According to ayurveda health is ? ?sama dosha sama dhatu sama agnishcha mala kriyaha prasannathmendriya manh swasthya ithyabhidyate?
Meaning when the three doshas-vata, pita and kapha , the seven dhatus namely rasa(plasma),rakta(blood),mansa(muscle) meda(fat),asthi(bone),majja(bone marrow), shukra(reproductive fluids) the three effluents like feces, urine and sweat are in balance and the indriyas, manas(mind) and atma are in equilibrium a man can be said to be healthy!
This definition was adopted by WHO altering its earlier definition and including harmony of soul and mind. The current definition is ?health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.? This one example alone suffices to show the depth of our ancient rishis, their knowledge stands true to this day.
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Yoga and ayurveda are complementary sciences.
Nowadays when someone uses the word yoga we immediately get a picture of a slim beautiful woman in complicated postures! Actually asanas are just one step in Yoga, which is for strengthening of our physical body. This strong body we use as a tool for spiritual quests. Just like a miner of diamonds pauses everyday in his work to sharpen his tools we too should take a break from our busy life and sharpen our tool called body with yoga!
The definition of yoga according to yoga vasisth is ?manah prasamano upayaha yoga ityabhidyate? yoga is a skillful/subtle process to calm down the mind!
More recently Sir Aurobindo has said that yoga is a methodical effort towards self perfection by an all round personality development at physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels.
Main problems faced by today?s community are life style related like diabetes, obesity, high pressure, spondylosis, insomnia, depression, chronic back, neck, shoulder pains, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, asthma, hypo or hyper thyroidism, infertility etc.
These can be prevented or cured to a large extent by using an integrated approach of asanas and pranayam. This aspect of yoga- yoga therapy is just a byproduct or incidental. But the original purpose of yoga was quite different as mentioned earlier. This aspect of yoga therapy has gained lot of prominence in the recent years with many doctors recommending yoga for various kinds of ailments!
Warning: Yoga has side effects- a healthy disease free body. J Coming back soon with more on side effects!!!
About The Author
Amala is a simple Indian mom just like all of us! She has been doing yoga since childhood but about a year back She listened to the inner calling and did her yoga instructors course. Currently she is doing her post graduation in yoga. She also takes yoga classes in Bangalore.
She says ,?I have penned a few thoughts on a topic close to my heart. Hope you enjoy reading it?.
