Summary of Talk by Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal at the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024

At the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024, Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal, a neurologist and devoted yoga practitioner from New York City, delivered an insightful talk on the intersection of yoga and neuroscience. His message was clear: to secure yoga’s credibility, safety, and growth in the modern world, science must play a central role in understanding and validating its impact.

Who Is Jonathan Rosenthal?

Dr. Rosenthal brings a rare dual perspective. Professionally, he is a neurologist—a physician who sees daily how scientific research saves lives. Personally, he is a student of yoga under his guru, Sridhar Mimitra. This unique combination fuels his mission: to bridge the worlds of ancient yoga practice and modern neuroscience so that both disciplines can learn from one another.

What Is Yoga in Research?

While yoga encompasses eight classical limbs—from ethical precepts to meditation—scientific studies often reduce it to four practical components:

• Postures
• Breathing
• Meditation
• Relaxation

Though simplified, this framework allows researchers to study yoga systematically. Encouragingly, large-scale clinical trials confirm that yoga is overwhelmingly safe, with only rare cases of significant injury reported.

What Is Science, Really?

Dr. Rosenthal described science as a process of asking: “How do you know what you know?”

Science, he explained, is not dogma but a way of building and refining models of the natural world. Using the humorous example of shark attacks and ice cream sales both rising in summer—two unrelated events—he reminded the audience why careful reasoning is vital for drawing true conclusions.

Why Study Yoga Scientifically?

Some worry that applying science to yoga strips it of mysticism. Dr. Rosenthal sees it differently:

• Yoga explores consciousness (Purusha).
• Science investigates the material world (Prakriti).

Together, they form complementary perspectives. He highlighted four key reasons why science is essential for yoga’s future:

1. Credibility in Modern Society – Science is today’s universal language, helping schools, hospitals, and institutions adopt yoga confidently.
2. Evidence-Based Safety & Benefits – Patients deserve accurate knowledge about yoga’s real risks and benefits.
3. Combating Misinformation – Research helps counter exaggerated or false claims often circulating in wellness spaces.
4. Improving Protocols – Studies refine yoga practices to serve specific populations better while reducing risks.

The Growth of Yoga Research

Interest in yoga within the scientific community is rapidly expanding. In 2023 alone, 859 studies on yoga were published, contributing to a global body of more than 8,000 studies.

Thanks to this research, yoga now features in medical guidelines for:

• Migraines
• Cancer care (supporting pain relief, mood, and quality of life)
• Eating disorders
• Back pain

How to Read Yoga Research

Dr. Rosenthal encouraged participants to engage directly with scientific abstracts instead of relying solely on headlines. He offered two practical tools:

• Levels of Evidence – Randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses provide the strongest, most reliable findings.
• PICO Framework – Look for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome to assess the design and relevance of a study.

He also cautioned against misleading media summaries, citing a notorious example where correlations between diet and smoking were sensationalized into claims that “wine and chocolate make you live longer.”

The Big Picture

Dr. Rosenthal concluded with an inspiring vision: when yoga and science work together, they enrich each other. Yoga offers a profound exploration of consciousness, while science ensures safety, credibility, and broader acceptance in society.

Through his annual Neuroscience and Yoga Conference, he continues to foster this dialogue, covering topics from brain aging to trauma recovery.

In his words: “Yoga and science are not in opposition—they are two perspectives, each helping us see more of the whole.”

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