Indian Knowledge System - Yoga
Indian Knowledge System - Yoga
1
INDEX
C.1 Yoga 38
C.3 Asana 50
C.4 Pranayama 63
What is health?
Ask the students about their understanding of good health.
There will be different answers like having a good physique, good height, normal weight, shiny
hair, smooth skin and so on.
Ask students if Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being or
It is just the absence of any disease.
The facilitator will then read the below for them and make them understand: As per the
definition of WHO (World Health Organization)
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of
any disease. Health can be achieved by working on 3 major components together:
Body, Mind, Soul
There will be different answers like it is related to food, it is related to nutrients, it is related to
food and its action/effects on our body, and so on.
Nutrition is a science that deals with food that we consume and its impact on our body.
There will be different answers like nutrients are required for body activities, they are required
for growth, there are different nutrients like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and so on.
Introduction
Nutrition is essential for human health and development. It involves the consumption of food
Healthy food habits are essential for maintaining overall well-being and preventing various
health issues. These habits involve choosing nutritious foods, eating balanced meals, and
maintaining a consistent eating schedule. Understanding the importance of healthy food habits
can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
The foods we eat contain nutrients. Nutrients are substances required by the body to perform its
basic functions. Nutrients must be obtained from our diet, since the human body does not
synthesize or produce them. Nutrients have one or more of three basic functions: they provide
energy, contribute to body structure, and regulate chemical processes in the body. These basic
functions allow us to detect and respond to environmental surroundings, move, excrete wastes,
respire (breathe), grow, and reproduce. There are six classes of nutrients required for the body to
function and maintain overall health. These are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, water, vitamins,
and minerals. Foods also contain non-nutrients that may be harmful (such as natural toxins
common in plant foods and additives like some dyes and preservatives) or beneficial (such as
antioxidants).
● Nutrient Sufficiency
Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods ensures that the body gets all the essential
vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to function correctly.
1. Vitamins and Minerals: Essential for various bodily functions, including immune
response, energy production, and bone health.
2. Proteins: Crucial for building and repairing tissues, and producing enzymes and
hormones.
3. Healthy Fats: Important for brain health, hormone production, and energy.
4. Fiber: Aids in digestion, helps control blood sugar levels, and lowers cholesterol.
● Disease Prevention
1. Heart Disease: Consuming a diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can
lower the risk of heart disease.
2. Diabetes: Balanced diets that include whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats help
maintain stable blood sugar levels.
3. Obesity: Healthy eating helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of
obesity-related conditions.
4. Cancer: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can lower the risk of certain
cancers.
For children and adolescents, healthy eating is crucial for proper growth and
development.
1. Physical Growth: Adequate nutrients support bone growth, muscle development, and
overall physical development.
2. Cognitive Development: Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamins are
vital for brain development and cognitive function.
3. Emotional Well-being: Proper nutrition contributes to stable moods and energy levels,
which are important for emotional health.
● Mental Health
Healthy food habits are linked to better mental health and cognitive function.
1. Mood Improvement: Nutrient-rich foods help regulate mood and reduce the risk of
depression and anxiety.
2. Cognitive Function: Adequate nutrition supports brain health, improving memory,
concentration, and overall cognitive function.
● Key Components of Healthy Eating Variety
● Balance Diet
Ensuring the right proportions of different food groups helps maintain optimal health.
● Moderation
Figure 1.5: Portion control helps maintain a healthy weight and prevents overeating.
● Dietary Guidelines
Figure:-1.5
The symptoms of foodborne illness can vary depending on the pathogen, but common
symptoms include:
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal pain and cramps
5. Fever
● Diagram of Symptoms
Preventing foodborne illness involves proper food handling, cooking, and storage
practices. Here are key steps to ensure food safety:
Clean
Separate
1. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from other foods.
2. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods.
1. Cook foods to the right temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to
check.
a. Poultry: 165°F (75°C)
b. Ground meat: 160°F (70°C)
c. Fresh beef, pork, lamb, and veal: 145°F (63°C) with a rest time of 3 minutes
ACTIVITY:
b) Nutrients are used for keeping the body healthy, fight against infections and preserve
some nutrients for future use
c) We eat food
Ask the students about the inter-relationship between health and nutrition with examples.
The food that we consume reflects on our health. The better nutrition we receive, we will be in
good health (Explain this with following)
You would have read that “You are what you eat” which means if you eat junk foods (like pasta,
pizza, fried foods, bakery products, cold-drinks) daily and do not exercise, there are higher
chances of you becoming fat/obese. On the other hand, the one who takes a balanced diet and
exercises regularly remains fit even with the increasing age.
A healthy individual follows meal timing and consumes all the nutrients required by the body in
the right quantity (explain this with following)
It is important to eat your meals at a fixed time. If you skip your meal, you will overeat during
the next meal or crave for fried foods which in turn increase your weight. In major meals, you
should include all the 5 food groups (1-cereals & its products, 2- Fruits and vegetables, 3-
Pulses, 4- Nuts, Dairy and non-veg products, 5- oil, sugar & fats) to receive all the nutrients as
per body's need
Nutrition received from the foods reflects into our weight, posture, immunity and mood. (explain
this with following)
If the nutrients are not consumed or received adequately from the diet then there are
deficiencies of these nutrients and it leads to poor health. For example, if you don't receive a
sufficient quantity of proteins from the diet, one will not be able to maintain weight as desired
or fall ill because of poor resistance to infections and low immunity
HEALTH ASSESSMENT:
Health Questionnaire: Circle yes or no
7) Do you feel that you overeat in the next meal when you skip your meal? YES/NO
8) When you are angry or stressed you eat chips, chocolates, cakes, coke? YES/NO
9)Do you eat at least 1 fruit daily? YES/NO
11) Do you eat chocolates or candies more than 2 times a week? YES/NO
12) Do you consume at least 1 cup (240ml) of milk or an equal quantity of curd daily?
