Yoga, Relaxation and Lifestyle Diseases
This section covers yoga, relaxation and lifestyle diseases. The exam tests the meaning and limbs of yoga, common asanas and pranayama, relaxation principles, and the role of yoga in lifestyle disease prevention without overstating it as a cure.
Meaning and limbs
Yoga is often translated as union or yoke. Patanjali's Ashtanga yoga has eight limbs: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Asana is posture; pranayama is breath regulation.
Common practices
Asanas include Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Trikonasana, Bhujangasana, Vajrasana and Shavasana. Pranayama includes Anulom Vilom, Bhramari and Kapalbhati. Shavasana and slow breathing support relaxation. Forceful practices such as Kapalbhati need caution in uncontrolled hypertension, hernia and pregnancy.
Lifestyle diseases
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and some cancers are linked to inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco and stress. Yoga can improve flexibility, balance, stress management and adherence to activity, but it does not replace medical treatment.
Worked example
A sedentary adult with high blood pressure wants to start yoga. Reasoning: choose gentle asanas, slow breathing and Shavasana, avoid inverted postures and forceful breath retention, continue prescribed medication, and get medical clearance. The reasoning matches the condition to safe practice rather than claiming yoga will cure hypertension.
Traps
Do not reduce yoga to asanas only. Do not call yoga a cure for lifestyle disease. Do not prescribe Kapalbhati indiscriminately. Do not ignore medical care.