Yoga and meditation in Western medicine

Meditation and deep breathing techniques, as a form of relaxation, have been in use for thousands of years. However, in the unique new book Pranayama (published by AuthorHouse), author Dr. Ravinder Jerath presents explanations and illustrations to more easily and succinctly explain exactly how meditation and deep breathing techniques beneficially affect the human body.

The book's title, Pranayama, is taken from a yoga term for a type of breathing. It is derived from the words "prana" and "yama" literally meaning "vital energy" and "self-control." It is the goal of Pranayama to teach readers more about the medical aspects of mind body response and the role it plays in personal health. Readers who are skeptical about breathing and meditation will find strong support from the hard science presented within Pranayama's pages.

There are many books on meditation and relaxation response. However, few, if any, have illustrations to show precisely how stress actually affects the human body. Without knowing the mechanisms of stress and anxiety, a reader may not understand how mind body responses reverse with deep breathing. The mechanism of mind body response is truly amazing. Pranayama's color illustrations allow readers to understand complex practical medical information. Pranayama brings the Eastern practices of yoga and meditation into the world of Western medicine. Readers will find pertinent information on subjects such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, addiction and the technique of pranayama interesting and useful.

Portions of Pranayama are based on information in a peer-reviewed article written by Dr. Jerath and published in The Journal of Integrative Medicine pertaining to the power of breathing in mind body response. Dr. Jerath's article discusses how relaxation practices such as meditation, transcendental meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, and pranayama are augmented by deep slow breathing.

Dr Ravinder Jerath is an obstetrician and gynecologist in practice at Augusta, Ga. He attended Christian Medical College in Ludhiana, India, where he earned his medical degree. He completed his residency at the Medical College of Georgia and became a fellow at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Jerath has practiced the deep, slow breathing technique called pranayama for 25 years and has taught this technique to patients in his practice. His techniques have helped patients who suffer from hypertension, insomnia, stress-related disorders, anxiety and depression. He has written several articles on physiology and clinical positive effects of pranayama.