Yoga Asanas: Scientific Importance and Yogic Activities

Yoga Asanas: In ‘Scientific Study of Yoga’, the effects of asanas, pranayama, bandha, meditation and other yogic activities performed in different countries, especially in India, have been described. During compound movements (electromyographic recording) (EMG), muscle activity, flexibility, muscle tension and changes were recorded. Many experiments related to heart control, blood pressure, changes in blood components, depth of breaths, power of breath control (Kumbhaka), and the capacity of lungs, endocrine glands and nervous system have been done across the world.

The scientific importance of Yogasana

Asanas cause muscles to stretch and expand, which increases their flexibility and balances blood circulation, while other exercises put pressure on the muscles, due to which the blood vessels break and then they take a special shape, which results in the hardness of muscles.

Dr. Laxmikant of Medical college Madrashas measured the increase of vigor and strength in patients with high blood pressure and weak heart by Shavasana (putting a pillow under the feet) and by using Halasana, Sarvangasana and Viparitakarani Mudra on patients with a strong heart. Patients also started getting good sleep with these asanas. The experiments of Ardhasarvangasan, Pawanmuktasan and Shavasan by ‘Saubhag Natural Yoga Medical and Research Center, Ajmer’ have been found especially useful for patients of heart and high blood pressure. Paschimottanasana, Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, Matsyasana, and Shavasana have been beneficial in some activities of a joint operation in arthritis. Diabetic patients have benefited from the practice of Dhanurasana, Chakrasana, Shalabhasana, Bhujangasana, long-breathing Suryabhedi Pranayama and relaxation. Sarvangasana, Halasana, Matsyasana, Shavasana (Kayotsarga), and special health promoters have been found the use some techniques of naturopathy in asthma patients.

Effects of Yogasan

Asanas and yogic activities activate and control the endocrine glands. As a result, one gets physical and mental health and peace. Due to the inverted position (gravity) in Sarvangasana, Halasana, Karnapidasana, and Shirshasana, the circulation of blood towards the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary and pineal glands become intense and at the same time, they also get messages.

Due to hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system, a person suffers from a submissive, fearful and inferiority complex. The effect of asanas is in the form of controlling or balancing these two nervous institutions, which leads to the overall development of the person.

There is a continuous struggle between conscience (knowledge) and emotion. Conscience prevents one from doing wrong, but emotion makes one act. By succumbing to chaotic emotions, a person ruins his life. The spine and brain are especially affected by asanas. As a result, the impulse automatically becomes controlled and balanced.

Strenuous exercise causes rapid wear and tear of tissues. As a result, the amount of acidity, urea and carbon dioxide increases in the blood, due to which there is a feeling of fatigue. Due to the activation of nervous energy in Yogic Asanas, the pulse energy of the body is attained continuously.

Due to obstruction in the flow of pulse energy, the body and mind become sick. There are 600 trillion cells in our body. This is the reason that after the asanas, the body becomes light, and energetic and the mind becomes calm like cotton or a flower.

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Weightlessness and Yoga Asanas

Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, along with his two Russian companions Yurimalyshev and Gennady Strokalov, reached space by Soyuz T-2 on April 2, 1984, successfully experimented and studied the effect of Pranayama and Yoga in preventing the side effects of space travel. They came to the conclusion that the adverse effects of weightlessness on the muscles of astronauts, zero gravity condition, headaches due to increased circulation of blood to the head, dizziness and space sickness were successfully countered by yogic exercises.

Due to the state of weightlessness, the human consciousness becomes confused. Due to the habit of living in physical structure gravitational pull, the nervous system, heart, blood circulation etc. A person gets used to working under the laws of gravity, but as soon as they reach space, they have to work in opposition. As a result, due to weightlessness, the pressure on the muscles decreases, due to which the intensity of blood circulation towards the head increases and back pain also starts. Astronauts have been experiencing a lot of health in themselves by the use of compound activities in all the measures used so far to deal with all these adverse situations. Seeing this success, even a proletarian country like Russia has given the highest place to compound activities in its space training.

Also Read: Weight Loss Tips: Yoga, Pranayama, and Asanas For Weight Loss

The scientific importance of Yogic Activities

Julian, director of Poland’s ‘Third Clinic of Medicine’, studied the effect of Shirshasana with help of  E.C.G. And X-ray types of equipment. They came to the conclusion that X-rays in the Shirshasana position showed that there was no pressure on the heart. Due to its effect, there is a balance in blood clotting, attacks of heart disease can be prevented, white blood cells increase and divine life & disease resistance power are promoted, Yogic activities are especially useful in crime prevention. This type of conclusion has emerged from the exercises of Yogic activities done in many prisons.

In fact, Yogic activities help in curing all types of diseases, mental, physical, psychosomatic and so on.

The possibility of gaining the invisible supernatural powers of the body remains inherent in Yogic activities. The main purpose of Yogic Kriyas (activities) is to reveal the transcendental divine consciousness. By going through these processes, physical and mental health is automatically attained. The body system becomes according to the practice. Yogic activities have a special effect on the endocrine glands and only a person who has control over the endocrine glands becomes great in the physical and spiritual world. Dr Ibroganko established such belief in his book ‘Glands of Destiny’ after studying the lives of many great men. Yogic activities have special control over the endocrine glands and mind from birth till death.

Why Yogic Activities?

The physical institutions mentioned above are especially affected by many compound activities like Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, Shatkarma, Meditation, and Kayotsarga. No other procedure has been discovered in the world so far, which can affect the endocrine glands in such a subtle way, than Yogic asanas and bandhas. Dr Kuksenk has described the endocrine glands as a magical box, which affects the all-around development of personality, and mind, i.e. life. Yogic activities do not only affect the gross physical body, but with their intense effect, they also help in the smooth functioning of many invisible activities of the mysterious processes of the subtle unconscious human brain.

There are thousands of such points in our body, which directly affect our physical and mental health. We call these ‘reflex spot zones’. The transmission and control of energy in the divine prana take place through these points. Apart from this, these zones are related to different institutions of the body. These zones are activated by various asanas and give us health by detoxifying the body and organizing organic neurological electromagnetic energy.

Difference Between Yoga Asana and Exercise

Nerves and ligaments are especially affected by asanas rather than muscles. Each asana has an effect on the spine and abdominal organs. 33 pairs of nerves coming out of the spine are connected to all the components of the body. As a result, all the organs get the proper amount of energy.

Asanas do not put an extra load on the nervous system. Strenuous exercise tires out the nervous system. Due to an increase in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure due to exercise, there is an extra burden on the lungs and heart. Such exercises stimulate sensory activities (sympathetic) while asanas activate and control reflex activities. As a result, the pressure on the brain is reduced.

FAQs

Q. What is the nervous system?

Ans. The brain, spinal cord, and a sophisticated nerve network are all parts of the nervous system. The brain and the body are communicated via this system. All bodily functions are managed by the brain.