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The Nature, Meaning, and Practice of Yoga: Traditional Base Meets Scientific Rigor

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The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Medicine

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Abstract

This chapter explains in clear terms both the originally intended meaning, practice, and philosophy of Yoga as well as more recent developments, where interest in yoga in its more popular physical form can now be found in almost every country of the world. The global spread of yoga is beyond pop culture and indicates some level of value in terms of health benefits and lifestyle amelioration. Despite yoga’s ancient origin it is amenable to scientific study. More importantly, it needs rigorous study not only in terms of the empirical scientific method but in precision of the yoga technique if its inherent value is to be more clearly identified and applied to both general health concerns and more specific pathological issues. This chapter offers a clearer insight into the nature of how yoga techniques are conducted according to their intended outcome, outlined in the original texts, so their practice, research and reported outcomes are identified as yoga, not to be conflated with other approaches under a loosely termed generic “yoga”.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Katha Upanishad: 6.10-11 Yoga as firm restraint of the senses

    10. When the five senses, along with the mind, remain still and the intellect is not active, that is known as the highest state.

    11. They consider yoga to be firm restraint of the senses. Then one becomes undistracted, for yoga is the arising and passing away.

  2. 2.

    From the Bhagavad Gīta: Yoga Karmasukauśālam – Yoga is Expertise in action, not entangled (2.50)

  3. 3.

    From the Bhagavad Gīta: Niṣkāma Karma – Yoga is Action free from agenda and desire (2.47)

  4. 4.

    From the Bhagavad Gīta: Samatvam Yoga Ucyate – Yoga is to Practice balance, find equilibrium (2.48)

  5. 5.

    Pātañjalayogaśāstra (II.1) Tapaḥ-svādhyāyeśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ

    Yoga through action is penance or austerity, self-study and surrender or trust in the unknown

  6. 6.

    Pātañjalayogaśāstra (II.46) Sthira sukham āsanamĀsana, referring to the anatomical body, as posture is optimal when supported and free, open, happy

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Paul Dallaghan

  2. Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Indranill Basu-Ray

  3. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

    Indranill Basu-Ray

  4. School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA

    Indranill Basu-Ray

Authors
  1. Paul Dallaghan
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Correspondence to Indranill Basu-Ray .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiologist & Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Director of Cardiovascular Research, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Indranill Basu-Ray

  2. Medical Director, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine & Director, Office for Well-Being, Center for Faculty Development, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Darshan Mehta

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Dallaghan, P., Basu-Ray, I. (2022). The Nature, Meaning, and Practice of Yoga: Traditional Base Meets Scientific Rigor. In: Basu-Ray, I., Mehta, D. (eds) The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Medicine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6913-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6913-2_3

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-6913-2

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