Health and wellness in Yoga
Yoga understands health and well-being as a dynamic continuum of human nature and not a mere ‘state’ to be attained and then maintained at status quo.
The lowest point on the continuum with the lowest speed of vibration is that of death; the highest point with the highest speed of vibration is that of immortality.
In between these two extremes lie the states of normal health and disease.
For many, their state of health is defined as that ‘state’ in which they are able to function without hindrance. In reality, however, health is part of our evolutionary journey towards Divinity. The lower points on the dynamic health continuum may be equated with lower forms of life, while the highest point with the highest speed of vibration may be equated with Divinity.
In the Hathayoga Pradipika, one of the classical Yoga texts, Yogi Swatmarama assures us that “One who, tirelessly practises Yoga attains success irrespective of whether they are young, old decrepit, diseased or weak”.
He offers us a guarantee that Yoga will improve the health of all alike and ward off disease, provided we properly abide by the rules and regulations (yuvaa vrddho ativriddho vaa vyaadhito durbalo pi vaa abhyaasaat siddhimaapnoti sarvayogeshvatandritah — Hathayoga Pradipika I:64).
Yoga not only considers physical health, but also more importantly mental health. Qualities of a mentally healthy person (stitha prajna) are enumerated in the Bhagavad Gita as follows:
· Beyond passion, fear and anger (veeta raga bhaya krodhah- II.56)
· Devoid of possessiveness and egoism (nirmamo nirahamkarah- II.7)
· Firm in understanding and unbewildered (sthira buddhir asammudhah- V.20)
· Engaged in doing good to all creatures (sarva bhutahiteratah- V.25)
· Friendly and compassionate to all ( maitrah karuna eva ca- XII.13)
· Pure hearted and skilful without expectation (anapekshah sucir daksah- XII.16)
The central theme of Yoga is finding the golden mean, the middle path. This implies a constant search for moderation and a harmonious homoeostatic balance. Yoga is the “unitive impulse” of life, which always seeks to unite diverse streams into a single powerful force.
Proper practice produces an inner balance of mind that remains stable and serene, even in the midst of chaos. This ancient science shows its adherents a clear path into the “eye of the storm” and ensures a stability that endures within, even as the cyclone rages without.
In addition to its preventive and restorative qualities, Yoga also aims at promoting a state of positive health and vitality that will help to tide us over during the inevitable health challenges that occur during our lifetime. Just as we save money in a bank to tide us over during financial crises, we can also build up our positive health balance to help us manage unforeseen health challenges and promote faster recovery and recuperation.
This concept of positive health is one of Yoga’s unique contributions to modern health care.
Because it has both a preventive and a promotive role, and is also inexpensive, Yoga can be used in tandem with other systems of medicine in an integrated manner to benefit all patients.
In the Gheranda Samhita, a classical treatise on Hatha Yoga, the human body is likened to an unbaked clay pot that is incapable of holding the contents and dissolves when faced with the challenge of water.
It is only through intense heat generated by practice of Yoga that the human body gets baked, making it fit to hold the Divine Spirit (aama kumbha ivaambhastho jeeryamanah sada gatah yoganalena samdahya ghata shuddhim samacaret- Gheranda Samhita I:8).
The art and science of Yoga is primarily a moksha shastra, a path and goal of self-realization, with the positive side-effects of health, happiness and well-being. The word Yoga springs from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means to yoke or unite (yujate iti yogaha). It can be defined as the union, reunion or communion of the body-emotion-mind-spirit complex or as the unification/reunification of the individual spirit (jivatma) with the universal (paramatma).
Although the teachings and path of Yoga are not exclusive to any religion, creed or race, we need to acknowledge that it has sprung from the fertile soil of bharatiya samskriti — the Indian cultural ethos of sanathana dharma, the eternal teachings of responsibility.
