focuses on bringing harmony between the mind and body. It is an art and science of

healthy living. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj, meaning to join

or to yoke or to unite. The history of Yoga dates back about 5000 years back and was

first mentioned in Rigveda in form of the collection of texts that consisted of rituals,

mantras, and shalokas performed by the Vedic priests. Maharishi Patanjali is

considered the father of Yoga who codified the Yoga concepts in a format known

as Yoga sutras which are 196 in number. Yoga sutras of Patanjali date back from the

second-century BCE. The concept of Yoga is based on five principles:¹

•

Principle 1: Proper Relaxation: By carrying out the various day-to-day physical

activities and the mental emotion, one get tired feels fatigue in the muscles and

other body organs. It is necessary to release the tension by giving the rest to the

body which boosts the body performance to act and to conserve the energy.

•

Principle 2: Proper Exercise: The human body consists of different organs

which are actually a complex assembly of muscles, ligaments, and bones,

interconnected with joints and over all a network of blood circulating in the

system ensuring the supply of energy at cellular level. The regular exercise by

adopting the different yogic postures or Asnas enhances the flexibility of the body

parts and the blood circulation to keep the body fit and healthy.

•

Principle 3: Proper Breathing: Breathing is a vital function of the living human

being to inhale air Vayu by the lungs. Lungs absorb the oxygen present in the air

which is transferred to the blood. Oxygen is important to every cell of the body as

it converts the complex foods in to energy by the sequence of chemical changes

through a process called as oxidation. Air contains about 21% oxygen and about

78% nitrogen with a very little amount of other gases like argon and carbon

dioxide; traces of neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen; and traces of

water vapors. As oxygen part of the air is essential for the survival of the body,

and therefore it has been termed as Pran Vayu. Inhalation and exhalation time

span plays a significant role for the amount of oxygen absorbed by the lungs.

Slow deep breathing enhances the oxygen intake than superficial normal breath-

ing. Further retention of inhaling air in lungs also increases the oxygen level in the

blood. Management of inhaling and exhaling process of the air to increase the

oxygen level in the blood is strongly recommended while practicing Yoga.

•

Principle 4: Proper Diet: Food is the basic source of our energy. It is a popular

saying Jesa ann-besa mann which means what we eat reflects to our mental

status. The balanced food derived from natural sources is always idle for good

health. The processed junk fast foods decrease the immunity of the body to make

it prone to many disorders like obesity, diabetes, etc.

•

Principle 5: Positive Thinking and Meditation: Meditation is the integral part

of Yoga which facilitates in having a peaceful mind. It should be performed early

in the morning before the sun rises in open airy atmosphere. Under the guidance

of experienced guru, a right way of meditation training is essential. In the

1Source: asiatrend.org/.

530

D. R. Nag and A. Nag