This document discusses the impact of yoga on quality of life. It begins by providing historical context for yoga as a practice in India for improving physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Recent scientific studies are exploring its effects on health and quality of life. Yoga is defined as a science, art and philosophy. The yogic concept of health includes harmony at the levels of the physical body, energy systems, mind and higher consciousness. Regular yoga practice can help develop qualities of physical, mental and spiritual health. It also positively impacts the four main domains of health-related quality of life - physical, psychological, social and general well-being.

1. Impact of “YOGA”
ON “QUALITY OF
LIFE”
Dr Shweta Mishra
BNYS, MSc Yoga
AYUSH, AIIMS, Bhopal

2. INTRODUCTION
For millenniums, Yoga has been used by ancient Rishi Munis as a way of
improving physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual states of its practitioners
in India.
However, its impacts on health and quality of life have only recently started
being explored in the West during the last few decades.
To appreciate its potential effectiveness in improving the quality of life of
mankind, one must have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of yogic
science as well as the result of the recent scientific studies that have investigated
its impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from different ailments.
Rakhshani A. (2014) Yoga and the Quality of Life. In: Michalos A.C. (eds)
Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer,
Dordrecht

3. INTRODUCTION
Alexis Carrel, a renowned Nobel Prize winner, French
surgeon, and biologist, once said:
“The quality of life is more important than the life itself.”
Most people agree with Carrel; however, in order to
integrate his concept into modern medical care, we must
change our entire approach

4. YOGA is a
Science
Art
Philosophy

5. CONCEPT OF HEALTH
• According to WHO-
• Concept of health in Yoga-
 According to Bhagvat Gita (II: 48)
 Health as a dynamic state (yoga helps to attain sukh sthanam)
 Health as evolutionary journey (Shivpuran verse 30)
 According to Swatmarama Suri (H.Y.P.I: 64)
 Yoga – A Moksha Shashtra – health and wellbeing

6. Y OGA & HEALTH

7. Y OGA & HEALTH
• युज ्– Yuj is a Sanskrit root word which means “to yoke,” “to unite,” “to add” or
“to join." It is the origin of the word, yoga, which is a physical, mental and spiritual
practice.
• युज्यते अनेन इतत योगः- Yoga is that which joins. Panini's dhatupatha (collection
of roots of Sanskrit words) .
• योगः चित्त वृत्तत्त तनरोधः| i.e. to control the ever-changing moods of the mind

8. Y OGA & HEALTH
• Health is the dynamic interaction between all levels of existence.
• At the level of the gross body - These sapta dhatus
• Tridosha
• Harmony of Prana Vayus (major energies of physiological
function)
• Upa Prana Vayus (minor energies of physiological function)
• Stability of Nadis (subtle energy channels)
• Proper function of all Chakras (major energy centres -correlated to
the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine axis).

9. Y OGA & HEALTH
The Yogic view of health: (Qualities of physical health)
i) Lightness of body
ii) Health
iii) Thirstlessness of mind
iv) Clearness of complexion
v) A beautiful voice
vi) An agreeable odour
vii) Scantiness of excretions
(Shvetaasvatara Upanishad: II-13).
According to Yogi Svatmarama :
i. Slimness of body
ii. lustre on face
iii. Clarity of voice
iv. Brightness of eyes
v. Freedom from disease
vi. Control over seminal ejaculation
vii. Stimulation of gastric heat
viii. Purification of subtle energy channels are marks of
success in Hathayoga.
(H.Y.P II: 78)
Kaya sampat- attributes of bodily perfection
Perfection of body includes
i. Beauty
ii. Gracefulness
iii. Strength
iv. Adamantine hardness
(Patanjali Yoga Darshan III: 47)
Samana Jayat Jvalanam:
Deep concentration on energy of
digestion.
(Patanjali Yoga Darshan III: 41)

10. Y OGA & HEALTH
Stitha prajna: (Mentally Healthy)
Beyond passion, fear and anger ( B.G: II.56)
Devoid of possessiveness and egoism ( B.G: II.7)
Firm in understanding and unbewildered (B.G V.20)
Engaged in doing good to all creatures (B.G V.25)
Friendly and compassionate to all ( B.G XII.13)
Pure hearted and skilful without expectation (B.G XII.16)
The Yogic view of health: (Qualities of Mental Health)
(Constant search for moderation and a harmonious homoeostatic balance (Yoga A unitive impulse)
Maharishi Patanjali tells us that we can gain unexcelled happiness,
mental comfort,
joy and satisfaction by practicing contentment.
Yoga Darshan II:42

