Yoga and modern science

I had a discussion with someone interested in Yoga. The discussion inspired me to write the following post (communication is private of course. But I re-write my opinion in a general way.)

Thing is that I constantly hear so many mis-interpretations of modern science these days (and read in relatively recent books) – it makes me very uneasy. – It looks like many modern Yoga teachers try to make connections to modern science without much knowledge about at least the second half – I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about uncertainty principle, quantum theories, electromagnetism and whatnot in Yoga centers. Did you? – I did a lot, many times for example from very respected centers like Sivananda Vedanta Yoga centers and Sivananda Ashrams for example (from Swamis or invited lecturers).

At best some of those analogies, parallels and “explanation of Yoga principles by modern science” – are “far stretches”… most of those comments – are simply incorrect.

I personally think that Yoga and underlying energies, etc. – have little to do with what modern science can measure. – I don’t actually understand why Yoga teachers nowadays try to connect to modern science – to sound more convincing to “general public”? Yoga – is a science in itself and in many respects it is a more profound knowledge – but it is separate from gravity and electromagnetism, etc. as modern science understand those.

And of course there are many simple things – like why asanas helps digestion, increase lungs ventilation, why stretching helps to reduce stress, etc. – those are all trivial, correct and very important points – no problem with those statements. (Meditation and other techniques like this – are in my opinion – beyond “simple things” and don’t have to be explained by the science, also some initial practices – might.)

In addition to practicing Yoga I have a Ph.D. in physics and I’m interested in modern science in general as much as I’m interested in Yoga. – I think these are two (mostly separate) parts of a more complete knowledge…

I understand that ideas in this post could sound controversial. One thing for certain – I don’t want to upset anybody with my opinion. – And I’ll be happy to have a discussion with you – please add your comments below.

Related posts:

1. Back care with Yoga vs. back care with other methods
2. Flying Yogis and microwave cooking
3. The science of Self-Healing. Metals in Ayurveda.
4. Power of a Guru: from guiding-to-light to misleading
5. Why variations in Yoga practice?