Health and diseases

World Health Organization of United nation established in 1945.

According to WHO (1948) "Health" is a state of complete
physical, mental and social well being and not merely an absence
of disease or infirmity. So health can be defined as,
"A state of body when all the organs and systems are functioning
properly and a perfect balance is maintained between the
environment and the body."
Types of diseases
1. Congenital diseases:-
A. diseases caused by gene mutation like hemophilia , co lour
blindness , sickle cell anemia etc.
B. diseases caused by chromosomal aberrations like various types
of syndromes etc.
2. Acquired diseases :- this diseases occur after birth any time in
life of a person. This are not inheritable .
a. communicable diseases – This diseases are transmitted from an
infected person to healthy person depending upon the
causative agents, this diseases are also of various types like
bacterial diseases , protozoa diseases , viral diseases,
helminth diseases, fungal diseases , ricketsial diseases etc.
These are also of various types like tuberculosis, cholera ,
malaria, sleeping sickness , kalazar ring warm ,
Diphtheria , tetanus, typhoid ,etc are various examples of
communicable diseases .
Modes of transmission
A. Communicable diseases
contagious and non-contagious diseases-
These diseases transmit from infected person to healthy person
from birth or through air, water or food.
B. Non communicable diseases communicable diseases- 1.Mostly
theses diseases are deficiency diseases caused by the
deficiency of nutrients or hormones.
 2

2. Generative diseases
3. Allergic diseases
4. Cancerous diseases
Disease causing agents:-
1. Biological agents
2. Chemical agents
3. Nutritive agents
4. physical agents
5. Mechanical agents etc.
Now let us start with the topic of Yoga , Meditation, and Ayurveda

2
 3

Yoga , Meditation and Ayurveda

An old man a short of public figure when
once asked about the secret of his health ! who was more
then Eighty and was still going strong with life full of zest
you know what he replied ? Yoga , Meditation, a little drink
and a little sex as well. This keeps one going on and on. For
many of us Yoga and meditation, yes are OK, but to talk
about remaining two things is TALOO. But it was never so in
the good order days .In many of our countries old temples,
we find a proof of this painting figure of a beautiful woman
and a man ,depicting a life full of lust , emotions and desire .
The royals had their harems and in their Durbars along with
music, dance wines used to flow in abundance.
In some of modern days medicines as well as
in Ayurveda Medicines such substances are freely used. They
are not harmful ;perhaps useful. But it is not an intention here
to propagate the usefulness of such items . The emphasis is
on yoga and meditation must from a part of your daily life
routine ; it will be pertinent to know what the Japanese
people think about it. Japanese are very hard working people
and in their quest for more production and progress, they
even neglect their private life and the stress they go through
disturb them physically as well as mentally. They have found
meditation keeps them away from stressful life. Even
Americans and people from Europe also adopting these two
with enthusiasm.
HOW YOGA HELPS YOU--
------------------------------------------?
• It keeps you healthy.
• Your face, skin, hair all glows.
• You feels always fit and fine.
• You remain always away from diseases and disorders.

3
 4

Many Gurus from India have propagated

Yoga in different countries and some of them have certainly
succeeded with many followers to toe their line. Many celebrities
in different fields of activities , in the world have now taken to
yoga with all the seriousness because they know it is very effective
, it does control many diseases that have no remedies in the
allopathic system of medicines. Yoga , meditation along with
Ayurved are our precious possessions. It is a gift to us from our
forefathers and all the people in this land with their different attires
varied food habits, even totally different cultural and social
learning’s, Geographical back grounds are all for ayurved . Yoga
and meditation.
WHAT IS
MEDITATION----------------------------------------------?
There is nothing mystic about it, it is very simple. You have only to
imbibe the art of controlling yourself. You can do it while
working ,
playing , going through your daily chores. Japanese while at work
snatch a few moments and go through the process of
meditation. Because of stresses and the disturbed family life
many Japanese were found with suicide tendencies .
Meditation have taught them to conquer these frailties in life.
Students who can not handle anxiety, fear of
failure do develop suicidal tendencies . Some of them do
commit the act of suicide . It is now found if they learn the
art of meditation , they can overcome the fear of failure
accepting it as a part of struggle in life and move on. In short
make Yoga ,meditation and Ayurved inseparable part of your
life and you will have a long and healthy life.

4
 5

FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS ORGANS

AND THEIR CLINCAL ASSESSMENT
LIVER:-The liver plays a vital metabolic process of the body.
These processes can be broadly classified as synthesis, storage and
excretion. The liver synthesizes a variety of compounds Albumin
Fibrinogen, Urea, uric acid, prothombin , lipoprotein transferrin
Glycoprotein, hip uric acid , Cholesterol and other lipids. Glucose
remains stored in liver as glycogen and is returned to the blood
circulation when the glucose level depletes. Other than glycogen ,
the liver stores fat- soluble- vitamins (A,D,E,K) and vitamin B12.
the excretory and detoxifying functions of the liver are indent from
the process of removal of free bilirubin is conjugated in the liver
and excreted as bile pigment in to the intestine. Many other toxic
substances are similarly removed from blood circulation through
the bile duct : many of these substances are insoluble in water and
hence can not follow the kidney rout.
Jaundice , Hepatitis,cirhosis, fatty liver , infection and Amyloidal
condition are some of the pathologic conditions of the liver.
KIDNEY:-The primary function of the kidney is to filter blood
but it also reabsorbs the essential ingredients from the filtrate
which results in urine formation. Thus kidney is closely related to
the maintenance of the homeostasis of the body . Renal failure is
diagnosed by the increased level of serum creatinine , urea and uric
acid. The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GMR) for creatinine
clearance is a reliable index to assess kidney diseases.
HEART:- The heart important organ of the body and is the
center of the circulatory system. Heart diseases are caused by a
number agents. The Clinical Chemistry Laboratory assesses
condition of the heart through enzyme assays of the creatine kinase
and lactic- de- hydrogenase isoenzyme.

5
 6

PANCREAS:- The pancreas releases digestive enzymes in to

the digestive system. This is referred to as external secretion . The
pancreas also secrets insulin an endocrine hormone, from the islets
of Laugerhans which are tiny isolated masses of duct less glands
located in the pancreas. This secretion is referred to as internal
secretion. Thus the pancreas has both an external and an internal
secretion. A pathology state of the pancreas is diagnosed in the
laboratory by the assay of digestive enzymes in the serum and in
urine.
ENDOCRINE GLANDS :- Endocrine glands are ductless
glands produce internal secretion or hormones which acts as
chemical massagers. The brain hypothalamus and pituitary acts in
concerto control the body functions through the mediation of
several target organs.The target organs are triggered by the
hormones released by the conductors of the orchestra the brain, the
hypothalamus and the pitutary.
Hormones are mostly steroids proteins and amines. They regulate
the interdependent metabolic process of the body and its overall
development. The later includes the reproductive system.
Personality ability to meet conditions of stress and the resistance to
disease. Insulin plays an important role in the carbohydrate
metabolism and its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia (increased
glucose concentration in the blood) and glucosuria (glucose
excretion from urine)
THYROID HORMONES:- tri- iodo -thryonine or t3 or
thyroxine or t4 are intimately connected with the carbohydrate
metabolism of the body and regulate several other metabolic
processes.
LUNGS :- the lungs governs the gaseous exchange in the body. It
supplies oxygen to remote cells of the body and to remove carbon-
di-oxide produced in the cells during the metabolic processes.
Hemoglobin acts as a carrier of these gases i.e.CO2 and O2
between the lungs and the cells . The pathologic states of the
respiratory acidosis and alkalosis originates from the fluctuation of

6
 7

the partial pressure of the carbon -di -oxide in blood , metabolic

acidosis and alkalosis on the other hand , are governed by the
serum bicarborate level which is regulated by kidney.
BRAIN:-the brain is the primary centre for regulating and
coordinating various activities if the body. Pathologic stats of the
brain (infection tumor hemorrhage) can be assessed from the
laboratory study of cebral spinal fluid(CSF) and by other methods.
ANATOMY AND PHSYIOLOGY:-
1. The cells and the tissues of the body
2. the skeleton
3. the joint or articulation
4. the muscular system the blood
5. electrolytes , acid-base balance and body fluids
6. the circulatory system
7. the lymphatic system
8. the respiratory system
9. the urinary system
10.the skin
11.the nervous system
12.the special senses
13.the endocrine system or system of duct less glands
14.the reproductive system.

