Written By Sue Francis

There are many different and significant aspects to the relationship of Yoga and the health of a human being. At first glance Yoga may seem no more than a series of strange physical poses. But, with time, the student who continues with a regular practice becomes aware of changes in the way they view and approach life. By continually toning and relaxing the body and calming the mind you will begin to feel a state of inner peace which is self realization. Lifting away feelings that hold you back, i.e.; we are too fat, too skinny, too old, too tall, too short, etc. A well planned Yoga practice improves your self-realization. If you can bring your mind and thoughts under control there is no limit to what you can do. Our illusions and preconceptions hold us back from fulfilling ourselves. Illnesses and loss of vitality arise from running down of the body due to overuse and under stimulation of vital functions.

It should be noted that there are a variety of different types of Yoga which involve areas of bodily cleansing, karma studies, visualizations, etc. For this essay I will focus on the effects of Hatha Yoga and Meditative Yoga. All practices of Hatha Yoga are purificatory. Yogic postures, breath controls and diet all remove impurities from the body and cleanse the bloodstream; and the practice of mediation is a mental hygiene, making consciousness more lucid and opening the doors for self realization.

In order to completely examine the relationship of Yoga to health I first sought to break it down to the physical, mental and spiritual categories. However, while doing this I realized that in every area of our health, these three things cannot be separated. I have attempted to address all the areas in a cohesive and inclusive manner, as I examine the effects of Yoga on our entire system. The integration of mind, body and spirit is at the base of what Yoga is all about.

As we look at the relation of Yoga to health we learn that through Yoga we positively affect three major body functions: The physical body’s frame including our muscles, skeleton and spinal movements. The nutrient cycle includes the digestion, respiration and circulation which nourish every cell and tissue; and The messenger system of nerves and hormones which balance physical, emotional and mental responses, this includes the endocrine system for vital balance. Yoga keeps all these parts functioning in balance and perfect condition.

Yoga is thousands of years old and is based on the physical premise to stretch and tone the body and to stimulate circulation at the cellular level so that tissues are nourished, waste removed, vital organs returned to full efficiency, and metabolism of health restored. Recent medical research is paying more attention to the benefits of Yoga, meaning a regular practice of asanas and pranyama, and its relationship to health of the human being. Science is learning what the ancient Yogi’s learned, that different postures can effectively help relieve high blood pressure, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, asthma, varicose veins and heart conditions. One six month study of Hatha Yoga demonstrated the following effects: significant increase in lung capacity and respiration; reduced body weight and girth; improved ability to reduce stress; and a decrease in cholesterol and blood sugar level – all resulting in a stabilizing and restorative effect on the body’s natural systems.

The physical body is built of trillions of cells, each cell containing a miniature life and energy for a definite function. Though cells function instinctively, they are subordinate to the control of man’s central mind and readily obey orders, consciously or unconsciously. The nucleus is the vital part of the cell and the center for chemical activities necessary for its life. A group of cells may be defined as tissue. When various tissues of the body are put together in different ways, they form membranes and skin. The various cells of the body, which are used like building blocks, obtain their energy and nourishment through the blood stream. Without proper material these cells cannot carry out their proper work. There is only one way in which the cells can get the body-building material; and that is by means of nourishment from the food brought by the blood circulations, which is kept up easily through various Yogic movements and exercises.

There is another scientific area that is very interesting. We have at our command a miracle of bio-engineering which could last us into a peaceful and healthy later life. Basically, biofeedback studies and controls states of consciousness (meditation) in a scientific manner, and so helps to draw together the two schools of scientific approach to psychological study and experiment. While there is controversy over duplicating the effects of meditation by inducing neurophysiologic responses with electrical instruments, it is believed, that with some people, this approach will encourage them to start meditating. Dr. Eleanor Criswell, director of the Humanistic Psychology Institute, says it best: “it has been said that Americans need gadgets in order to be able to do things, so if this is America’s gadget way of giving itself permission to meditate, then it’s worth it.” I believe that when combining east and west science we all benefit.

The endocrine system is a part of our physical body that affects emotions of the mind and an area that yoga therapy benefits. The endocrine system consist of the pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid, suprarenal, pituitary and the gonads glands. They are also known as the ductless glands or secretion glands because they pass their secretions directly in the blood or lymph, instead of into excretory ducts. Their secretions are called hormones. They are relatively simple chemical substances, which must be either oxidized or excreted after they exert their specific effects. If these secretions suffer, pathologic conditions in different parts of the body are rapidly established. Most physical exercises don’t pay attention to the health of these glands. Long before modern scientists knew anything about the endocrine glands and their functions, the Yogis advocated exercise for these areas. Yoga therapy aims through its various postures to restore the internal secretions of these glands to their normality. There are different yoga postures for the strengthening of different glands. Mental emotions such as fear, sorrow, anger, jealousy, hatred, love, and envy have been noted to affect our bodies, especially the endocrine system and nervous system, according to their degree of intensity. One effect of emotional reaction is high blood pressure. Emotions affect the adrenal gland, which secretes extra doses of adrenalin. Adrenalin increases in the blood stream, accelerates the heartbeat, and raises the blood pressure. Such mental emotions constantly strain the heart, causing nervous disorders and heart ailments. Yogic postures help to strengthen the endocrine system through exercise, and also bring the emotions under control through concentration and relaxation.

The breath controls everything in our bodies. It is important to understand the roll of smooth, rhythmic breathing in the health of the mind, body and spirit. A smooth breath allows your muscles to relax and lengthen while giving you more energy. Athletes and professional artistic performers have long used the practice of full complete breathing to help release stress in the physical body as well as mentally. Not only does breath control help in moments of need to calm them body, provide mental firmness and calm, but is also preparation for meditation and the connection to the psyche. The habits established in conscious yogic breath training are carried over in everyday activities even during sleep.

All Yogic exercises are based on the formula of stretching, relaxation, deep breathing, and increasing circulation and concentration. We need to understand the effects of the physical body through asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) in order to proceed with the other element of yoga which is mediation. After a series of yoga asanas and pranayama, your body is relaxed and you are ready to “go inside” through meditation. That is not to say that you cannot have a wonderful meditation session without first practicing yoga asanas and breathing, but it is an important combination to help you achieve the full benefits. Yoga of meditation is used as a mental hygiene to work towards Yoga’s supreme goal of intuitive enlightenment. Meditation calms and tones the nervous system, relaxes, harmonizes psychic energies, recharges psychic batteries, and cultivates serenity.

I believe there is no doubt about Yoga’s effectiveness as a curative and preventative medicine and I hope this essay has helped describe how yoga’s union of mind, body and spirit relate to the health of a human being.

Namaste.

Sue Francis is a certified Yoga teacher.  She teaches Yoga in Tuscon, Arizona and Mexico.