Author: Sharmistha Chatterjee
Publication: The Times of India
Date: April 26, 2004
"Yoga cures heart problems."
Such assertions have been heard long enough. But when it came to substantiating
these claims one has only been met with silence.
Keeping such considerations
in mind, the 86-year-old The Yoga Institute at Santa Cruz, which has been
working in the area of controlling heart problems, has conducted a
study. Published in the Journal of The Association of Physicians of India
(JAPI), it establishes the reversibility of heart disease through
a yoga-based lifestyle.
"There was never really scientific
evidence to prove that yoga was beneficial for coronary artery disease,"
says Dr S Ambedekar, consulting cardiologist and chief clinical investigator
for the study. "This documented proof leaves no doubt about the benefit
of yoga in heart diseases." A open trial included angiographically
proven coronary artery disease patients, of which 71 were in the study
group and 42 in control group (that is people under medication). And it
was found that the serum total cholesterol levels had reduced by 23.3 per
cent, regression of the disease had occurred in 43.7 per cent and progression
was arrested in 46.5 per cent of the patients. Even a marked improvement
was seen in anxiety levels.
What makes this study special
is the sample size. Some patients were as young as 34 years while the oldest
was 70.
Given that angioplasty and surgery
are focussed on treating manifestations, not underlying causes of
the disease, yoga-based seems a good alternative. "Our lives are extremely
mismanaged," says Hansaji Yogendra, dean of the institute, and director
of the
International Board of Yoga. 'And
this study is proof that a yoga-based lifestyle is beneficial."
The results are evident for the
likes of Vasant Samani (54) who was about undergo a bypass but decided
to opt for yoga. "My blockage has been reduced by 20 per cent and heart
functioning has also improved drastically," he says. Natwarlal Rathi (65),
whose condition was no better, has a much lowered blockage level but also
undergone an immense attitudinal change.
According to Dr Shantaram Shetty,
research coordinator, "This study reveals that yoga, the science of living,
can be effectively used to maintain a healthy and balanced life."
