By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many people feel that therapeutic Yoga styles are an alternative form of therapy, because they have seen changes in their lives, or in the life of someone close to them. Yet, Yoga must undergo scientific and medical scrutiny in the form of studies or research.

Without research, science and medicine would take the “blind faith” of Yoga practitioners as fact. Testing is an integral part of science and medicine. Every procedure, process, prescription, and therapy has undergone this same scrutiny.

Very often, prescription medicine is linked to the medical community in an unfavorable light. Side effects are a major concern to the public. Most people do not want to take prescription drugs, due to a variety of reasons. To some, it seems that taking medicine is seen as a form of weakness.

Generalizations about prescription medicine, and health conditions, show up in print all the time. Patients are often blamed for their health conditions. While it is true that being negligent in areas of health can result in a poor state of well being, there are many cases when genetics and circumstances, beyond a patient’s control, result in taking a prescription.

Let’s look at high blood pressure as an example. How often do you hear that eating, smoking, and drinking too much, are the causes of high blood pressure? Here’s a reality check for you: According to the American Heart Association, “In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown.” This is not encouraging news. Nor is it a reason to celebrate with a cigarette and an alcoholic beverage.

However, work conditions, stress levels, and genetics, get a closer look when you do not have a solid reason why someone has high blood pressure. In the case of students, who practice Yoga on a regular basis - many of them have good blood pressure readings after their practice. To quote the American Heart Association again: “Blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg is generally considered ideal.”

For many reasons, Yoga is helping people with borderline or high blood pressure. Does science and medicine have an exact answer? Not yet, but they will - after many more studies. This is not a reason to be discouraged. Yoga teachers must realize - we are no longer “flying under the radar.”

Scientific scrutiny, research, testing, and studies, should be welcomed by the Yoga community. At the same time, anyone who teaches Yoga should be careful to avoid making assumptive claims.

If you have a case, where something has worked, by all means record it, but science is more interested in a “track record.” Their line of reasoning is, “How many times did it work and why?” Debate and scrutiny is healthy for Yoga.

If you are teaching Yoga to students with health conditions, you should record your results. As far as science is concerned, the time is overdue to find out why Yoga works.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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