Yoga & Health

Yoga is part of our culture. It is an ancient technique used for bringing a perfect balance and harmony in bodily function and thought processes and emotions in human body. Unlike other exercise systems, it not only works to build a big muscle mass or bones only but also revitalizes the whole body and mind in the following ways.

Yogi postures and kriyas give internal massage to various organs especially the endocrine glands which not only increases the metabolic rate or circulation but also makes various hormones to work which are so vital to the growth, development and happy healthy existence of the human body and mind. It thus prevents diseases and prolongs life. Neuromuscular and glandular systems get rejuvenated and reconditioned. It improves blood circulation, musculature, spiral cord, organs and bones. It increases concentration and brings more tranquility to the mind by bringing it often to the state of “ no thought” in which alpha waves are predominant in the brain and signify a condition of good health and happiness.

But it is also important to know that Yoga can’t do any miracles. After starting Yoga practice, one should not expect immediate results. It all depends on regular practice and present condition of practitioner. Also all Yogic practices can’t be done by everybody, so these should be done as per requirement and prescription by a Yoga expert. Yet there are some practices from Yoga which can profitably be done by everybody and these are discussed for the benefit of readers in the succeeding paragraphs.

Number one, Yoga says about “SAMYAK- AHAAR” ( proper nutrition) but here the word “AHAAR (nutrition)” does not only imply food but it encompasses all which is taken inside by all our organs and senses which will include food, water, air, thoughts, emotions, sights, sounds touch experience etc. All this should be proper. Now what is proper has to be seen in a wider context of body-mind-soul equilibrium and harmony. Any intake which disturbs that harmony or equilibrium should be avoided and is prohibited. For example we start with food. There are no “musts” or strict “no-no’s” about it except that string stimulants are best avoided. But it comes of its own accord when one practices Yoga regularly and therefore there is no need to worry over it. Eating small quantities of food that requires minimum expense of energy for digestion and will provide maximum life force and nourishment and beams the body light and happy is the best food. This is best served by natural foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereals, and banes. This will exclude processed, canned, preserved, frozen, smoked, aged foods because they lose life force (or Prana) and adversely affect health. Food has to be well chewed. At least 2-3 liters of water bottom line is – all over indulgence is bad- whether it is in food, drinks, smoking, sports, sex or work. It leads to premature aging and untimely death.

Yoga places a lot of emphasis on correct breathing habits because it not only ensures good physical health but also leads to great mental power, happiness, relaxation and longevity. In “Yoga Vashishta” it is said, “…….the wise should study the regulation of frame if they desire to suspend the restless activity of the mind and to concentrate. The regulation of breath brings all happiness, material and spiritual. Therefore, O, Rama! Study the science of breath.” Yoga does not consider breath as intake of Oxygen only. It considers it as an intake of Prana- especially if done consciously. All great personalities, Yoga says are a store-house of Prana. What is commonly thought of as a magnetic or charming personality is nothing more than the miracle of accumulated “Prana-Shakti”(power of breath) in that person. The manner in which you breath has an immediate and direct influence on your thoughts & emotions. You control your breath, make it rhythmic and your mind becomes more at peace and quiet. You enter the condition of equipoise. In Yoga, the breathing capacity is built by practicing three types of breathing - abdominal/ costal and clavicalar breathing- after which you learn the practice of complete breathing, thereby sending optimum amount of air into lungs and also one exhales maximum work air, merely throwing toxicity out of body and thus preventing many avoidable diseases. Later one can advance to the Yogic system of PRAMAYAMA or control of breath.

Yoga is now a days needed more because life today has become full of stress, strain, competition and hassle/speed. Tension, tension and more tension- is the by word or mantra of today’s consumer culture. From morning till night people are fighting a war, it seems and then when they fall to bed, they can’t sleep- mind still keeps on working. That’s why Yoga puts stress on conscious willful relaxation and deep sleep. All Yogic postures, breathing exercises and meditation- all produce relaxation and tranquility. But the best and easiest technique is “ Sharvasna (or Corpse Posture)” when you consciously relax the voluntary organs so that energy is transferred to involuntary parts of body-mind axis. The advanced stage of Sharvasna is Yoga-Midra which comes automatically after practice of Corpse-posture for few months.

Yoga is not a religion. It is a pure science- an exact method of learning how body-mind axis works and then transferring it through postures and Yogic Kriyas. It is true that Hindus discovered it but it is universal truth and for everybody just like all natural laws. In Yoga, we start with body postures. They look simple and trivial but practiced over a period of few years, they cause inner transformation. To find out the beauty and power of Yoga- you have to practice it yourself and know the bliss it produces.

Who should/ can practice Yoga. All can. There is no age bar except that the grand rules is: Sthir Sukham Asanam” which means Yogic Posture must give steadiness and comfort and should not cause pain/discomfort. So difficult practices are best avoided by children below age of 10, patient and elderly. One should not be in a hurry or should not strain. Just do a posture as much as you can easily do. Back problems improve tremendously with Yoga, but wrong practices can worsen them. So such patients must perform Yoga under expert. Women should suspend all Yoga practices during Menstruation and pregnancy except Sharvasna & complete breathing. The bowels must be empty, body clean and alert with or without bath, dress should fixed, place should be clean airy and undisturbed and one must do Yoga with full awareness and 100% concentration to realize its full potentials and benefits.

Yoga can not only prevent diseases but some Yogic Kriya can be effectively used for management /one of psychosomatic disorders, stressed conditions, hypertension, after care after heart attack, branchial asthma , diabetes, constipation, sinusitis, hyperacidity, spondylysis, slipped disc, obesity, rechnomatic arthritis, old age problems, cerebral palsy, blood cholesterol etc.

DeeKay