Shashi K Agarwal MD

Evidence Based Health Benefits of Yoga Shashi K Agarwal MD

The ancient Eastern practice of yoga has registered an exponential growth in the Western world. Most practitioners find that yoga not only makes them feel physically and psychologically better but also improves their personal, professional, and social life. In the United States of America alone, it is estimated that over 20 million adults practiced yoga in 2016. In response to its universal acceptance, ever-increasing popularity, and growing scientific validation of its numerous health benefits, the United Nations has officially dedicated June 21st of every year as the International Yoga Day. Most yoga practiced in the West combines four elements - physical postures, breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation. Healthy yogic lifestyles and spiritual yogic philosophy are also being increasingly taught. Emerging scientific data strongly indicates that healthier lifestyles, (as often recommended by yoga teachers) have the potential to increase the human life span by as much as 12 years. Many scientific trials, published in professional journals, have objectively documented the therapeutic effects of yoga in several diseases. The non-professional literature promotes a plethora of health benefits attributed to yoga, that on the surface, often appear to be scientifically 'unsubstantiated'. The author of this book has professionally researched these claims. This book documents the scientific data (with over 3000 citations) behind most of these claims