YES/NO
13) Do you take salads for both lunch and dinner daily? YES/NO
17) Do you daily include at least 2 servings of any of the following dal/pulse/soya/non-veg
product (fish, chicken, eggs)? YES/NO
18) Do you consume more than 2 cups of tea/coffee daily? YES/NO
19) Do you have any of your parents or grandparents who have a history of diabetes or high
blood pressure or a heart problem? YES/NO
If more than 6 answers are “no” then you need to learn and practice healthy habits which we
Sleep is the time for the body to relax both, physically and mentally. An undisturbed sleep
of at least 6-7 hours is recommended for all individuals to be attentive throughout the
day and work actively. Good, undisturbed sleep also improves alertness, memory and
concentration.
8) Do you feel that you overeat in the next meal when you skip your meal?
When you skip a meal, you tend to overeat in the next meal to compensate for the
skipped meal time. However, this is not a correct practice. Because an excess of food
9) When you are angry or stressed you eat chips, chocolates, cakes, coke?
When one gets angry, there are certain hormonal changes in the body which utilizes
stored fuel sources of the body. And hence to provide body cells with the energy, our
brain generates a craving for high fat, high sugar and high salt products like chips,
chocolates, cakes, coke.
14) Do you take salads for both lunch and dinner daily?
Salads are raw vegetables. Cooking destroys most of the water-soluble nutrients and
hence salads should be included in both lunch and dinner. Salads are rich in fibers, which
help to eliminate wastes from the body and also keep the stomach full for a longer time,
thus preventing overeating and further weight gain.
18) Do you daily include at least 2 servings of any of the following dal/pulse/soya/non-veg
product (fish, chicken, eggs)?
The above-mentioned products are rich in proteins. Proteins play a major role in
maintaining a healthy weight and metabolism. They are also important for better
immunity i.e. resistance to infections.
20) Do you have any of your parents or grandparents who have a history of diabetes or high
blood pressure or a heart problem?
Today's fast-moving lifestyle has led to the easy availability of resources, there is lack of
physical activity, excessive consumption of junk food and increased stress which all
contribute to changes in metabolism and it leads to lifestyle disorders like diabetes, heart
disease &/or high blood pressure. If any of your parents or grandparents have this
lifestyle disorder, you would be having greater chances of developing them at an early
age if appropriate health measures are not followed.
2) Corn: Boiled corn, corn Tikki, corn pakoda, corn soup, corn vegetable preparation
10) Spinach: Soup, vegetable preparation, dal palak, palak chicken, palak paratha, palak
khichdi
There will be more items suggested by students. This activity is done to introduce them to
different foods that can be prepared from the raw foods.
ACTIVITY:
Divide the class into 3 groups and based on the following scenarios ask them to prepare a skit
demonstrating unsafe food handling by one group and the other group will discuss
measures/steps to make the food safe and hygienic.
1) A panipuri vendor on the street
Scenario 1: Skit by group A & measures for safe food group B Scenario 2: Skit by group B &
measures for safe food group C Scenario 3: Skit by group C & measures for safe food group A
Introduction
Regular physical activity offers a wealth of benefits, both physical and mental. It can improve
cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, and boost energy levels. Additionally,
exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, certain
cancers, and heart disease. Furthermore, physical activity can enhance mood, reduce stress, and
improve cognitive function, all of which are essential for academic and professional success.
NOTE: Facilitator has to explain here that the word “may not be” in the explanation of physical
activity means the physical activity can be both unplanned, unstructured, random,
non-purposeful and performed at any intensity for different reasons or It can also be planned,
structured, systematic, purposeful and performed at a definite intensity.
Following are a few examples of physical activity: Walking to school, college, office, market etc
Cleaning of car, Lifting grocery bags,Gardening, Dancing
Ask the students to write more physical activities that they could think of.
Ask each student to read one activity. This will help them to explore better ideas to remain
physically active.
What is exercise?
Exercise is a physical activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and
wellness. It is a planned and structured activity performed under the guidance of a trained
professional only.
Exercising is an individual’s choice with various reasons as follows:
- To perform in sports activities
- To develop muscles
- To delay aging
Maintaining physical well-being through regular physical activity is vital for students. It not only
enhances their health and fitness but also boosts academic performance and fosters professional
growth. This guide will cover the numerous benefits of physical activity, the need for integrating
it into daily routines, and practical tips for students to incorporate it into their lives. It will also
include visual aids to help understand the concepts better.
1. Physical Health
○ Cardiovascular Health: Regular exercise strengthens the heart, improves blood
circulation, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
○ Weight Management: Helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and
boosting metabolism.
○ Bone and Muscle Strength: Increases bone density and muscle strength, reducing
the risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia (muscle loss).
○ Flexibility and Balance: Enhances flexibility and balance, lowering the risk of falls
and injuries.
1. Cardiovascular Endurance
Benefits: Improves heart and lung function, increases stamina and endurance, allowing
you to perform physical activities for extended periods.
2. Muscular Strength
Benefits: Enhances muscle mass and strength, supports joint health, and improves
overall physical performance.
3. Muscular Endurance
Benefits: Increases the ability to perform physical activities for extended periods
without fatigue, improving overall endurance.
4. Flexibility
Benefits: Improves range of motion, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances overall
physical performance.
