New Horizons of Yoga and Tantra

Foreword

Yoga is now considered a complete medical science and one of the latest superspecialities among the medical subjects. In the recent years at least 1000 papers have been published on Yoga & its researched findings in the medical journals all over the world. It is now a subject, taught to the medical students in the leading Medical Colleges in India and abroad.

Medically speaking, Yoga basically consists of some rules and restrictions to be followed (Yam, Niyam, Pratyahara), some physical postures (Asanas), some cleansing procedures (Sat Karmas), control of breathing (Pranayams) and Meditation (Dhyana). It's a complete prescription for the healthy body and mind. It leads to a better quality of life.

The physiological, metabolic, neuro-endocrine and other changes of Yoga have been thoroughly investigated by the medical scientists and definite conclusions have been reached in many aspects. Most of the improvements have been established and confirmed by the doctors. Even the Electro-encephalographic (EEG) findings, with abundance of alpha waves in the brain, supports the feeling of intense pleasure and sense of well-being during and after the practice of Meditation.

Clinical usefulness of Yoga has also been tested by numerous medical scientists and clinicians and subjected to tough research protocols and statistical analysis. To the astonishment of the medical doctors Yoga proved its medical usefulness in numerous diseases.

Now, medical science approves the clinical use of Yoga for treatment of Heart diseases (Hypertension, Angina, Myocardial infarction, Coronary artery disease), Respiratory problems (Asthma, Chronic bronchitis), Diabetes, Psychological disorders (Anxiety, Neurosis, Hysteria, Insomnia, Depression), Orthopedic problems (Rheumatoid arthritis, Spondylosis), Drug deaddiction, Premenstrual syndrome and so on

Apart from the medical evidences, Yoga is exceptionally rich in philosophical literature. The concept of Yoga and its philosophy was formulated as early as 5000 years ago and had been followed for the past 50 centuries, especially in the Indian subcontinent. The literature has been added and the volume of tests have swelled gradually. Though this vast collection is available to the general population they are tough to understand, because of the complexities and use of Sanskrit slokas.

Tantra, similarly, was very popular in India as well as abroad and the experts were supposed to possess superhuman qualities through the mastery of the subject. Though inadequately studied medically, Tantra has been claimed to solve many mysteries of the human mind and body. There is a definite over-lapping now, between Yoga and Tantra, especially in the context of Kundalini.

This book is an ideal book for the beginners of Yoga-as they can get the essence of the theme of Yoga philosophy. The advanced practitioners will find the book as a guide and help. It will be of extreme value to the medical scientists and lovers of science- as it will give hem the basic concept of Yoga and Tantra.

The author, Swami Raman Das Mahatyagi is a person with vast knowledge of Yogic concepts and philosophy. Surprisingly, he also has an inclination for understanding the scientific mechanisms, as is expected from a medical person.

Medically, some of the scientific informations provided in the book will be much appreciated by the readers at large. The topics chosen cover a varied aspect of Yoga and Tantra to make this book a complete one. The explanation of the concepts have been very lucid and the Yogasanas have been described in a simple language.

I welcome the effort by the author to publish such a complete and informative book on Yoga and Tantra.