This document provides an overview of yoga, including its definition, benefits, and comparison to sports. It describes yoga as the union of body, emotions, mind, and soul. The eight limbs of Patanjali's Ashtanga yoga are explained. Physiological, psychological, psychomotor, cognitive, and biochemical benefits of yoga are outlined. Yoga is compared to sports, noting yoga's focus on inner awareness, balance, and infinite growth potential over competitiveness and external goals. The document closes by stating what yoga needs and is not.

1. THE ART AND SCIENCE
OF YOGA
YOGACHARYA
Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
MBBS, ADY, DPC, DSM, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY, MD(AM)
CHAIRMAN :
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR YOGA
EDUCATION & RESEARCH ( ICYER )
& YOGANJALI NATYALAYAM
PONDICHERRY,SOUTH INDIA.

2. WHAT IS YOGA ?
• Union (Yuj) of
– Body, Emotions and Mind
– Jivatma With Paramatma
• Skill in Action
• Stilling the Whirlpools of the Mind
• Unity of Thought,word and Deed
• Four (Five) Fold Awareness
• Equanimity of Mind
• A Way of Life
• Conscious Evolution

3. ASHTANGA YOGA
Eight limbs of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga
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Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
- morality for daily living
- ethics for the self
- firm & comfortable posture
- control of the vital energy
- withdrawal from the senses
- one pointed concentration
- state of meditation
- absolute oneness

4. ASPECTS OF MIND
• CHITTA-Memory Bank-Subconscious
• MANAS-Conscious Mind
• BHUDDI-Intellect-Possesses Viveka
– Kriya Shakti- power of action
– Jnana Shakti-power of wisdom
– Iccha Shakti-power of will
• AHAMKARA-‘I am’ ness
– Impure- all is ME and MINE
– Pure-all is mine through the Divine

5. CHITTA BHUMI
(States of the mind stuff)
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Mudha
Kshipta
Vikshipta
Ekagratha
Niruddha
-dull / inert state
-totally distracted
-partially distracted
-one pointed state
-controlled state

6. PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS
• Improved general health, posture, muscle tone,
sleep, immunity and pain tolerance
• Weight normalizes
• Stable autonomic nervous system
• Increased cardio-respiratory efficiency, musculoskeletal flexibility, range of joint movement,
physical endurance, strength and energy levels
• Decreased HR,BP,RR and EMG activity
• Normalizes GIT and endocrine function

7. PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS
• Improved Mood
• Increased
– Somatic Awareness,Kinesthetic Awareness,
Subjective Well-being,
– Self-acceptance
– Self-actualization ,Social Adjustment
• Decreased
– Hostility, Anxiety, Depression

8. PSYCHOMOTOR BENEFITS
• Increased
– Grip Strength, Dexterity, Fine Skills
• Improved
– Eye-hand Coordination
– Reaction Time
– Depth Perception
– Steadiness and Balance
– Integrated Functioning of Body Parts

9. COGNITIVE FUNCTION
IMPROVED
MEMORY
ATTENTION
CONCENTRATION
DEPTH PERCEPTION
LEARNING EFFICIENCY

10. BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS
THE BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE
IMPROVES,
INDICATING AN
ANTI STRESS & ANTI OXIDANT
EFFECT,
IMPORTANT IN THE PREVENTION OF
DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS.

11. BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES
AFTER YOGA PRACTICE
• DECREASED
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GLUCOSE
SODIUM
CHOLESTEROL
TRIGLYCERIDES
LDL
VLDL
CATECOLAMINES
WBC
• INCREASED
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HDL
ATP ase
HEMATOCRIT
Hb
LYMPHOCYTES
THYROXIN
VIT C
Sr PROTEIN

12. Various Disorders Amiable to
Yoga Therapy
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C.V.S
Respiratory
Stress
M.S
Metabolic
G.I.T
Psychiatric
C.N.S
Headaches
:Essential HT,CAD
:Asthma,COAD
:Tension headache
:Backache,RA,Spondilitis
:DM,Thyroid Disorders,Obesity
:IBS,Dyspepsia,Ulcerative colitis
:Anxiety,Depression,Phobias
:Mental Retardation, Epilepsy,
Migraine and other

13. YOGA COMPARED TO SPORTS
• Parasympathetic
dominance
• Slow & static
movements
• Muscle tone is
normalized
• Low calorie
consumption
• Sympathetic
dominance
• Rapid, forceful
movements
• Increased muscle
tension
• Higher calorie
consumption

14. YOGA COMPARED TO SPORTS
• Low risk of injury
• Effort –minimum
and relaxed
• Energizing activity
• Natural and
controlled breathing
• Higher risk of injury
• Effort -maximum
and tense
• Fatiguing activity
• Breathing is heavy
and taxed

15. YOGA COMPARED TO SPORTS (Contd)
• Balanced activity of
opposing muscle
groups
• Non competitive
• Process oriented
• Focus is on internal
awareness
• Infinite possibilities
for growth in selfawareness &
consciousness
• Imbalanced activity of
opposing muscle
groups
• Competitive
• Goal oriented
• Focus on external
awareness
• Boredom factor - as
there is no higher
philosophy or goal
than the body

16. YOGA ONLY NEEDS
• You and your
-Dedication
-Discipline and
-Determination
• A small and clean space
• A positive attitude
• Fresh air, light and water

17. YOGA IS NOT !
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A cult
A religion
A cure all
A physical exercise
An escape route
Some mumbo-jumbo magic
A way to easy money

18. THANK YOU