Yoga for Health Professionals

Yogacharya Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, MD (Alt Med), FIAY, C-IAYT

Chairman ICYER at Ananda Ashram & Deputy Director: Centre for Yoga Education, Therapy and Research (CYTER),

Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry. www. sbvu.ac.in/ahs/yoga

SRI BALAJI VIDYAPEETH(Deemed University Accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC)

Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education

and Research (CYTER)Salutogenesis, our focus!

Salutogenesis, our Focus• Moving from pathogenesis, the focus on disease

towards salutogenesis, the focus on health!

• Under SBV AIM HIGH SBV AIM HIGH (Academy of Integrative Medicine for Holistic Intervention towards General Health), Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, CYTER is striding forward on an innovative path of promoting holistic health for one and all.

Bridging the experiential wisdom of Yoga with empirical modern medical science.

Yoga is usually found in Physical Edu & Sports deptts of universitiesWe at CYTER, have it in a medical institution since 2010

– quality of life enhancing benefits for ~ 30000 patients

– educating future Yoga therapists (PGDYT, M.Phil, PhD),

– creating awareness amongst medical, dental and nursing students & professionals

– scientifically researching Yoga, – 54 publications & 4 CMEs

“ அண்டத்தில் உள்ளதேதபிண்டம்; பிண்டத்தில்

உள்ளதேதஅண்டம்; அண்டமும் பிண்டமும்

ஒன்தே�அ�ிந்துதான்”பார்க்கும்தேபாதேத

- சட்டைடமுனி சித்தர் 

That which lies in the macrocosm, lies in the microcosm.

That which lies in the microcosm lies in the macrocosm.

When we understand truly, both are indeed one.- Sattaimuni Siddhar

RESTORING HUMAN VALUES IN MEDICINE: ROLE OF YOGA

Introduction• Recent developments showcased through social media

highlight a lack of human values in modern medical professionals.

• Compassion, empathy and a sincere desire to relieve suffering are found lacking and this seemingly becomes even rarer as qualifications increase.

• Kidney rackets, unnecessary surgeries, lab commissions & inflated bills commonly bemoaned.

• Recently medical students in Chennai were found throwing a poor dog off their rooftop in glee.

• Monkey tortured and killed at CMC, Vellore

Why yoga? • Yoga, an ancient cultural heritage of India is spreading

rapidly; practiced by millions globally.• Offers a broader perspective of life and refines all round

personality (purna purusha)• Enables the attainment of inherent potential of each

individual in a holistic manner. • Yoga is not just a system of exercise but is a way of life, an

attitude and a conscious lifestyle. • A Yogi is just a good human being.

• Shouldn’t our doctors be good human beings?

Why yoga? .................. Contd

• Stresses importance of social and personal values– Yama (restraints of subhuman tendencies such as

violence, stealing and greed etc), and – Niyama (humane observances: cleanliness,

contentment, self-introspection & discipline). • Inculcation of these universal values in medical

students can help them be more humane in their life and profession.

• Provides a contextual purpose for life and service.

Yoga places great importance on a proper and healthy lifestyle whose main components are:

ACHAR – healthy physical activities & exercise VICHAR – right thoughts and right attitude towards

life that are vital for wellbeing. AHAR – healthy, nourishing diet with adequate intake

of fresh water; balanced intake of fresh food, green salads, sprouts, unrefined cereals & fresh fruits. Satwic diet, prepared & served with love & affection.

VIHAR – proper recreational activities to relax body and mind are essential for good health.

Suggested mechanisms• Psycho-physical techniques of Yoga such as asana,

pranayama, mudra, dharana and dhyana enable attainment of physical, mental and emotional fitness.

• Skilful & efficient management of stressors through induction of relaxation response.

• A broader worldview enables doctors to fulfil their responsibility (dharma) in the spirit of nishkama karma (non-attachment to results of one’s actions).

• This prevents unhealthy “Me first”, “Make the most money”, “Who cares as long as I am safe” type of attitudes from developing in medical professionals.

Empathy is the key!

Empathy is the key!• A healthy connection with our inner self (antaratma)

creates a cheerful, strong and compassionate professional; empathetic towards the suffering.

• We must remember:– When we are at peace, at ease with ourselves; we can

serve others better.– By serving others, we serve ourselves too.– The more we give, the more we receive.– We thus become pure tools of the divine.

We thus self actualize ourselves.

