Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
net/publication/317887692
CITATIONS READS
0 1,623
2 authors:
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
All content following this page was uploaded by Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani on 26 June 2017.
Introduction:
Chronic disease is something that lasts for a long time, generally three months or
more or for a lifetime and that which cannot be usually prevented by vaccines or
cured by medication. People with these diseases have a general misconception that
they are free from the disease when there are no symptoms. Healthy diet, regular
exercise, avoidance of negative habits by cultivation of the positive habits and a
healthy lifestyle can help us to prevent or postpone the onset of chronic diseases.
58
“Role of Yoga in Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of Chronic Diseases”
59
IDY National Seminar-cum-Workshop at SBV, Pondicherry 2017
the body during relaxation helps improve blood flow to the area being
contemplated upon thereby facilitating healing. All traditional texts emphasise that
regular practice of Yogic techinques bring beneficial results to one and all. (6)
Synchronisation of breath and bodily posture harmonizes the flow of energy in the
individual, thus creating a fertile field for the evolution of the spirit. Yoga teaches
the practitioner to align the five main sheaths of existence- the body, breath,
emotions, intellect and spirit, so that one’s own Prana can heal, connect and unite
the disintegrated individual thereby creating a chance for the bounce-back to
happen through the re-integration of the fragmented individual.
Relaxation: Relaxation of the body-emotion-mind complex through physical and
mental techniques enhances our coping ability in responding to external and
internal stressors. Yoga as an adjuvant therapy in chronic diseases, promotes
patient compliance. The sympathetic overload is decreased; the allostatic load on
the patient’s systems is reduced, thereby enhancing the vagal tone resulting in
normalizing of autonomic activity. As a result, anabolic regenerative environment
is built up, improving the physiological functioning which promotes emotional
stability. A balanced equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic
wings of the autonomic nervous system leads to a dynamic state of health. (1)
Relaxation is a key element of any Yoga therapy regimen and must not be forgotten
at any cost. Shavasana has been reported to help along with practices such as Savitri
Pranayama, Chandra Nadi Pranayama, Kaya Kriya, Yoga Nidra, Anuloma Viloma
Prakriyas and Marmanasthanam Kriya can also be practiced by anyone requiring this
state of complete relaxation. It is important to remember that relaxation on its own
is less effective than relaxation that follows active physical exertion.
Self-confidence and internal healing capacities are enhanced through cultivation of
right attitudes towards life, moral-ethical living through Yama-Niyama and various
Yogic psychological principles. Faith, self-confidence and inner strength are most
essential if at all we wish for healing, repair, rejuvenation and re-invigoration.
Increase your self-reliance and self-confidence: Life is full of challenges that are
there only to make us stronger and better. The challenges should be understood as
opportunities for change and faced with confidence. We must understand we have
the inner power to overcome each and every challenge that is thrown at us by life.
Yogic Diet: Yoga fosters and promotes proper w-holistic values of a proper diet.
Yoga can help a person to learn the right attitude towards food as well as
understand concepts based on the Trigunas and Tridoshas for better health. Yoga
teaches us that the cause of most disease is through under (Ajeeranatvam), over
(Atijeeranatvam) or wrong (Kujeeranatvam) digestion. Yoga also teaches us about the
approach to food, the types of food as well as the importance of timings and
moderation in diet (Yuktha Ahara).
The great Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar (7) offers sane advice on right eating when
he says, “He who eats after the previous meal has been digested, needs not any
medicine.” (Marunthuena vaendaavaam yaakkaikku arundiyathu atrathu poatri unnin-
Tirukkural 942). He also says that life in the body becomes a pleasure if we eat food
to digestive measure (Attraal alavuarinthu unga aghduudambu pettraan nedithuuikkum
aaruTirukkural 943). He also invokes the Yogic concept of Mitahara by advising that
60
“Role of Yoga in Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of Chronic Diseases”
61
IDY National Seminar-cum-Workshop at SBV, Pondicherry 2017
adversities, it is essential to find out who we really are, and discover how to work
with everything that happens to us.
The explosion of stress-related health concerns has affected society in such a way
that the medical profession has related most of our physical ailments to stress.
Stress is omni-present and we can attempt to reduce the stress levels by change in
attitude and proper perception and also through adopting yogic qualities such as
forgiveness (Kshama), and generosity. Gratitude is one of the basic requisites of
contentment and stress resilience.
If we are able to learn from our mistakes (rather than deny them), see obstacles as
challenges, that is when we stop simply existing and truly start living qualitatively.
