Therapeutic Value of Yoga

B.Padmanabha Pillai, M.A.

Director of Yoga (Rtd.)
Trivandrum
(14 5 1983)

Normal functions of our body go on uninterrupted as long as our brain, heart, intestine etc.,discharge their
duties with out any defect. These are internal organs. They function by the autonomous nervous system.
The subtle centers of the brain, circulatory system, respiratory system, and digestive system are working
with out our knowledge as long as our health is nortmal.It is the involuntary nervous system that governs
the automatic functions such as heart beat, peristaltic action of the intestine, circulation of blood,
contraction and expansion of lungs, and kidneys and secretions from the endocrine glands. The above
works are carried out with out the knowledge of the individual.But the presence of the organic function is
noticed when the internal organs are strained due to some disease. The difficulty in the discharge of duties
of the internal organs is traced as the cause of disease, when examined by an experienced physician.

Wrong habits are mostly the causes that create disease of the body. Spending sleepless nights, working
without rest, inadequate food, hard labor etc., result in diseases like ulcer, asthma, gas trouble, diabetes,
blood pressure and so on.There are many modern medicines newly discovered like anti-biotic pills and
sulfa drugs which produce speedy action. Most people accept this treatment because it works on the
molecular level, giving miraculous improvement with ib a short period.Most of the people are not patient
enough to accept the old method working in the organs as it might take a long time to get a complete cure.

Though modern medicines show immediate results of improvement very few care to see that it undermines
the intelligence of organs where by such diseases in the long run get immune to such medicines. It is in
such cases that yoga therapy succeeds. This is because of the fact that we get in touch with higher
consciousness of the body that controls the intelligence of the organs in the lower level. The secret of the
functional divisions between the higher and lower centers has been found out by the sages of old. Th
organic function of the lower level is controlled by prana ( the energy in the nervous system) in the higher
level of consciousness.

This has been the result of the evolutionary process, of the body from the very ancient times.

By understanding the principle of the above connection, the yogis formulated a system which includes
yogasanas, mudras, kriyas, bandhas, and pranayama. By these methods one can purify the body in its
physical aspects, as well as develop the capacity in the higher levels, of consciousness.

Now let us examine how this relationship between the higher level of consciousness and the lower level of
nervous system work as remedy to disease. It is here that the rhythmic and controlled system of breathing,
otherwise known as pranayama is introduced, as a sure remedy to become immune to diseases. It helps to
improve the resistance power, whereby the emotional stability of the organs, is regulated finally allowing
the mind to keep the body at rest.
In preliminary stages it starts with some purification process like kapalabathy, Brahmamudra and
agnimudra. Kapalabathy will purify the track, viz., nose, pharynx, larynx, tracheae and bronchi, and the
alveolar duct to perform the practice of conscious breathing.easily. This purification process will open up
the clogged nasal passages, and clears the sinuses of the mucus. This is a sure remedy for sinusitis early
stages of tonsillitis, perpetual sneezing and perpetual cold.

By conscious breathing the nerve centers, situated in the medulla oblongata generates the stimulus that
carries, the impulse to the muscles of the respiratory system, the diaphragm, and the intercostal muscles.
This creates an introspective impulse originating in the cervical nerve roots. This impulse causes rhythmic
contraction of the diaphragm. The chest cavity is increased to create more space with in the rib cage. This
helps the elastic lungs to expand to contain more oxygen. There is saying that that every pinch oxygen will
create a new molecule. This is how rejuvenation is affected in the body cells, where by the resistance
power, is regained.
Agnisarakriya is an important remedy for ailments in the digestive system. The alimentary canal consists of
stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines. Food passes through the track by means of a progressive
contractual motion called peristalsis. The action caused by the involuntary muscular action is revitalized
by the practice of agnisarakriya. Diseases like gastritis, colitis and other troubles due to ingestion of poison
through food or bad diet are caused by slowing down or stopping of peristalsis in certain portions of the
digestive system. Inflammation of any type can be cured by administration of medicine. But this does not
necessarily reintroduce efficient peristaltic action. It is here that agnisarakriya help to revitalize the
intelligence of the organ.

For normal happiness every body should follow a yoga way of life . For every facet of life, physical,
mental and spiritual are being taken care of. The methods of achieving the well being have been explained
in the writings of yogis of the past. Despite the great advancement in the fields of culture and civilization
and development in the branches of science, technology and industrythe welfare of the people and the
consequent happiness of the individual have largely been ignored. Neglected and forfeited. Corruption,
insecurity, violence and environmental abuse and economic depression have become a part of every day
life. Discussions on the world problems, seminars and plans for major projects have brought only limited
progress. The way and need for disciplined life have been pushed back. Yhis has to be awakened only by a
change in the consciousness in the individual. The problems of the individual and society are closely
interwoven, Unless reasonable improvement is achieved, in the quality of individual life will never be
happy. Living a yoga way of life is the only remedy for that.

We speak of freedom. The real freedom lies in the soul. Individual soul ultimately unites with the universal
The word yoga means yoke, to join. It comes from the Sanskrit word, yug to join. This union of
individual soul with the universal soul is called yoga. Good habits, physical exercises and spirit of services,
faith and devotion will lead to mental and spiritual exercises which will end in the emancipation of the soul
the ultimate aim of life.
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