1. RESTORING HUMAN VALUES
IN MEDICINE: ROLE OF YOGA
Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani1
& Madanmohan2
1
Deputy Director CYTER and 2
Director CYTER & Head
Dept of Physiology MGMC & RI, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth,
Pondicherry, India.

2. SRI BALAJI VIDYAPEETH
(Deemed University Accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC)
Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education
and Research (CYTER)
Salutogenesis, our focus!

4. Introduction
• Recent developments showcased through social
media highlight a lack of human values in modern
medical professionals.
• Compassion, empathy and a sincere desire to relieve
suffering are found lacking and this seemingly
becomes even rarer as qualifications increase.
• Kidney rackets, unnecessary surgeries, laboratory
referral commissions and inflated bills are commonly
bemoaned.
• Recently medical students in Chennai were found
throwing a poor dog off their rooftop in glee.

7. Why yoga?
• Yoga, an ancient cultural heritage of India is
spreading rapidly; practiced by millions globally.
• Offers a broader perspective of life and refines all
round personality (purna purusha)
• Enables the attainment of inherent potential of each
individual in a holistic manner.
• Yoga is not just a system of exercise but is a way of
life, an attitude and a conscious lifestyle.
• A Yogi is just a good human being.
• Shouldn’t our doctors be good human beings?

9. Why yoga? .................. Contd
• Stresses importance of social and personal values
– Yama (restraints of subhuman tendencies such as
violence, stealing and greed etc), and
– Niyama (humane observances: cleanliness,
contentment, self-introspection & discipline).
• Inculcation of these universal values in medical
students can help them be more humane in their life
and profession.
• Provides a contextual purpose for life and service.

11. Suggested mechanisms
• Psycho-physical techniques of Yoga such as asana,
pranayama, mudra, dharana and dhyana enable
attainment of physical, mental and emotional fitness.
• Skilful & efficient management of stressors through
induction of relaxation response.
• A broader worldview enables doctors to fulfil their
responsibility (dharma) in the spirit of nishkama
karma (non-attachment to results of one’s actions).
• This prevents unhealthy “Me first”, “Make the most
money”, “Who cares as long as I am safe” type of
attitudes from developing in medical professionals.

12. Empathy is the key!

13. Empathy is the key!
• A healthy connection with our inner self (antaratma)
creates a cheerful, strong and compassionate
professional; empathetic towards the suffering.
• We must remember:
– When we are at peace, at ease with ourselves; we
can serve others better.
– By serving others, we serve ourselves too.
– The more we give, the more we receive.
– We thus become pure tools of the divine.
We thus self actualize ourselves.

14. Integrating Yoga in
Medical Curriculum
Prof Madanmohan
MBBS, MD, MSc, DSc (Yoga)
• Prof and Head, Physiology,
MGMC&RI & Director CYTER,
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
• Former Director-Professor &
Director ACYTER, JIPMER
• Yoga for Medicos since 1977
Integrating Yoga in mainstream medicine has been his life
mission

15. JIPMER 2008JIPMER 2008

16. SBV 2013-15SBV 2013-15

17. SBV 2016SBV 2016

18. In conclusion
• Introduction of Yoga as a holistic way of life with its
ashta anga (eight components) in medical education
can inculcate a compassionate sense of karuna and
seva (selfless service) towards our human brethren.
• Even illness becomes wellness when we consciously
move from the limited sense of “I” to a broader
inclusive “WE"
• This can motivate young doctors to be vehicles of
change thus restoring once again the much extolled
nobility of our medical profession.

19. Accredited with ‘AA’ grade by NAAC