7
 8

YAMA AND NIYAMA

There are eight principle parts or limbs of Yoga namely
1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asna
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharna
7. Dhyana and
8. Samadhi
a. Yama and b. niyama are primary limbs of Yoga. Yama means
the rules to be observed by the yoga aspirant while living in the
society. Niyama means the observance which prove helpful in
personal development.
Man is a social animal. He is an integral part of the society.
When man maintains contacts with others, the desirable traits
such as love ,friendship ,coordination , helpfulness etc are
fostered. At the same time, however undesirable traits such as
abnormal sex, urge , anger, greed ,excessive pride , lust , hatred
jealousy kleptomania etc. influences his mind. Therefore his
mental , emotional and physical stability deteriorate and he
loses both his spiritual as well as his physical happiness. In
Patanjali’s yog dashana five types of yamas are given
1. Ahimsa i.e. non violence
2. Satya i.e. truthfulness
3. Asteya
4. Brahmacharya
5. Aprigraha
Five types of Niyama
1. Shoucha i.e. purity
2. Santosh means being satisfied

8
 9

3. Tapa i.e. hard work

4. Swadhyaya i.e. self study
5. Ishwar pranidhan means serenading oneself before an
omnipotent power. (Omnipotent power or Ishwar described
in yoga is not a particular god or image but the basic
fundamental principle behind the cosmic energy at the time
of creation of the Universe and the power controlling and
balancing creation, giving it stability and capable of
destroying it like zero has by itself no value but a digit put
before it gives the whole a value.)
c. Asna means a steady and pleasurable psych-somatic pose
d. Pranayama means the lengthening of the period between
inhalation and exhalation and also disciplining the entire process of
respiration.
e. Pratyahara means withdrawal of senses. In pratyahara mind is
turned inwards.
f. Dharna in this mind is fixed or directed towards a single object
g. Dhyana means meditation i.e. unbroken flow on that particular
object
h.Samadhi means self realization or complete absorption which is
the ultimate aim of Yoga in which the mind reaches the highest
bliss.

9
 10

HEALTH THROUGH YOGA

One can become healthy by performing different asnas. There are
more than 100 yogasana and pranayamas are in practice. This not
practically possible to practice all 100 types of yogasanas for a
person. So here a I am giving a list of some common yogasanas
and pranayamas which helps a person to a perfect health.
a.ASNAS
1. Shavasana or chaitanyasana - the copse pose or the
rejuvenating pose
2. Swastikasana - the swastika pose
3. Vajrasana - the thunderbolt pose
4. Padmasana - the lotus pose
5. Shwasana Marga shuddhi -the nasal cleaning process
6. Marjasana - the cat pose
7. Bhujangasana – the cobra pose
8. Shalabhasana- the locust pose
9. Dhanurasna- the bow pose
10. Naukasana- the boat pose
11. Supta Vajrasana- the supine thunderbolt pose
12. Matsyasana-the fish pose
13. Halasana- the plough pose
14. Paschimatanasana- the posterior stretch pose
15. Yoga Mudra- the symbol of yoga
16. Pavan Muktasana-the wind free pose
17. Vakrasana- the spinal twist pose
18. Sulabh Matsyendrasana- the easy matsyendra pose
19. Parivartita Chakrasana- the adapted wheel pose
20. Tadasana- the palm tree pose
21. Parvatasana- the mountain pose
22. Mayurasana- the peacock pose
23. Jivha Bandha- the tongue lock
24. Simha Mudra-the symbol of lion
25. Brahma Mudra- the symbol of lion

