Yoga: An Ancient Path to Mind-Body Harmony

Yoga Asanas are an ancient form of exercise and healing that originated in India more

than 5,000 years ago(1). Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely

subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body(2). “Yoga is the

restraint of mental operation (process)” or “Yoga is balance (equanimity).” Yoga means

“union” between one’s individual consciousness and the Universal consciousness, in contrast

to the common understanding of union between body and mind, or body, mind and spirit(1).

With respect to physical fitness and function, the studies reported moderate effect sizes

for gait, balance, body flexibility, body strength, and weight loss(3). Yoga is distinctly

different from

Yoga interventions are known to affect

physical health by improving muscular fitness, flexibility, increasing motor control and

performance, alter metabolism and autonomic function and improve respiratory functions of

the lungs including a prolongation of breath holding time. Studies on practice of single asana

have shown to increase diastolic pressure, pulse pressure following 5 minutes practice of

sarvangasana, matsyasana and shirasasana. The practices of certain asanas are also shown to

increase intra gastric pressure which helps in improving the blood circulation. There have

also been a number of studies suggesting that Yoga produces acute physiological changes and

promotes physical health by improving performance(5).

“When the surface of a lake is still, one can see to the bottom very clearly” this is

impossible when the surface is agitated by waves. In the same way, when the mind is still we

can control mental agitation by focusing on perfect concentration(4). with the stress and

strain of present day life, mental diseases and other mental problems are on the increase. In

the affluent countries, in spite of materialistic progress of a phenomenal nature,

In Yoga Sutras of Patanjali "Yoga is

defined as inhibition of the modification and working of the mind". When this is possible

even for a short time, the mind gets refreshed and this ultimately helps towards attainment of

sound mental health and even curing some of the early neurotic and psychosomatic

disorders(6).

Pregnancy is a very precious and important event in a woman's life and one of the

happiest periods in the life of a woman. Good prenatal care with proper nutrition and medical

supervision has gone a long way in reducing infant and maternal mortality in both developed

and developing countries. It is hypothesized that maternal stress may affect the intrauterine

environment and alter fetal development during critical periods, through either activation of

the placental stress system, causing the release and circulation of corticotrophin releasing

hormone, or through diminished blood flow and oxygen to the uterus(7). Therefore, it is

important to regulate maternal stress and provide expecting mothers with coping strategies

for the inevitable stresses and changes that occur during pregnancy to increase quality of