YOGA: An Elixir to Lifestyle Diseases
Titto
Cherian1 & Dr. George Abraham2
1Ph.D Scholar, Lecturer in Physical Education, Patriarch Ignatius
Zakka I Training College, Malecruz, Kerala
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports
Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.
Abstract
Yoga
is a traditional method of meditation developed by the saints of ancient India.
They practiced yoga as an effective method of controlling their mind and bodily
activities .Yoga in daily life is a system of practice consisting of eight
levels of developments in the areas of physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
By proper and regular practice of yogic practices body becomes healthier and
increases its resistance and thereby can get rid off from common diseases due
to the bad and improper life style. It is undoubtful that one
can attain physical and mental efficiency through Yoga. Health is our birth
right but not disease.
Key
Words: Yoga, life style disease
Introduction
The
world has achieved a lot in the last 100 years. Not just in terms of economic
advancement and trade, but also in the field of science, specifically medicine.
As developments in business occurred, there was an implicit effect on the pace
of lifestyles of people involved. Like every upside down, this advancement too
came at a high price. Although medicine has evolved extensively, and has
eradicated most of the diseases that were prevalent in the 19th
century, the next generation has been plagued with a fresh set of diseases,
creatively called “Life Style Diseases” These
diseases which were the result of fast paced life style that necessarily accompanies
the development that has been brought about in the lives of individuals over
years
The term “life style” is rather a diffuse concept often used to denote
“the way people live “reflecting a whole range of social values, attitudes and activities.
It composed of cultural and behavioral patterns and lifelong personal habits (Eg;
Smoking, Alcoholism) that have developed through the process of socialization.
Life styles are learnt through social interaction with parents, peer groups,
friends and siblings and through schools and mass media.
Health requires a promotion of healthy life style.
In the last 20 years, a considerable body of evidence has accumulated which
indicates that there is an association between health and lifestyles of
individuals. Many current health problems especially in the developing
countries such as India where traditional lifestyles still persist, risk of
illness and death are connected with lack of sanitation, poor nutrition, personal
hygiene, elementary human habits, customs and cultural patterns. Disorders such
as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, stress and anxiety are
emerging as the greatest health risks in today's hectic and aggressive world
Healthy living is a universally
accepted and realized terminology. It is the capacity to meet the present and
potential physical and mental challenges of life with success. The present
concept of “healthy living” is not only freedom from disease, but also to gain
enough strength, agility, flexibility, endurance and skills to meet the demands
of daily life and to build sufficient reserve energy to withstand stress and
strain. Lifestyle diseases are health problems and
conditions that come about as a result of our modern lifestyles. They include
Obesity, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart, Stroke, High Cholesterol, High
Blood Pressure and Digestive Problems. Some of these diseases lead to or
contribute to other lifestyle diseases developing.
Effect of Yoga on
Lifestyle Diseases
Yoga is the universal religion, a
way of life, which is above all caste, creed, languages, religion and nation; it
is simple and easy to practice, acceptable to the people of all professions and
ages in India. A
complete yoga program involves exercises (asanas), breath control (Pranayama),
sleep control (Yoga Nidra) and mind control (meditation).These are the tenets
for cardiac health; also probably the reason why cardiologists universally,
recommend yoga to their patients. The curative benefits of yoga enhances heart
health, lowers blood pressure, reduces chronic stress, boosts the immune system
and enhances cognitive ability, of these asanas, Pranayama are very popular. These yoga practice
improve the functioning of organs and upgrade the mental and physical
efficiency of the practitioners, Yoga is distinctly different from other kinds
of exercises. It generates motion without causing strain and imbalance in the body.
Yoga involves almost every muscle in the body and challenges the body to work
in a different and often more passive way. Yoga practice can refresh the mind
and body; bringing health, relaxation and happiness.
a.
Yoga counteracts to the
problems suffered in modern life (Stress)
b.
Asanas release the physical
tension (Strain)
c.
Pranayama gives vitality by
increasing supply of oxygen to the brain (Dementia)
d.
Meditation enhances the
power of concentration (Active readiness)
The practice of Yoga does not only focus on
physical postures to improve the body, but deals with all aspects of human
existence. Patanjali (500 B.C.), who is considered the father of Modern Yoga,
compiled 196 aphorisms called the Yoga Sutra. In the Yoga Sutra, he described
the eight aspects of a Yogic Lifestyle and called it the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
These limbs, or stages, constitute a practical guide to personal development
that helps the individual achieve harmony of the mind, body and Spirit, and
finally leads to enlightenment (Samadhi).The meaningful prayer itself shows the
amount of energy and happiness can be obtained after doing yoga ;
“Sarve bhavantu sukhinah.
Sarve santu niramaya.
Sarve bhadrani pashyantu.
Ma kashid dukha bhag bhavet.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti”
May all be happy, May all be free from disease, May all
realise what is good. May none be subject to miser, May peace prevail every where
Conclusion
Yoga is a perfectly practical
system of self-culture. We can attain harmonious development of our body, mind,
intellect and soul by the practice of yoga. It is undoubtful that one can
attain physical and mental efficiency through Yoga. Health is our birth right
but not disease. Strength is our heritage but not weakness, efficiency but not inefficiency,
courage but not fear, bliss but not sorrow, peace but not restlessness,
knowledge but not ignorance, immortality but not mortality, So let us take up
Yoga as a way of our life so that we can radiate joy, peace, bliss and knowledge,
where ever we go
References
1.
Chinnappa Reddi, P. (2007). Proceedings
of FISU conference, better living through
exercise.
2.
Gharote, M. L. (1982). Guidelines for Yogic practices, Medha
publications P.1
3.
Govindan Nair. (1993). Yoga
vidya, p.21.
4.
Indira Devi. (1967). Yoga : The Technique of health and Happiness,
P 20.
5.
Shashirehka. P. K. (2014). Proceedings
of ICPESS, Healthy Living through Yogic
Practices.
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