In the realm of scientific methods that transcend time, yoga stands as a beacon of ancient wisdom. However, the understanding of yoga and its true essence remains a subject of inquiry within the academic scholarship of Tamil studies and culture.
Yoga is a traditional lifestyle in ancient Indian culture, incorporating practices such as meditation, diet, yoga postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and mindfulness. Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in yoga research, but we are now seeing some literature evaluating the benefits of yoga practices and mindfulness (TM) in health and disease. In this regard, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of yoga practices and TM on the physical outcomes of the body, using relevant English articles related to yoga practices and TM. The data obtained showed significant improvements in psychological assessment, respiratory function, reduced cardiovascular risks, body mass index, blood pressure, and hydration. These findings provide insight into the numerous health benefits associated with yoga and mindfulness.
Yoga is a spiritual and mental discipline that promotes unity and well-being between the mind, body, and soul. It encompasses various practices such as Pranayama and Dhyana, which involve controlled breathing and meditation. The state of Dhyana, also known as Transcendental Meditation (TM), allows the mind to enter a relaxed state without making any effort. This traditional practice, rooted in Tamil culture, has gained recognition worldwide for its scientific methods and contribution to overall health and well-being.
Yoga is a practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and mental focus to achieve a state of tranquility and self-awareness. It is a comprehensive approach towards attaining physical and mental discipline. The Tamil culture has long embraced yoga, which has been passed down through generations as a means of achieving optimal health and harmony.
Research on yoga’s effects on the mind and body has shown significant benefits. Scientific methods have been employed to study the physiological responses and neurochemical changes that occur during yoga practice. These studies have demonstrated the positive impact of yoga on stress reduction, increased flexibility, improved cardiovascular health, and enhanced concentration.
Tamil studies play a vital role in understanding the deep roots of yoga and its cultural significance. Through the exploration of Tamil literature and scriptures, researchers have been able to unravel the rich history and philosophy behind this ancient practice. The contribution of Tamil culture to the development and preservation of yoga cannot be understated and continues to be a source of inspiration for further research and exploration.
Yoga, deeply woven into the fabric of Tamil culture, offers a holistic approach to achieving unity and well-being. Its scientific methods, coupled with the study of Tamil literature and cultural practices, have shed light on the immense benefits that yoga brings to individuals. As academic scholars, delving into the world of yoga and Tamil studies allows for a deeper understanding of this ancient practice and its impact on overall health and well-being. continued research and exploration in this field and further integration of yoga practices into academic curricula can make a significant contribution to the understanding and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Yoga Schools
Yoga is famous not only in India but also in various countries around the world. For example, Hatha Yoga has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the United States. In India, there are various types of yoga, such as Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Sakhya Yoga, and many more. Asanas, Pranayama, and Kriyas (cleansing techniques, breathing exercises, and energy locks) are part of Hatha Yoga. In around 900 AD, the ancient sage Patanjali established the eight stages of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga. Therefore, Hatha Yoga incorporates various aspects, including Asanas, meditation, and Pranayama. In the Indian context, Ashtanga Yoga is also referred to as “Maaatratan Yoga,” which means yoga that combines different practices.
The foundation of physical well-being for yoga practices, pranayama techniques, and meditation lies in the effects they have on the body. During yoga training, the breath control and regulation techniques can enhance respiration, digestion, and metabolism in the lungs, liver, and pancreas. These practices also contribute to better endurance, flexibility, and stability, as evidenced by research conducted by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) Bangalore, exploring the effects of yoga research and hypopituitary-gonadal axis modulation. Additionally, insulin expression in fat cells, as well as insulin resistance in muscles and fat cells, can be improved by yoga, resulting in decreased blood glucose levels. Following yoga, improvements in lipids profiles, endothelial function, and cellular health have also been observed.
Yoga poses stimulate the intelligence of the spine and strengthen the awareness of the nerve pathways for better insulin sensitivity. Yoga exercises that increase blood circulation and stretch the spinal cord can promote the integration of beta cells in the pancreas. It can also help individuals with certain chronic diseases. Pranayama exercises, stretching the liver lobes, massaging the abdomen, and activating the functioning of the parasympathetic nerves can create conditions for regulating metabolic disorders. These conditions can support the adaptation of the nervous system in the brain to create neural connections within the visceral area of the abdomen, which is thought to enhance the integration of signals. Additionally, these exercises can help counteract the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles, aging, and poor posture, leading to various physiological improvements.
In a study conducted to understand the effects of long-term meditation on cognitive functions, researchers identified significant changes in the brain of meditators who practiced the right path-meditation, frontal theta, right thalamus, and decreased temporal gyri. Another study found increased alpha activity in the frontal lobe as a result of Sahaja Yoga meditation after a 2-month training period. Meditation has also been shown to enhance the P300 component, a fundamental aspect of cognitive processing, as demonstrated in another investigation.
A study including meditators who had an average meditation experience of 9.1 ± 7.1 years and practiced for 6.2 ± 4.0 hours per week, found significant alterations in the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics when incorporating probations. However, it should be noted that there are limitations to this study.
In a study conducted in Denmark, it was found that when compared to individuals who do not practice meditation regularly, individuals who have experienced meditation that brings about a sense of calmness and peace have shown increased levels of serotonin in the lower brainstem regions and have also shown variations in the regulation of the heart and respiratory system over an extended period of time.
In Germany, eight Buddhist monks and nuns were included in a five-year (with two years of follow-up) meditation training program that incorporated mindfulness meditation techniques. The training in meditation enhances attention through increased velocity, reduces the length of information processing, and improves responsivity to stimuli.
The study examined the effects of this meditation program on 347 subjects and found that long-term Sahaja Yoga meditation practitioners had better quality of life (QOL) and overall health compared to the general population.
The Harvard Medical School’s research shows that during meditation, oxygen consumption decreases from 251.2 ml/minute to 211.4 ml/minute (an average reduction of 17%). Breathing rate decreases by approximately 1 breath per minute, and respiratory rate decreases by approximately 3 breaths per minute, although these changes are not considered significant in terms of biological importance. The heart rate during meditation increases by 3 beats per minute. At the beginning of meditation, blood pressure slightly increases, but then decreases more than normal after meditation. During Transcendental Meditation (TM), there is a noticeable increase in alpha wave activity and an increase in coherence of alpha oscillations, along with a decrease in high-frequency and low-amplitude fluctuations. Alpha and Theta waves are present, but there is no evidence of delta or gamma activity. The changes mentioned above and the basis of EEG findings indicate that TM induces a state of heightened alertness and hypometabolism. There is no evidence of auditory or visual interference. Based on the above modifications and EEG findings, TM creates a state of hypometabolism.
The Benefits of Yoga
The study conducted to evaluate the immediate effect of three yoga breathing techniques on the performance of a task that involves paper cutting and blood pressure measurement reveals that teachers identified notable errors and the need for improvement in the task of paper cutting and blood pressure measurement, and the need for prior training before proceeding with work that requires yoga practice. Attention, accuracy, visual scanning skills, and consistent motor responses were also noted in the motor response of repeated P300. Eye-hand coordination, speed, and precision were also improved in the task of paper cutting, based on the study on the performance of participants involved in eye-fixation tasks. The importance of eye-gaze fixation was also discovered. Two basic cognitive skills associated with yoga were followed by measuring the changes in P300, and the study revealed that the cortical potentials of the P300 amplitude decreased after yoga-based cognitive skill training and the meditation of yoga enhanced cognitive processing in the frontal region.