"Yoga for dental professionals" by Dr Ananda

1. Yoga for
Dental Professionals
Yogacharya
Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
MBBS, ADY, PGDFH, PGDY, MD (Alt Med), FIAY, C-IAYT, DSc (Yoga)
Director:
Centre for Yoga Education, Therapy and Research (CYTER),
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry. www. sbvu.ac.in/cyter

2. Wishing you all a very happy
World Dentist Day 2019!

3. www.icyer.com

4. SRI BALAJI VIDYAPEETH
(Deemed University Accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC)
Ranked 72 in NIRF 2018
Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education
and Research (CYTER)
Salutogenesis, our focus!

5. Bridging the experiential wisdom of Yoga with
empirical modern medical science.
Yoga is usually found in Physical Edu
& Sports deptts of universities
We at CYTER, have it in a medical
institution since 2010
– quality of life enhancing benefits
for ~ 52,000 participants
– educating future Yoga therapists
(PGDYT, M.Phil, PhD),
– creating awareness amongst
medical, dental and nursing
students & professionals
– scientifically researching Yoga,
– 88 publications & 7 CMEs.
– IDY celebrations since 2015

7. Why introduce
Yoga for dental
students and
professionals?
?

8. • Dental professionals face unique physical, mental,
and emotional challenges every day.
• These can create discord and imbalance, especially
when they're combined.
• Contortion of their bodies to gain better visibility,
sitting for long periods, as well as hunching over
computer keyboards put enormous strain on the
musculoskeletal system.
• Dealing with fearful patients, uncooperative team
members, and job related frustrations can become
overwhelming.
• Results in stress, anxiety, anger, and depression.

9. Bhavanani AB. SMVMCH. 16.12.2016

10. • Prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain is
estimated to be between 64% and 93%
• Major issues :
– back pain (36.3-60.1%)
– neck pain (19.8-85%).
• Risk factors include:
– static and awkward posture of clinical practice
– other non-ergonomic work practices.
• Physical, mental and emotional stress precipitate
or aggravate such factors!

12. • It has been recently (2015)
suggested that Yoga
may be a good way for dentists to relieve stress
and reduce the risk for repetitive strain injury
and dysfunctional posture.
• Another survey(2015)
amongst 220 dentists found
statistically significant difference in prevalence
of musculoskeletal pain among those practicing
Yoga compared to those with no regular
activity over a period of 12 months.

13. • However, ignorance and resistance to Yoga still
persists amongst health professionals.
• A recent cross–sectional survey in Chennai (2015)
reported that despite musculoskeletal pain and
stress being the most common occupational
hazard prevalent among dentists, over 50% of
the 390 respondents surveyed didn't seek any
measure to treat these occupational hazards.
• Only 10% of them practiced Yoga as the
alternative therapy.

14. Nada Bhavana Shuddhi Kriya
• Relive anxiety and tension from storehouses in the
abdomen, chest and neck. Ha Ha, Ho Ho, He He !
• Become aware of the subconscious stresses induced
by the survival mechanisms. Me Me !
• Enhance the cognitive, higher abilities of the
intellect. Dhi Dhi !
• Throw out all tensions & become stress-free. Po
Po !
• “BE”, yourself! Introspective Silence

16. Restoring Human Values: Role of Yoga
• Recent developments showcased through social
media highlight a lack of human values in modern
health 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, lab
commissions & inflated bills commonly bemoaned.
• Recently medical students in Chennai were found
throwing a poor dog off their rooftop in glee.
• Monkey tortured and killed at CMC, Vellore

17. 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?

20. SBV 2013-19SBV 2013-19

21. Bhavanani AB. SMVMCH. 16.12.2016
Yoga for IGIDS students @ CYTER during
orientation from 2015 onwards

22. Yoga in HPE @ SBV 2016Yoga in HPE @ SBV 2016

23. 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 dental
students and professionals enables them to be more
humane in their life and profession.
• Provides a contextual purpose for life and service.

