I consider myself as one of those who has benefited from a regular practice of yoga. But I cannot claim to be the final authority on this subject. So in order to authenticate the benefits derived from yogic practice and postures, I would like to quote medical and other professional experts from different countries.

I have found them convincing in the findings of their experiences in this field. I want to share them with all so as to enable them to benefit equally from this ancient science and art. There is no doubt yoga is helping people in different parts of the world in various ways. We can see how the doctors have taken cognizance of the benefits people are deriving from it.

There are structural defects, functional defects, infections, degenerative process, neoplastic process, traumatic and miscellaneous. Majority of the cases of backache are not organic in nature and radiologically no signs are seen there.

An Indian orthopedic has stated on the basis of his research that yoga can go a long way in healing chronic backache if practiced methodically. Patients who experience pain in the cervical spine can benefit from yoga exercise.

According to Dr. D.P. Dave, backache can be caused by a variety of disorders pertaining to spine and other systems. There are structural defects, functional defects, infections, degenerative process, neoplastic process, traumatic and miscellaneous. Majority of the cases of backache are not organic in nature and radiologically no signs are seen there.

Doctors suggest that white-collar patients of backache should go in for yoga as they are more prone to cervical spinal disorders. They usually suffer from stresses and strains of modern living and have very poor musculature for they do hardly any exercise.

Such people often have the tendency to begin their exercise program with frantic amounts of activity, thus increasing their chances of sustaining muscle injuries and, in some case, heart problems.

If yoga started early in life, backache can be prevented in the early middle and old age. Yoga should be a way of life because it is not just curative and but has tremendous preventive potentialities. The emphasis on yoga asanas is not on physical performance but strictly on the relaxation of mind so as to harmonize the body-mind complex. Yoga asanas improve the mobility of the spine. However, asanas performed jerkily and done in extreme limits can be harmful.

One major problem in the West with vigorous exercises, such as running, is that it encourages competitive, obsessive behavior. These personality traits are desirable for world-class Olympians but they can prove to be disastrous for sedentary executives trying to “get in shape” within a short period of time.

Such people often have the tendency to begin their exercise program with frantic amounts of activity, thus increasing their chances of sustaining muscle injuries and, in some case, heart problems.

For those who suffer from obesity, hypertension, diabetes, shortness of breath, or chest pains, certain exercises may be unwise. So self-appraisal must be completely honest before initiating an extensive training program. It is thus suggested that if life has been generally inactive, one should start by stretching to limber unused muscles and joints. Yoga is excellent for this purpose.

One need not become an expert practitioner; just being somewhat suppler will aid the body in its response to other exercises. A big mistake often committed by fitness devotees is the failure to “loosen up” prior to an exercise routine. Such oversight can wreak havoc with muscles, tendons, and ligaments. One should be sure not to ruin sessions in this manner.

Above all, exercise should be enjoyable. There is no logic in engaging in activities that are unpleasant. Exercise must be emotionally, as well as physically, satisfying. The human body should not constantly be pushed to its limitations. It is not fortified by such measures but only weakened. One should trust instincts when performing any exercise. The body will tell just how far one can push.

The main cause of heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes and certain forms of cancer is a sluggish, fat-clogged, oxygen-depleted bloodstream. This results from bad eating and drinking habits, combined with other risk factors such as lack of exercise, stress, and smoking.

Not only is moderate exercise good, in some instances, but it may also be even better than more vigorous workouts.

Dr. Winter advocates a healthy diet – high on roughage, fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry and low on fat and sugar – regular exercise and positive thinking as the best lines of defense. Our body is, he says, an exquisite masterpiece, which combines impeccable craftsmanship with flawless function. Our tissues have the remarkable ability to go on living indefinitely, which is why we have no spare parts. When our tissues degenerate, as in cancer, heart disease, strokes, and diabetes, it is not because we are growing old but because of the unhealthy way we live. As with a car, the breakdown is caused by bad driving and poor maintenance.

Dr. Winter, who offers supporting services of relaxation and slimming classes, yoga, aerobics, psychotherapy, and behavior modification, says, “We can abuse our bodies with impunity up to the age of 30 when our powers of renewal are strong, but after 30 we begin to reap what we have sown. If we take care of our bodies, however, we shall function as well at 67 or 70 as we did at 40.”

Not only is moderate exercise good, in some instances, but it may also be even better than more vigorous workouts. A study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that low-intensity exercise “dramatically lowered” triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are those pesky particles that lug fat around the body. Reducing their numbers can reduce the risk of both heart disease and diabetes. It also found that the positive effects of exercise lasted longer for the modest exercisers than for the more intense exercisers. Some wounds of age are self-inflicted, such as those caused by smoking, drinking and lack of exercise.

Diabetes is caused when insulin, a hormone that helps glucose from digested food nourish cells in the body, is in short supply or is not functioning properly. The unused glucose builds up in the bloodstream to abnormal levels. Diabetes is diagnosed when screening tests show blood glucose to be higher than normal. A regular yoga exercise can help the regular supply of insulin by making the pancreas function properly, suggests the expert.

Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst or urination, constant hunger, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, recurrent infections, and sores that are slow to heal. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe liver damage, nerve and blood vessel damage, blindness, amputation, birth defects or stillbirth and thyroid problems. Women can lower their risk of developing diabetes by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet of healthy and low-fat foods, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking.