Tamilnadu Wellness

Yoga

There are opinions that there isn’t any concrete chronological evidence for this art. But in India, it is said, this physical, mental and spiritual get together named YOGA , originated in India during the pre Vedic Ages and it is assumed to be more than 5000 years old. Yoga has its own epitemology and metaphysics, and is closely related to the Hindu Samkhya philosophy. There are different school of practices of yoga in Hinduism, Buddhism [Vajrayana and Tibetian], Jainism and they have started growing in size, form and practices through thousands of self made yoga school of thought of many individuals and cults. The first recorded Yoga Sutras are said to be of Saint Patanjali, the serpant seer and founder of this art, first of its kind that passed between gurus and sishyas from the beginning of the first milenium. Yoga is generally classified by few as Philosophical or Gyan Yoga, Devotional or Bhakti Yoga, Action or Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga to emphasis that yoga is not merely a physical exercises. Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Tantra Yoga are some of the ancient form of yoga practices followed by yogis and Gurus. Hatha Yoga is said have emerged in and around 11th Century. The history of modern Yoga is widely believed to have begun with the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in the year 1893 and the young Swami Vivekananda from India made a big and lasting impression about this art amidst the American public. The 20th Century is considered as the Golden Period of YOGA, during which period many Yoga Establishments started introducing this art to the Western and Eastern Countries. Many studies, through their sustained efforts, have established Yoga as an intervention for most common Diabetes and Critical ailments like Cancer, Schizophrenia, Asthma, and Heart diseases. Though some dispute this theory, but they do not deny the fact that this may reduce the risk factors and also as a effective alternative to other available options. New forms of yoga practices have been named either in honour of the founder or of the cult and it has been increasing in numbers as the years pass by. Of late Yoga has some assumed commercial importance too.

BENEFITS OF YOGA
* On the physical plane, the individual exercises every limb and organ of his / her body. Yoga can also be pictured as ‘internal massage’, which means that all the internal organs are scientifically driven - not just the outer limbs.
* On the mental plane (which can also be identified as psychological), a person learns to focus his / her entire concentration on the yogic process, including Pranayama or “proper breathing”.
* On the spiritual plane, a person learns to expand his / her spiritual mind and lead a stress free life.

ORIGIN OF YOGA
* Yoga remained in relative obscurity for ages, passed down only from guru (teacher) to initiates, and hence has retained its original purity over thousands of years.

Ayuveda

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘Science of Life’ and it is a natural and Holistic Medical science, developed thousands of years ago and collated into text form almost 5000 years ago. ‘Prevention is better than Cure’ – this is what the Ayurveda does as against its counter part Allopathy, used for cure or correction. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hrudaya speaks elaborately about the Five Elements of Nature [earth, water, air, fire and space[sky] and their influence / representations in the human body in the form of Doshas or Energies. They are termed as Vatam [air/sky- neuro, blood, respiration etc.] / Pittam [fire/water- metabolism of organs – tissue system] and Kapham [earth and water - growth protection, Gastro, fluids that protect brain and spine] on the human body system. This system of medicine has five purification procedures called Vaman [Therapeutic vomiting], Virechan [ Bowels cleansing], Basti [rectum cleansing process], Nasya [ purify from Toxins through the Nose] and Rakta Moksha [ Detoxification of Blood or Bloodletting]. This system prevents illness, heals the sickness and preserves life. Shushruta Samhita says : Balancing of Doshas, Good appetite, smooth functioning of the tissues and natural urges - keeps the Mind, Body and Spirit cheerful.

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