Jun 26
Science Meets Yoga
New studies on the brain and Yoga…
http://brainblogger.com/2007/06/25/yoga-increases-gaba-levels-in-brain/
http://media-newswire.com/release_1052922.html
I like when Science challenges Spiritual practice - including Yoga. Not because Yoga wins or scores credibility points. After all, we learned recently from a study on prayer that patients did not necessarily improve when prayed for. Read about that here or here. Not that the study would stop me from sending blessings to a friend.
Instead, I am pleased when researchers decide to put Yoga to the Scientific Method because it means there is an interest or a push to understand more deeply. If researchers didn’t give a damn about Yoga, it just might remain in the realm of mystery or smoke and mirrors and the wisdom of Yoga would benefit only those who experience the wisdom of it every time they practice.
Einstein once said something along the lines of …. Knowledge can be had from books, but wisdom is embodied knowledge.
If you practice Yoga, you know this.
Adding to that…Immanuel Kant said, Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
Another statement that sits well in the Yogic view. Anyway, forgive my digression.
Researchers who examine Yoga more closely open up the mirrored door, clearing away the smoke for those who can really benefit from the practice but have been too skeptical to try. In effect, these studies help us to grow our community.
Even more beneficial is that experiments and research can clear up confusion caused by exaggerated or false claims that damage Yoga’s reputation.
Scenario: A Yoga program claims “End your stress NOW through Yoga and Meditation practice”. Stressed out, working mother of five children, all under the age of six, finds no end to her stress after coming to class for six weeks, or even six months. No surprise there. This is a false claim and while we hope that Yoga teachers have more integrity than that, you will find teachers making such blanket statements and pretty much ludicrous statements. Remember - beware the guru on the golden throne.
Yoga won’t end your stress BUT thanks to a recent study we can with confidence and integrity state that various styles of Yoga practice have been known to increase GABA levels in the brain. And we know that people who suffer from depression and anxiety tend to have reduced GABA levels in the brain. Yoga may help with depression.
As always in a delicate balance of giving and receiving, the Yoga community at large can receive from Science and in return most Yogin I know will continue to give back to the world at large, sharing their practices from calm minds, open hearts and strong bodies.
This can be a controversial topic…please comment and share your point of view.
Namaste.