11. Y OGA & HEALTH
• Fearlessness (abhayam)
• Purity of inner being (sattva
samshuddhih),
• Steadfastness in the path of
knowledge (jnanayoga
vyavasthitih)
• Charity (danam),
• Self control (dama)
• Spirit of sacrifice (yajna)
• Self analysis (svadhyaya)
• Disciplined life (tapa)
• Uprightness (arjavam)
• Non violence (ahimsa)
• Truthfulness (satyam),
• Freedom from anger (akrodhah)
• Spirit of renunciation (tyagah)
• Tranquility (shanti)
• Aversion to defamation (apaishunam)
• Compassion to all living creatures (daya bhutesv)
• Non covetedness (aloluptvam)
• Gentleness (maardavam)
• Modesty (hriracaapalam)
• Vigour (tejah)
• Forgiveness (kshama)
• Fortitude (dhritih)
• Cleanliness of body and mind (saucam)
• Freedom from malice (adroho)
• Absence of pride (naatimaanita).
Bhagavad Gita Verse 1,2,3 chapter XVI
The Yogic view of health: (Qualities of Spiritual Health)

12. QUALITY OF LIFE
Quality of life is the general well-
being of individuals and
societies, outlining negative and
positive features of life.
• It observes life satisfaction,
including everything:
World health organization. Health statistics and information systems,
Introducing the WHOQOL instruments.[cited 19 feb 2018]. Available
fromhttp://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/whoqol-qualityoflife/en
QOL
Physical
Health
Family
Education
Employment
Financial and
material
wellbeing
Religious
beliefs
Environment

13. QUALITY OF LIFE
It is important not to mix up the concept
of Qol with a more recent growing area of
Health related Qol (HRQol).
Oncologist. 2002;7(2):120-5.

14. HEALTHRELATED QUALITY OF
LIFE? (HRQol)
The concept have evolved since the 1980s-
To encompass the aspects of overall quality
of life that can be clearly shown to affect health
- either physical or mental.
i. On the individual level
ii. At the communitylevel

15. (HRQol)
• Its part of aperson’s overall quality of life that “represents the functional effect of an illness”
and its consequent therapy upon apatient, asperceived by the patient.
Health Related Quality of Life, why it is important to track, and how it can be used to enhance medical
care: http://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/concept.htm

16. FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH
RELATED QUALITY

17. HRQoL
Measures
General
Medical
outcome
study short
form
survey
(MOS-SF)
Quality of
well-being
(QWB)
Sickness
impact
profile
(SIP)
Dartmouth
COOP
WHOQ
OL-
100
Disease
specific
Arthritis
impact
measureme
nt
scale(AIMS)
Diabetes
quality of
life(DQOL)
Kidney
disease
quality of
life
World health organization. Health statistics and information systems, Introducing the
WHOQOLinstruments.[cited 19 feb 2018]. Available from
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/whoqol-
qualityoflife/en/
Raskati KL.Essential of Pharmacoeconomics. 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
Health;2013.p134
TOOLS:

18. DOMAINS OF HEALTH
STATUS
Four essential domains are included in all
HRQoLinstruments:
- Physical functioning
- Psychological functioning
- Social functioning
- General health perception

19. PANCHAKOSHA: HRQol :
YOGA PERSPECTIVE
• ANNAMAYAKOSHA:
Physical body- DNA, cell, tissue, nerve, organ, body system
• PRANAMAYAKOSHA:
Energy field- Aura, Nadi, Chakra
• MANOMAYAKOSHA:
Mind- emotions, feelings, likes, dislikes, fears, phobias
• VIJNANAMAYAKOSHA:
Wisdom/ higher mind- values, belief system, intellect
• ANANDMAYAKOSHA:
Bliss- being with self, nature
(multifold universal nature of human existence)

20. HRQol : YOGA
PERSPECTIVE
INTEGRATED APPROACH:
• Diet
• Environment
• Lifestyle
• Body work
• Breath work
• Thought process

21. PANCHAKOSHA

22. HRQol- Yoga
• This qualitative aspect of health is something that Yoga and
Indian systems of medicine have considered important for
thousands of years.
• The definition of asana given in the Yoga Sutra as sthira
sukham implies this state of steady well being at all levels of
existence (sthira sukham asanam- Yoga Darshan II:46).
• Patanjali also tells us that through the practice of asana we can
attain a state that is beyond dualities leading to a calm and
serene state of well being (tato dvandva anabhighata- Yoga
Darshan II: 48).