5. Body Composition
Benefits: Maintains a healthy ratio of fat to muscle mass, contributing to overall health
ACTIVITY
List down a few more physical activities in old times due to which people remained healthy.
Let the students complete this activity in 3 minutes and then start discussing those
physical activities. Few examples are discussed below
1) In the old days, people used to go to market for purchasing households, the physical
activities involved in this were
- Walking/cycling
2) In the old days, females used to grind spices manually in grinding stones. The various body
parts involved in this activity were
- Movement of elbow
Introduction:
To do any activity or work regularly, self-motivation is very important for long term adherence
to the activity. In today’s fast-paced world, people are too busy to invest time for regular
exercise. Even if they initiate an exercise regime, very few could follow it regularly due to
various challenges. However, one needs constant motivation to adhere to exercise. Any
List down all the possible excuses you could think of to skip exercise. You will get many
answers as follows:
11) I have followed various exercise regimes but still, I could not lose weight. The facilitator will
discuss different ways of motivation to exercise regularly To overcome all the above excuses,
one needs a constant source of motivation, so let us see how one can motivate oneself to
exercise regularly.
1) Setting up goals:
Every exercise activity starts with a goal. Recognize the goal and everyday remind
It is not necessary to keep the same goal throughout. But it may change with time as
you go on achieving one goal to another.
The goals should be realistic. It means never exaggerating the goals which cannot be
achieved in ethical ways. Eg. If one sets a goal of shedding 10Kg of weight in a month, it
is not realistic to do so. One cannot follow unethical ways like excessive physical
exertion, overuse of calorie burners which are not approved to lose that much weight.
2) Planning a schedule:
Decide upon which days of the week and what time you will be exercising depending upon
other commitments. Then allot specific exercise activities for each day.
Break the monotony while planning the schedule. Find new forms of exercises, learn correct
techniques and include only one new technique on a single day along with regular forms of
exercise.
Do not avoid exercise activities that you don’t like. Prepare your exercise schedule in such a way
which includes a variety of activities to exercise every part of your body. Seek the help of your
There are free templates of exercise planner available on various internet sites which one can
use for planning your schedule.
Exercising alone can be boring. Find a fitness partner who can compete with you in a healthy
way and help you to learn new techniques &/or help you to correct your current exercising
techniques.
If you feel shy to start exercising or you are too conscious of your surroundings, you can seek
moral support from your exercise partner.
Not everyone is familiar with exercise equipment in the gym, you can seek your partner’s help
who is already acquainted with this equipment and help you to have a basic understanding of
them to get started.
You can discuss your fitness goals and exercise schedule with your exercise partner.
Nothing can be as enjoyable as listening to music. Most of us enjoy music to relax and
rejuvenate. So just plug into your favorite music form and enjoy it while exercising. Researches
have shown a positive impact of music on exercise performance.
Listening to music while exercising distracts your mind from other thoughts and helps to
concentrate better on physical activity. It also helps to elevate the mood which in turn delays
exercise fatigue.
The best motivation to exercise is to see the successful achievement of goals.Few observations
and use of basic instruments from which you can verify your fitness achievements are as
follows:
How much is the current weight on the weighing scale as compared to previous weight?
Is the weight loss in the form of inch loss or are your clothes loose on your body?
Use a measuring tape to measure waist, hips, thighs and chest. Make a note of the
measurements after a regular interval and compare the results with your set goals.
Use of body fat monitor: Weight cannot be the only indicator of fitness. To check the progress
with the weight loss program, it is important to analyze body fat & muscle mass at different
sites using a body fat monitor. If there is significant fat loss, it indicates the weight loss program
is healthy and gives a positive impact on the body.
Use of body fat calipers: Using calipers, measures from different sites like biceps, triceps,
abdomen, subscapular, supra-iliac etc are recorded at a regular interval in a format and
compared to verify the achievement of fitness goals.
There are many gadgets available in the market to track various parameters of physical activity.
The gadgets and apps are economical and reliable to track the outputs &/or achievements of
physical activity. Eg Sport Bands, wifi body scale, calorie management system, Fitbit, pedometer
In case you skip exercise for 1 or 2 days or due to illness; there is no need for feeling guilty.
Sometimes you might have a hectic day and you need to relax, so the exercise may be skipped.
But ensure that it does not become a habit. Resume the regular exercise schedule immediately
the following day.
The days you are not able to exercise, you can compensate for it by doing any other physical
activity like cycling, swimming, playing sports, skipping ropes.
If the gym is closed for its weekly maintenance, you can go for a walk or get involved in
stretching at home or playing a sport, skipping rope, swimming etc
At a certain point of time, your body might take longer to reach a set goal of physical activity,
never get disheartened. You can still perform and give it a try to achieve it. Seek the help of your
fitness trainer to make necessary changes in the exercise schedule.
Ensure that the day you skip your exercise is not the day of binge eating.
Spend less time on social media so that you can value your time by exercising and investing in
health.
7) Write down:
When we write down anything, we become more conscious and more responsible for carrying
out a particular activity.
1) Exercise schedule:
Fix days for different physical activities in a week or prepare a monthly planner
2) Exercise goals:
Break down your goal into small, simple goals and write them down with a timeline to
achieve them.
Tick marks on a planner when you manage to achieve these simple goals.
Noting down exercise goals and their achievements become a reference to set new
exercise goals.
3) Exercise progress:
One can even write down about the changes in mood or impact of exercise on mood.
You can even evaluate the time of exercise and its impact on your behavior. This will help
you to decide upon a best suited time to carry out the physical activity for receiving
maximum benefits.
