embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and Nature.

1. YOGA
ITS IMPORTANCE
DR. Y. ROSY AYDA
GOVERNMENT YOGA AND NATUROPATHY MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
ARUMBAKKAM
CHENNAI-106

2. OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
PHILOSOPHY
TYPES
SIGNIFICANCE
RESEARCH PAPERS
GOVERNMENT YOGA CENTRES

3. INTRODUCTION
 Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition.
 "Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning "to join" or "to unite".
 According to Yogic scriptures,
Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness.
One who experiences this oneness of existence is termed as a yogi who has attained a state of freedom, referred to as
mukti, nirvāna, kaivalya or moksha.
 "Yoga" also refers to an inner science through which human beings can achieve union between the body and mind to
attain self-realisation.
 The aim of Yoga practice (sādhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom.

4. PHILOSOPHY
 The science of Yoga has its origin thousands of years ago,.
 Shiva has seen as the first yogi or ādiyogi and the first guru or ādiguru. Several thousand years ago, on the banks of lake
Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, ādiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary saptarishis or "seven sages".
These sages carried this powerful Yogic science to different parts of the world.
 Yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period, the great sage Maharishi Patanjali systematised and codified the then
existing Yogic practices, its meaning and its related knowledge through Patanjali's Yoga.

5. CLASSIFICATION
 The different philosophies AND traditions of Yoga led to the emergence of different traditional schools.
 These include
 Jnāna Yoga Bhakti Yoga,
 Karma Yoga Pātanjala Yoga
 Kunḍạlini Yoga Haṭha Yoga,
 Dhyāna Yoga Mantra Yoga,
 Laya Yoga Rāja Yoga,
 Jain Yoga Bouddha Yoga etc.

6. • YOGA WORKS ON THE LEVEL OF ONE'S BODY, MIND, EMOTION AND ENERGY.
• FOUR BROAD CLASSIFICATIONS OF YOGA:
KARMA YOGA WHERE WE UTILISE THE BODY;
JNĀNA YOGA WHERE WE UTILISE THE MIND;
BHAKTI YOGA WHERE WE UTILISE THE EMOTION;
KRIYA YOGA WHERE WE UTILISE THE ENERGY.

7. KARMA YOGA
 KARMA MEANS ACTION OR DEED
 PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ACTION IS KARMA
 Karma not only action but result of action
 Hidden power of karma is adrishta
3 kinds
 Accumulated works
 Fructifying works
 Current works
 Practice of karma yoga prepares for reception of jnana yoga
 Karma yoga: doing selfless service i.e., non-attachment to fruit of actions
 Also to dedicate the actions at the altar of god

8. Jnana YOGA
 A path of self-realization
 pursues knowledge with questions such as "who am I, what am I" among
others.
consists of three practices
 Sravana literally means hearing, and broadly refers to perception and
observations typically aided by a counsellor or teacher
 Manana refers to thinking on these discussions
 Nididhyāsana refers to meditation,

9. Bakthi YOGA
 Yoga of deep devotion and true love is bakthi yoga
 True love goes beyond small loves such as love of one’s blood, caste, race,
etc.,
 Deep devotion via following actions
 Sravana: hearing of devotional songs
 smarana: remembering his name and presence
 Archana: Pooja, worship of god
 Kirtana: singing of god’s glory
 Vandana: surrender of ego to god
 Bakthi is nothing but profound longing for lord

10. KRIYA YOGA
YOGIC PRACTICES INCLUDES:
 YAMA – SELF CONTROL
 NIYAMA – OBEYING RELIGIOUS LAWS
 ASANA – MAINTAIN POSTURES
 PRANAYAMA – BREATHING TECHNIQUES
 PRATYAHARA – WITHDRAWAL OF SENSES
 DHARANA - CONCENTRATION
 DHYANA - MEDITATION
 SAMADHI – UNION WITH DIVINE
 BANDHAS – BODY LOCKS
 MUDRAS - SYMBOLIC GESTURES WITH THE
HANDS
 SHAT-KARMAS – SIX KRIYAS

11. SHAT KRiYAS
Yogic cleansing processes are an integral part of yoga as they help to eliminate
accumulated toxins from the system.
 Trataka is an important eye exercise done by focusing the eye on a
selected object
 Neti means cleansing and clearing of the nasal passage.
 Kapalabhati. proper drying of the nose by bending in all directions
and exhaling forcefully
 Dhauti for digestive tract up to stomach (auto-cleansing.)
 Nauli for abdominal muscles and internal organs
 Basti for lower digestive tract especially rectum.

