Adding life to years means adding health to years. It means living a healthy life always. The best therapy for a healthy living is the age old practice of yoga and its rules. If yogic discipline is followed throughout life including a good yogic diet a person can lead a healthy life. Even modern science has agreed to this fact and have begun to include yogic techniques in their approach to healing patients with prolonged illness. Yoga has been included in the treatment plan of many medical practitioners also.
FACTORS THAT LEAD TO POOR HEALTH The most important factor leading to bad health is disease. Diseases cause the health of a person to deteriorate whether young or old. Any kind of disease like heart problems, diabetes, cancer, fever, cold or mental problems always prevent a person from remaining healthy. Another factor that lead to illness is addictions to alcohol, tobacco, drugs and smoking. People who adopt these behavior always have a short span of life because they lead to chronic diseases. The lifestyle of some people also cause health troubles. People who are lazy, do not exercise and sleep more are also easily prone to illness. On the other hand people who do not rest, work for longer periods, lead a stressful life and sleepless also suffer from many physical and mental problems. Improper diet also leads to various diseases like obesity, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, high cholesterol, stomach disorders etc., that prevents a person from leading a healthy lifestyle.
YOGIC WAY OF LIVINGYoga is known to enhance the physical and emotional well-being. But when used as a therapy yoga not only prevents diseases but also cures many illness by transforming the body and mind. Yoga promotes self-knowledge and a person becomes aware of his body and mind and also its importance. Yoga therapy promotes the flow of prana or the vital force and removes the energy blockages in the body. It lets the energy flow freely and restores the basic condition for health. Common yoga therapy also solves problems like spine misalignments or joint functions. Even cancer can be stopped from growing by regular yoga therapy.
Yoga therapy includes various asanas or postures, breathing techniques or pranayam and relaxation methods or meditation for the mind and body. The four systems of the body the circulatory, lymphatic, digestive and reproductive systems play a major role in the proper functioning of the body. If any of the system has a disorder then it affects the entire body. Circulatory system disorders include heart diseases, hypertension etc., digestive disorders include liver diseases, stomach and intestinal problems etc., lymphatic disorders include varicose veins, hemorrhoids etc. and reproductive disorders include infertility, menstrual problems etc. Regular practice of asanas keep these systems in order and also solve problems related to these systems.
Pranayam which means controlled breathing methods removes the stagnation of energy in the body. It prevents and also cures problems like asthma and bronchitis. The respiratory system is kept in order and the toxins and co2 is removed from the body. These breathing techniques also help in purifying the blood. Also regular practice of yoga and pranayam keeps the hormones balanced. Meditation techniques keep the mind calm and cool. It removes the stress from the body and mind and rejuvenates a person.
BALANCED DIETJust like physical activities a well balanced diet is also important for a healthy living. Only good diet or only good exercise cannot keep a person healthy. Both go side by side to maintain healthy living. A balanced diet includes diverse and healthy food. We are what we eat. Unhealthy food habits lead to diseases. Good food doesn’t mean it looks or tastes good. A balanced and nutritious diet means good food and it prevents diseases. Food should be taken as a medicine and not just something to satisfy our taste buds.
For many diseases like heart troubles, diabetes, anemia and even common problems like headaches and cold there are foods that can help and also aggravate the problem. Food can be classified as vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, dairy, poultry, fish and meat. The amount and the type of food we take depends upon the lifestyle and age of a person. For a hardworking person more calories are required than a person who works less. For example more calories doesn’t mean more food but it certainly means more proteins and carbohydrates for energy.A balanced diet must include fresh fruits and vegetables with enough proteins to balance.
A yogic diet doesn’t include meat, fish or poultry. There are substitutes for these. The amount of nutrients found in these can also be found in other food items like pulses and vegetables. A yogi always follows a sattvic or a vegetarian diet. It is true that a vegetarian diet means less encounters with various diseases. But it should also be free from fats and extra spices.
According to Yogratna Yogacharya Vijayan C. Raman it is always better to remain healthy the natural way and not invite diseases by our own mistakes. Through yoga a person can maintain a coordination between mind and body which is essential for good health.
Note : Yoga should always be practiced under the strict guidance of an expert yoga guru only.
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