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are more psychological. other exercises are more physical or physiological. It is the latter part of the yogic exercises that has become more popular and is being extensively used for health and fitness.
अचेनार्चन
Relation of Yogic Exercises with Health and Fitness
The quotatons like "Nāyamātmā balabinena labhyah' Sarīramādyam khalu dharmasādhanam' from yogic literature indicate that health was considered as a prerequisite for the spiritual pursuit. Yoga looks upon man as a whole consisting of body, mind and spirit. Yoga accepts bodymind relationship. More weightage is given to the spiritual aspect. Yogic concept of health is not merely physically oriented but rather more mentally and spiritually oriented. Arogya, a synonym for health, has been defined as 'an absence of distractions or pulls on the mind'(fqafa & T:). The variety of means available in Yoga caters to the needs of young, old, utterly old, diseased or weak. Following are some of the quotations from Yogic texts which emphasize the utility of Yogic exercises in the promotion of fitness of body and mind.
कुर्यात्तदासनं स्थैर्य प्रारोग्यं चांगलाघवम् । "Kuryättadāsanam sthairyam ārogyam cãigalāghavam" (The practice of asanas leads to stability, health and lightness of limbs) प्रासनेन भवेद् दृढम् । "Asanena bhaved drdham" (Practice of asanas contributes to strengtb). पासनेन रुजो हन्ति । "Asanena rujo hanti" (Asanas overcome diseases). ततो द्वन्द्वानभिघातः ।
Tato dvandvānabhighātaḥ"
(Proficiency in asanas leads to the attainment of the state of lack of dysrhythmias in the neuro-muscular impulses responsible for the tremors of the body and fickleness of the mind).
The physiological effects of Yogic practices are described in the following verse;
वपुः कृशत्वं वदने प्रसन्नता नादस्फुटत्वं नयने सुनिर्मले प्ररोगता बिन्दुजयोऽग्निदीपनम् नाडीविशुद्धिर्हठ सिद्धि लक्षणम् ॥
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