There are different traditions, and not all say the same thing. Besides, this subject has its own complexity.
The basic principle is that there is one prana that circulates in a fivefold movement within the human system, – two currents of pranic energy go upwards to feed the intellectual and spiritual activities, two move downwards to feed the vital and bodily activities, one balances these four. An excessive intellectual activity or an intensity of spiritual aspiration may deprive the body and starve the vital. This is one possible reason for bodily suffering. Another reason is that the body is often looked down upon and despised in many traditions, and hence it becomes prone to illnesses.
To counterbalance it, the sadhaka is advised not to ignore or neglect the body and keep it in good health consciously through exercises and breathing practices. Also, one conserves the unregulated flow of energy and its wastage through sanyama. Most yogas, therefore, advise a balance.
In this yoga, the integral yoga, once one begins to open to the higher ranges and draws a purer form of energy, then that gives an additional help to the body and vital activities. The body is the base for the manifestation and hence cannot be neglected. The approach here is therefore different, as indicated in the Mother’s advice below.
‘You ask me whether your illness comes from yoga. By no means—far from damaging health, yoga helps to build up a health that is robust and unfailing.
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Do not forget that to succeed in our yoga one must have a strong and healthy body.
For this, the body must do exercise, have an active and regular life, work physically, eat well, and sleep well.
It is in good health that the way towards transformation is found.
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It is good to do exercises and to lead a simple and hygienic life, but for the body to be truly perfect, it must open to the divine forces, it must be subject only to the divine influence, it must aspire constantly to realise the Divine.
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Good health is the exterior expression of an inner harmony. We must be proud if we are in good health and not despise it.’
(Ref. https://incarnateword.in/cwm/15/illness-and-health)
One cause, however, demands a special attention. It is this that when the consciousness expands beyond the body into the cosmic terrains, the sadhak often ends up bearing the burden of others, of those around and with whom one is connected. This, however, is a different and more difficult problem and requires a different dealing.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
