on mental health
 “Manah prashamanah Upãyah yoga ityabhidhiyate”!
……………..Yoga Vashistha
yoga is called a skillful method to calm the mind.
 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:
 “Yoga” is the complete “inhibition of the modifications of the mind” or
quieting of the constant chatter in one’s mind so that our True Selves
can manifest, rest in our own true nature and be free of suffering.
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14. MODIFICATIONS OF MIND
AVIDYA ASMITA RAGA DWESHA ABHINBESHA
(Ignorance) (EGO)(Attachment)(Aversion)(Insecurity)
constant worry for daily life hassles, frustrations over one’s job
or family, finances, poor sleep or eating habits, demands on time,
memory of difficult or scary past situations
CHRONIC STRESS
DISEASES
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17.  So stress is part of our lives—does it matter? In fact, the burden
due to stress-related illness is quite concerning. These involve :
 headache,
 back pain,
 hypertension,
 arrhythmias,
 irritable bowel syndrome,
 insomnia,
 depression,
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18. Role of Yoga
(De-stress yourself to get relief from distress)
STRESS
Sympathetic overdrive
(Fight or flight) YOGA
(Pranayama & Dhyana)
Sympathetic activity
Parasympathetic dominance
(Helps the body to relax and quiet down
with reduced respiratory rates and heart rates,
decreased blood pressure, increased HRV)
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Decreased firing of Locus
ceruleus
Decreased CRF release
Decreased cortisol

19.  YOGA & INSOMNIA
 Yoga's ability to increase relaxation and induce a balanced
mental state was studied to evaluate its effect on sleep quality
and improving insomnia.
 Restorative postures, savasana, pranayama, and meditation
encourage Pratyahara, a turning inward of the senses which
enables downtime for the nervous system, the byproduct often
being improved sleep.
 Regular practice of yoga resulted in a significant decrease in the
time taken to fall asleep, an increase in the total number of hours
slept, and in the feeling of being rested in the morning.
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20. YOGA & ADDICTION
 Roots of addiction are in the mind and the practice of mindful
meditation encourages addicts to accept the basic impermanence of
human experience and helps them to develop a detached awareness
of thoughts.
 Through the practice of yoga, addicts shift from self-inflicted harm
and disrespect toward their bodies to more respectful, caring, and
loving behaviors.
 Eating disorders are a specific type of addiction and yoga appears to
be beneficial in improving body image disturbances and useful in
the recovery from eating disorders.
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21. Current scientific evidence on the clinical effects of yoga on
physical health
 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that have reached epidemic
proportions and lifestyle is the major causative factor in NCDs.
 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that NCDs are by
far the leading cause of death in the world, representing 63% of
all annual deaths due to four main disease types:
 cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke),
 cancer,
 chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed
pulmonary disease and asthma)
 Diabetes.
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22. Yoga and Cardiovascular disorders
 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a broad spectrum of
syndromes, including atherosclerosis, stroke, arrhythmia,
hypertension, Myocardial infarcton, heart faiture and peripheral
vascular disease.
 Leading cause of mortality, morbidity and disability worldwide.
 According to the American Heart Association, yoga practices can
help to lower blood pressure, improve respiratory function and
heart rate, improve circulation and boost muscle tone.
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23.  In a trial involving 130 heart failure patients, the Yoga
intervention group showed a decreases in HR, BP and rate
pressure product (RPP) and an increase in heart rate variability
(HRV) compared to the controls.(Krishna et al.; 2014)
 RRP is an index of myocardial O2 consumption and load on the
heart.
 Yoga Nidra, Nadi suddhi/anulom vilom, Bhramari pranayam,
slow bhastrika, meditation etc. are found to be very beneficial.
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24. YOGA & CANCER
 While yoga is not a cure for a cancer, but it increases physical,
emotional and spiritual wellness, and brings about a certain peace, of
which many cancer patients desire.
 Yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation can reduce stress and
enhance quality of life for patients with cancer.
 Results of Yoga interventions show significant decrease in the
frequency and intensity of post-chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting.
 Additionally, yoga subjects reported decreased anxiety, depression, and
distressful symptoms and also showed significantly reduced toxicity
scores compared to the controls. (Lin et al. ;2011)
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25. YOGA AND DIABETES MELLITUS
 Yoga attenuates the negative relationship between factors
causing insulin resistance such as obesity, increased waist
circumference, dyslipidemia etc.[ Zope SA & Zope RA; 2013]
 Improves sensitivity of beta cells of pancreas to glucose signals
and optimizes insulin secretion as per bodily requirement and
thereby bringing about normalcy in the Insulin/Glucose ratio
which is suggestive of better peripheral utilization of glucose and
reduced insulin resistance. (Manjunatha et al.;2005, Sahay BK
2007)
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26.  Asanas like Dhanurasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana,
Mandukasana, Yoga Mudra, Pavan Muktasana, Sarvangasana,
Halasana, Matsyasana have been found to be useful in
diabetes.
