Yogacharya Dr Ananda
Balayogi Bhavanani, Editor

Emergence of terms like- holistic medicine, caring, healing rather than curing, patient doctor communication, faith, spirituality, complementary therapies and medicine are testimony to the role of mind body medicine in redefining strategies of health promotion, maintenance and management. Every human being has the basic right to the highest attainable level of health, and this is the fundamental role of any health care institution.

The role and scope of yoga has expanded of late as it has become a popular pathway to holistic wellness and is being adapted and accepted globally as a preventive and therapeutic modality. Beyond the misunderstanding that yoga predominantly focuses on increasing flexibility; recent scientific studies have shown that it can positively impact the body-mind-emotion complex in multiple ways and the healthcare providers (HCP) are responding appropriately to these positive findings.

As treatment modalities, both medicine and Yoga aspire for a balanced, systematic and universal approach and could be strong associates who could come together with a larger purpose, a modus-operandi for the benefit of the patients/seekers.

Though Yoga and Yoga therapy facilitates restoration of total health, it may not be useful in emergency conditions (such as in accidents or myocardial infarction etc) where there is a strong need for a qualified medical practitioner. There is also a growing demand for an additional/alternative approach to wellness that is relatively inexpensive and safe and can be incorporated as an adjuvant modality along with modern medical management and HCP are convinced of the efficacy and safety of yoga as a therapeutic modality and are also referring patients for yoga therapy.

Yoga as an integrative medicine sees the person as a whole being with mind, body, and spirit, and not as a patient with an isolated malfunction of a particular system or organ. Yoga understands the influence of the mind on the body (Adhi-vyadhi) as well as that of the body on the mind (Vyadhi- adhi) as elucidated in the classical scripture Yoga Vasishta centuries ago and modern medicine is understanding this connection too. The traditionalism of Yoga combined with the novelty of modern medicine would result in enhanced quality of life throughout the world.

Extensive research on Yoga has shown promise with regard to various disorders that seem to be amiable to Yoga therapy as an adjuvant to modern medicine. Yoga and modern medicine are but complementary systems apart from being life changing and lifesaving sciences that understand the importance of holistic health. Their enlightened collaboration will have a significant impact on our health care system. Hence the need of the hour is to promote such an integrated approach and tap the potentials of both these grand sciences for the benefit of humanity.