Kaivalyadhama’s quest of propagating Yoga for the humanity dates back to 1924 onwards when first ever laboratory for scientific research in Yoga was established by it’s founder director Swami Kuvalayananda. The research work done so far has attracted world wide acclaim and rave appreciation from the personalities of the caliber of Pandit Motilal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Lieut. Col. K.G. Gharpurey (Ex. Surgeon General, Govt. of Bombay), Dr. W. Burridge (Prof. of Physiology, Lucknow University), Dr. Wenger (California University), Dr. Bagchi (Michigan University) and Dr. Ctibor Dostalek (Professor, Charles University, CZ.) and many other eminent personalities.
From the beginning until recent times several Committees consisting of eminent scientists were appointed by the Govt. of India to comment on the research works going on in this department. All have appreciated it’s excellent research endeavours. One of such Committee headed by Dr. Basunarayana, the then Dean of Patna Medical College and Vice-Chancellor of Patna University records:
“The centre should be developed into training centre where students from different parts of India, who possess scientific and/ or medical background could be trained.... so as to form a nucleus of Research Workers in the field”.
Yoga is now universally recognized as a scientific discipline by modern scientists. Apart from its predominant spiritual values, its contributions towards value education, maintenance of health and for the treatment of stress related, psychosomatic and other chronic disorders are being acknowledged.
In view of numerous scientific studies, Yoga has ceased to be mysterious or mystifying. Its ample scientific basis does not permit any scope for the misconceptions or the misunderstanding about it. Late Swami Kuvalayanandaji, who was a great visionary and a pioneering exponent of experimental studies on Yoga, had a major contribution of scientific investigation in the field of Yoga. He had cultivated immense interest in and unquenchable thirst for carrying out the experiments on yogic practices including kriyas. He had also volunteered himself as a subject for many experiments. This reflects his deep insight into the scientific nature of Yoga. As early as in 1922, he has used some simple instruments like Kymograph to study physiological changes in Uddiyana and Nauli. Later in 1924, he established this institute with a well-organized Scientific Research Department (SRD).
Along with his colleagues and in collaboration with medical specialists, he conducted a number of Physiological and other works involving Radiological and Bio-chemical investigations in the field of Yoga.
In 1957, the American scientists, namely Dr. Wenger (California University) and Dr. Bagchi (Michigan University) were highly impressed by Swamiji’s work. They came to India, carried out neuro-physiological studies on Yogis in this institution, and revealed that Yoga Samadhi cannot be equated with hypnotic condition.
The laboratories in the department are equipped with modern scientific instruments to carry out fundamental and applied research work in Yoga, though there is still a scope for further additions and innovations.
There are six sections in SRD. The gist of work done so far by the department, has been highlighted in this brochure. Most of the research work conducted in SRD is being published in Yoga Mimamsa journal started by Swami Kuvalayananda in 1924-25.