Yoga, psychophysiology, and health: Studies from the Yoga Department Research, Patanjali University, India

Abstract

Techniques such as yoga postures, regulated breathing, relaxation, and meditation have increasingly become investigated in mainstream science. Many of these studies are carried out in India, where most of the practices originated. Here is a report of a professional experience concerning a research internship in the Yoga Research Department from Patanjali University, India, where some of these studies have been conducted. The presented results, which derive from the investigations carried out in the aforementioned department, indicate that such practices can have clinical implications for mental and physical health. Concerning physiology, depending on the particular technique, benefits have been noted during, immediately after or some time following the practice. Likewise, both short and long term interventions may produce positive therapeutic changes. However, this is not consistent to all conditions, hence the need to systematically investigate their applications. Psychophysiological changes seem to accompany many of these effects and this is an area that warrants more investigation, especially in Brazil, constituting an emergent field linking the aforementioned techniques, psychology and neuroscience.