ADVANTAGES OF YOGAWholistic:• Preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, curative? • Science, philosophy, art• Involves body, mind, spirit• Desirable +ve “side benefits”• Simultaneous improvement in health and control of

other conditions • Relief from stress - the main cause of Adhija Vyadhi

(psychosomatic disorders)

THETHEYOGIC YOGIC

CONCEPT CONCEPT OF OF

ORIGIN ORIGIN OF OF

DISEASEDISEASE--

Yoga Yoga VashishtaVashishta

Perceived Stimulus

Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological correlates of stress, illness & health

NERVOUSSYSTEM

ENDOCRINESYSTEM

IMMUNESYSTEM

Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological correlates of stress, illness & health

NERVOUSSYSTEM

ENDOCRINESYSTEM

IMMUNESYSTEM

MENTAL & PHYSICAL ILLNESS

-ve

STRESS

Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological correlates of stress, illness & health

NERVOUSSYSTEM

ENDOCRINESYSTEM

IMMUNESYSTEM

MENTAL & PHYSICAL ILLNESS

+ve

YOGA

-ve

STRESS

HEALTH

YOGA MODALITIES – Physical therapies

• Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras and Bandhas– Emotional therapies

• Swadhyaya, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Bhajans

• Development of +ve attitudes– Vairagya – Chitta Prasadan– Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, Upekshanam

– Mental therapies• Relaxation & visualization, Trataka, Pranayama,

Pratyahara, Dharana & Dhyana

YOGA MODALITIES (Contd…)– Spiritual therapies

• Swadhyaya, Satsangha, Bhajans , Upadesa– Preventive therapies

• Start early in childhood• Prevention of accidents• Improved immunity• Knows the technique so that can do it if needed

– Rehabilitative therapies• Prevention of disability & improving QOL

– Pain relief therapies• Increases pain tolerance - improved quality of life

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS

• Improved general health, posture, muscle tone, sleep, immunity and pain tolerance

• Weight normalizes• Balanced autonomic nervous system• Increased cardio-respiratory efficiency, musculo-

skeletal flexibility, range of joint movement, physical endurance, strength and energy levels

• Decreased HR,BP,RR and EMG activity• Normalizes GIT and endocrine function

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

• Improved mood• Increased

– somatic awareness, kinesthetic awareness, subjective well-being,

– self-acceptance– self-actualization ,social adjustment

• Decreased – hostility, anxiety, depression

PSYCHOMOTOR BENEFITS

• Increased– grip strength, dexterity, fine skills

• Improved– eye-hand coordination – reaction time– depth perception– steadiness and balance – integrated functioning of body parts

COGNITIVE FUNCTION

IMPROVED

Attention

Learning efficiency

Depth perception

Concentration

Memory

BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS

THE BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IMPROVES,INDICATING AN

ANTI STRESS & ANTI OXIDANT EFFECT, IMPORTANT IN THE PREVENTION OF

DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS.

Integrating Yoga in Medical Curriculum

Prof MadanmohanMBBS, MD, MSc, DSc (Yoga)

• Prof and Head, Physiology, MGMC&RI & Director CYTER, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth

• Former Director-Professor & Director ACYTER, JIPMER

• Yoga for Medicos since 1977

Integrating Yoga in mainstream medicine has been his life mission

JIPMER 2008JIPMER 2008

SBV 2013-15SBV 2013-15

SBV 2016SBV 2016

Yoga Alliance/Yoga Journal Survey 2016

From: http://www.yogajournal.com/yogainamericastudy/

* Slide courtesy of Sat Bir S Khalsa, PhD USA

Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.…Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day

Mec

hani

sms o

f Yog

a

Mec

hani

sms o

f Yog

a

Where the mind goes, there the energy flows!

You can use your mind to change your brain to change your mind for the better.

This is self-directed neuroplasticity.

Yoga Practices Postures, Breathing, Relaxation, Meditation

Fitness

↑Flexibility↑Strength

↑Coordination/Balance ↑Respiratory Function

↑Self-Efficacy

Global Human Functionality ↑Physical & Mental Health, ↑Physical, Mental, Emotional Performance,

↑Positive Behavior Change, ↑Social Responsibility, Values, Relationships, ↑Quality of Life, ↑Life Purpose & Meaning, ↑Spirituality

Self-Regulation

↑Emotion Regulation ↑Stress Regulation

↑Resilience ↑Equanimity

↑Self-Efficacy

Awareness ↑Attention

↑Mindfulness↑Concentration

↑Cognition↑Meta-cognition

Spirituality ↑Transcendence

↑Unitive State↑Flow

↑Transformation↑Life Meaning/Purpose

* Concept and image courtesy of Sat Bir S Khalsa, PhD USA

Uninostril / alternate nostril pranayamas

Suryanadi asana Chandranadi asana

Whooshing tensions away-nasarga mukha bhastrika

Healing the neck-Brahma Mudra

Balancing energy centers (chakras) with gestured mindfulness

Twisting the arms-Garuda

Opening the shoulders-Gomukha

Stretching the spine-Tala Asana

Twisting the spine - Bharadwaja

Vibhaga Pranayama

• Adham Pranayama– abdominal and lower limb disorders

• Madhyam Pranayama– chest and upper limb disorders

• Adhyam Pranayama– head and neck disorders

• Mahat Yoga Pranayama– affects the whole body

Focusing consciousness into broncho-pulmonary segments

Pranava Pranayama• Using foundation of Vibhaga • Chanting Akara, Ukara, Makara and

Omkara Nada• 2 to 3 times longer exhalations• Appropriate hand gestures (Mudras)

Tension relaxation coupling: Spanda nishpanda

Chakra MeditationChakra Chakra dhyanadhyana

Inha

leExhale

Accredited with ‘AA’ grade by NAAC