Strictly speaking, yoga and ayurveda are not scientific bodies of knowledge, but rather philosophies. This is because of the difference between theoretical inquiry and scientific study. The former is based on general observation and enlightened thinking, while the latter uses a particular form of study known as the scientific model. In a nutshell, science is observation that can be seen, measured, and repeated using a particular model of inquiry. While science was born out of philosophy, and while both are important, modern medicine is based on the scientific method. This is why drugs are tested multiple times before being sanctioned by the FDA, and why doctors are required to be licensed before practicing.
Why should yoga practitioners care about the scientific method? If we want to see yoga taken seriously as complementary medicine, then we should in turn want to see it studied in a scientific way. The National Council on Complementary and Integrative Medicine, or NCIIH, one of twenty-seven different associations that make up the National Institute of Health, defines its mission one of measuring and advocating for ““the fundamental science, usefulness, and safety of complementary and integrative health approaches and their roles in improving health and health care.” In other words, if we want to see yoga used as an aid to medical mainstream practice, the NCIIH’s opinion matters.
In January of 2020, the NCIIH published an article entitled “Yoga for Health: What the Science Says.” Aimed at a professional audience, this commentary gives an overview of recent studies focused on measuring the efficacy of yoga in keeping Americans of all ages healthy. It’s good to see that rigorous scientific inquiry is beginning to prove that yoga has a measurable and duplicatable effect on certain conditions. This means that, hopefully, more research will be funded, and that, in turn, more medical organizations will make various forms of yoga part of their offerings for clients.
The studies listed in this article survey Americans of all ages. It notes, for example, that the American Academy of Pediatrics considers yoga safe for children and adolescents, finding it to have a potentially positive effect on a number of different conditions. One study has shown yoga to be more effective than regular physical education in preventing both inattention and hyperactivity. Another notes that yoga reduces anxiety in this part of the population. In all these cases, the NCIIH recommends further study to more closely determine how and when yoga can best help youth.
At the other end of the age spectrum, yoga has also been shown to have a positive effect on the elderly. The NCIIH notes that participation in yoga programs have more than doubled in the last twenty years, and that practitioners see greater protection of brain function from the ravages of aging. As always, it’s important to learn proper form and to practice in a way that integrates physical and mental health.
In general, yoga has been shown to have a positive correlation with other health factors such as eating habits and sleep patterns. Yoga also has a measurable effect on such areas as stress management, mental health, weight control, and other bugbears of modern American life. Yoga has even been proven to be helpful to those quitting smoking!
Several studies have looked at yoga as complementary medicine to fight disease. For example, science has determined a positive link between yoga practice and the treatment of fibromyalgia. Researchers have found a limited correlation between yoga and the reduction of back or neck pain. Better blood sugar control, as well as a decrease in irritable bowel symptoms, has also been determined. For a number of conditions, however, there simply isn’t enough evidence yet to make an informed statement on how yoga positively fights certain conditions.
Of course, I’m preaching to the converted. Those of us who practice yoga can attest to its efficacy in our daily lives off the mat. Nonetheless, it’s important that we understand why scientific study is needed, and what those studies say about the philosophy we all love so much. I’d be interested in your thoughts on the subject – feel free to leave comments or questions for further articles!
For more information, see the various links included in the text. Please note that I am not affiliated with the NCIIH, and that I was not paid for my research into this topic.
Yoga Cielo Stellato 