Introduction
Yoga is a group of physical, spiritual and mental practices which emerged as a discipline in ancient India. The various types of Yogasanas are different yogic postures targeting various aspects of the physique. Though an ancient practice, yoga has the potential to complement modern medical care and offer a holistic lifestyle to individuals.
Essentially, yoga has certain core principles which centre around proper relaxation, proper diet, proper exercise, positive thinking, proper breathing, and meditation [1]. Due to its various benefits and importance since ancient times, Yoga is celebrated annually on 21st June. This day was regarded as International Yoga Day by the United Nations in 2014. On this International Yoga Day, MedCab is sharing with you the benefits of integrating yoga along with modern medicine and medical care. Along with emergency medical care, MedCab is dedicated towards the well-being of its clientele. Read on to learn about the benefits of various yogasanas in improving the efficiency of modern medicines.
Benefits to Physical Health
Yoga is known to benefit various aspects of physical health tremendously, ranging from respiratory health, cardiovascular health to pain management. Various yogasanas can contribute to better cardiovascular health management by helping in lowering stress and blood pressure. Breathing asanas, such as Pranayama, can help in the reduction of cortisol. As cortisol is a stress hormone, the reduction of cortisol promotes better cardiovascular health. One’s lipid profile can also be improved in the process.
Furthermore, yoga also has the potential to act as a complementary therapy for the management of diabetes. Various Yogasanas can be used for the management of diabetes, such as the Bow Pose (Dhanurasana), Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), and the Mountain Pose (Tadasana). These poses have the potential to help stimulate the pancreas, improve digestion, strengthen abdominal muscles, etc. In turn, blood sugar levels can be better controlled, while insulin sensitivity can also be improved. Therefore, yoga ought to be practiced by pre-diabetic as well as diabetic individuals.
Other yogasanas can also help with pain management while targeting specific parts of the body. For example, the Mountain Pose, also known as Tadasana, can help improve one’s posture. The Upward Facing Dog helps in opening up the chest and also the respiratory functions of the body. For overall physical benefits, the Surya Namaskara is one of the most dynamic yogasanas that helps improve overall fitness of the person. All of these poses also help one become more aware of the physical body and mindful of the needs of one’s body. Accordingly, various benefits to one’s physical health are achieved through different yogasanas. So, on this International Yoga Day, incorporate some of these Yogasanas into your daily routine to improve your physical well-being.
Improvements to Mental Health
Yoga can help improve the overall well-being of a person. Yoga is known to reduce stress and feelings of anxiety. For depression management and stress reduction, yoga is a beneficial tool [2]. But how can yoga be used for improving your mental health? The key is to use various asanas that focus on making the mind calm and boosting one’s overall mood. Through such yogasanas, a stabilised emotional state can be created for oneself.
Some of the yoga poses recommended for mental well-being include the Child’s Pose, the Corpse Pose, and the Supported Shoulder Stand. The Child’s Pose helps calm the mind while also reducing feelings of anxiety and stress. The Corpose Pose can help one achieve a sense of deep relaxation, thereby calming the mind. The Shoulder Stand can also create a calming effect on one’s nervous system. Thus, overall mental health can be enhanced by practising these yogasans.
Yoga has also been known to improve neuroplasticity and cognitive function of a person [3]. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to reorganise itself through the formation of new neural connections. It is important for avoiding age-related decline and improving one’s memory functions. As various Yogasanas can improve blood flow to the brain and help in reducing stress hormones, damage to brain cells can also be regulated. In particular, Pranayam and meditation are excellent yogasanas for improving one’s brain function with the help of Yoga. Thus, Yoga can also benefit students, professionals, senior citizens and anyone who wants to enhance their cognitive abilities.
Complementing Ongoing Medical Treatments
Yoga has the potential to complement ongoing medical treatments and care. Yoga can aid in pain management and also help in reducing the risk of certain conditions. Yoga is a holistic approach, and it can help improve the efficiency of various medical treatments for cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and even certain types of cancers -
- For musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, yoga can help improve one’s balance, flexibility, coordination, and overall strength. Thus, individuals recovering from such problems can greatly benefit from yoga.
- For heart diseases, yoga can help improve one’s blood pressure, thereby helping reduce the risks for further cardiovascular challenges.
- For breathing problems, Pranayama can potentially improve one’s lung function, thereby complementing medical care for respiratory health.
- Yoga also helps with cancer support as it helps reduce treatment related side effects by helping one relax and reduce stress. In turn, this can help in the management of side effects such as fatigue and nausea.
- Yoga also has the potential to help with weight management. This can help in improving one’s metabolism, while also helping avoid obesity related health conditions.
- By providing benefits, such as improved cognitive function, better sleep cycles, and stress reduction, Yoga also helps in the prevention of various diseases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yoga offers various benefits for one’s physical and mental well-being. On this International Yoga Day, you can incorporate Yoga into your lifestyle to improve your well-being and overall quality of life. While MedCab helps with emergency medical care and ambulance services, we believe preventive care through Yoga is the best approach for reducing the dependency on medical care. However, even while going through medical treatment and care, Yoga has the potential to complement such care and offer a holistic approach to healing. On this International Yoga Day, strive to add various Yogasanas, such as Pranayama, to your daily routine and improve your experience of life.
Even with a holistic approach to life, occasional medical emergencies can occur. MedCab is here to meet such urgent medical needs, provide ambulance support to all hospitals in major Indian cities, offer rapid sample collection support and more. Dial 18008-908-208 or visit our website to learn more. MedCab wishes you the best of health and a happy International Yoga Day.
References
[1] Tripathy JP, Thakur JS. Integration of yoga with modern medicine for promotion of cardiovascular health. International Journal of Noncommunicable Diseases. 2017 Jul 1;2(3):64-8.
[2] Bridges L, Sharma M. The efficacy of yoga as a form of treatment for depression. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine. 2017 Oct;22(4):1017-28.
[3] Hall S. Yoga for Chronic Pain-Expanding Accessible Yoga to Improve Function and Enhance Neuroplasticity. Pain Management Nursing. 2024 Apr 1;25(2):e168-9.