10
 11

26. VipritaKarani Mudra-the inverted body symbol

27. Sarvangasana-the pan- body pose or shoulder stand pose
28. Shirshasana-the head stand pose
29. Uddiyan Bandha-the diaphragm lock
30. Makarasana-the crocodile pose

b.NAULI
c.PRANAYAMA:-Common types of pranayama
a. Kapalbhati
b. Anuloma- viloma
c.Ujjayi
d.Bhastrika
e. Bhramari
f. sheetali
g. sheetkari
Now lets discuss the different types of yogasanas in detail to
understand the procedure of performance and the possible of the
particular asna on the body.

11
 12

1.Shawasana
( the corpse pose i.e. the rejuvenating pose)
Performing Shawasana means to adopt a corpse like posture
i.e. to lie still on the back and fixing the mind on breathing , a
sound , a sight , a fragrance, a touch or a concept to provide
relaxation to body and mind. Shawasna means sleeping on the
ground motionless like a corpse.
In this lie on the back , keep the legs 30 to 45 cm apart
and hands 20 to 30 cm away from the body . Now close your eyes
and now by feeling . picturing and observing mentally be
conscious of the entire body part by part. Start feeling from the
toes of your right leg groin part by part the legs, the hands , the
abdomen, chest and throat . head and than backside also. Finally
feel , think and mentally observe the entire body. Now by using
ones imagination and will one has to attain relaxation
During shawasana breathing becomes slow. For realizing
the asna slowly open your eyes a little and make the mind alert
and feel the heaviness of your body. Maintain this for 30 minutes.
Benefits
It relaxes the body and mind becomes fresh and efficient, good for
heart patients and totally for to remove physical and mental stress.

12
 13

2.Swastikasana
(The swastika pose)
While Performing swastikasana legs affords a pleasurable feeling.
Concentration, meditation and mental activities can be comfortably
done in this pose.
Sit on the flour with the legs out stretched at some distance.
Now fold the right leg at the knee joint. Taking support of the
hands , place the right sole touching the inner side of the left thigh.
Place the right heel near to the left groin. Then remove the hands
and place the palms on respective knee. With the help of both the
hands, bring the left sole near the right thigh and insert the outer
portion of the left sole between the right calf muscle and inner side
of the right thigh. Fix it firmly in that position.
In this position keep the vertebral column straight in a natural
manner. The back , neck and the head should be in one line, and
your shoulder bones nearer to each other. Look straight ahead and
keep the palms in DRONE, PADMA or DYANA MUDRA.
Keep the breathing normal and natural. And eye closed,
practice differential relaxation consciously and than fix the mind
on breathing . for realizing the asana first release the hands and
straighten out the legs.
Benefits
A good pose for meditation. This asana prepares one for
Padmasana , Siddhasana and other sitting postures. It improves the
blood circulation in the legs and helps to calm the mind.

13
 14

3.Vajrasana
(The thunderbolt pose)
In this pose the position of the legs is firm like the VAJRA
the weapon of Indra . In sanskrit Vajra means the genitals ,as this
asana is practiced for the benefits of the sex organs and the lower
abdominal area. i.e. the reason why the name Vajrasana is given.
For preparing the body for the Vajrasana it is advised to practice
Shwanasana or the dog pose and than start practicing Vajrasana .
But it is not necessarily to be done.
For performing Vajrasana proper, sit on the flour in a
comfortable position with the legs stretched out, and keep the
hands by side of the body. keep the legs together and the palms
near the buttocks. Fold the right leg at the knee and place the foot
below the right buttock smartly and practice this a few days and
then keeps the left leg also below the left buttock., hold both the
soles in both the hands. Keep the spine erect in its natural position
and palm on the thighs near the knee joints. This is the final
position of the Vajrasana .
When you sit in such position , your breathing automatically
becomes slow, steady and deep. Drop the eyelids shut and fix the
mind on the breathing but not forcefully.
For releasing the asana open the eyes and remove the palms and
place them on the flour near the buttocks and then slowly
straighten out both the legs.
Benefits
It improves the blood circulation in the lower abdominal region
and maintains the health of genital organs. Etc.