24. Yoga places great importance on a proper and healthy
lifestyle whose main components are:
ACHAR – healthy physical activities & exercise
VICHAR – right thoughts and right attitude towards
life that are vital for wellbeing.
AHAR – healthy, nourishing diet with adequate intake
of fresh water; balanced intake of fresh food, green
salads, sprouts, unrefined cereals & fresh fruits.
Satwic diet, prepared & served with love & affection.
VIHAR – proper recreational activities to relax body
and mind are essential for good health.
VYAVAHAR – healthy interpersonal relationships
enhancing psycho-social health

26. 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 dental professionals.

27. Empathy is the key!

28. ADVANTAGES OF YOGA
Wholistic:
• Preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, curative?
• Science, philosophy, art
• Involves body, mind, spirit
• Desirable +ve “side benefits”
• Simultaneous improvement in health and control of
other conditions
• Relief from stress - the main cause of Adhija Vyadhi
(psychosomatic disorders)

29. THETHE
YOGICYOGIC
CONCEPTCONCEPT
OFOF
ORIGINORIGIN
OFOF
DISEASEDISEASE
--
YogaYoga
VashishtaVashishta

33. Perceived
Stimulus
Perceived
Stimulus

38. Stress management through Yoga
• Dr W Selvamurthy gave a beautiful
message at SBV recently. He said:
Yoga enables and empowers
individuals to
– Modify their perceptions of the stressors,
– Optimise their responses to them, and
– Efficiently release the pent up stresses.
• We can think of it as a 3-in-1 action!!

39. HowHow
does thisdoes this
happenhappen
??

40. Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological
correlates of stress, illness & health
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
IMMUNE
SYSTEM

41. Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological
correlates of stress, illness & health
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
MENTAL & PHYSICAL ILLNESS
-ve
STRESS

42. Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinological
correlates of stress, illness & health
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
MENTAL & PHYSICAL ILLNESS
+ve
YOGA
-ve
STRESS
HEALTH

46. YOGA MODALITIES
– Physical therapies
• Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras and Bandhas
– Emotional therapies
• Swadhyaya, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana,
Dhyana and Bhajans
• Development of +ve attitudes
– Vairagya
– Chitta Prasadan
– Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, Upekshanam
– Mental therapies
• Relaxation & visualization, Trataka, Pranayama,
Pratyahara, Dharana & Dhyana

47. YOGA MODALITIES (Contd…)
– Spiritual therapies
• Swadhyaya, Satsangha, Bhajans , Upadesa
– Preventive therapies
• Start early in childhood
• Prevention of accidents
• Improved immunity
• Knows the technique so that can do it if needed
– Rehabilitative therapies
• Prevention of disability & improving QOL
– Pain relief therapies
• Increases pain tolerance - improved quality of life

48. MechanismsofYoga
MechanismsofYoga

51. Where the mind goes,
there the energy flows!
You can use your mind
to change your brain
to change your mind for the better.
This is self-directed neuroplasticity.

52. Yoga Practices
Postures, Breathing, Relaxation, Meditation
Fitness
↑Flexibility
↑Strength
↑Coordination/Balance
↑Respiratory Function
↑Self-Efficacy
Global Human Functionality
↑Physical & Mental Health, ↑Physical, Mental, Emotional Performance,
↑Positive Behavior Change, ↑Social Responsibility, Values,
Relationships, ↑Quality of Life, ↑Life Purpose & Meaning, ↑Spirituality
Self-Regulation
↑Emotion Regulation
↑Stress Regulation
↑Resilience
↑Equanimity
↑Self-Efficacy
Awareness
↑Attention
↑Mindfulness
↑Concentration
↑Cognition
↑Meta-cognition
Spirituality
↑Transcendence
↑Unitive State
↑Flow
↑Transformation
↑Life Meaning/Purpose
* Concept and image courtesy of Sat Bir S Khalsa, PhD USA