It is important to exercise at a place where your body and mind both are in the most
comfortable zone. This has a positive impact on your physical activity and behavior. It is not
necessary to always work out in the gym, you can carry out various physical activities at
different places.
When you go to a gym there will be a specific zone in the gym or a specific
instrument/equipment that you like the most and you become happy seeing that it is not
occupied by any other gym-mates and you hit there.
9) Reward:
After achieving your exercise goal, you can reward yourself. It is one of the ways of self- motivation.
It is not necessary to reward yourself daily. But it can be fortnightly or monthly. Frequency of
rewards also depends upon how motivated you are.The reward system will vary person to
person depending upon your hobbies, likes and lifestyle.
Post pictures of your last rewards near your desk or on the fridge to get motivated constantly.
This will remind you that you need to exercise daily to remain fit and there would be minimal
chances of skipping exercise.
C.1 Yoga
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle Science which focuses on
bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science for healthy living. The word
"Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning "to join", "to yoke" or "to unite".
According to Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness
with universal consciousness. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a
manifestation of the same quantum firmament. One who experiences this oneness of existence
is said to be "in Yoga" and is termed as a yogi who has attained a state of freedom, referred to
as Mukti, nirvāna, kaivalya or moksha.
"Yoga" also refers to an inner science comprising of a variety of methods through which human
beings can achieve union between the body and mind to attain self-realization. The aim of Yoga
practice (sādhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every
walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony.
The overall philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit.
There are six branches of yoga. Each branch represents a different focus and set of
characteristics.
The six branches are:
● Hatha yoga: This is the physical and mental branch that aims to prime the body and
mind.
● Raja yoga: This branch involves meditation and strict adherence to a series of
disciplinary steps known as the eight limbs of yoga.
● Karma yoga: This is a path of service that aims to create a future free from negativity and
selfishness.
● Bhakti yoga: This aims to establish the path of devotion, a positive way to channel
emotions and cultivate acceptance and tolerance.
● Sahasrara: The crown chakra, which is at the crown of the head, symbolizes spiritual
connection.
● Ajna: Located between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra has to do with intuition.
‘Surya’ means sun and ‘Namaskar’ means salutation. In ancient times the sun was worshiped as
a daily ritual because it is a powerful symbol of spiritual consciousness. Worship of the outer
and inner sun was a religious-social ritual, which attempted to placate those forces of nature
beyond man’s control. This variation of Surya Namaskar gets its name Rishikesh as it was
popularized by the Swamis who resided in and around Rishikesh on the banks of the river
Ganga.Rishikesh Surya Namaskar is a series of twelve physical postures. These alternating
backward and forward bending postures flex and stretch the spinal column through their
maximum range giving a profound stretch to the whole body. Synchronizing the breath with the
movements of the body is very important. The basic breathing principle is to inhale during
upward and backward bending postures and exhale during forward bending postures.
Stand erect with feet together. Join the palms together in front of the chest.
Concentrate on standing straight, steady and cultivate a prayerful attitude. This posture helps
induce a state of introversion, relaxation and calmness. It activates the Anahata Chakra.Exhale
fully.
2. Anjali Mudra with the back bend in Hasta Uttanasana (Raised arm posture)
Inhaling stretch both arms above the head palms facing upward, arch the back and stretch the
whole body. This posture stretches the chest and the abdomen and lifts Prana energy upward to
the upper parts of the body propelled by inhalation.
On your next inhalation, extend the right leg back and drop the knee to the ground.
The left knee is bent and kept between the hands and the feet placed flat on the
ground. Lift the spine and open the chest. Concentrate at the eyebrow center.
On the exhalation bring the left leg back to join with the right leg. Simultaneously
raise the buttocks and lower the head between the arms, so that the body forms a
triangle with the ground. Try to place the heels flat on the ground. Focus awareness
at the neck area. This posture strengthens the nerves and muscles in the arms and legs,
stretches the calf muscles and Achilles’ tendons and makes the spine straight
and taut. It relieves varicose veins and tones spinal nerves. Maintaining posture takes a
deep inhalation.
Exhaling gently, drop both knees to the ground and slowly slide the body down at an
angle as you bring the chest and chin to the ground.
All eight limbs, toes, knees, chest, hands and chin - touch the ground. The buttocks are
kept up. Hold your breath. This posture develops the chest and strengthens arms and sends
additional blood to this area helping to rejuvenate the nerves
On the inhalation, lower the hips while pushing the chest forward and upward with the hands, until the
spine is fully arched and the head is facing up. The knees and lower abdomen remain on the ground.
Focus the awareness at the base of the spine and feel the tension from the forward pull. This pose gives
Exhale and get back to the mountain posture as done earlier in number 5.
Inhale and swing the right leg forward between the hands. The left leg remains back. Resume
posture as done earlier in number 4.
Exhaling, bring the left foot forward. Join both legs and resume posture as done earlier in
number 3.
11. Anjali Mudra and back bend in the Hastha Uttana Asana (Raised arm posture)
Inhale, raise the trunk up and bend backward. Resume posture as done earlier in number 2.
Straighten the body and bring the hands in front of the chest. Resume posture as done
earlier in number 1.
Note: The above constitutes one half of a round of the Rishikesh Surya Namaskar.
To complete the other half the same movements are repeated except that the left leg is brought
back in posture 4 and brought forward in posture 9.
When the exercises are done little quickly the gain is more physical and when they are done
slowly with breath awareness the gain is more mental and spiritual.
Mantras are potent combinations of specific sounds destined to produce a particular effect on
the mind and its functioning through the body. Every year the sun passes through twelve
different positions in space called zodiac in western astrology and Rashis in Hindu astrology. As
the sun passes through these Rashis it displays a characteristic quality or property. So the sun
has been given twelve different names to indicate these different qualities or properties.
