Experts highlight magical health benefits of yoga

Ahead of the World Yoga Day celebration on June 21, the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Sunday organised a public lecture session regarding the health benefits of yoga. 

There was also discussions on the opening of a Centre for Integrated medicines in AIIMS, which will focus on yoga as an effective solution for various diseases.

Experts said practising many asanas  (exercises) could  be a substitute for medicines and cure numerous ailments such as diabetes, heart ailments and asthma to name a few.

Dr HR Nagendra, chancellor of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA), who was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s yoga therapist, was the main speaker at the event. 

Also present were various health experts from AIIMS, along with the institute’s director Dr MC Mishra.

Dr Mishra stressed that there were many cases in the history of medical science, wherein practising the ancient form of exercise i.e. yoga has helped reduce the number of medicines a patient consumes. However, he added that more research was needed to be conducted to ascertain how yoga could help reduce the intake of medicines or completely cure diseases, especially diabetes. He stressed that yoga is beneficial for a healthy life.

The experts, however, advised that patients, who practise yoga, should not stop medication midway.

Dr Nagendra said compared to other medical sciences, yoga had a significant edge in treatment as it leaves a positive impact on the practitioner’s mind. Two volunteers of S-VYASA also demonstrated various asanas, which help prevent diseases such as diabetes, heart ailments, high blood pressure and asthma.

Dr Nagendra said most diabetes and asthma patients S-VYASA, Bengaluru, had shown a marked improvement in their conditions. He expressed his gratitude towards AIIMS for providing S-VYASA, a space at the Institute’s Convergence block where the Samsthana volunteers would be able to provide yoga services to patients.