Exploring the Physiological Effects of Yoga: A State of the Art Review

The objective of this study is to review the results of selected articles regarding the physiological effects of Yoga and Diet counseling. According to B.K.S. Iyengar, yoga is an ancient Indian science which includes all aspects of one’s being, from health to self-realization. Yoga is self-management of life, which includes changes in diet, mental attitude and the practice of specific techniques such as yoga asanas (postures), breathing practices (pranayamas), meditation, to attain the highest level of consciousness. There is an increase in scientific research on yoga, but we do find very few reviews regarding yogic practices and diet counseling in health and disease. Keeping this in mind, review of relevant articles was done to evaluate the physiological effects of yogic practices and diet counseling. Review found that there were considerable health benefits, including improved sleep pattern, cognition, body mass index, reproductive health, respiration, blood pressure, joint disorders, diabetes and recovery from and treatment of addiction. It reduced stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, cardiovascular and cancer risk. Yoga also influenced overall well-being, quality of life, autonomic function and immunity. Therefore Yoga and Diet counseling is a novel emerging clinical discipline of mind-body medicine which is increasingly used worldwide under alternative medicine.