YOGA- A MEDICINE FOR HUMAN KIND

INTRODUCTION:
Human mind is a restless soul. Very often, we engage
ourselves in multiple activities while living in such a
liberal-capitalist world. A world that does not prioritize
physical or mental health. Although our body never
demands for exercises, meditations and healthy
activities verbally but deep down it craves to have
wholesome rest, some inner peace moments and
hours of serenity. Consider your body as an electronic
device where the engine lies in the brain. However, all
the parts equally contribute/work together to
constitute a healthy self. Have you ever noticed a
smartphone or machine getting heated due to
continuous work? The very same complication happens
to your own self when you work tirelessly. Resulting in
unconscious mind, over- burdened self and lack of
energy. In such cases, you have to make sure that your
body contains enough stamina and well- being. So that
you don’t lose strength and remain immune from
acute as chronic diseases. Mostly, you are left with
options: Either join gym or practice Yoga religiously in
your life.
DON’T FALL IN SKEPTICISM NOW.
I am here to help you out to choose the best in
between them. Let us compare the benefits and
contradictions of the two:

Gym vs Yoga
1)Gym sessions focuses only in improving the
physical strength. It does not involve with soul,
mind or spirit. While Yoga, on the other hand,
develops a connection between spiritual and
emotional side along with the physical well-being.
2)Gym workouts does not help to rid of any internal
disease while Yoga is helpful since the ancient
times for detoxing the body and protecting us
from internal diseases too.
3)Gyms most probably has strict schedule timings
and it involves huge sum of money whereas YOGA
is free of cost. It can be practiced at home without
any financial constraints according to your
comfortable schedule.
4)Yoga is beneficial against constipation, respiratory
disorders and bloating. Gym workouts don’t
provide reliefs against the above mentioned
conditions.
In a very general conclusion, if you necessarily do not
need heavy exercises for professional jobs or you are
not in an urgency for quick outcomes. You can surely
prefer to perform Yoga exercises at your home daily.
Let us talk about the origin and history
related to the rise of Yoga culture.
The word ‘Yoga’ was first found in the religious text
book ‘Rigveda’ which can be traced around 5000 years
ago on the northern India. It is often believed that it
was developed by Rishis who were considered to be
the preachers of religious virtues. Yoga is one of the six
principal branch of Hinduism and also an essential part
of Buddhism. The word yoga is basically derived from
the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Yug’ or ‘to join’. Asana
refers to one simple part of Yoga while collectively the
entire process of involving one’s body, soul, mind and
intellect. According to Maharshi Patanjali, asana is one
of the major part of Ashtanga Yoga. It is an eight major
fold Yamas or eight complete branches. It deals with
personal disciplines, the value system along with
fitness motions.
Below is the chronology of EVOLVED YOGA exercises
ranging from 3000 BC to 7th century AD:
 Richas – 3000 B.C. (It is one of the earliest stirring
of bhakti. Particularly found in Vedas.
 Shrutis – Around 1500-600 B.C. – (It contains the
experiences of the Aryan Rishis).
 Yajnavalkya – started around 600 B.C. was written
by a famous author ‘Yogi Yajnavalkya’.
 Panchratta sattvats – It was originated in 400 B.C.
by the tribe of Kshatriyas who started Ekantika
Bhakti cult.
 Patanjali – Also known as ‘Maharshi patanjali’. He
stated the very famous feature of Yoga which
came into existence around 200 B.C. He was a well
-known author of ‘Yogasutra’ too.
 Svetasvataropanishad- It was generated around
the same 200 B.C. with the mention of Bhakti cult.
 Mathara- Popular around 1st century A.D. and
compiled by the author of ‘Mathara Vritti’.
 Bhagvata – It was made during the 5th century A.D
describing about the flowering of ‘Panchtantra’
religion.
 Nayanamaras- developed around 5th century A.D.
particularly by the Shivabhakts.
 Bhakti cult- Also known as the nucleus of Indian
culture. Started in a series of movements around
5th century A.D.
  Paramartha- His work was popular at the rise of 6 th
century A.D. He also translated Mathara Vritti into
Chinese.
 Gaudapda – A 6th century thinker who wrote
commentary on Samkhya Karika.
 Tattvasamasa Sutra- It was made in 6th century
A.D. It is a compilation of small work of sutras that
contains varying numbers particularly from 22 to
27.

This was all about the historic generation of yoga.

