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Written by Dr. Lakshmi Ranganathan. Dr. Lakshmi Ranganathan is an experienced clinical researcher with over 15 years experience in the field of clinical research and medical writing. Throughout her career, she has led multiple clinical trials and authored several research papers. She hold a PhD. in clinical Biochemistry from the Vel's university, Chennai,India, and a professional diploma in Clinical Research and Medical Writing. Her primary research interests include critical care medicine, respiratory medicine, sleep medicine, mental wellness, and the intersection of Yoga with health care.
Yoga is a comprehensive practice that includes breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and physical postures (asanas). It harmonizes the body, mind and spirit and aims at developing an awareness of one’s spiritual nature.[1] Regular yoga practice has been associated with numerous health advantages, such as stress reduction, enhanced flexibility, and better cognitive function [2,3]. Numerous studies are available establishing its efficiency as an alternative therapy in conditions like epilepsy, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.[1,4,5]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of computers and technology to simulate intelligent and critical thinking.[6] AI is becoming an integral part of modern healthcare, with the use of machine learning models to process medical data to give important insights to improve health outcomes. Merging AI with yoga offers exciting possibilities for practitioners, helping to create a more personalized, efficient, and accessible and regular practice and experience.
This article discusses the advancements, the benefits and challenges of integrating AI in yoga practice :
Advancements in the use of AI in Yoga
Several researches have been performed that implements machine learning techniques in
identification of yoga poses. This is done by creating large datasets of thousands of images of
standard postures of yoga and comparing them with the yoga postures from real time..[7]
Real-time tracking of the movements is made possible by the integration of wearable sensors
and AI powered gadgets like AI powered yoga mats, smartwatches and fitness tracking rings
and belts .[4]
AI models like “Yoga Posture Coaching System” have been developed using user interactive
method.[8] In these models, the captured stance is contrasted with the reference poses and a
voice message guides the user to make modifications based on the reference posture.
AI models that estimates specific human stance with 2D and 3D data images have been
developed. These Human Pose Estimation models, are proposed to have applications not only
in Yoga but also in sports, security and medical management.[9]
Benefits of AI in Yoga
AI can significantly bring about the integration of data to optimize Yogic practices by analyzing, processing, and synthesizing large datasets of body flexibility, stamina, and related health conditions. With machine learning algorithms, AI can analyse these data to customise the practice to suit the practitioner’s goals.
The availability of the technology in mobile apps and online platforms, makes them easy and
convenient to use.
For people who do not have access to live yoga classes, especially for those with disabilities,
the elderly, or people living in remote areas, AI driven yoga programs are truly valuable.
AI can analyze a personal and fitness goals and create personalized yoga routines based on their physical abilities and flexibility. Practitioners can monitor their progress and get feedback to enhance their practice.
AI models are trained to recognise yoga postures, and they also provide real time feedback and corrections when needed. AI can be used to recommend personalized sequence of poses to maximise the benefits of Yoga practice.
AI can improve personalized interventions and treatment plans for specific health conditions.
It can also be used to detect any irregular patterns in body movements that could indicate
potential health problems.
AI can help track progress over time, such as improvement in stamina and overall well-being.
It could advance our understanding of the mind-body connection, the hallmark of yoga.
AI can suggest the best time of day for yoga practice based on the user's physical and
physiological state.
AI can connect users by creating a virtual community based on their goals and levels of practice.
AI can motivate individuals to be consistent in their yoga practice by sending notifications, timely reminders and motivational messages.
AI can provide music or appropriate ambient sounds to enhance the yoga experience.
It can make yoga more accessible to people worldwide.
Challenges in the use of AI in Yoga
Although AI offers substantial benefits to yoga practice, there are also several challenges in
integrating the both.
Difficulty in detecting postures in real time
Paucity of datasets. AI Models available so far were able to capture images of only a few
yogasanas
The quick response time of AI models could be a significant problem to individuals with health
limitations. [9]
The use of AI powered gadgets requires increased safety measures.
Difficulty of data standardization due to availability of different types of yoga practices.
Ethical issues with appropriate AI use and data privacy.
Disadvantages in the use of AI in Yoga
The absence of a real guru / teacher which is the most important factor for making the
practitioner focus on their practice
Although AI can provide real time feedback, real teachers in live sessions can instantly modify
the class based on the practitioner’s current needs or shift focus based on the students;
psychological status at that particular time.
In live sessions, teachers can provide physical adjustments, and ensure safe practice by making sure that students don’t injure themselves by going beyond their bodily limitations.
Real teachers can provide a holistic approach beyond postures. As Yoga is a discipline that has its roots in spiritual traditions, real teachers can provide the spiritual and cultural depth.
In live classes, student benefits from their “gurus” who impart a broader spiritual context, one of the main objectives of yoga, The interaction between the guru and disciple significantly impacts the learning experience, which would be a missing feature in AI based yoga practice.
AI also can create dependence and result in reduced human interactions
It is important to address the potential challenges by embracing a balanced “AI-human” approach where technology is used mindfully. While AI can be used to track progress and suggest personalized routines, live instructors can provide emotional support, encouragement, and correct adjustments.
Conclusion
AI has the potential to benefit people who practice yoga. Further research studies are required to
bring about new developments and to address the existing challenges. Future developments can
have significant implications in yoga therapy for general wellbeing and specific health conditions.
Written by Dr. Lakshmi Ranganathan PhD. Consultant Clinical Researcher, Chennai, India.
References
[1] Prathikanti S, Rivera R, Cochran A, Tungol JG, Fayazmanesh N, Weinmann E. Treating major depression with yoga: A prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial. PLoS One 2017;12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173869.
[2] Mohammad A, Thakur P, Kumar R, Kaur S, Saini R V., Saini AK. Biological markers for the effects of yoga as a complementary and alternative medicine. J Complement Integr Med 2019;16. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2018-0094.
[3] Balaji PA, Varne SR, Ali SS. Physiological effects of yogic practices and transcendental meditation in health and disease. N Am J Med Sci 2012;4. https://doi.org/10.4103/1947-2714.101980.
[4] Somlata Jha, Prakhar Singh SR. Yoga and Artificial Intelligence: A Review of The Potential Applications of AI in Yoga Research and Practice for Neurological Disorders. Int J Recent Innov Trends Comput Commun 2024;12:211–215.
[5] Taneja DK. Yoga and health. Indian J Community Med 2014;39. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.132716.
[6]Amisha, Malik P, Pathania M, Rathaur V. Overview of artificial intelligence in medicine. J Fam Med Prim Care 2019;8. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_440_19.
[7] Jose J, Shailesh S. Yoga Asana Identification: A Deep Learning Approach. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 2021;1110. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1110/1/012002.
[8] Long C, Jo E, Nam Y. Development of a yoga posture coaching system using an interactive display based on transfer learning. J Supercomput 2022;78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11227-021-04076-w.
[9] Narayanan, S.S., Misra, D.K., Arora K, & Rai H. Yoga Pose Detection Using Deep Learning Techniques. Proc. Int. Conf. Innov. Comput. Commun. 2021, 2021.
Nice article 👍