 One of the basic preparations for Pranayama is Nadi
Shodhan Pranayama or alternate nostril breathing, this type is
found useful in diabetes as Alternate nostril breathing has
calming effect on nervous system, which reduces stress levels,
helping in diabetes treatment.
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27. YOGA AND CHRONIC PAINS
 The American College of Rheumatology states that exercise and
physical activity is a necessary part of an effective treatment
program for patients with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis. (Hochberg, M.C. et al.; 2012)
 Patients suffering from arthritis who regularly practice Yoga are
found to have less joint pain, more vitality, better sleep, reduced
morning joint stiffness and improved daily living function.
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28.  Yogic Sukshmavyayamas (loosening and strengthening
practices), asanas releases tension from the muscles and
increases mobility in the joints by stretching and lengthening
the tight muscles, thereby decreasing chronic pains in the neck,
shoulders, back, hips and knees.
 Yoga can provide a different way of looking at pain and suffering,
which in itself can potentially alleviate some suffering. The basic
realisation that “I” am not my body, or my thoughts, or my
sensations of pain, is itself healing or liberative from a certain
kind of existential suffering.
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29. YOGA AND CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES
 Chronic respiratory diseases include COPD, asthma and
occupational lung diseases.
 Although limited in number, the randomized controlled studies
have reported an improvement in the three main subjective
problems faced by these patients, namely, breathlessness,
fatigue, stress, insomnia and poor quality of life by YOGA
intervention.
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30.  In healthy volunteers, there is a statistically significant increase
in vital capacity, tidal volume, breath holding and endurance
time, and peak expiratory flow rate following yoga training.
(Karthik et al, 2014: Shobha et al, 2014)
 Yoga practices have relaxing effect on the chest muscles and
helps patients to breathe more deeply by utilizing the shoulder,
thoracic, and abdominal muscles efficiently. The strength of
expiratory as well as inspiratory muscles is increased.
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31. YOGA AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Endocrine system plays a crucial role in maintainin body’s
homeostasis (balance), metabolism, physical growth and mental
development, sexual development electrolyte balance, sleep
cycle etc.
 There are some specific hormones that greatly affect human
emotions which include Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone,
Norepinephrine and Epinephrine and Oxytocin.
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34.  How does Yoga Affect the Endocrine System?
Specific yoga practices that can influence the chakras and endocrine
glands
 Sirsasana stimulates sahasrara chakra and the pineal gland by moving
the flow of blood to those areas and stabilizing hormonal fluctuations.
 Meditation techniques stimulate ajna chakra and the pituitary gland.
 Setubandhasana, Ustrasana, Halasana invigorate vishuddha chakra
and the thyroid.
 Gomukhasana and Bhadrasana influence svadisthana chakra and the
reproductive glands.
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35. APPLICATION OF YOGIC CONCEPTS IN PROMOTION OF POSITIVE
HEALTH
1. Become aware of your body, emotions and mind:
 Awareness of body implies conscious body work that needs to be
synchronized with breath to qualify as a psychosomatic technique of
health and healing.
 Psychosomatic disorders that are the bane of the modern world cannot
be tackled without awareness.
2. Improve your dietary habits:
 Most disorders are directly or indirectly linked to improper dietary
patterns that need to be addressed in order to find a permanent
solution to health challenges.
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36. 3.Calm down your mind and focus it inwardly:
“Manah prashamanah Upãyah yoga ityabhidhiyate”!
……………..Yoga Vashistha
4. Facilitate natural emanation of wastes:
 Yogic cleaning practices like practicing dhauti, basti and neti
help wash out impurities (mala shodhana) thus helping the
process of regeneration and facilitating healing.
5.Take responsibility for your own health:
 If we do healthy things we are healthy and if we do unhealthy
things we become sick. Consistency n the practice is a must.
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37.  Yoga is a personalized practice and as such, frequency and
duration are personal questions with individual answers.
 Practice should happen with wisdom and should be modified to
meet individual needs and goals.
 The more difficult yoga is for someone in the beginning,
the more their body needs it.
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38. CONCLUSION
 The art and science of Yoga has infinite possibilities for providing
answers to most health problems troubling modern humankind.
 However, we often misunderstand this science and want it to be a
miracle pill. A pill that we take only once, and want all the
problems to vanish into thin air!
 Yoga is a holistic science and must be learnt and practiced with a
holistic view. The dedicated practice of Yoga as a way of life is no
doubt a panacea for problems related to psychosomatic, stress
related disorders helping us to regain our birthright of health
and happiness.
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39. TAKE HOME MESSAGE
HEALTH IS A REWARD OF YOGA TO THE
PRACTITIONER ON THE ROAD TOWARDS SELF-
REALIZATION
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