HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

BY SHANE THOMAS
A1) SOME OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOGA
AND EXERCISE ARE:

Non-Yogic Physical
  Yoga Asana
Practices
Parasympathetic
nervous system Sympathetic nervous
1 predominant system predominant
 
Static positions and
slow relaxed
2 movements Rapid forceful movements

 
Normalization of
muscle tone
3 Increased muscle tone
 
Low risk of injuring
bones, joints, muscle
4 and ligaments High risk of injury

 
Low to very low
caloric consumption
5 High caloric consumption
 
Effort is minimized,
relaxed
6 Effort is maximized
 
Respiration and
metabolic rate slows The breath and metabolic
7 down rate speed up
 
Promotes anabolism
8 Promotes catabolism
 
9 Energizing (breathing Fatiguing (breathing is
is natural or taxed)
 controlled)

 
Balanced activity of
opposing muscle Unbalanced activity of
10 groups opposing muscle groups
 
Non-competitive,
process-oriented and Competitive, goal oriented
11 more of feeling part and more of doing part
 
Limitless possibilities
Scope of growth in
for growth in
externally related self-
internally related
12 awareness
self-awareness

Q2) Describe Yogic diet.

Diet is of three kinds viz., Sattvic diet, Rajasic diet and Tamasic
diet. Milk, barely, wheat, cereals, butter, cheese, tomatoes,
honey, dates, fruits, almonds and sugar-candy are all Sattvic
foodstuffs. They render the mind pure and calm. Fish, eggs,
meat, salt, chillies and asafoetida are Rajasic foodstuffs. They
excite passion. Beef, wine, garlic, onions and tobacco are Tamasic
foodstuffs. They fill the mind with anger, darkness and inertia.

In yogic literature, foods that are beneficial to us are said to be

Sattvic, or pure. Sattvic foods form an ideal diet, keeping the
body nourished while being easy to digest. They create new
energy, clarity and a clear, calm mind, enabling us to use all our
mental, physical, and spiritual abilities. Sattvic foods include
cereal, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, butter, nuts, seeds,
lentils, rice, grains and honey.

Impure foods that can upset our physical or emotional balance

are referred to as being Tamasic (stale) and Rajasic (stimulating).
Too much of these foods can cause restlessness, agitation and a
distracted mind. Foods in this category are sour or pungent
foods, like onions, garlic, curry, fish, meat, eggs, salty or spicy
foods and beverages, such as alcohol, coffee and black teas.