J.RAJAKUMAR
B.A, ENGLISH LITERATURE
MASTER OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PASSED LECTURESHIP EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY TAMILNADU GOVERNMENT.
PASSED FIRST AID LECTURESHIP EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY REDCROSS SOCIETY, NEWDELHI, INDIA.
SUBMITTED PH.D THESIS IN BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY.
YOGA FOR HEALTHY LIFE
YOGA is a science. Like all other sciences it is based on observation and experiment. This method of observation and experiment is regarded in the west as a distinctly modern innovation, but as a matter of fact it was adopted in India in very ancient times by the “RISHIS”, or seers of truth. Through the process of close observation and constant experimentation, they discovered the fine forces of nature, as also the laws that govern our physical, mental and spiritual well being. The truths thus gained through their own experiences and investigation, they wrote down in Upanishads, preached in public and expounded to their pupils.
“PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE” it is the famous quotation and meaningful quotation..
Yoga helps us to not only prevent from the diseases; it also helps us to cure some of the common diseases.
Yoga is the only branch that has exercises to make us fit in a physical, Physiological, and psychological manner.
ESSENTIAL OF YOGA PRACTICES:
In order to derive the full benefits of yoga it is necessary to understand the following requirements and principles related to its practice.
TIME:
Though the morning time, before breakfast, is regarded best for practicing yoga. One can do it also in the evening or at any other time provided the stomach is empty and not heavy with food.
The individual should select a time which is convenient for his daily routine and should try to do yoga at the same time everyday. A practice for atleast 5 to 6 days in a week should be enough to show improvement.
PLACE:
Practice yoga on the floor. Avoid chowki (Or Bed). Use a carpet, rug, blanket, or mat on the floor. The place of practices should be neat, clean and well ventilated.
SILENCE:
One should maintain silence while doing yoga. Any conversation, mental activity and even listening to music should be avoided.
REST:
Two types of Rest:
1.Short Rest
2.Long Rest
Short Rest:
The short rest should be for about six to eight seconds only. This is taken between two rounds of asana, or between one and the other asana. The Shorter restis completed by breathing twice at the completion of one round of a posture
Long Rest:
Long Rest comes at the end of all the asanas, pranayamas and other kriyas which one does at a stretch. The general principle is to devote one fourth of the actual practicing time for this rest. For e.g. : If one has done yoga for 20 minutes , the rest at the end should be for 5 minutes
DRESS:
There should be minimum clothes on the body while doing yoga. Male practitioners can wear half pants or pyjamas along with an underwear. Ladies can wear saree, slacks or stretch pants with blouse. In winter, light woolen clothes may be used while doing yoga.
BATH:
It depends on the convenient and personal choice of the practitioners to bath either before or after the practice. For taking a hot bath after yoga practice one must wait for about 15 minutes
METHOD OF PRACTICES:
In order to obtain the fullest benefit of yoga, one must practice in a proper way. Since yoga is the scientific systems it requires to be done in a specified manner. What is more important here to mention is that though every one cannot practice all the postures which perfection, they can certainly follow the method of doing them without any difficulty. Therefore the advice is;do yoga according to the limits of your body. Do it only as much as you can. You need not be perfect in form. If you cannot do the full form, do half it or even less
FEMALE PROBLEMS:
Female practitioners should avoid the yoga practice during menstrual period and during advance stage (After 4 month) of pregnancy. Pregnant women may practice yoga under proper care and instruction of a yoga experts.
HOW MUCH YOGA? :
Yoga can practised for a longer time in the winter season than in summer . Maximum times devoted for actually practicing yoga should not exceeed 45 minutes in a single day of winter. In summer maximum time for actual practice should be 30 minutes.
DIET:
Foods have been divided into 3 categories
1.RAJASIK
2.TAMASIK
3.SATTVIK
First 2 categories is not suitable for yoga practitioners. Third one, SATTVIK, is highly recommended for the yoga practitioners,
QUALITY OF FOOD:
Eat not more than 85 % of your capacity. In other words always keep some space left in your stomach after dinner.
WATER:
Yoga practitioners should drink about 5 lbs (10 to 12 glasses) of water everyday. Water should be not taken at the time of eating, but after half an hour of eating..
Before starting yoga practice we should know the above the factors then only our yoga practices will be meaningful and beneficial one.