Even when conditions can’t be changed, it can be explored and endured in terms
of changing attitudes and perspectives. Learning to live in the present moment is
an opportunity for self-growth.
Advantages of group sessions: A group session of Yoga is a big motivation that
helps one to enhance their skills and overcome individual limitations. When they
interact with people of their own age and caliber, their problems and pain seems
insignificant in comparison to that of others. Group session is a therapy on its own
as it enhances the meaning and purpose of their lives. For an individual in this state
of mind, the group yoga sessions step in as a great therapeutic tool. It enables them
to come out of isolation thereby strengthening the social health which facilitates self
enhancement. (8)
Research evidence is building slowly but steadily: Many studies have reported
positive significant changes in the qualitative aspects that are deeply embedded
with the Yoga practices. Yoga appears to have very good potential for impacting
multiple aspects of health and well-being such as the physical, mental and social
aspects of health and quality of life which are interdependent. (9) Interventions that
are more holistic and comprehensive can address multiple aspects of health and
well-being at the same time. (10,11) Although a variety of behavioural interventions
have been linked to aspects of improved health, mind-body interventions such as
Yoga may produce broader changes and impact multiple health outcomes
simultaneously. (12)
Conclusion:
Yoga is an applied science that re-establishes the lost balance in the human affairs
caused by the one-sided growth of science helping us to overcome its shortcomings
by enriching our mind. Yoga is known as the goal as well as the means to attain
undisturbed state of consciousness which obviously is a long journey, but every
step on the path covers some distance. With the adoption of a proper attitude and
lifestyle through the Yogic way of life, we can rise above our own expectations and
can blossom with creativity and fulfilment. Enhancing the social health and
spiritual connectivity, enables the empowerment of the individual. The problems
and stresses of life seem smaller and negligible due to change in perspectives and
attitude and challenges are easier to combat. Yoga is beneficial in prevention and
control of common health and emotional problems that are linked with old age. It
62
“Role of Yoga in Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of Chronic Diseases”
helps elderly to become more in touch with them-self and their body, enabling them
to accept who they are and the state they are in (accept their individual short
comings and limitations) which improves gaining a positive outlook and approach
in life. The miracles of modern medicine, improved diets, better living conditions
and awareness help people maintain their physical health, fitness and promote
vivacity in their lives. “Yoga may not be able to always cure but it can surely help
us to endure”. It helps to address the problem by bringing about a change in the
attitude and hence the problem is dealt with absolute positivity and optimism. Self-
esteem and self-confidence grows exponentially; as the whole purpose and goal of
yoga therapy is to ultimately empower the individual.
References:
1. Bhavanani AB. Yoga Chikitsa: Application of Yoga as a therapy. 1st ed.
Pondicherry, India: Dhivyananda Creations; 2013.
2. Brena Steven F. Yoga and medicine. Penguin Books Inc. USA. 1972.
3. Bhavanani AB. Yoga in health care. Annals of SBV 2012; 1 (2): 15-24.
4. RamanathanMeena. Applied Yoga. Pondicherry, India: AarogyaYogalayam;
2007
5. Ramanathan M, Bhavanani AB, Trakroo M. Effect of a 12-week Yoga therapy
program on mental health status in elderly women inmates of a hospice.
International J of Yoga., 2017; 10: 24-28
6. Bhavanani AB, Ramanathan M, Trakroo M. Single session of integrated “Silver
Yoga‟ program improves cardiovascular parameters in senior citizens. J
Intercult Ethnopharmacol 2015; 4: 134-37
7. RamanathanMeena. Thiruvalluvar on Yogic Concepts. AarogyaYogalayam,
Venkateswara Nagar, Saram, Pondicherry-13.2007
8. Ramanathan M, Bhavanani AB. Mental health and wellbeing in silver citizens
through yoga. EJBPS 2017; 4 (3): 288-292.
9. Strout KA, Howard EP. The six dimensions of wellness and cognition in aging
adults. J Holist Nurs., 2012; 30: 195-204)
10. Jeste DV. Promoting successful ageing through integrated care. BMJ., 2011; 343:
d6808.
11. Von Korff M, Katon WJ, Lin EH, Ciechanowski P, Peterson D, et al. Functional
outcomes of multicondition collaborative care and successful ageing: results of
randomised trial. BMJ 2011; 343: d6612.
12. Ross LA, Schmidt EL, Ball K. Interventions to maintain mobility: What works?
Accid Anal Prev., 2013; 61: 167-96.
63
View publication stats