There are total 12 basic Yog Asans to fix your body,
mind and soul. It is a lot more than regular stretching.
A culmination of such poses that are firm, straight yet
relaxing and comforting. These poses make sure to
open up the channels of thinking, regulate flow of
energy while trying to increase the flexibility of our
body. Boosts our immune system and protects us from
physical and mental distress.
 Headstand or Sirsasana
(The art of balancing elbows, arms and head)
Also known as the king of all asanas since it has
several benefits. It is the first asana that is
necessary for increasing memory power, better
concentration and converting powerful body
 stamina. It is the most suitable for the person
facing higher blood pressure.
 Sarvangasana or the shoulderstand
(a pose where the entire body rests on the
shoulder)
The word ‘Sarvanga’ derives from a Sanskrit word
meaning all parts of the body. This asana is
extremely helpful in stimulating the entire body
and regulates the circulation of blood supply. You
can practice this asana to improve the metabolism
along with curing depression and anxiety.
 Halasana or the plough
(Bending in the forward direction while lying on
the back while keeping the hands on the floor)
Halasana is the Sanskrit name which means
Plough. It keeps the spine balanced and healthy.
Its overall motive is to maintain spinal flexibility
and channelize energy throughout the body.
 MATSAYASAN OR FISH
(Arching like a fish while resting on your back)
The unique name for this posture comes from the
fact that we make a posture as if we are floating
on the surface water. Its aim is basically for the
greater relaxation and improving the neurological
 balance of the body. It is widely accepted that this
asana helps in stretching the mental gateways.
 Paschimothanasana (the sitting forward bend)

The easiest motion to perform. Just by bending in

the forward direction while keeping the knees
straight and holding the toes. This pose in a way is
very meditative and teaches us the benefit of
dedication. With a regular practice, this helps in
countering typical posturing disorders keeping our
internal organs toned and spine at a place.
 Bhujangasana or the cobra
(By coiling the body like a snake and bending the
head backwards)
When this asana is done, it somewhat looks like a
cobra. Also, the word Bhujang means ‘Cobra’ in
Sanskrit. It is a very smooth and upward
movement by stretching our vertebral column
forward. Its ultimate benefit is rejuvenating our
spinal nerves, toning the lumbar region and
straightening the spine.
 SALABHASANA OR THE LOCUST
(Lying by keeping the face down and lifting the
leg upwards in the air)
This asana has a direct connection in building up
the will power of a person. Swami
Vishnudevananda Saraswati once said that
exercising this Asana daily will fill one’s mind with
pure and powerful energy. Performing this Asana
is rather a simple task, just by making a simple
powerful contraction of muscle. This asana helps
in bringing up the thought, energy, will-power
simultaneously together. The very imperative
benefit is that it massages all the internal organs
together in motion.
Dhanurasana or the bow
(Maintaining the balance of the abdomen similar
to a bow)
The bow lifts up all the parts of your back in an
upward direction. This asana has combined
benefits of both Salabhasana and Bhujangasana.
The entire body rests in a position, in a state that
gives a cozy massage to the abdomen region. The
major benefit is that it tracts the digestive balance
along with the spinal flexibility. You can also chant
mantras while performing the asana for rejoice.

ARDHA MATSYEYDRASANA OR THE HALF SPINAL

TWIST
(just a seated half twist)
Different asanas of forward and backward bending
involving the spine, this half spinal twist helps in
lowering the back pain and muscular exercise of
the hips. Each side of Vertebra is rotated twice,
both in the left and right direction. This asana has
several benefits including improving the muscular
rheumatism of kidneys, gall bladder, liver and
intestines. It helps in relief from the problems such
as constipation, indigestion and gastro issues.

Kakasana or the crow

(Balancing a squatting position while resting the
weight of the body on your palms)

The balancing positions are necessary for

maintaining the postures. The crow helps in
developing the mental tranquility and brings
rejuvenation to our mind. It strongly withholds the
strength od arms, shoulders and the wrist. Tiny
parts of the body like fingers, muscles and arms
are also stretched. Overall, it plays a key role in
increasing the power concentration and discarding
laziness.

Pada Hastasana or the standing forward bend

(bending in a forward position and holding on the
toes)
Pada Hastasana is derived from the Sanskrit word
that means ‘Hand to foot pose’. This exercise is
directed in order to keep our spine young and
healthy. The muscular pain or back disorder can be
cured with a regular practice of it. The standing
forward bend exercise regulates the flow of blood
supply and directs it to the brain.

