The Science Behind How Yoga Helps Tackle the Coronavirus
PM Modi and the quoted expert’s theories were confirmed by a recent study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that says, “the anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects of meditation and yoga practices make them potential adjunctive treatments of COVID-19.
Deepak Chopra from the University of California, San Diego, William Bushell from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and co-authors from Harvard University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health described the anti-inflammatory effects associated with meditation and yoga in their paper. They noted that “there is evidence of stress and inflammation modulation, and also preliminary evidence for possible forms of immune system enhancement, accompanying the practice of certain forms of meditation, yoga, and pranayama, along with potential implications for counteracting some forms of infectious challenges.”
“The paper is another in a series in JACM and in other integrative medicine journals suggesting that research agencies in the United States and Europe would serve their citizens by upping their exploration of the potential contributions of natural health practices, especially amidst the present dearth of conventional treatments,” said JACM Editor-in-Chief John Weeks.
Explaining the concept further, Thakur says, “The innate immune system gets weak if you have a disease, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammations, and other issues, and above all stress. Yoga works very fast. A single session of yoga is known to reduce stress, inflammation, and help the body secrete [immune-boosting hormones] (e)specially a hormone and neurotransmitter called serotonin. [While] practices such as Kapalbhati and Suryabhedan pranayam [also] boost serotonin levels.”
Dr Vadivel D, Chief Naturopathy Consultant, Naad WellnessYoga, told India Today, “Yoga can help play the role of post prophylaxis exposure. A combination of asanas, yogic kriyas, and pranayama complemented by medical support can speed up recovery.”