53. Uninostril / alternate nostril
pranayamas
Suryanadi asana Chandranadi asana

55. Whooshing tensions away-nasarga
mukha bhastrika

56. Healing the neck-Brahma Mudra

57. Balancing energy centers (chakras)
with gestured mindfulness

58. Twisting the arms-Garuda

59. Opening the shoulders-Gomukha

60. Stretching the spine-Tala Asana

61. Twisting the spine - Bharadwaja

65. Vibhaga
Pranayama
• Adham Pranayama
– abdominal and lower limb disorders
• Madhyam Pranayama
– chest and upper limb disorders
• Adhyam Pranayama
– head and neck disorders
• Mahat Yoga Pranayama
– affects the whole body
Focusing consciousness into broncho-pulmonary segments

66. Pranava Pranayama
• Using foundation of Vibhaga
• Chanting Akara, Ukara, Makara and
Omkara Nada
• 2 to 3 times longer exhalations
• Appropriate hand gestures (Mudras)

67. Tension relaxation coupling:
Spanda nishpanda

68. Chakra MeditationChakraChakra
dhyanadhyana
Inhale
Exhale

69. Yoga embodies unity of mind and
body; thought and action; restraint
and fulfillment; harmony between
man and nature; a holistic
approach to health and well being.
It is not about exercise but to
discover the sense of oneness with
yourself, the world and the nature.
…Let us work towards adopting an
International Yoga Day

72. Gratitude
is the
highest
attitude.

73. Thank You!Thank You!

74. References:
1. Bhavanani AB. A Yogic Approach to Stress. Pondicherry, India: Dhivyananda Creations, 2008.
2. Bhavanani AB. Mental Health & Wellbeing through Yoga. Jacobs Journal of Yoga & Natural Medicine 2016; 1: 004.
3. Bhavanani AB. Role of yoga in health and disease. Journal of Symptoms and Signs 2014; 3(5): 399-406.
4. Bhavanani AB. Simple yoga practices for health professionals. Souvenir of the National Seminar and CME on
Introducing Yoga in Health Professions Education. SBVU, Puducherry. 19-21 June 2016. Pg 74-86.
5. Bhavanani AB. Understanding the Yoga Darshan. Pondicherry, India: Dhivyananda Creations, 2011.
6. Bhavanani AB. Understanding Yoga as a Therapy. Journal of Yoga and Physiotherapy 2016; 1 (1): 555551.
7. Bhavanani AB. Yoga Chikitsa: The application of Yoga as therapy. Pondicherry, India: Dhivyananda Creations, 2013.
8. Galantino ML, Galbavy R, Quinn L. Therapeutic effects of yoga for children: a systematic review of the literature.
PediatrPhysTher. 2008; 20: 66-80
9. Gitananda Giri Swami (Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. Ed). Frankly speaking. Pondicherry, India: Satya Press,1995
10. Gitananda Giri Swami. Yoga: Step-by-step. Pondicherry, India: Satya Press. 1976
11. Hayes M, Cockrell D, Smith DR. A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals. Int J
Dent Hyg. 2009 Aug;7(3):159-65
12. Hennington DR. Yoga for Dentists. www.dentaltown.com/dentaltown/Article.aspx?i=396&aid=5489
13. Innes KE, Bourguignon C, Taylor AG. Risk indices associated with the insulin resistance syndrome, cardiovascular
disease, and possible protection with yoga: a systematic review. J Am Board Fam Pract 2005;18:491-519.
14. Koneru S, Tanikonda R. Role of yoga and physical activity in work-related musculoskeletal disorders among
dentists. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. 2015;5(3):199-204.
15. Madanmohan T and Bhavanani AB. Physiological Benefits Of Yogic Practices: A Brief Review. International Journal
of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2016; 1(1): 0031-0043.
16. Newadkar UR. Yoga: A good way for dentists to relieve stress. Educ Health 2015;28:215
17. Ramamoorthy A, Jeevakarunyam SJ, Janardhanan S, Jeddy N, Vasan SA, Raja A, Ikram P. Survey on utility of yoga
as an alternative therapy for occupational hazards among dental practioners. J Nat SciBiol Med. 2015 Jan-
Jun;6(1):149-52.
18. Streeter CC, Gerbarg PL, Saper RB, Ciraulo DA, Brown RP. Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system,
gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Med
Hypotheses 2012; 78:571-9.