Introduction
The anthropologic record provides extensive evidence supporting the value of alternative approaches to medicine. All human societies throughout time have developed medical systems to survive disease and extend life. When any of these societies survived long enough to produce a biologic or archeologic record of their existence, we can presume that this medical system was to some degree successful. Of the medical systems for which we have either contemporary or historical/archeologic evidence, each supports the theory that health and disease are both integrated into the cultural system, reflective of a holistic orientation toward the person, and responsive to environmental changes and constraints. (Helman, 1994)
Biocultural approach and biomedical terms
There are many areas where the synthetic biocultural approaches add to the biomedical interpretations of stress, illness and healing but to keep the field specific lets take yoga in consideration.
In biocultural terms the word "yoga" means "union". Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses or asanas, yoga creates harmony. (Kraftsow G, 1999)
Hatha yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses or "asanas", yoga creates harmony. Yoga practice consists of five key elements: proper breathing, proper exercise, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation. The exercises, or asanas, are designed to ease tense muscles and to improve the flexibility of the body's joints and ligaments.
As in any form of physical conditioning, all patients who are referred to hatha yoga programs should first be evaluated for overall health status, exercise tolerance, and psychosocial function. Patients with existing cardiovascular.......