Trikonasana or the triangle

(Stretch your leg in a forward direction make a
triangle shape division with your legs and touch
the foot with your hand)
Due to its resemblance with a triangle, it is named
as a trikonasana. The entire movement helps in
lateral movement of the spine and stretching up
the muscles. Since, it has a relation with the spine,
it indirectly helps in increasing the flexibility too.
This asana is the last one of the twelve basic
asanas. We can practice it both in forward,
backward direction, side to side and front to front.

Encountering the common myths

related to Yoga
 There are a lot of stereotypical myths that one
might carries out about Yoga. It directly leads in
discouraging of the practice or looking at it
derogatorily. Here, are the few myths related to
the same along with the reality.

 YOGA IS AN ACTIVITY MEANT ONLY FOR

STRETCHING:
A lot of people carry this false belief that yoga only
benefits in stretching and flexibility. In the reality,
this activity has several benefits like: increasing
our power concentration, maintaining our posture,
toning our internal organs and connecting our
mind with the spiritual world too.
 YOGA IS MOSTLY PERFORMED BY RELIGIOUS
PEOPLE:
Although it is true that yoga is related to the
principal philosophy of Hinduism but believing the
notion that it is directly meant for spiritual people
is blatantly false. Each individual who is keen in
pursuing a healthy lifestyle and live a stress/
disease-free life should practice it daily.
 ALL YOGIS ARE VEGAN
Practicing yoga and veganism should not
necessarily go together. Yoga is open to all the
sects of society irrespective of their different
 eating or lifestyle habits. You can surely love to
perform yoga along with eating piles of junk food
too.
In fact, eating protein or calcium rich diet which
non-vegetarian food contains, it helps in building
up a strong body.
 YOGIS ARE ALWAYS PEACEFUL
People who take interest in yoga come from
various socio- economical background. Whatever
the mindset or ideology of one person doesn’t
necessarily mean to be of the other too. Yoga is
more a tool that helps to reconnect the mind with
the world and surely, you are allowed to express
your feelings of grief, anger and frustration in your
life.

Some famous personality of the world

performing/ recommending Yoga:

The international yoga day is celebrated on 24th

June of every year. Presently, yoga is seen more
connectively and recognized internationally in the
world.
Maharshi Patanjali
He is generally referred as the ‘father of yoga’. He
compiled up nearly 195 sutras of yoga. He gave the
core essence of yog philosophy. Presently, sir B.K.S
Iyengar is carrying out his legacy by defending his
yoga sutra ideas.

Sir Aurobindo
Popularly known because of his poetic and
philosophical skills, penned down around 65 books
on the relation of Yoga with the spirituality of life.
There exists a synthesis of yoga with the practical
thesis of life.

Swami Vivekanand
The major social reformer, chief socio- cultural
leader of India who gave an excellent speech in
World’s parliament of religion in Chicago. He was
greatly admired all over the world for super
intellect and artistic knowledge. He also wrote
many philosophical works on yoga with the
addition of karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana
yoga. He played a key role in introducing the
Vedanta series of yoga to the western countries
during the late 19th century.

Sri Sri Ravishankar

The living spiritual leader of India, the founder of
the Art of Living Foundation which works for
 reducing hyper- tension, stress, societal issues and
violence. He played a major role in promoting yoga
to across the globe. He wrote a book about yoga
with a title, ‘Patanjali Yoga Sutra’. He has also
received prominent awards including Padma
Vibhushan.

Popular destination of yoga centers

across the world

 RISHIKESH, INDIA
The key place where yoga began. Near the
beautiful destination of river ganges, this city has
Vinayasa vidya school with hundreds of yoga
trainers that focuses on the holistic growth and
development beyond the physical health.
 Kerala, India
The popular school of vendata is situated here that has
numerous sectors of yoga and Ayurveda institutes. It
teaches the spiritual way of living along with
meditations and Ayurveda retreats.
 Kon lanta, Thailand
The most relaxing place for fitness and well- being.
Situated at lush green island with beautiful
 beaches and mountain networks. Oasis yoga is
considered the best studio but it has a chain
network of others too. It consists of classes that
teach healthy – environmental lifestyle with full of
energy and enthusiasm.
 Ambergis Caye, Belize
A yoga center with the beach retreat view. It
conducts regular yoga sessions and one can attend
without staying here too. It provides variety of
experiences including diving, heading to beaches
and snorkelling. It gives all level of experiences
from the beginner to the advanced level.

CONCLUSION:
Even if you all don’t consider to join yoga classes
or sessions. Consider practicing some of the
asanas regularly at your home. It is efficient for
developing a healthy body and mind. Health is
always considered the supreme part of one’s
functioning. Never try to compromise with it and
enjoy your life with mediating, exercising and
living a healthy lifestyle.