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. 

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Contents

Foreword — Pgs. 7

Preface — Pgs. 9

Section I : Yoga as a Preventive Medicine

Different Forms and Styles of Yoga — Pgs. 15

Physiological basis of Asana and Pranayama — Pgs. 22

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health — Pgs. 27

Stress Management through Yoga — Pgs. 34

Effectiveness of  Yoga on Physical Performance  and Well-being — Pgs. 48

Section II : Yoga for Extreme Environment

Yoga for Combating the Extreme Cold Environment of Antarctica — Pgs. 59

High Altitude Environment and Yoga for Better Acclimatization — Pgs. 75

Extreme Environment of Hot Deserts and Benefit from Yoga for Better Acclimatization — Pgs. 89

Confined Environment of Submarine and Yoga  — Pgs. 104

Section III :  Yoga as a Non-pharmacological Intervention in Diseases

Asthma Management by Yoga — Pgs. 123

Yoga Fights Obesity and Eating Disorders — Pgs. 134

Yoga for Better Sleep — Pgs. 142

Yoga for Healthy Ageing — Pgs. 150

Yoga for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases — Pgs. 161

Yoga for Prevention of Diabetes — Pgs. 173

Yoga for Prevention of Osteoporosis — Pgs. 185

Yoga as a Preventive Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis — Pgs. 197

Yoga to Improve Mental Function — Pgs. 207

Dr. Shashi Bala Singh is presently Director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad. Formerly, she was the Director General (Life Sciences), DRDO and director of two DRDO Labs, Dihar, Leh and DIPAS, Delhi. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Human Physiology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and D.Sc. degree in  Physiology form Bharathiar   University, Coimbatore. She has immensely contributed to the understanding of high altitude physiology. Dr. Singh is the elected Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India, and Indian Academy of Neuroscience. She holds editorship in many prestigious journals. She had published three books and more than 170 research papers.

Dr. K.P. Mishra is currently working as Scientist-E at the Directorate General Life  Sciences, DRDO-HQ,  New Delhi. Prior to his posting at DRDO-HQ he was at DIPAS, Delhi. His area of research is Immunophysiology, Viral Immunology and Immunomo-dulation. He is elected member of the National Academy of Sciences India and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, India. He is on the panel of editorial board of several journals. He has published more than 65 Research papers in national and international journals.