More popular yogi accepts the challenge to prove that yoga can cure cancer

New Delhi, 14 Jan 2008. - Advocates and critics of traditional medicine in India are preparing for a new battle "scientific", after the promise of Yogi country's most popular show in three years that yoga can cure cancer.
"I have cured hundreds of patients and have submitted the medical records of 35 of them in the hospital AIIMS (New Delhi)," Yogi said recently, known as "Swami" (teacher) Ramdev, in a public lecture in front of his "rival", a panel of members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
The "swami" Ramdev is almost an institution in India thanks to a television audience of millions in which, dressed in an orange tunic, teaching yoga postures while advertising their products pharmaceutical empire.
Ramdev said, on TV and the web-that their technique of breathing exercises called "pranayama," cures or alleviates hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, herpes or hair loss.
But what has stirred up the minds of Indian doctors is the insistence of the "swami" regarding the ability of yoga to cure tumors of blood, throat, breast, pituitary glands or prostate.
"It's not a matter of faith. Studies. Cancer cells die in an oxygenated environment. And through yoga, the human body ten times the amount of oxygen available, so that the cancer cure, "the spokesman told Efe the yogi, S. Tigarawala.
The controversy of yoga and was born of a cancer Ramdev statements last week, which claimed that modern medical science is based on ignorance and that doctors intend to actually keep people perpetually sick.
"We believe that such claims can harm society. Do not call cheating in this way. Ramdev is doing a good job with yoga, but has to be responsible and know that many of his followers believe his words blindly ", told EFE today the president of the IMA, Ashok Adhaoo.
Although Ramdev then defended himself saying that conventional medicine recommended for cases of large tumors, arterial blockages, malaria or tuberculosis, his statements have antagonized the medical profession.
"We have asked you to stop making false statements or otherwise, have problems," Adhaoo threatened, he had no objection, on the other hand, to recognize the benefits of yoga as a means of improving the quality of life.
"I agree, 'said the yogi-in that there is no alternative to modern medical science for acute situations or accidents. What I do is point out that, like any other system, also has its limitations. "
Taking advantage of these limitations, Ramdev spends his life going to yoga camps where hundreds of people raise their legs to the beat on the carpet while the "swami" tells the benefits of medical treatments, from herbs to urine cow.
The success of the yogi is based on the fusion of the ancient tradition of yoga with the superstitions present in much of India, where many still flock to holy men, cross themselves with futurology or believe in the magical properties of gems.
Ramdev accompanies the mix with the tribune of his TV show, where the bearded "swami" waves his stomach at full speed and jokingly claims he owes it all to yoga, under the gaze of millions of Indians who punctuate their breathing early-morning the "pranayama."
Supporters and critics of the yogi therapies now have to wait three years to know the true place of his master, although the Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, has not waited so long and has qualified in the past of "junk" positions of Ramdev in cancer.
"What to cure cancer we do not believe, concluded Dr. Adhaoo-So will have to prove it. We proposed to apply a remedy Ramdev their patients, allowing clinical trials of their methods and give us a report within three years. "
And it is Ramdev

The small screen, yoga teacher

New Delhi, February 6, 2007. - India, the birthplace of yoga, assists the growth of teachers as "swami" Ramdev, who has built a pharmaceutical empire while teaching positions in a television program with audiences in the millions and a style reminiscent American televangelists.
Every night, Ramdev, dressed in an orange tunic, congregate around television sets to hundreds of thousands of viewers willing to follow the breathing exercises known as "pranayam to", hoping to alleviate and even cure hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
In fact, the popular yogi presents his program ascetic sitting position, while a huge tapestry of hundreds of people live up the legs to the rhythm marked by the "swami" (master), which mixes the rhythmic capabilities of an aerobics teacher with the charisma of a televangelist.
And, in a move that raises passions among the Indian audience, the Yogi takes his long beard so that viewers look good star position: a vertiginous agitation stomach the way that moves the clothes washing machine, while claims that everything is You owe it to yoga exercises.
With the show put on by the "swami", no wonder the parks of New Delhi in the afternoon avail free yoga classes, to which hundreds of people flock to the wealthy classes, partly persuaded by the message of Ramdev, but demonstrating that yoga is an ancient tradition in India.
However, the success of Ramdev goes beyond television, as evidenced by the decision of the regional government of Madhya Pradesh in central India, to make yoga a subject discipline formal education in schools, at the suggestion of yogi.
"Sex education in schools should be replaced by yoga education. The Government should stop polluting the minds of innocent children. The morale will not improve teaching sex education in schools, "said Ramdev told the newspaper" The Times of India ".
Following in the footsteps of thousands of students, the Army has become the latest institution to join Ramdev's teachings, in order to manage stress among men, reported the agency IANS.
Concerned about the high rates of homicides and suicides among soldiers in risk areas, the authorities have sent a group of military personnel to a six-day camp organized by Yogi himself, who will teach the basics of one aspect Yoga, the "pranayam a" (life force control).
However, it is surprising that the yogi to maintain its status as moral leader after controversial reputation threatening cyclically.
In January 2006 a report accusing the pharmaceutical company Ramdev, Divya Yog Trust, using human and animal bones to make their medicines, in line with a similar charge made ​​by former employees.
Although Ayurvedic medicine sometimes allows the use of animal material in the manufacture of medicines, Ramdev denied the allegations and won the official support of government laboratories.
Last December, however, a new scandal broke out after a few claims Ramdev in defending the healing properties of yog to diseases like cancer or AIDS.
"I never said that AIDS can be cured by yoga. It was a misunderstanding with the media. Cancer can be cured, but in the case of AIDS the patient can at least get clear improvements through yoga, "the" swami ".
However, Ramdev's statements sparked immediate reaction from the Health Minister Ambumani Ramados, calling it "junk" words and promotes teacher and a law which seeks to eliminate misleading advertising of medicines.
While waiting for that law, Ramdev continues to fill stadiums with their camps for practicing yoga and making money with your company's traditional medicines and their TV show.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