In Rishikesh Surya Namaskar the sun is saluted twelve times, each time taking one of its
names. The salutation to the sun is done by chanting the sun mantras. These sun mantras
are not merely names; they are special sound syllables that act as a vehicle of cosmic
energy. These twelve mantras should be mentally chanted while performing the twelve
postures of Rishikesh Surya Namaskar. The mantras, their meaning and significance are
given below:
2. Om Ravaye Namah (Salutation to the shining one who is praised by all): Ravi is the one
who shines and offers divine blessings upon all life and hence is praised by all. This is
chanted in the second position to signify that we are stretching our whole being upward
towards that light to receive those blessings.
4. Om Bhanave Namaha (Salutation to the one who bestows beauty and illumines): The
sun is the physical symbol of the Guru who removes ignorance from our consciousness just
as the sun removes the darkness of night with each dawn. In the fourth position we turn
our face towards this symbol of inner illumination and pray for the end of ignorance. Real
inner beauty can then manifest in all our activities.
5. Om Khagaya Namah (Salutation to the one who moves through the sky and stimulates
the senses): ‘Khaga’ means the limitless sky. The sun is saluted in this name to lead us from
our present limitations to the state of limitlessness. Our senses are expanded beyond the
mere experiences of the earth.
6. Om Pushne Namah (Salutation to the nourisher of all life): In the sixth position as we
bend down to touch the ground with eight parts of our body we offer our whole being in
total surrender to the source of nourishment so that he may bestow physical, mental and
spiritual strength and nourishment.
8. Om Marichaye Namaha (Salutation to the healing rays of the sun): the healing power of
the sun is well known and documented below as a note on sunlight and health.
9. Om Adityaya Namah (Salutation to the son of Aditi who inspires real pure love): Love
has been defined by Dr Swami Gitananda Giri as profound interest and who can be a better
example of this profound interest or love for the human race than the sun itself.
10. Om Savitre Namaha (Salutation to the stimulating power of the sun that begets life):
11. Om Arkaya Namaha (Salutation to the one who is full of energy and inspires awe in the
beholder): ‘Arka’ means energy. The sun is the source of all energy. In this eleventh position
we once again stretch our whole being to receive the energy like we did in position 2.
12. Om Bhaskaraya Namah (Salutation to the effulgent one who leads to enlightenment): In
this final position we offer respect to the sun as a symbol of great revealer of all
transcendental and spiritual truths.
Take up the Samastithi position and breathe in. Breathe out and jump with your feet three to
four feet apart. Breathe in and turn your right foot and your head to the right side. Breathe out
and bend your right knee, creating a 90 degree angle in the space behind the knee. The knee
should be directly over the ankle, and the arms should be stretched straight out from the
shoulders. The torso is held erect and the chest opened up as much as possible. Hold this
position, breathing deeply and counting slowly to ten. When ready, stand up by straightening
your knee on the in breath. Hold in the breath, turn your right foot and your head back to the
front.
Turn your left foot and your head to the left side. Breathe out and bend your left knee. Hold
the
final position and, breathe deeply and count slowly to ten. When ready, slowly come back to
the standing position on the breath. Hold in the breath and turn your left foot and your head
back to the front. Breathe out, lower the arms to the side, and jump back to the Samastithi
position. Relax in the Samasthiti Asana, and then perform the entire routine twice more on
both sides.
BENEFITS:
· Stretches and tones up the muscles of the entire back, arms and legs.
· Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the waist and hip region thus reshaping the
body structure.
· Helps to correct structural deformities of the spine, shoulders and upper back region.
Hold out the breath and turn your arms straight out to the sides. On the next incoming
breath, stretch your arms high over the head and perform the Anjali Mudra by bringing the
Keep your left leg as straight as possible while the right knee is kept bent at the90 degree. Hold
this position with deep breathing, counting slowly to ten.
When ready, release the Anjali Mudra and lower your arms back down equal to the shoulders
on the out breath. Hold out the breath and come back to the Veera Asana-I. Breathe in and
straighten your knee, and keep standing with your arms still extended out from your shoulders.
Hold in the breath and turn your head and the right foot back to the front. Turn your head and
left foot to the left and repeat the whole procedure on the left side before returning to the
Samastithi position.
Rest in this posture before repeating twice more on the left and right sides.
BENEFITS:
· Stretches and tones up the muscles of the entire back, arms and legs.
· Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the waist and hip region thus reshaping the
body structure.
· Helps to correct structural deformities of the spine, shoulders and upper back region.
· Develops the mental strength that we need in order to face the battles of life with
courage
Slowly lift your left leg until your leg, torso and arms form a straight line parallel to the
ground. Hold for a slow count of ten.
Breathe out and lower your leg back down to the ground. Bring your hands back to the
Namaskar at your chest and return to the upright position. Relax your hands back to your
sides and rest a few seconds in Samasthiti Asana before performing on the opposite side.
Do twice more on the right and left sides. This is also known as the EKA PADA ASANA or
-the One Legged Posture.
BENEFITS:
· Stretches and tones up the muscles of the entire back, arms and legs.
· Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the waist and hip region thus reshaping the
body structure.
· Helps to correct structural deformities of the spine, shoulders and upper back region.
Stand in the Samasthiti Asana and breathe in. Breathe out and jump with your legs apart and
arms extended straight out from your shoulders. Breathe in and turn your right foot and at the
BENEFITS:
· Stretches and tones up the muscles of the entire back, arms and legs.
· Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the waist and hip region thus reshaping the
body structure.
Stand in a steady and comfortable Samasthiti Asana. Perform the Garudasana by balancing on
your right leg while bringing your left leg across and around the right so that both legs are
intertwined. Now perform the Garuda Hastha Mudra by crossing your right hand over the left so
as to intertwine both hands. Bring the entwined arms inward and twist them up to your face
level.
When ready, slowly release the foot and hand positions and come back to the Samasthiti Asana
for some deep breathing and relaxation.
Repeat the practice by performing it on the opposite side in order to also attain the healthy
musculoskeletal benefits on that side of your body too.
When ready, slowly release the foot and hand positions and come back to the Samasthiti Asana
for some deep breathing and relaxation.
·This practice creates a healthy circulation in the upper part of the body and massages all
tissues of the neck, shoulder and upper areas of the spinal column.
·It releases unhealthy tension that tends to accumulate in the upper spinal and neck regions
from sedentary desk jobs and physical inactivity.
· Stretches the spinal column and produces a healthy spine and resilient back muscles.
· Gives an excellent stretch to the muscles of the arms, forearms, and legs.
·Enhances the capacity of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joints
·Helps to correct structural deformities of the spine, shoulders and upper back region.
Yoga Mudra, the Gesture of Union is done from Padmasana, the Lotus Posture. There are two
hand positions that may be used in this Mudra. In the first position, which is relatively simple,
the right hand is used to catch the left wrist behind the back.
The second position is more difficult and is done by crossing the hands behind the back so as to
catch the right foot with the right hand and the left foot with the left hand.
Once the hand position has been attained, the head is lifted on an in-breath and an excellent
stretch given to the entire spinal column. The head is then brought down to the ground slowly on
an out-breath. The forehead or chin may be placed on the ground depending on your ability and
flexibility. Shallow Sukshma Pranayama or butterfly-like subtle breathing is done in the final
position to attain a quiet state of psychophysical union.
When ready, come back up to the sitting position on an in-breath. Slowly and carefully
release the hands and then the feet and enjoy a short period of relaxation with your feet
BENEFITS:
·This Mudra helps relieve abdominal disorders of many kinds and is especially useful for
patients of Diabetes Mellitus as well as liver and digestive disorders.
·Gives a good stretch to the whole back and neck region and helps realign the shoulder in
line with the back.
·Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the abdomen, waist and hip region thus
reshaping the body structure.
· Helps to focus the mind in the Sahasrara Chakra, the crown center.
·The Bija Mantras for all the chakras can be chanted in this posture or the Om Namah
Shivaya Mantra can be used to create Chakra Awareness.
Lie down in a comfortable Shavasana and start to breathe in and out for an equal count of
six or eight.
To perform the single legged Eka Pada Pawan Mukta Asana, bend and lift your right knee
Catch hold of your knee with your arms and try to touch your knee to your forehead. Hold
the position a few seconds and then while breathing out slowly release the position and
lower your head while at the same time bringing your foot back to the ground. Repeat this
at least two more times to complete a set of three rounds of the practice.
Relax a few seconds in the Shavasana and then perform the practice on the left side.
Relax in Savasana for a few minutes with deep and rhythmic breathing while concentrating
on your abdominal area that will help to relax you further.
To perform the double legged Dwi Pada Pavanamuktasana, bend and lift both your knees while
breathing in. Bring them as close to your forehead as possible while simultaneously raising your
head to meet the knees. Hold a few seconds and then while breathing out, lower your head and
simultaneously bring your feet back to the ground. Repeat this two more times to complete a
set of three rounds at each session.
Relax in Savasana for a few minutes with deep and rhythmic breathing while concentrating on
your abdominal area. This will help you to relax even further as the emotional tensions tend to
tighten up the abdominal area leading to a feeling of “butterflies in the stomach”.
BENEFITS:
·This set of supine postures is a great way to get rid of the stress and tension that tends to
accumulate in the abdominal region.
· They are also useful to prevent and control the various joint disorders that afflict the limbs
and the abdominal organs.
· Help prevent and relieve joint pains, gas troubles and abdominal problems such as
indigestion and constipation.
· Useful for those suffering from gas problems, constipation, diabetes and sluggish liver and
kidneys.
·Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the abdomen, waist and hip region thus reshaping
the body structure.
Lie flat on your back in Shavasana. Bend your knees and place both heels next to the respective
buttock. Raise your arms up and behind you and place your palms flat on the ground underneath
the respective shoulder. Rise up into Vilom Asana with the head on the ground and take a few
breaths.
Slowly push up with the arms and legs and extend your hips as high as possible. Continue to walk
the feet and the hands toward each other and straighten the arms and push the navel up. Stay in
this position for 20 to 30 seconds with normal breathing.
Slowly come back to Shavasana in a step by step manner by retracing the steps of the ascent.
BENEFITS:
·This is a great pose for “opening up” the shoulders and for increasing arm, leg and shoulder
strength.
· Normalizes blood supply to the brain and head region and increases the blood supply to
the upper part of the body.
· Helps reduce the fatty accumulation around the waist and hip region thus reshaping the
body structure.
· Helps to correct structural deformities of the spine, shoulders and upper back region
·Tones the spine by stretching it fully and keeps the body alert and supple.
Sit in Vajrasana and then kneel on the ground with your knees slightly apart. Place both your
hands on the ground with your fingers pointing inwards towards your body. Bend your elbows
while keeping the forearms together and place your mid area of the abdomen on your elbows.