23. ADI TO VYADHIS
(impact on HRQol)
Disturbances at
manomaya kosha
level
Percolate
through the
pranamaya kosha
manifestation of
disease at the
Annamaya kosha

24. TYPES OF YOGA/
DIFFERENT PATHS TO
FOLLOW AND THEIR
INTEGRATION TO
IMPROVE THE QUALITY
OF LIFE

25. ACTION/ WORK

26. PATH OF INTELLECT

27. DEVOTION/ INTUITION

28. ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrloqvk5sYg

29. ROADMAP TO HEALTH
(measures to improve Qol)
Yoga places great importance on a proper and healthy lifestyle when main
components are:
1. ACHAR:
Healthy physical activity and exercise in our daily life.
2. VICHAR:
Right thoughts and right attitude towards life that are vital for wellbeing.

30. 3. AHAR:
Healthy, nourishing diet with adequate intake of fresh water along with a well
balanced intake of fresh food, green salads, sprouts, unrefined cereals and fresh
fruits. It is important to be aware of the need for a Satvik diet, prepared and
served with love and affection and follow the concept of MITAHAR
4. VIHAR:
Proper recreational activities to relax body and mind are essential for good
health.

31. (YOGA)PROCESS
(A CHOICE TO ACTIVATE DIFFERENT AREAS OF BRAIN)
RANDOM THINKING
FOCUSSED THINKING
INTENSE FOCUSSIN
DEFOCUSSING

32. Effect of yoga on the menstrual pain, physical fitness, and
quality of life of young women with primary dysmenorrhea.
There were significant improve in menstrual pain, physical fitness,
and QOL in the yoga group more than the control group (age group: 18-22
years).12 weeks yoga practice.
J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2017 Oct;21(4):840-846.
doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.01.014. Epub 2017 Feb 7.
OLE OF YOGA ON QOL (Researches)

33. Effect of 12 Weeks of Yoga Therapy on Quality of Life and
Indian Diabetes Risk Score in Normotensive Indian Young
Adult Prediabetics and Diabetics: Randomized Control Trial.
• Yoga therapy along with standard treatment for 12 weeks
improved QoL and attenuated the diabetes risk among Indian prediabetics
and diabetics compared to standard treatment alone.
J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Sep;11(9):CC10-CC14. doi:
10.7860/JCDR/2017/29307.10633. Epub 2017 Sep 1

34. Yoga improves quality of life and benefit finding in women
undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer.
• Results indicated that the yoga program was associated with statistically
and clinically significant improvements in aspects of QOL.
PMID: 20388445
J Soc Integr Oncol. 2010 Spring;8(2):43-55.

35. Yoga for improving health‐related quality of life,
mental health and cancer‐related symptoms in
women diagnosed with breast cancer
Recommend Yoga as a supportive intervention for:
• Improving health‐related quality of life
• Reducing fatigue
• Sleep disturbances when compared with no therapy.
• Reducing depression, anxiety and fatigue, when compared with
psychosocial/educational interventions.
Cochrane Systematic Review - Intervention Version published: 03
January 2017

36. Yoga and Quality-of-Life Improvement in Patients with
Breast Cancer: A Literature Review
• Evidence of QOL benefits of yoga for patients with breast cancer
International Journal of Yoga Therapy: 2012, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 95-100.

37. Flexibility, functional autonomy and quality of life (QoL) in
elderly yoga practitioners
• The study suggests that the regular practice of yoga may lead to improved
range of motion in the performance of activities of daily living in elderly
women.
ELSEVIER
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume 53, Issue 2, September–October 2011, Pages 158-162

38. Effects of yoga intervention on sleep and quality-of-life in
elderly: A randomized controlled trial
Potential benefits of yoga therapy for elderly in improving the QOL and
sleep quality
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
Year : 2013 | Volume : 55 | Issue : 7 | Page : 364-368

39.  The Cancer Patient and Quality of Life
• Over the last decade, clinicians have accepted that while survival and
disease-free survival are critical factors for cancer patients, overall quality-
of-life is fundamental.
• This review considers recent developments in the field of quality of life,
oncological challenges and future direction
• HRQOL information may, in some settings, lead to improvements in the
status of the individual cancer patient.
• more acceptance of HRQOL and a more universal understanding of the
concepts of HRQOL for patients and clinicians alike.
Oncologist. 2002;7(2):120-5

40. A PRACTICAL SESSION