The Psycho- biology of Yoga

Some four decade ago my professor of physiological psychology was trying to explain the psycho-somatic origin of certain ailments. In the course of the lecture he mentioned that the three reasons for formation of ulcers in the stomach were hurry, worry and curry. Those were the times when the medical fraternity, though aware of the effect of mind on the body was talking about the idea of integrative medicine is a hush-hush tone. But times have changed and the impact of psychology on physiology is more than established. It is in this light that the decision of the United Nations to observe June 21 as the World Yoga Day has to be viewed.

As we in India observe this day to emphasize the importance of yoga there is need to convenience the population at large why this ancient practice for maintaining mind body integration is important today. Particularly for the overwhelming large number of young people who may have reasons to be skeptical about the scientificity of yoga. More so because of the health related vulnerabilities of the Indian people with regard to the life style ailments like diabetes and coronary heart diseases. Only by understanding yoga and its benefits can somebody religiously practice it and get the desired results. Practicing yoga without putting ones head and heart into it would not benefit. Yoga is the practice that integrates mind and body and is the answer to the mind body conundrum.

To understand yoga one must understand the somato-psychic perspective of health, the relationship between two seemingly incompatible substances – the corporeal and the spiritual. Researches in immune system, cognitive behavior therapy and neuro plasticity suggest that the mind body connection works both ways. Mind by regearing attention and emotion can effectively rewire the brain and substantially affect mental and physical health. It has been now found that practices that integrate mind and body like yoga and meditation can reverse many irreversible conditions. It is even realized that comprehensive life style changes may turn on the beneficial parts of the genome and turn off more harmful parts.  Integrative medicine or holistic healing is all about understanding the mind body compatibility. Mind and emotions play a critical role in our health and well being. In fact, the endocrine system is largely influenced by mental dispositions and secretions like catecholamine having significant bearing on physiological health. Yoga helps in arriving at a balance between mind and body through influencing the secretions of ductless glands. By training even some of the involuntary responses like blood pressure may be controlled. Not only this, it is now found that brain behavior and immune functions are related and this is the reason why psychoneuroimmunology is emerging as an important field of research in health studies. The health of our body and the health of our mind are inextricably correlated and lead ultimately to the transformation of the spirit which is the final aim of yoga.

The tendency in the present age is to find quick fix solutions of everything including health and in the process we have almost outsourced our health. Rushing to the doctor or the chemists shop at the slightest pretext, realizing little that we are strengthening the harmful microorganism.

The practice of yoga gives a robustness to the mind and the body that helps in resisting diseases and creating a healthy mind and a healthy body. Yoga is not just an exercise. It is a practice that helps in reinventing oneself and realizing the potential. In the modern times when stress and anxiety are driving humanity to the brink, yoga can be a panacea. Behavioral and medical scientists have demonstrated quite convincingly that people have far greater capacity to tolerate psychological and somatic stress than was earlier believed. And the reactions thereof can also be controlled. Thus, yoga is an easy way to attain mental and physical wellbeing with little effort and some discipline. It is the old age answer to the new age problem. Let yoga become a lifestyle.