12. CHAIR YOGA

13. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGASANASANDPHYSICALEXERCISE
YOGASANAS PHYSICAL EXERCISE
1. Aim to achieve sense of well being. Aim to receive awards and trophies
2. Static in nature. Dynamic in nature
3. Movements slow, steady and smooth. Involve very fast movements
4. Oppose violent muscle stretching. Emphasize violent muscle movements
5. Essentially individulaistic. Group and individual practice invloved
6. Space required is very less. Large play field is required
7. Equipments are extremely limited. Depends more and more modern equipments
8. Cultivate spiritual advancement. Spirituality is not encouraged much
9. Yamas and niyamas aims at attitude changes Attitudinal training not insisted
10. Meditation and concentration are very important. Concentration alone is very important

14. CONCEPT OF HEALTH AND YOGA
 man has five bodies or kosas (sheaths).
 According to the tradition of Yoga and UpanishaD,
1) the physical body, is called "Annamaya kosa".
2) the Pranamaya kosa featured by the predominance of prana, the life principle.
3) Manomaya Kosa or the psychical body is responsible for the functions of mind, namely perception, analysis, memory and also the
emotions.
4) The Vijnanamaya kosa characterised by discrimination and a capacity to judge, is aimed at channelising human behavior towards
perfect health, in tune with nature.
5) In the Anandamaya state, man is established in perfect harmony and balance of all his faculties and is featured by total mastery,
bliss and freedom from fear.

16. YOGIC CONCEPT OF ILLNESSES
 The root cause of Stress induced ailments is the imbalance at the Manomaya Kosa. Amplified likes and dislikes at the
manomaya kosa results in distressful emotional surges called 'Aadhi‘.
 long standing uncontrolled surges of stressful reactions like intense desire (Kama), anger (Krodha), fear (Bhaya),
jealousy (Matsarya) etc – DISEASES
 disturbances in the Manomaya kosa percolate into physical body (Annamaya Kosa) through disturbed prana flows
AND CAUSES PHYSICAL AILMENTS

17. SIGNIFICANCE OF YOGA
Breathing
•Sleeping Habits
•Stress Levels
Exercise
•Improves Circulation
•Stimulates Organs
•Stimulates Glandular System
Meditation
•Disciplines Mind
•Stress Level
•Focus

18. HEALTH BENEFITS
• Musculoskeletal
System
• Nervous System
• Cardiovascular
System

19. PHYSICALBENEFITS
• IMPROVE BODY FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE
• IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE
• IMPROVED DIGESTION
• IMPROVED ABDOMINAL STRENGTH
• ENHANCED OVERALL MUSCULAR STRENGTH
• RELAXATION OF MUSCULAR STRAINS
• WEIGHT CONTROL
• INCREASED ENERGY LEVELS
• ENHANCED IMMUNE SYSTEM

20. MENTAL Benefits
YOGA ENHANCES YOGA SUPRESSESS
• SELF CONTROL.
• SELF ACTUALIZATION.
• WELLNESS.
• DEPTH PERCEPTION.
• ATTENTION.
• CONCENTRATION.
• MEMORY POWER.
• LEARNING EFFICIENCY.
• COGNITIVE FUNCTION.
• SOCIAL SKILLS.
• ANXIETY.
• AGGRESSION
• EMOTION.
• DEPRESSION
• STRESS
• STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS

23. MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF YOGA
TWO MAJOR CATEGORIES NAMELY
• APPLICATION OF YOGA IN DISEASE INCLUDING REHABILITATION
• IN PROMOTION OF POSITIVE HEALTH AT PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL
LEVELS.
YOGA IN STRESS RELATED DISEASES
STRESS MANAGEMENT IN THESE AILMENTS WITH ENCOURAGING RESULTS
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION (TM) BRINGS ABOUT SIGNS OF OVERALL
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RELAXATION – GOOD FOR ANXIETY NEUROSIS