14
 15

4. Padmasana
( the lotus pose )
In Padmasana , the positioning of the legs and hands in
such that the feet resting on the groins and the palms kept near the
knee joints or on the heels resemble the petal of a lotus and hence
the asna known as Padmasana or Kamlasana.
Sit on the flour in a comfortable pose with legs stretched out
, keeping the hands by the side of the body on the flour or on the
thighs. Keep the heels, toes and the knees together.
Next fold the right leg at the knee and bring the folded knee
towards the chest, let the calf touch the thigh. Then holding the
right heel in the right palm and holding the toe end of the foot in
the left palm, bring the folded knee joint towards the floor. Do
same with your left leg. Make the sole face upward gentally. Form
the dyana mudra with the hands and place the hands on the knees
with the palms facing upwards. This is the final stage of the
padmasana with dyana mudra. Keep your breathing normal. For
releasing the asana firstly free the hands and with the help of the
hands take off the legs and straighten out the legs.
Benefits
The joints of the ankle becomes flexible. It steadies the mind .
improves the blood circulation in the abdominal and lower
abdominal regions. This asana is considered excellent for
meditation.

15
 16

5. Shwasana –Marga shuddhi

(the nasal cleaning process)
A process similar to sneezing or blowing the nose is involved
in Shwasana- Marga Shuddhi ; however this process is done
consciously, systematically and in a disciplined manner . In result
the air passage is cleaned. Thus the entire air passage is is made
free from the movement of air. This helps the body to perform all
its functions more efficiently.
Deep breathing and exhalation techniques are also involved
in the process. After cleaning the nose and throat , sit in ardha
padmasana , padmasana , or Vajrasana with holding the knees
firmly with Drona Mudra and keep the back straight. Firstly close
the right nostril with the right thumb. Close the remaining four
fingers as in fist. Relax the entire abdomen and chest . with the
sudden contraction of the abdomen and the chest, expel the air
from the left nostril. Owing to the fiction a sound is produced.
Next immediately relax the abdomen and the chest and let the
air come in by it self. Again do the same procedure 5 to 10 times.
Now perform the same procedure with your left nostril and expel
the air through the right nostril. Now keep the hands in the starting
position and keep both nostril free. Again expel the air with sudden
contraction and let the air come in . repeat the same for 5 to 10
times. This constitute one round. Practice 3 to 5 rounds daily. You
can 10-10 expulsion then after.
Keep the eyes closed fix attention on the expulsion of the
air.
Benefits
Asthma and other respiratory problems reduces. Cleanses the
respiratory tract and increases the efficiency of respiratory tract
and breathing. Prevents the growth of nasal bone.

16
 17

6. Marjarasana
( the cat pose)

The cat is called Marjara in Sanskrit. In the Marjarasana

postures the body resembles a cat stretching its body once giving a
forward bend and then backward bend to the torso. Hence the
name is given.
Sit on your hunches with the knees and toes on the ground.
Keep the palms on the flour with a distance equal to the width of
back. Keep the distance between the palms and the knees equal to
the length of the torso. Turn the toes as in Vajrasana. Relax the
muscles in the trunk region and let them go down. At the same
time let the head and neck curve back ward as far as possible .
relax the stomach and close the eyes. Keep the mind in
Pranadharana. Maintain it according to the capacity. This is the cat
pose A.
Now for attaining the B pose open the eyes. Move the
palms towards the knees about 10 to 15 cms . Curve the back up so
that it shapes like arch. Relax the neck and hang the head down.
Drawing the chin towards the chest and relaxing the abdomen do
pranadharana. This is the pose B. Maintain it according to capacity.
Keep the breathing normal throughout. Keep closed the eyes and
attention on pranadharana.
Benefits
The spine becomes more flexible and healthy. Improves the health
of organs in torso. Gives relief in backache and neck ache. Makes
the mind fresh and corrects the functional defects of back and
spine.