Try to get a good pressure into the abdomen with a good grip and then straighten your legs one
by one until you are balanced on your hands and toes. Exhale and raise both your legs off the
ground and try to get into a position where your entire body is parallel to the ground. Hold the
posture for 10 to 30 seconds with light breathing. When ready, slowly come back to the starting
position by reversing the ascent procedure and relax in Vajrasana for some time. With practice
you can extend the time of holding the posture to obtain maximum benefits.
BENEFITS:
· Gives a healthy pressure to the abdominal organs and tones up the abdominal and torso
musculature in a healthy manner.
· Helps tone up the muscles of the arms and the entire posterior region
· Redistributes fatty accumulation from the hip and lower back region.
· Useful for those suffering from gas problems, constipation, diabetes and sluggish liver and
kidneys.
SHEETALI PRANAYAMA
Sit in a comfortable and straight- backed Vajra Asana. Roll the tongue into a tube by folding up
the sides of the partially protruded tongue so as to form a long narrow tube resembling the
beak of a bird. Pressing the lips round the tongue further narrows the passage. This gesture is
called Kakachandra Mudra or the Crow’s Beak gesture. The tongue should protrude one-half to
three- quarters of an inch beyond the lips.
Inhale in short gulps of air, along the rolled up tongue, until the lungs are completely inflated.
Perceive the cooling effect of the air as it passes through the tongue.
· Then allow the breath to be held comfortably before the next inhalation.
This ‘Icing Breath’ or ‘Ice Maker Breath’ brings about almost instantaneous cooling of the body,
and the body’s overall cooling processes are enhanced. Sheetali Pranayama has a very good
SITKARI PRANAYAMA
Sit in the Vajra Asana. Exhale through both nostrils. Relax the lower jaw, and slightly open the
mouth, so that the tongue may be rolled into a trough- like “V”. This is called the Jihva Mudra,
or Tongue Gesture. Fold the tongue backwards and press the tip of the tongue to the hard
palate, leaving narrow openings on either side of the tongue.
with a sipping sound of “sit-sit-sit.” When the lungs are completely filled, allow the breath
to be stopped with ease. Then breathe out through the nose until all breath is expelled.
· A ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 can be used for the inhalation and exhalation.
· You can also push the air out rapidly through both nostrils in a modified Bhastrika or
Bellows Breath.
· Sitkari Pranayama has both a psychical as well as physical effect. Ventilation of the mouth
and nasal passages as well as airways resistance is improved. The blood stream is cooled
BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA
The word, ‘Bhastrika’ means bellows and this gets its name because the air is forcibly drawn in
and blasted out as in a blacksmith’s bellows.
Sit in the Vajra Asana. Inhale and exhale strongly and forcefully in quick succession. During
inhalation the abdomen is released and during exhalation it is contracted inward. The
movement should be however primarily concentrated in the lower and mid parts of the chest
wall.
On completion of 20 quick, vigorous, forceful expulsions take the deepest possible inhalation,
hold the breath as long as possible, and apply Jalandhara and Moolabandha. Follow it up by
releasing the Bandhas and deepest possible exhalation followed by the application of the
Uddiyana Bandha. Then slowly inhale and rest.
Do three such rounds (Garshanas) of 20 expulsions each morning and evening. Take a minute
rest at the end of each round. Gradually increase the number of expulsions to 60 per minute.
It removes all diseases which arise from excess Wind (Vata), Bile (Pitta) and Phlegm (Kapha).
Begin the actual Surya Bhedana Pranayama by letting the breath out slowly through the left
nostril only by closing the right nostril.
Then inhale through the right nostril only all of the time keeping the Jalandhara Bandha and by
closing the left nostril.
Lock in the breath for a lengthy Kumbhaka, and then repeat the entire cycle again.
Breathe out through the left and breathe in through the right nostril
Surya Bhedana is one of the early practices to condition a Yogi to the more strenuous and
exacting Laya Yoga Pranayamas.
Perform the Pranayama for nine rounds in the beginning and then slowly increase the number
of rounds in multiples of 9.
This excellent Surya Bhedana cleanses the forehead (frontal sinuses), destroys the disorders of
Vata, and removes the worms, and, therefore, it should be performed again and again.
The routine of an individual is a sum of all the activities carried out on an entire day on a daily
basis. Every individual has a different routine depending upon the tasks to be accomplished in
the entire day. The routine of the same person may also change daily. A person has a different
routine on working days than on holidays. The habits followed over the years reflect into your
day to day activities and they become part of the daily routine.
Healthy routine reflects good physical and mental health. Health is an integrated effort to
maintain &/or achieve physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.
1) Balanced diet
2) Physical activity
3) adequate sleep
4) Meditation/ relaxation
5) Sunlight
6) Positive attitude
There is no ideal healthy routine that suits everyone. But one has to strive hard to make your
own choices to improve the quality of life and set a healthy routine.
3)Decide upon action(s) to change the habit or inculcate the new practice
4)Go slow: Only one new change in a day. This will increase consistency with the practice.
5)Figure out habits that require various changes to be made in the routine
8)Pen down the routine regularly to observe the shift towards a healthy routine
1)Balanced diet:
(a)Never skip breakfast. Breakfast makes you alert at the start of the day and increases
productivity related to studies or profession.
(b)Eat small meals every 3 hours. Breakfast should be large like a King’, lunch should be like a
Prince and dinner should be like a meager.
(c)Eat natural foods as much as possible. It is best to avoid processed foods which are loaded
with preservatives and other chemicals to impart taste.
(d)Eat fruits and salads daily. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with fibers and anti- oxidants
which help to detoxify the body.
(e)Follow meal timings and do not skip any meal. If meals are skipped, one tends to overeat in
the next meal or resort to junk food to satisfy hunger. These trigger acidity and indigestion.
