Scientific Insights in Yoga

Yoga is a low-cost self-help approach to well-being. Emerging studies have shown the positive effects of yoga and exercise on the physiological, biochemical, cognitive, and molecular changes. Interestingly, studies focused on yoga practices has shown an increase in the pool of hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood, cognitive functions, delay in ageing, altered gene expression, cell proliferation, cytokine secretion. Studies related to endurance exercises have provided indirect evidence documenting an increase of neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, neurotropic factors. This book amalgamates a range of perspectives in the field of yoga as a non-pharmacological intervention for promoting health under extremes of environmental conditions and disease stress. It encompasses research conducted using laboratory tools (e.g. Human case studies etc.), surveys, and yoga as an intervention to alleviate symptoms against environmental and occupational stress induced diseases.