YOGA AND HEALTH BENEFITS:
1. PADMA ASANA
2. PASHCHIMOTTAN ASANA
3. MATSYA ASANA
4. ARDHA MATYENDRA ASANA
5. HALA ASANA
6. BHUJANGA ASANA
7. DHANUR ASANA
8. SHALABHA ASANA
9. SARVANGA ASANA
10. PAWAN MUKTA ASANA
11. TARA ASANA
12. VRIKSHA ASANA
13. SURYANAMASKAR ASANA
14. SHAVA ASANA
HEALTH BENEFITS: (PREVENT FROM THE DISEASES)
PHYSICAL:
1. MUSCULAR STRENGTH
2. FLEXIBILITY
3. POSTURE IMPROVEMENT
PHYSIOLOGICAL:
1. NEURO MUSCULAR CO-ORDINATING
2. CARDIO RESPIRATORY EFFIENCY INCREASES
3. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM BENEFITS
4. EXCREATORY FUNCTION IMPROVES
5. IMMUNITY INCREASES
6. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM NORMALISES
PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS
1. SELF ACCEPTANCE AND SELF REALISATION
2. SELF CONFIDENCE
3. FREE FROM ANXIETIES ,STRENGTH AND TENSION
4. PEACEFUL MIND
5. SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT
YOGA CURE FOR COMMON DISEASES:
In the Medical system on external agent (medicine) does the corrective work, in the yogic system this external agent is not needed at all .It is the patient himself whose personal understanding, practice and care cure his diseases in the yogic system
In certain cases, the medicine provided them immediate relief, but not a lasting cure. On the other hand, a great number of such patients achieved permanent cure through thereaptic yoga within in a period of two or four months .This has specially been so in case of diabetes, arthritis, asthma, gastro intestinal disorders, nervous tension and various other cases.
YOGA HELPS US TO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A




Throwing Gum on the Sidewalk (Growing Up Smart Bad Habit #16)
By: Frank Hawkins | 31/12/2009Chewing gum is a type of confection traditionally made from chicle. Natural chicle is a type of rubber that softens as it warms in your mouth. Like a mouthful of rubber bands, the chicle doesn’t dissolve when you chew it.
Please Help - What Causes Cold Sores To Pop Up All The Time?
By: Denny Bodoh | 31/12/2009What causes cold sores for you? In this excellent article, you will discover what really causes your cold sores, and what you can do to stop them before they hurt your social life.
Want To Lose Weight in 2010?Try These 3 Fundamentals
By: Bruce Dillon | 31/12/2009Overindulging during the holidays or even at the weekend is easy and losing your discipline and exercise routine can lead to a cycle of binge and purge..but it does not have to be like that.
Handle Diabetes. Are You Prepared To Handle Diabetes?
By: Johnny May | 31/12/2009If you are a meat eater, itwill interest you to know that just an extra 40g or the equivalent of one.four oz. of fat daily can triple your danger of developing diabetes .A series of tests by Australia's University of Sydney has shown that insulin resistance increases with higher levels of fatty acids in our cells. Fat has always been a no-no, more so now that we know fat can impair how our bodies process insulin. Thankfully, the same research found that sure polyunsaturated fatty a...
A Bikini Story
By: Kim Kinis | 31/12/2009A bikini story about a girl named Agnes who is extremely overweight. She goes to a party wearing a skimpy bikini and shows everyone there that it's whats on the inside that counts.
Paintball Guns, Picnics and Gardening: Fun Ways to Lose Weight
By: Kasan Groupe | 31/12/2009With the New Year upon us, many people are resolving to lose weight and get fit for the upcoming year. This is a smart if not slightly unfeasible goal for most of the people who create this resolution. In general, people just aren’t willing to commit to their weight-loss resolutions whole-heartedly. Cutting calories and working out the traditional way is rarely fun and that’s why so many fail miserably at losing weight. If you're serious then you've got to mix-up your routine.
Weight Loss Basics -- A Medical Perspective for Lay People
By: Victor Battles, M.D. | 31/12/2009The fundamental principle of weight loss is that the burning of calories must exceed the consumption of calories. Conversely, weight gain occurs of if calorie consumption is greater than calorie burning.
Dos and Don’ts during Pregnancy
By: Chris Cornell | 31/12/2009There are lots of dos and don’ts during pregnancy. Read on to learn more about this.
Diet for Sports Men
By: j.rajakumar | 28/09/2007 | NutritionDIET FOR SPORTS MEN ABSTRACT Diet is one of the important and basic biological needs of man. Diet is the foundation for good health. It is essential for life, growth and repair of human body, regulation of body mechanism and production of energy for work. The above functions of diet can be achieved only through adequate nutrition which should consist of essential nutrients in the required proportion. These nutrients include i) Proteins ii) Carbohydrates iii) Fats iv) Minerals v) Vitamins. During sports training, the energy requirement of the players will be high as such the diet should be accordingly planned or otherwise the players will not have the stamina to withstand the training and the player will show the signs of fatigue which may result in internal and external injuries to the players. The energy requirement of the players are dependent on body size and composition, age, physical activity, climate and environment. It is recommended by the Nutrition Advisory Committee of I.C.M.R that the calorie in-take of an Indian should be as given in the following table. Activity Men 55 Kg Women 45 Kg Sedentary work 2400 calories 1900 calories Moderate work 2800 calories 2200 calories Heavy work / Players 3900 calories 3000 calories It is better to table a diet chart during the training period as well as the time of Match/ competitions for various sport activities in consultation with a proper dietician. Proper diet not only helps to improve the performance of the players but also considerably reduces the internal and external injuries.