(f)Avoid junk foods like pizza, pasta, vada pav, burger, samosa etc. These foods are high in
calories, fats and provide no beneficial nutrients. You can replace them with nuts, lean meat,
milk, curd, fruits etc or they can be prepared at home with healthy food choices.
(h)Take food on the plate only as much as your body can digest, neither waste it nor overeat.
(m)Never take any products from the market claiming for faster weight loss or better fitness.
(n)For any query related to food, consult only to a qualified Nutritionist/ Dietitian.
2)Physical activity:
(a)Help yourself. Climb steps instead of taking lift, lift grocery bags instead of using a trolley to
carry them, play outdoor games with kids instead of watching TV or mobile or going to the mall,
pick up a glass of water for drinking on your own rather than asking others for it.
(b)Don’t excuse exercise for time. Walk at least for 30-45 minutes daily.
(c)Apart from walking, you can also get involved in swimming, dancing, running, doing Zumba or
aerobic dance, whatever activity you enjoy.
(e)Consult a qualified fitness trainer to plan your exercise schedule. Involve a combination of
aerobic and anaerobic exercises in a week.
(h)Do not take any nutritional supplement without a qualified medical practitioner’s &/or
Nutritionist’s advice.
3)Adequate sleep:
(d)Do not drink too much water at bedtime which disturbs your sleep.
(e)Read a book that you enjoy the most just before you go to bed.
4)Meditation/ relaxation:
(c)Sit quietly on a mat on the floor, concentrate on your breathing, if it needs to be corrected,
seek proper guidance.
5)Sunlight:
(a)Take a walk in the morning before 9am to get a better exposure to sunlight which is not too
bright to the skin.
(b)Expose your skin to the Sun at least for 10 minutes daily to activate vitamin D in the body.
(c)To save on time, exercises like running, walking, jogging, cycling, swimming can also be done
in sunlight before 9am where one can achieve 2 aims; one is to do physical activity and the
other is to make bones healthy with sunlight.
6)Positive attitude:
(e)Read a book/novel which you enjoy the most or which is in your “to read list”.
(f)Music and dance are the best therapies to have a positive approach towards life, follow
whichever you enjoy doing the most.
(g)If you are depressed very often, visit a psychological counselor to seek help.
Habits are behaviors that one repeats over and over again. It starts with the consistency in any
behavior. Habit occurs subconsciously without stressing upon the brain to do it. Physical activity
becomes a habit when the individual is self-motivated and prioritizes exercise not just for good
abs or muscular strength but for overall well being. Health is the state of wellbeing of body,
mind and spirit. It is not just the absence of disease. (World Health Organization) It is important
to sync body, mind and spirit together by inculcating certain practices and making them a habit
to live a quality life.
An individual who lives a sedentary lifestyle can at least start with simple things to be physically
active like taking steps to office/home instead of an elevator, getting down one stop before the
destination and walking to reach the destination, doing chair exercises or stretching exercises
2) Start with it
There is a proverb “tomorrow never comes”. Start from now if you really want to do it.
3) Do it regularly
Study and analyze the output of the regular physical activity. Adhere to it.
6) Make it advanced
It takes an average of 66 days with a range of 18-254 days to make a habit of behavior. Once the
simple physical activities complete more than 2 months, move on to the next step to make it
advanced.
7) Do it regularly
Study and analyze the physical activity to achieve set goals of exercising and reward yourself on
achieving the desired results.
ACTIVITY
List down at least 10 good habits that you follow or would like to follow and explain what efforts
you will take to practice them.
The above activity can be done by using the module on basic nutrition and physical fitness.
Divide the students into the group. Ask each group to list 1 good habit the group unanimously
wants to follow and the efforts that they will be putting in. Discuss in the class.
As the name suggests, it is a simple and effective way of making a behavior into a habit that
one wants to follow. It is a format to record whether a habit has been carried out on a
particular day or in a week or a month.
The basic design of a habit tracker is a calendar in which one can tick on the days after doing an
activity.
In the above calendar, there is only 1 activity which needs to be concentrated upon. In this
format, you can mention “Exercise” as an activity and mention the month. The days you
complete your 30- 45 minutes of exercise, you have to tick marks in the respective date’s
3) Progress report:
The maximum number of tick marks in a month is an indicator of progress with the habit of
exercising/ carrying out a particular activity.
4) Reward:
Habit tracker acts as a tool for motivation and reward.
It feels great to see maximum tick marks in a month with no or very minimal skipped days.
This motivates the individual to carry out the activity for further days.
2) Classification of habits:
There will be habits which are expected to be done at different frequencies like daily, weekly,
monthly.
While preparing a habit tracker, put all the habits to be done daily on top followed by weekly
habits and then monthly habits.
- Eg
Daily habits:
walking staircase up while coming home from the office drinking 10 glasses of water
Weekly habits:
weight training
Monthly habits:
lifting grocery bags cleaning wardrobe eating vada pav cold drinks
Select a suitable habit tracker from free templates available on the internet or you can prepare
your own using an excel sheet.
List down the habits in the order of daily, weekly and monthly.
A sample of habit tracker has been given on the next page for 15 days. You can prepare for 1
month in excel on a computer or on your mobile phone and use it.
Habit tracker becomes effective only if one enters the remark or tick marks immediately after
completing the habit on a particular day.
It needs a regular habit of tracking. At the end of the month, you can analyze your progress using
the tracker.
ACTIVITY:
Find out any 5 habit tracker apps, write their names and important features. The facilitator will
discuss the above activity after students complete it.