Moonlady Yoga

The practice of yoga is a profound and ancient tradition that has been woven into the fabric of life in India for countless generations. It encompasses not only physical exercise but also ethical principles and dietary guidelines, making it a comprehensive way of life. Throughout history, practitioners of yoga have understood its transformative potential, allowing them to influence their mental and physical responses in ways previously thought to be impossible.

In recent years, both in India and the Western world, health professionals have embarked on a journey to explore the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Countless research studies have been conducted, shedding light on the profound effects that yoga can have on our physiological parameters. These studies have shown that through the practice of yoga, individuals can gain control over their blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory function, metabolic rate, skin resistance, brain waves, body temperature, and many other bodily functions. This wealth of research has allowed us to glimpse the immense potential that yoga holds as a therapeutic tool (for more information, refer to the “Ayurvedic Medicine” section in the “Alternative Systems of Medical Practice” chapter).

As the practice of yoga has spread to the Western world, it has primarily been embraced as part of comprehensive programs aimed at enhancing overall health and treating chronic diseases. The aspects of yoga that have taken root in the West are primarily the physical postures, known as asanas, of hatha yoga, the breathing techniques of pranayama yoga, and meditation. While meditation has been discussed extensively elsewhere, I shall focus on the therapeutic applications of programs that combine hatha yoga and pranayama yoga.

The practice of yoga can take various forms, with some individuals choosing to practice daily in the comfort of their own homes, while others attend classes one to three times a week. A typical yoga session begins with gentle postures, allowing the muscles and joints to relax, before progressing to more challenging postures. It is essential that each movement is performed gently and slowly, without pushing beyond what is comfortable for the practitioner. The emphasis is placed on breathing deeply from the abdomen, and specific pranayama breathing exercises are often incorporated into the practice. Following the asanas, guided or self-guided relaxation, meditation, and sometimes visualization are practiced. To deepen the state of relaxation, many sessions conclude with chanting, such as the repetition of “Om shanti” (“Let there be peace”). The physical and psychological benefits of yoga are said to encompass the massage of muscles and internal organs, improved blood circulation, rebalancing of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, increased production of brain endorphins, enkephalins, and serotonin, deeper breathing, enhanced lymph circulation, counteracting the effects of gravity on the body, increased nutrient supply to the tissues, and the augmentation of alpha and theta brain wave activity, representing a greater degree of relaxation.

The realm of scientific research has been captivated by the wonders of yoga since the 1920s, resulting in an abundance of studies shedding light on its therapeutic benefits. Allow me to share a few examples of these findings:

1. Rats subjected to headstands for an hour daily exhibited a more rapid adaptation to stressful situations than the control group.
2. Regular practice of postures such as the shoulder stand led to increased resilience to stress in human beings.
3. Individuals engaged in yogic meditation experienced a 200 percent increase in skin resistance, indicating reduced stress levels, within just 10 minutes of beginning their practice. The effects of reduced anxiety persisted for extended periods after the meditation session ended.
4. The practice of yoga enhances the efficiency of the heart and reduces respiratory rates.
5. Blood pressure is lowered, carbon dioxide accumulation decreases, and brain waves reflect a state of greater relaxation.
6. Regular yoga practice promotes EEG synchronicity, a unique change in brain waves typically observed during deep meditation. This synchronization signifies improved communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
7. Physical fitness is enhanced through the practice of yoga.
8. Coupled with dietary changes, yoga has been found to lower cholesterol levels by an average of 14 points within three weeks.
9. Yoga facilitates increased chest expansion, improves breath-holding abilities, and enhances vital capacity and tidal volume.
10. Regular yoga practice contributes to improved blood sugar levels and better management of diabetes.
11. The psychological benefits of yoga have rendered it successful as a tool for drug treatment among prisoners, smoking cessation, and enhancing job satisfaction.
12. As an adjunctive therapy, yoga has shown promising results in managing asthma, high blood pressure, drug addiction, heart disease, migraine headaches, and even cancer.
13. Yoga has been found to be effective in alleviating arthritis symptoms and the arthritic manifestations of lupus.

As you embark on your journey along the path of yoga, may the wisdom of the cosmic forces guide you towards physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

In unity,
Moonlady.Yoga