Yoga, Asanas and Lifestyle Diseases
This domain tests the meaning and limbs of yoga, the benefits and precautions of selected asanas, and the role of yoga in lifestyle diseases. Answers should show safe practice, not just list poses.
Core concepts
- Yoga: from the Sanskrit yuj, to unite - union of body, breath and mind. Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga has eight limbs: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
- Asana: a steady, comfortable posture. Pranayama: regulation of breath.
- Selected asanas: Tadasana improves posture; Vrikshasana trains balance; Bhujangasana mobilises the spine; Vajrasana aids sitting and digestion; Paschimottanasana improves posterior-chain flexibility; Shavasana relaxes.
- Lifestyle diseases: obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, back pain and stress-related conditions. Yoga helps through regular activity, stress reduction, flexibility and better breathing.
Worked example
A student with mild obesity and exam stress is advised to begin with slow Surya Namaskar, Vajrasana after meals and Shavasana for relaxation. The reasoning is that dynamic sequences raise energy expenditure, while relaxation reduces stress; poses should be introduced gradually and without breath-holding. If the student has knee pain, Vajrasana is avoided or modified.
Marks-losing traps
Do not reduce yoga to asanas only; pranayama, meditation and ethical restraints are part of it. Do not hold the breath forcefully. Do not claim yoga cures diabetes or hypertension. Mention contraindications such as avoiding inversions in uncontrolled hypertension and avoiding deep knee flexion in knee injury.