Lessons From India: A Narrative Review of Integrating Yoga Within the US Healthcare System

Cureus. 2023 Aug 14;15(8):e43466. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43466. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

The ancient practice of yoga has gained worldwide popularity as a way for people to improve their overall health and well-being. This manuscript reviews and examines the history of yoga, its physical and mental health benefits, its incorporation into the Indian healthcare system, and the public perception of yoga in India. Many initiatives for yoga exist, including promoting research on yoga, providing education and information on its benefits, and developing evidence-based standardized yoga therapy guidelines. With this in mind, this narrative review article explores the potential benefits of incorporating yoga into the United States (US) healthcare system and the possible challenges of doing so. It also provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals.

Keywords: holistic healthcare; indian health system; integrative health; preventive health; us healthcare; yoga; yoga benefits.

Publication types

  • Review