Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of Ayush, says that the benefits of yoga are manifold and touch each aspect of life and living
International Yoga Day has facilitated a lot of mindfulness among people globally. How is the popularity of yoga growingIJ
People now want to adopt yoga as a part of lifestyle. As a result, people are willing to take it up as a prominent career option. The education sector is coming up with many certificate or diploma courses these days.
The Indian system of medicine (AYUSH +Sowarigpa) are prescribing yoga as a curative remedy. It has been taken up as a part of curriculum by many universities. With the increase in practice of yoga among people, the health care sector is also expanding its establishments regarding it.
Physical training programmes of many schools and colleges have been replaced with yoga. It is running parallel to aerobics and has become an important part of the co-curricular activities in schools.
Interestingly, the 71st World Health Assembly of World Health Organisation at Geneva incorporated the yoga relaxation technique as an efficient break over any caffeinated drink.
What do you think about the varieties of yoga that have come up in the WestIJ
Considering the present day lifestyle, modulation of yoga is a necessity. The varieties of yoga introduced in west are as follows:
Office yoga: Incorporated as a break in offices and practising a set of sitting asanas.
Prop yoga: Props are used to adopt certain postures. These include bricks, ropes, pillow, wooden plank and so on.
Yin yoga: It is a meditative yoga practice, which helps in exploring inner peace and slow-paced style of yoga with seated postures. In these, postures can be held from 45 seconds to two minutes.
Restorative yoga: Bending down after a long day and relaxing your mind.
Pre-natal yoga: Tailor-made yoga postures for mothers, preferably during the one-three trimesters; for easy and natural delivery as well as healthy progeny.
Bikram yoga: Also known as sweat yoga, this is practised in a sauna-like room, typically set to 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity.
Vinyasa yoga: Athletic yoga or power yoga.
What are the programmes that have been prepared for disease management through yogaIJ Do you think medication for certain diseases can be decreased by following a strict yoga regimeIJ
The AYUSH Ministry organised yoga programmes for women who are going through menopause. These were conducted at the National Institute of India on May 3 in association with Indian Menopausal Society.
Yoga for Diabetes Mellitus was conducted on the first National Ayurveda Day Celebration followed by a pain management session on its second anniversary.
Attempts have been made to control lifestyle related disorders like obesity and cardiac ailments through yoga as it incorporates body and mind nurturing. This can further help to prevent and cure non communicable diseases as it improves physical and psychological health.
How does yoga benefit women above 40 and nearing menopauseIJ What is the protocol that AYUSH ministry is developing with the Indian Menopause SocietyIJ
Those nearing menopause show the following symptoms: The physical symptoms include increased body weight, irregular menstruation, itching, sweating and weakness due to poor appetite.
The psychological symptoms include irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety, disturbed sleep and lethargy.
Practising any form of yoga before the onset of menopause will help to reduce the adverse effects of hormonal imbalance.
How does yoga help those with diabetesIJ
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major lifestyle disorder and is best tackled by including yoga as a part of the daily regime.
Stress is one of the aetiology by which people are falling prey to diabetes. Yogic breathing techniques (Pranayama) and the relaxation techniques (meditation/Dhyana) help in relieving psychological variations like anxiety, depression and so on.
Yoga also recommends adopting satvika ahara (balanced diet) which may help to prevent DM.
Mind, body and soul, all are important. What is the role of yoga in holistic personal growthIJ
According to Asatanga Yoga of Patanjali Yoga Sutra there are eight limbs of the regimen
Yama (social ethics), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non stealing), ahimsa (non violence), aprigraha (non greedy)
Niyama (personal ethics) soucha (cleanliness), santosha (happiness), tapa (austerity) swa adhya (self-realisation), ishwara pranidhana (worshipping)
Asana - Physical yogic posture
Pranayama - Breathing exercise
Prathyahara - withdrawing the senses inward
Dharana - Meditation
Dhyana - Defocussing
Samadhi - Ultimate union of soul with universal soul
And each of them has specific benefits. Niyama, asana and pranayama focus on the physical health development while yama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi focus on the mental, social and spiritual aspect of health.
The Shat kriyas are the six cleansing procedures which help in cleaning the physical body.
Dhauti cleanses the upper GI tract and basti cleanses the lower GI tract. Neti clears the upper respiratory tract and kapalabhati eases the lower respiratory tract and whole cranium. On the other hand, the nauli cleanses all vital organs, especially liver, stomach, intestine, spleen, pancreas and kidney, while the trataka cleanses the ocular system.