All World
Gayatri Pariwar

   These days Yoga therapy has become very popular and innumerable so-called yogacharyas and other specialists have opened their shops in every town; but there seems to be some missing link. No one seems to be caring about the scientific model of yoga therapy. It is true that yogic procedures are effective in curing diseases. But how does it work? What is the scientific basis on which the therapy works? What is the model of yoga therapy? Without answering these questions correctly, logically and scientifically, yoga therapy would be incomplete. Therefore it is essential to establish the scientific nature of this therapy through adequate research in theoretical and practical aspects of yoga.

It is heartening to note that in Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, yoga specialists are engaged in research in this direction. Their efforts are geared towards developing a holistic and scientific model of yoga therapy. To give a complete detail of their work is not within the scope of the present series of articles, but some important information can be shared with the readers. We begin with the model of this therapy.  In every therapy-model, there are underlying principles along with the details of procedures and experimental techniques. The model of therapy should include anatomy and physiology of human body, deformities, prevention and cure (medical as well as surgical) of diseases. The model should also include the effect of medicines and its pharmacology. Be it the model of Allopathy, Homoeopathy or Ayurveda, the above mentioned aspects should be considered in some or other form. Theoretically Allopathy believes in micro-organisms as the causal factors of diseases; whereas Ayurveda mentions ras–vikar in lieu of pathogens. The one who has good knowledge of the theory is honored as a specialist and others, who treat the diseases based on some superficial knowledge, are called quacks.

On the lines of a model of modern therapy, a model of yoga therapy can be developed. In absence of such a model, a comprehensive knowledge of yogic therapy may look arbitrary. Those who merely prescribe some techniques of Asana–pranayama may be called ‘quacks’ and nothing more. In order to develop a right model of yoga therapy, it is mandatory to master the essential scientific principles, the composition and the techniques. Brahmavarchas Shodh Sansthan and Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya are working in this direction, rather in a quiet way.

The foremost truth involved in the model of yoga therapy is that it considers the scientific as well as the occult aspect of the anatomy of the human body. The comprehensive knowledge of the role of prana (vitality) in functioning of human body is essential. According to the science of yoga the diseases are caused due to the distortions in prana or by deficiency of prana. Science of yoga classifies diseases into two broad categories: (i) diseases caused by the circumstances, and (ii) diseases caused by the prarabdha karma (absolute law of karma). Even though in both the types of diseases, the flow of prana gets restrained or disturbed; there is a difference in their cure. In the scheme of yoga therapy, lifestyle and the perspective of life play a crucial role in cleansing or enhancing the prana.

The science of yoga proves that all aspects of our life are influenced by the harmony of prana. Prana in its different forms flows through our body. Modern science denotes prana as life force, capacity to resist diseases, bio-electricity or electromagnetic energy, etc. Actually all of these are the various forms of prana. Whoever has understood the nature of prana to even a small extent, has developed the techniques of pranic healing, reiki, etc in accordance with their knowledge. But in yoga a comprehensive knowledge of prana is required. Yoga believes that if the flow of prana breaks our gross physical body will get separated from the subtle body. In physical parlance this is denoted as death.

For healthy and long life the conservation as well as enhancement of Prana Sanjeevani is essential. The preliminary emphasis of yoga is on preservation of health. Yoga specialists also believe that negligence of yogic lifestyle is the root cause of diseases. If regularity is maintained in adherence to a yogic pattern of life, total freedom from the diseases, caused by the circumstances, is possible. Yogic techniques can solve the problem of diseases caused as an outcome of karma also. Thus, yoga promises disease- free healthy life for everybody.

In yoga therapy, a yogic perspective of life is of foremost importance. Today the scientists across the globe unanimously agree that majority of the diseases of mankind are psychosomatic in nature. Psychological problems crop up as a result of lack of right perspective of life. If our beliefs, convictions, aims and objectives of life are correct and we have a right and balanced perspective of life, then our life energy can be utilized properly and this in turn becomes the fitting measure of getting rid of psychological tensions and anxieties. The wastage of prana because of the stress related problems can be prevented by adopting a yogic perspective of life.

It is an irony that man constantly squanders away the amrit (nectar of life) stored within him and later regrets the sufferings caused by the lack of it. God has gifted him with the treasure of amrit, so that he can preserve it through sanyam (self control) and utilize it rightly to make his life blissful. But alas! Man in his ignorance enslaves himself by unbridled indulgences in insatiable animal drives and is forced to lead a life of an animal. The yogic life style has a scheme of balancing external and internal lives. If life is well-balanced, the capacity, expertise and success in life develop spontaneously. The uninterrupted flow of prana is the natural result of the right lifestyle. It is not an exaggeration to say that yogic lifestyle is the golden principle for a disease-free life. In its absence, diseases become inevitable. Asana, pranayama, bandha, mudra and the yogic kriyas easily clear the impediments or blocks in the flow of prana and make life healthy. In the forthcoming articles in this series, the procedures of leading a disease-free life will be dealt with, in relation to each system of human anatomy.