Yoga and Health

SR No.: 250377
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M L Gharote
Publisher: Z_Umravkunvarji_Diksha_Swarna_Jayanti_Smruti_Granth_012035.pdf
Publication Year: 1988
Total Pages: 11
Language: English
Classification: Article & Yoga
File Size: 852 KB

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पंचम खण्ड | २६८
now : and to meet confidently the problems and crises which are among life's expectations. The term physical fitness indicates specific components like muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscular flexibility, cardio-vascular fitness, co-ordination, etc., any of which we measure to reflect a person's fitness status, The tests which measure physical fitness are more relative than absolute, It is not that a reasonably healthy person cannot improve his pbysical fitness level.
dalda
Relation of Health and Fitness
Health and fitness are relatively inseparable. They have a part and whole relationship. If we consider health as a state of well-being, then fitness contributes to attain this state.
We can conceive of a Health and Fitness continuum' on which one extreme point towards left could be considered as "Death” or zero point and the other on the right as "Maximum." The "Maximum' point is a relative one and not the absolute and one's position at this point at a given moment can be determined by many contributing factors some of which are hereditary and others environmental, and some of the factors are uncontrollable but many of them could be controlled to some extent. It must be recognized that many factors affect a person's position on his health and fitness continuum and that one may never know exactly what his position is. An individual's position on the continuum thus represents relative health and fitness.
Yogic Exercises
In order to understand this term, we have to consider the two words, 'Yogaand 'Exercise in their mutual relationship.
We may not enter into the various connotations and denotations of the word "Yoga'. Suffice it to say that the word “Yoga' has been used for the end' as well as for 'means'. This position has been greatly responsible for creating misunderstandings about Yoga. Etymologically Yoga' means 'Integration. The term 'Samatva' of Bhagawadgita conveys the same meaning. Other terms like homeostasis, equilibrium, balance, harmonious development, etc. more or less suggest the same thing. The aim of Yoga itself is integration of personality in all its aspects.
To help the development of such an integration various techniques are employed. These techniques or practices enjoined in Yogic literature and handed down in different traditions also go under the name of Yoga.
The various yogic practices may be classified into (a) Asanas, (b) Pranayamas, (c) Bandhas and Mudras, (d) Kriyas, and (e) Meditation.