Yoga for Postoperative Convalescence- International Yoga Day

Global embrace of yoga with progressively increasing numbers, both of people and geographies, indicates experienced health benefits by the participants across geocultural blocks. “International Yoga Day” stands as the testimonial symbol of the global assimilation of India’s ancient scientific wisdom. Health benefits of yoga have been unequivocally appreciated by commoners, top medical scientists, and astronauts on ground as well as in space, alike.[1,2] International Yoga Day, a global celebration is a recognition of the therapeutic practice rooted in Indian civilization. Prime Minister Modi, while speaking on 11th International Yoga Day’ [Figure 1], expressed the sentiment and underscored, whether it is the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the summit of Mount Everest, or the vast expanse of the ocean, the message remains the same, Yoga is for everyone and for all, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.[3] Leadership of Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) celebrated the day with national display of programs. The programs were led by our President, Prof. Pradeep Sharma, President-Elect, Prof. Kushal Mittal, Secretary, Prof. Kamal Gupta, Treasurer, Prof. Prajesh Bhuta, and Jt. Secy., Prof. R. Kannan with the executive members from all zones [Figure 2].Figure 1: Prime Minister Modi, International Yoga Day 2025Figure 2: Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India, International Yoga Day 2025For centuries, the holistic science of yoga was fragmented, misrepresented, or coopted by colonial and commercial interests, often detaching it from its integrative medical and philosophical origins. Today, as modern medicine increasingly acknowledges the value of mind–body interventions, yoga stands at the confluence of tradition and clinical relevance. The day marks the return of yoga to its authentic cultural narrative and to its rightful place as an intervention in evidence-based health care practices. Its efficacy in enhancing the postsurgical convalescence has been encouraging. For more than 2000 years, yoga has been an Indian practice for health, with a synchronous focus on the harmonious unification of the mind, body, and spirit. About 2500–3000 years ago, yoga was structured into reproducible curriculum by Sage Patanjali. Modern practice of medicine is focused on altering/restoring anatomy or physiology, with limited emphasis on the harmony between mind–body and functional anatomy or physiology. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as, “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” But, the mind component, the spiritual or psychosocial remained less than understood. This poverty of modern science got magnified by the 1949 Nobel Prize awarded to Moniz, for his discovery of the therapeutic value of leucotomy in certain psychoses. A highly controversial and now deemed unscientific, severance of mind from body.[4] Yoga, a union of mind and body, considers health a possibility, in harmony between body and mind, as encapsulated in its defining motto:[5,6] “” (Yogasy Chitta Vritti Nirodha)-It means stilling of fluctuations in thought process, consciousness and and movements of mind is Yoga. (Sthir Shukham Aasanam)-Meaning that the physical posture has to be stable and pleasant without any discomfort awareness. Physical exercise is an exertional practice, premised upon graduated level of tolerable discomfort. Yoga asanas are not esoteric exercises alone but a cyclical activity with micropauses of relaxation. Yoga is a balanced, structured, and reciprocally harmonious interaction of physical postures (asanas), breathing (pranayam), and mindfulness (meditation). Patanjali organized these into following structure: Yama, niyama: Behavioral practices Asana, pranayama: Physical practices Prathyahara, dharana: Mindfulness practices. These were recognized as essential components of well-being and health by western civilization in the late 20th century. Modern scientific studies, reporting benefits of yoga coincided with the WHO defining health in the year 1948. Since the early 2000s, there has been an exponential increase in publications reporting scientific basis for the benefits of yoga.[7] Surgeons have been leaders in incorporating transdisciplinary science in their practice to enhance the healing and convalescence after surgery. Driven by Innovations, Molecular healing pathways, Ancient wisdom, Geneological understanding, Information & Nanoengineering technologies (IMAGINE), the Imagineer surgeon aims to work towards Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Colorectal surgery and its practitioners have been at the forefront of driving ERAS, further by incorporating basic sciences of microbiome metaorganism.[8,9] Colorectal surgery has been the driver of change, incorporating yoga from prehabilitation to rehabilitation. Patient-reported outcomes, the primary indices of outcomes after surgery, have been shown to improve by practice of yoga. Benefits of yoga have been reported in most of colorectal surgeries, i.e., cancer survivors, elderly patients, minimally invasive surgeries, stapled hemorrhoidopexy and stapled transanal resection rectopexy, STARR etc.[10-19] Resurgence of yoga is a ’coming home’ for its roots and recognition of the scientific knowledge originally transmitted from India to the world. Long before the Renaissance illuminated Europe, India had already laid the foundations of holistic medicine, mathematics, and philosophy. Through centuries of intercultural exchange, much of this wisdom, including principles of Ayurveda, surgery, and mind–body health, traveled westward via Arab scholars. Invasions of Bharat from the Middle East, 8th century onward led to Indic scientific knowledge translated by Arabian scholars. From CE 754 to CE 775 the caliph instructed Ibrahim al-Fazari and Yaqub ibn Tariq to translate Brahmagupta’s texts, Brahmasphutasiddhanta and Khandakhadyaka. The translations, named Sindhind and Arkand, introduced the concept of Indian numerals to the Islamic world. Similarly, astronomical tables by Indian astronomer Aryabhatta, Surya Siddhant etc., were translated into Arabic by Zijashshahriyar. Another Islamic scholar, Al-Khwarizmi, learned Sanskrit, and translated Indian mathematics and numerals giving it the name al-zabra.[20,21] Islamic inroads into Europe during Famine and Black Death, took these sciences to Europe.[22] Transition of Europe from crisis of middle ages was characterized by reviving the ideas of antiquity and resurgence of learning based on classical sources. This period called Renaissance, sparked advancements in science and medicine. A galaxy of intelligent minds, most of them polymaths, like Leonardo da vinci etc., made enormous contributions.[23] Yet, the Indian origins of these contributions were often overlooked or obscured. In this context, the clinical integration of yoga today is not merely a health initiative; it is a historical rectification and redemption. It is a journey whose path was laid by Swami Vivekananda [Figure 3]. The neglect and denial of credit to Indic sources, for the development of modern sciences is not a surprise. The design got played again recently in a fashion show at Milan. During a fashion show at Milan, Prada displayed fashion accessories as their own while being intellectual property of Indian artisans.[24] Acknowledgment of appropriation of Indian intellectual property by Prada, came only after the attempt at plagiarism was exposed. Thus, by acknowledging yoga’s role in postoperative recovery and chronic disease management, modern medicine, is effectively reconnecting with one of its oldest, evidence-backed roots.Figure 3: Swami Vivekananda in Kolhapuri Sandal