24. GAGNE (1990) COMPARED THE EFFECT OF THERAPEUTIC TOUCH & RELAXATION AND CONCLUDED THAT
THEY COULD BE PALLIATIVE ADJUNCTS IN ANXIETY.
• YOGA IN RESPIRATORY ALLERGIES
SIGNIFICANT DEGREE OF RELAXATION, POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TENDENCY FOR LESSER USAGE OF
INHALERS.
• YOGA IN DIABETES
IN BOTH IDDM AND NIDDM PHYSIOLOGICALLY DEMANDING STRESSFUL SITUATIONS LIKE INFECTION,
PREGNANCY ETC. ARE KNOWN TO INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR INSULIN. SIMILARLY EMOTIONAL STRESSES ALSO
CONTRIBUTE TO THE IRREGULAR CONTROL OF DIABETES. RELAXATION THERAPIES USING BIOFEEDBACK OR
TAPED INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO BE USEFUL IN BETTER CONTROL OF DIABETES.
MONRO ET AL (1992) CARRIED OUT A CONTROLLED TRIAL ON 21 SUBJECTS WITH NIDDM. FASTING BLOOD
GLUCOSE AND GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY (P<0.05) IN THE GROUP OF 11 WHO
PRACTISED THE INTEGRATED PROGRAMME OF YOGA AS COMPARED TO A MATCHED CONTROL GROUP OF 10 WHO DID
NOT PRACTICE YOGA.

25. • CORONARY HEART DISEASE BEING ONE OF THE MAJOR KILLERS OF MANKIND EVEN TODAY, THE ROLE OF
LIFE STYLE MODIFICATION TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE RISK FACTORS TO PREVENT CHD CANNOT BE
OVERLOOKED. GREENWOOD ET AL (1996) REVIEWED THE LITERATURE AND SHOWED THAT BOTH
SOCIAL SUPPORT AND LIFE STRESSES INFLUENCE THE INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY OF CORONARY
HEART DISEASE.
• THE EMOTION SUPPORT HAD THE LARGEST EFFECT. GOMER ET AL (1997) ANALYSED THE HEART RATE
VARIABILITY FROM A BOLTER RECORD DURING TRANSIENT MYOCARDIAL ISCHEAMIA AND OBSERVED
SUPPRESSION OF THE EFFERENT VAGAL ACTIVITY.
• ROLE OF YOGA IN MECHANICAL BACK PAIN, CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME, CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS,
FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC PAIN HAVE BEEN STUDIED BY MANY WORKERS.

26. • YOGA FOR PSYCHOSIS AND CHEMICAL ABUSE
• YOGA FOR PROMOTION OF POSITIVE HEALTH
• YOGA FOR POSITIVE PHYSICAL HEALTH
• YOGA IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION – IMPROVE THE BODY FLEXIBILITY AND THE MUSCULAR
EFFICIENCY
• YOGA FOR POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH - MASTERY OVER THE UPSURGES OF EMOTION
• YOGA FOR PERCEPTION - PRODUCES DEFINITE CHANGES IN PERCEPTION, ATTENTION AND
COGNITION (BROWN, 1977)

27. • YOGA FOR LEARNING AND INTELLIGENCE - GREATER IMPROVEMENT ON MEASURES OF CREATIVITY
• YOGA IN MEMORY IMPROVED INFORMATION PROCESSING AT THALAMO-CORTICAL PATHWAY, BETTER
ATTENTION, CONCENTRATION
• YOGA FOR EMOTIONAL STABILITY - ROLE OF YOGA TO REDUCE THE FORCE AND SPEED OF THE VIOLENT
SURGES OF EMOTIONS HAS BEEN VALIDATED BY MANY WORKERS THROUGH PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL
STUDIES.
• YOGA FOR SOCIAL HEALTH - MOVEMENT FROM SELFISHNESS TO SELFLESSNESS IS CONSIDERED AS THE
MEASURE OF GROWTH OF SOCIAL HEALTH.
• YOGA FOR SPIRITUAL HEALTH -

28. REFERENCES
• 1. ABRAMS AL (1972). PAIRED-ASSOCIATE LEARNING AND RECALL: A PILOT STUDY OF THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
PROGRAM. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 377-381 EDS DW ORME JOHNSON, JT
FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977
• 2. AHVENAINEN O, LINDHOLM H AND NIKKANEN P (1981). COMMUNITY HOME STUDENTS IN SPRING,. FINLAND: NATIONAL BOARD
OF SOCIAL WELFARE
• 3. AROOR AS, RAO S, RAO PLN AND BHATT KK (1990). EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON BIOLOGICAL MARKERS OF AGEING; IN
PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE PP 156-165 EDS RC SAWHNEY, K SRIDHARAN AND W SELVAMURTHY (DELHI: DIP AS)
• 4. BENSON H AND WALLACE RK (1972). DECREASED DRUG ABUSE WITH TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION: A STUDY OF 1,862
SUBJECTS. DRUG ABUSE: PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, ED CHRIS J.D.ZARAFONETIS, PP 369-376
• 5. BHASKARACHARYULU C, SITARAM R, KUMARI G, SAHAY BK, ANNAPURNA MKV, MADHAVI S AND MURTHY KJR (1986). THE EFFECT
OF YOGA ON LIPOPROTEIN PROFILE IN DIABETICS; J. DIABETIC ASSOC. OF INDIA XXVI120-124
• 6. BLASDELL KS (1971). THE EFFECTS OF THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE UPON A COMPLEX PERCEPTUAL-
MOTOR TASK. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 322-325, EDS DW ORME JOHNSON,
JT FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977 (1).
• 7. BORLAND C (1976). IMPROVED QUALITY OF CITY LIFE THROUGH THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM: DECREASED
CRIME RATE. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 639-648, EDS DW ORME JOHNSON, JT
FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977 (1).

