Personalised Yoga Therapy Delivers Relief Beyond Medicine

Hyderabad:A 71‑year‑old woman living alone with Parkinson’s disease saw her tremors reduced by more than 50 per cent within two months of daily personalised yoga therapy. Her back pain subsided, sleep improved, urinary incontinence reduced and she regained confidence in walking.

Another case involved a 65‑year‑old man with chronic kidney disease who reported better sleep, improved appetite and increased energy after three months of therapy, with kidney function markers also showing improvement.

Unlike group sessions, personalised therapy begins with detailed consultation covering symptoms, medical history, sleep patterns, diet, medications, exercise routines, occupation and emotional well‑being. Based on this, customised practices are designed according to the patient’s condition and physical capabilities. Ahead of the International Day of Yoga, experts noted that personalised therapy was emerging as a complementary approach for patients with neurological, kidney, eye and lifestyle‑related disorders.

Yoga therapist and Vedic chanting teacher Harshita Soni in Hyderabad said such case studies highlighted the growing role of personalised yoga therapy in managing chronic illnesses.

Soni said Parkinson’s patients often experience reduced tremors, better balance, improved mobility, enhanced speech, reduced constipation and improved mental well‑being. She added that loneliness, anxiety and depression are common among elderly patients and yoga helps them cope emotionally while improving physical function.

Dr Sudhindra Vooturi, director, centre for rehabilitation, said scientific studies showed yoga functions as a multi‑system intervention that promotes healthy ageing. “Yoga improves brain function, hormonal balance, cellular health and musculoskeletal strength. It not only increases lifespan but also improves health span — the years spent free from chronic disease and disability,” he said.

Research indicates yoga reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, improves memory and cognitive function, enhances balance and mobility, slows bone loss and helps control blood pressure and diabetes. MRI studies show long‑term practitioners have greater grey matter volume in brain areas linked to memory and executive function.

Yoga therapy is also being used for chronic kidney disease and polycystic kidney disease, with patients reporting improved digestion, better sleep and reduced anxiety. Some have shown improvements in creatinine, phosphorus and protein levels after sustained practice.

Eye‑related conditions are another area of exploration. A 46‑year‑old woman with glaucoma underwent a customised programme involving breathing techniques, eye movements, humming exercises and meditation. Within a month, she reported reduced anxiety and relief from medication‑related side effects such as eye dryness.

Experts cautioned that senior citizens should undergo medical evaluation before beginning yoga, as certain postures may not be suitable for those with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, joint replacements or severe arthritis.