Therapeutic Value of Yoga

Thrivikramji.K.P. (after 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 normal.
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, whereby, 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. The organic function of the lower level is controlled by prana (
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 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 muscles of respiratory system, diaphragm, and inter-costal
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 of 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. Methods of achieving 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 industry, the
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. This 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. 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.
======