His gaze chairs the streets of Indian cities, on posters placed by a host of loyal followers willing to meet at literally any of its orders. Directs the foundation "Art of Living", "an organization that helps people to live better and eliminate stress, to end violence and bring back human values", defined. Dignitaries and religious leaders held the door open for him and he, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is arguably the most revered religious leader in India decades after "inventing" the practice of yoga "Sankirua Sadan." Either that sells tanning press office.

What makes it different to Sadan Sankirua?

Yoga is a technique that came to me like a poem, as a gift. It is a breathing technique that helps eliminate the negative feelings and help people to rehabilitate. In fact it was the technique after the attacks utizamos train ... I mean the 2004 in Madrid, of course. We have a center in Madrid and another in Las Palmas, and several in Latin America, where our teachers develop the program of the organization.

It seems that people in the West is increasingly willing to incorporate knowledge like yoga. What are the reasons for his opinion?

Because yoga is a compendium of practical knowledge, which give immediate results, and improving lives. Westerners are smart and are willing to take anything that enhances their lives.

And how could improve the lives of Westerners?

The people in those countries are realizing the dangers of an unhealthy diet and the prevalence of fried foods. There is a growing awareness of the physical and mental health. People have discovered that it is good to take as much caffeine, fried foods and processed products, and is incorporating natural and organic foods menu. It is no coincidence that there is more and more vegetarians.

Is that where you turn your eyes to India ...?

Clear. Of one thing we all want to be part: the experience and knowledge of the highest. And yoga or meditation are practical knowledge that will provide immediate results, a feature much appreciated by people in the West.

Not like in India.

No. In the West, people want things to happen quickly.

Here in India there are many people who admire him, but there are also critics charging excessive fees for teaching the "Sadan Sankirua".

Yes, some people say it. But we maintain cooperation programs in poor villages, where people receive free our teaching. And when we teach free people without resources, knowledge becomes more valuable.

Another issue that draws attention to his figure is the cult of personality. People come and contemplates, sits next to you and asks for blessings. How does this affect?

Is that I have a dual role. On the one hand, development of Hindu religious spirituality. And, moreover, took the spirituality to all human beings. It is a matter of religious values ​​twofold. And the cult of personality is a cultural phenomenon in India: there is nothing wrong with that people come and sit on the floor to me.

But does not it bother you?

I always feel comfortable. It is very common in India, and no reason to feel uncomfortable with it. My interaction with my fans is based on a cultural event that has nothing to do with the cult of personality. In India we touch the feet of older people. Everybody does, including children with their mothers. It's our way of showing respect. Here we are inclined to wave to the ground.

You have taken initiatives to bring the untouchables (outcastes) and the Brahmins. With this recognizes that there is a problem of caste?

Everyone attended the meeting, both as untouchable Hindu castes. Of course one problem: the Dalits enjoy certain official privileges. The caste Hindus are ready to end that system, but not the Dalits, who cling to these promotions by decree or its shares subject to employment. Politicians, rather than eliminate the caste system, have grown stronger with these measures. So what it is to bring together the two sides. We were the first to achieve this approach. Our actions have been historic.

You compared the religions with a banana peel. What did he mean?

I meant that religions are a must. But to understand its essence, which is spirituality, we must get rid of the shell.

What should religions to unite people?

Should become less bigoted and fearful of others. Yes: fewer fans and less fearful. There should be an interaction between all. Ending the message that religion itself is the only way to heaven, or that all those with a different opinion go to hell. We must eliminate these concepts.

And this says about the religions, is applicable to conflicts, cultures, peoples?

Fit all.

Does yoga help?

Clear. Many people have already noticed.