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Recent studies in Sweden and India reveal that yoga can reverse biochemical changes associated with high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar.  Reversing a heart disease factor is big news in Britain - weak hearts are one of our greatest concerns.

Last summer researchers in India also discovered that migraine sufferers who practised pranayama (breath conrol) and yoga saw the frequency and intensity of their migraines diminish.  Along with tiredness headahces are the most common complaints heard by British GPs.

One person who has long known about the scientific powers of yoga research is research scientist Dr Robin Munro of London's Yoga Therapy Centre.  He suffered from asthma most of his life untill he met an indian doctor who introduced him to yoga therapy, which is where yoga pratices are tailored for the individual.  "He taught me how to do certain postures and use breathing to control my asthma.  Within 3 years it appeared to have gone.  That was 30 years ago."

Munro was so impressed so impressed with the phenomenon that he gave up his biochemistry career to set up the Yoga Biomedical Trust in 1983. "It was a bad move professionally but I was very interested in finding alternatives to surgery and drugs".

Today Munro treats a variety of ailments but he specialises in bad backs.  Heavyweight illnesses such as cancer and MS may also benefit.  "We can't cure these conditions but we can help people cope with the side effects", Munro explains.  "Chronic fatigue is a common complaint of cancer sufferers and the people who come to our classes say yoga really does help them.  The postures energise them and the breathing exercises help them to cope with pain control.  We aslo help people with multiple sclerosis control their muscles and use them better."

Laura Bissle, founding director of the Yorkshire Yoga & Therapy Centre, recently ran her own clinical trial on yoga's effects on weight loss.  The participants were lectured on healthy eating and followed a taiored yoga plan.  Forty people lost a total of 119Kg.  Bissell hopes that these results will encourage the government to invest more money in trials.
"Yoga could have a beneficial impact on the physical and mental health of our nation, yet most policy makers mistakenly identify yoga as an exotic practise suitable only for people who are alread fit and flexible.  They do not understand that yoga is a beneficial theraoy for everyone".

Source: Metro