17
 18

7. Bhujangasana
( the cobra pose)
In Bhujangasana the portion of the body from the toes ro the
umbilicus is on the flour and the portion of the body from the waist
to head is raised with the help of the back muscles. Hence the
raised portion of the body looks like the raised hood of a cobra.
Hence the asana is known as Bhujangasana or the snake pose.
It includes poorva and sulabha bhujangasana in preparatory phase.
Lie down on the ground on the chest. Keep the hands by
side of the body. Let the face be turned on either side. Keep the
legs in comfortable position. Now bring the knees , toes and heels
together. Keep the forehead on the ground. Fold the arms at the
elbow and place the palms on the flour. Bring the elbows closer to
each other. Then raise the head upwards and backwards as much as
possible. Then raise the torso and take it much to the back.
Maintain it according to the capacity. Keep breathing normal, eyes
closed and do pranadharana. Now relax the muscles of the back
and slowly return to the initial position. Perform 3 to 5 rounds
daily.
Benefits
It improves the respiratory, digestive and excretory processes, and
blood circulation in vertebral region .

18
 19

8. Shalabhasana
(the locust pose)
Shalabhasana in Sanskrit means a grasshopper. When the
grass hopper sits on the ground, its tail like hind part is raised. In
this asana also the raised legs looks like the raised tail like part of
the grasshopper. Hence the name is given.
Let down on the chest. Now by keeping both the legs
together and both hands near to the body. Now by contracting the
muscles of the waist and the lower abdomen and on their strength
raise both the legs together to the height possible and maintain the
final posture for 3 to 5 breaths . maintain normal breathing . close
the eyes and do pranadharana. Now relax the muscle of the waist
and slowly bring down the legs.
Benefits
The muscles of the lower abdomen and waist are srenghthen.
Troubles like sprain in the waist or stiffness of the waist do not
occure. Good for sciatica.

19
 20

9.Dhanurasana
( the bow pose)
In the final stage of the Dhanurasana, the body from head to
knees gets the backward bend like a bow. Therefore this asana has
got the name Dhanurasana.
Lie down on the chest. Keep the hands by side of the body.
Now fold the knees and heels close to the buttock. Now hold the
ankles with the hands keeping thumb inside. Obtain a firm hold of
the palms on the ankles. Now start taking the legs backward but
due to the firm hold of palms on the legs , the legs also pulled
backwards. Then raise the clasped legs as high as possible so the
upper portion of the body also pulled. The entire weight of the
body then be on the curved navel region. This is the final stage of
the asana .
During the asana you will find that breath is hold unknowingly but
ensure that the breathing goes on normally. Close the eyes and do
pranadharana.
Now Slowly relax the body and allow it to come down
slowly. Now try to return in the starting position. Maintain this
asana for 3to 5 breaths and 3 to 5 rounds.
Benefits
The spinal column and the vertebral muscles becomes flexible and
strong and the blood circulation their in is improved and also
respiration .the fat deposit in the abdomen also diminished. Good
for constipation, indigestion and gas trouble.

20
 21

10.Naukasana
(the boat pose)
Nauka in Sanskrit means a boat. Since in this asana the hands
as well as the legs are raised, the body assumes the form of a boat,
hence the name naukasana is given.
Lie on the floor on the chest. Now fold the hands at the
elbows and keep the palms by the side of the chest. Slide the palms
and straighten the arms. Now start slowly and gracefully
contracting the muscles of the buttock , waist and neck . when the
upper and lower portion of the body have been raised to optimum
height, the body assumes the form of a boat. This is final stage.
Maintain it for 3 to 5 breaths. Keep the breathing normal , close the
eyes and do pranadharana.
Now for realizing the asana slightly relax the waist muscles
and allow the body to attain the initial stage. Relax the legs and
hands. Daily practice 3 rounds of 3 to 5 breaths.
Benefits
Asana helps to reduce the fat deposit in the abdomen region and
improves its health. It is useful preventive against ache in the back
, waist and hips. Improves the health of spinal column.

21
22

22
23

23
24

24
25

25
26

26
27

27