This is a news which could send Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev to cloud nine. A group of medical researchers from Britain, Belgium and Netherlands have found scientifically that regular practice of yoga and meditation would help people to stay young and keep away diseases and depression. This is a medical finding which could bring satisfaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is credited with making the United Nations to declare June 21 International Yoga Day.
Frontiers of Immunology, an internationally respected scientific journal, which is the official publication of the International Union of Immunological Society, has come out with a peer-reviewed research paper on yoga and meditation. The research was held by scientists of Coventry University of Britain, Radboud University of Netherlands and Antwerp University of Belgium. Interestingly, the research team had scientists only from Britain, Netherlands and Belgium and there were no Asians in it.
The findings of the decade long research could be summed up like this. Those who practice yoga and meditation on a regular basis could maintain the DNA (the basic living blocks of the human body) in perfect condition. “This is a stunning research finding. Yoga and meditation could turn back molecular reactions within your DNA that causes diseases and depression,” said Mike Adams, chief editor, Natural News, described as the Health Ranger of the United States.
The concept that yoga and meditation are ideal exercises for relaxation is just a part of the impact of these activities, according to Ivana Buric of Coventry Universiy. Buric who heads the Brain, Belief and Behaviour lab of the University said that ‘activities like yoga and meditation leave what we call a molecular signature in our cells’.
“This reverses the effects that stress or anxiety would have on the body by changing how our genes are expressed. Yoga and meditation, popularly known as mind-body interventions, cause the brain to steer our DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions used in the growth, development, and functioning and reproduction of all living organisms) processes along a path which improves our well- being,” explained Buric about the findings.
The research team identified the reasons for a person getting afflicted with diseases and depression. “When a person undergoes a stressful event, his body goes into what’s often known as the Flight response which triggers the production of a molecule known as Nuclear Factor-kappa B or NF-kB for short. “It is the NF-kB which activates genes to produce a kind of proteins by name Cytokines that cause inflammation at cellular level. Over a period of time, this ca be quite damaging and increase risk of diseases like cancer and disorders like depression. It even accelerates the aging process. Regular practice of yoga and meditation will lead to reduction in NF-kB and related Cytokines which in turn lowers the risk of inflammation-related conditions,” said Buric. What she left unsaid is that yoga and meditation are the ideal methods to stay young and fit and keep at bay most of the diseases.
Interestingly, Thoppu Karanam, (a Tamil word which means to hold ears), performed in front of lord Ganapathy has been found to be effective in stimulating and energising the brain and its functions. Dr Eric Robins, a los Angeles based medical doctor, had described the ritual performed in front of lord Ganapathy as “a fast, simple, drug-free method of increasing mental energy”. The Americans have even renamed Thoppu Karanam as Super Brain Yoga.