Health: Yoga - a way for healthy mind and body

Yoga is a form of exercise being increasingly recognized as a way to holistic health, i.e. something which helps in obtaining a healthy body and mind. It also helps one in taming the mind. Studies world over have proven that mental health has a profound impact on the physical well being of a person. Many physical diseases are caused by and augmented by mental stress. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart problems, peptic ulcer, e.t.c. are aggravated by mental stress . When one is relaxed mentally, these problems improve with minimum medicines. Many times a person wants to give up harmful habits like taking alcohol and or smoking but because of physical and mental dependence on them, he finds it difficult to quit. Thus he continues to abuse these substances and in turn, his body continues to be harmed. Yoga provides an economical and effective solution to these problems as it is a way for holistic health. One does not have to go out to do Yoga or pay anything for it. All that is needed is a mat or blanket to sit upon or lie down to do the exercises. Another prerequisite for doing yoga is the same as for any other exercise.. It should be done on an empty stomach, either before taking any food or 3 to 4 hours after a major meal. As such there are a big number of exercises in yoga done in lying down, sitting and standing positions. There are specific exercises for specific conditions. But some are specifically for taming the mind and mental relaxation. One can do slow and deep breathing everyday about 50 to 100 times. Another option is to breathe through alternate nostrils. You inspire deeply from one nostril, while keeping the other closed. Then keeping this nostril blocked, exhale from another nostril. This can be repeated using both nostrils alternately for 50 to 100 times everyday. Some people breathe through alternate nostrils using a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1. Both our nostrils do not function equally at all times. You can feel this very well by putting a finger in front of each nostril at the same time. You shall feel more air in front of one and less in front of the other nostril. This cycle is said to change approximately every 3 hours. But breathing through alternate nostrils helps to activate the 2 nostrils, thus improving the functioning of the lungs. Normally it is said that only 1/4th of the lungs functioning ability is utilized. With these breathing exercises greater part of the lung functions very well. This in turn improves the delivery of oxygen to all parts of the body, including the brain. These exercises help in mental relaxation and concentration. They also help in disciplining the mind. I have personally come across chronic smokers, who said that after 6 months or so of doing these exercises regularly, they no longer felt the craving for smoking and have quit smoking forever. Thus this has a positive impact on one’s health. As such, these breathing exercises can be done in a standing position or by sitting on a chair. But maximum results are obtained when one sits cross legged on the ground with back straight. Ideally a black blanket is advised to be used for sitting because it is said to conserve the energy of a person. But any other blanket or even a mat can be used for sitting on the ground. It is advised to keep eyes closed so that one can relax totally and focus on breathing. The large range of yogic exercises is beyond the scope of one article to be discussed, hence I have written about those which are useful for mental relaxation. But one should not expect overnight results. One definitely gets results in the form of better health but has to wait patiently for it, while doing exercises regularly. E-mail-rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk