Introduction

Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise

Yoga is an ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the

physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. It is
long popular practice in India that has become increasingly more common in
Western society. Yoga means union of our individual consciousness with
the Universal Divine Consciousness in a super-conscious state known as
Samadhi[[1]
Breath is the dynamic bridge between body and mind and pranayama
(breathing techniques) is one of the most important yogic practices, which
can produce different physiological responses in healthy individuals.
Pranayama is an art of prolongation and control of breath, which helps to
bring the conscious awareness in breathing; to reshape breathing habits and
patterns. The persistent conditioning of breathing pattern of pranayama
increases the pulmonary function in healthy individuals.[2]
There have been many studies on yoga. Our study is mainly focused on
effects of YOGA on Pulmonary Function Test and Mental status. For this
perpose of study we used many parameters
like for Pulmonary Function Test we used
FVC,FEV and PEFR for Mental status we used
GHQ-28 form.

History of Yoga: How it all Started[3]

What has been adequately established though is that yoga originated approximately 5000 years
ago in India Evidence of this approximation exists in the ancient Hindu texts called the Vedas.
The history of yoga can be divided into four major periods:
Vedic yoga

The Vedas have existed since 1700 B.C., and are the earliest known texts related to Hinduism.
The Vedas comprise of four texts, namely the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the
Atharvaveda. Yoga teachings found in these texts are called Vedic Yoga.
Preclassical yoga
This period comprises of almost 2000 years till the time of the 2nd century B.C. By this time
many texts like the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, the Upnishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga teachings of
this time focused on meditation, self-realization and connection with the universal one.
Classical yoga
Also known as the age of the eightfold yoga or Raja Yoga, this is the time when the great sage
Patanjali lived and expounded on his own version of yoga and its practice. Patanjali, spoke about
yoga as being useful in the separation of the matter and the spirit that each individual is made up
of. This, he said, was essential in the re-establishment of the purity of the soul and spirit.
Post-classical Yoga
This is the age when yoga was, for the first time, understood for its physical benefits.This change
in attitude came with the discovery of alchemy and yogis started to teach and practice yoga with
the objective of healing the body, to re-energize it and to prolong life
Modern Yoga
The age of modern yoga is said to have started with Swami Vivekanands visit to the USA for the
Parliament of Religions in 1893. This is the first time that the world paid any serious attention to
the teachings of yoga. The 20th century saw the emergence of many gurus and teachers of yoga,
who contributed greatly to the evolution and spread of its practice throughout the world.
International Yoga Day
The first international day of Yoga was observed world over on June 21, 2015.

Previous study on yoga

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included a
comprehensive survey on the use of complementary health approaches by Americans,
yoga is the sixth most commonly used complementary health practice among adults.
More than 13 million adults practiced yoga in the previous year, and between the 2002
and 2007 NHIS, use of yoga among adults increased by 1 percent (or approximately 3
million people). The 2007 survey also found that more than 1.5 million children practiced
yoga in the previous year.
Many people who practice yoga do so to maintain their health and well-being, improve
physical fitness, relieve stress, and enhance quality of life. In addition, they may be
addressing specific health conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and anxiety.

What the Science Says About Yoga

Current research suggests that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses may reduce low-back
pain and improve function. Other studies also suggest that practicing yoga (as well as
other forms of regular exercise) might improve quality of life; reduce stress; lower heart
rate and blood pressure; help relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and improve
overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility. But some research suggests yoga may
not improve asthma, and studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.
One NCCIH-funded study of 90 pe ople with chronic low-back pain found that
participants who practiced Iyengar yoga had significantly less disability, pain, and
depression after 6 months.
In a 2011 study, also funded by NCCIH, researchers compared yoga with
conventional stretching exercises or a self-care book in 228 adults with chronic
low-back pain. The results showed that both yoga and stretching were more
effective than a self-care book for improving function and reducing symptoms due
to chronic low-back pain.
Conclusions from another 2011 study of 313 adults with chronic or recurring lowback
pain suggested that 12 weekly yoga classes resulted in better function than
usual medical care.
However, studies show that certain health conditions may not benefit from yoga.
A 2011 systematic review of clinical studies suggests that there is no sound
evidence that yoga improves asthma.
A 2011 review of the literature reports that few published studies have looked at
yoga and arthritis, and of those that have, results are inconclusive. The two main
types of arthritisosteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritisare different conditions,
and the effects of yoga may not be the same for each. In addition, the reviewerssuggested that
even if a study showed that yoga helped osteoarthritic finger joints, it may not help osteoarthritic
knee joints.

Health impact of yoga[1]

Coronary atherosclerosis
In a randomized controlled study, patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease
who practiced yoga exercise for a period of 1 year showed a decrease in the number of anginal
episodes per week, improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight.Lipid lowering and
plaque-stabilizing effects of yoga exercise seem to be similar to that of statin drugs (HMG CoA
reductase inhibitors).
Serum lipid profile and body weight
Obesity and increased body weight are strong risk factors for ischemic heart disease and
hypertension. Yoga has been found to be particularly helpful in the management of obesity.A
randomized controlled study revealed that practicing yoga for a year helped significant
improvements in the ideal body weight and body density. The regular practice of yoga has shown

to improve the serum lipid profile in the patients with known ischemic heart disease as well as in
healthy subjects.

Hypertension
The mechanism of yoga-induced blood pressure reduction may be attributed to its
beneficial effects on the autonomic neurological function [Figure 1].

Diabetes mellitus
In a group of diabetics who practiced yoga regularly, there was a significant reduction in the
frequency of hyperglycemia and area index total under the oral glucose tolerance test curve. This
experimental study showed that there was also a decrease in the need for oral hypoglycemic to
maintain adequate blood sugar control in the population that practiced yoga.The mechanism of
the anti-glycemic activity of yoga exercise has yet to be described. A mechanism of
neurohormonal modulation involving insulin and glucagon activity remains a possibility.
Neurohormonal activity

It has been described that regular practitioners of yoga asanas showed a significant reduction in
the markers of intrinsic neurohormonal activity such as urinary excretion of catecholamines,
aldosterone, as well as serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels.
Cardiorespiratory efficiency (pulmonary function) and physical fitness
In another study, they reported that 12 weeks of yoga practice results in a significant increase in
maximum expiratory pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure, breath holding time after
expiration, breath holding time after inspiration, and hand grip strength.Joshi et al. have also
demonstrated that 6 weeks of pranayama breathing course resulted in improved ventilatory
functions in the form of lowered respiratory rate, and increases in the forced vital capacity,
forced expiratory volume at the end of first second, maximum voluntary ventilation, peak
expiratory flow rate, and prolongation of breath holding time.Yogic techniques involve isometric
contraction which is known to increase skeletal muscle strength. Breath holding time depends on
initial lung volume. Greater lung volume decreases the frequency and amplitude of involuntary
contractions of respiratory muscles, thereby lessening the discomfort of breath holding.During
yoga practice, one consistently and consciously over-rides the stimuli to respiratory centers, thus
acquiring control over the respiration. This, along with improved cardio-respiratory performance,
may explain the prolongation of breath holding time in yoga-trained subjects.Physical fitness not
only refers cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, but also coordination and flexibility
i.e. the full range of physical qualities which can be understood as an integrated measurement of
all functions and structures involved in the performance.
Stress and anxiety

RISKS OF YOGA PRACTICE[1]

Although many forms of yoga practice are safe, some are strenuous and may not be appropriate
for everyone. In particular, elderly patients or those with mobility problems may want to check
first with a clinician before choosing yoga as a treatment option. Only one incident has been
reported in the surveyed medical literature associated with the risks due to the practice of yoga.
The serious case that has been reported is of a female practitioner developing thrombosis of
vertebrobasilar artery due to an intimal tear and subsequent stroke. This was attributed to
adopting an unusual neck posture during yoga practice. Yoga, although not entirely risk-free, can
be considered a safe form of exercise if practiced under the guidance and supervision of a
qualified trainer
In summary, practicing yoga with a trained instructor can benefit your mind, body, and inner
self. With yoga, youll be able to relieve stress, strengthen your muscles, and promote your
health and well-being.

Reference

Introduction
1] Pallav Sengupta. Health Impacts of Yoga and Pranayama: A State-of-the-Art Review.
Int J Prev Med. 2012 Jul; 3(7): 444458. [Link]
2] Mooventhan and Vitthal Khode. Effect of Bhramari pranayama and OM chanting on
pulmonary function in healthy individuals: A prospective randomized control trial. int J Yoga.
2014 Jul-Dec; 7(2): 104110.[Link]

History
3]internet: https://yoga.com/article/history-of-yoga-how-it-all-started.

Health impact of Yoga

1] Pallav Sengupta. Health Impacts of Yoga and Pranayama: A State-of-the-Art Review.
Int J Prev Med. 2012 Jul; 3(7): 444458. [Link]