29. REFERENCES
• 1. ABRAMS AL (1972). PAIRED-ASSOCIATE LEARNING AND RECALL: A PILOT STUDY OF THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
PROGRAM. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 377-381 EDS DW ORME JOHNSON, JT
FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977
• 2. AHVENAINEN O, LINDHOLM H AND NIKKANEN P (1981). COMMUNITY HOME STUDENTS IN SPRING,. FINLAND: NATIONAL BOARD
OF SOCIAL WELFARE
• 3. AROOR AS, RAO S, RAO PLN AND BHATT KK (1990). EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON BIOLOGICAL MARKERS OF AGEING; IN
PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE PP 156-165 EDS RC SAWHNEY, K SRIDHARAN AND W SELVAMURTHY (DELHI: DIP AS)
• 4. BENSON H AND WALLACE RK (1972). DECREASED DRUG ABUSE WITH TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION: A STUDY OF 1,862
SUBJECTS. DRUG ABUSE: PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, ED CHRIS J.D.ZARAFONETIS, PP 369-376
• 5. BHASKARACHARYULU C, SITARAM R, KUMARI G, SAHAY BK, ANNAPURNA MKV, MADHAVI S AND MURTHY KJR (1986). THE EFFECT
OF YOGA ON LIPOPROTEIN PROFILE IN DIABETICS; J. DIABETIC ASSOC. OF INDIA XXVI120-124
• 6. BLASDELL KS (1971). THE EFFECTS OF THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE UPON A COMPLEX PERCEPTUAL-
MOTOR TASK. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 322-325, EDS DW ORME JOHNSON,
JT FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977 (1).
• 7. BORLAND C (1976). IMPROVED QUALITY OF CITY LIFE THROUGH THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM: DECREASED
CRIME RATE. IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PROGRAM PP 639-648, EDS DW ORME JOHNSON, JT
FARROW, MAHARSHI EUROPEAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST GERMANY 1977 (1).

30. LIST OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
LIST OF HOSPITALS PROVIDING FREE YOGA CLASSESS (40 places across the state)
YOGA AND NATUROPATHY LIFESTYLE CLINIC, GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITALs and
GOVERNMENT PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE of – NAMAKKAL, MANAPPARAI
 DINDIGUL, PENNAGARAM, KALLAKURICHI, METTUR DAM – SALEM, PERIYAKULAM, THENI, KARUR, TIRUPPUR,
TIRUVANNAMALAI, TIRUNELVELI, THANJAVUR, COIMBATORE, SIVAGANGAI, ASARIPALLAM,
 KANYAKUMARI, CHENGALPET, ADUKAMPARRAI, VELLORE, TRICHY, MANNARGUDI, THIRUVARUR,
KUMBAKONAM, THANJAVUR, THIRUVALLUR, KILPAUK – CHENNAI, MADURAI, KRISHNAGIRI, NAGAPATTINAM,
TENKASI, TIRUNELVELI, WALAJAH, VELLORE, THOOTHUKUDI, PUDUMADAM, RAMANATHAPURAM, POIGAI –
VELLORE, NAVALPATTU – TRICHY, VADUGANTHANGAL – VELLORE, SIRUGUDI – DINDIGUL, PANJAPATTI –
KARUR, CHINNALAPATTI – DINDIGUL, T. KALLUPATTI – MADURAI, BROADWAY – CHENNAI (Stanley hospital).

31. Government naturopathy and yoga medical college and hospital, arumbakkam, Chennai is conducting:
 Daily free yoga classes for public (timing: 9-10 am and 10-11 am)
 Conducting free public seminars on various diseases (timing: 11.30 am to 1.00 pm)
Government multi-super speciality hospital, mount road, Chennai is providing
Therapeutic yoga and various naturopathic treatments for the patients.

32. many private centres are also available such as
 Isha yoga centre
 Lakshmi andiyappan yoga centre
 Patanjali yoga centre

33. Thank you