Yoga: an ancient tool in modern medicine.

摘要

Yoga is a discipline that has been growing since ancient times as a result of the discovery, development and refinement of a lifestyle which the mystics of the Indian tradition found most useful in their spiritual quest. This lifestyle not only facilitates spiritual growth but also promotes health and happiness. That is why elements of yoga were incorporated in ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. Modern medicine, probably best called scientific medicine, has been doing the same in a big way for the past few decades, and has also been examining the efficacy of the holistic discipline of yoga using the reductionistic approach characteristic of modern science. The article by Chaya et al.x in'this issue of the Journal is also a part of this rapidly growing literature and, like much of the literature in this area, supports the use of yoga for prevention and management of chronic lifestyle diseases.