UNDERSTANDING THE TERM ‘YOGA’

IN THE LANGUGAE OF MODERN MEDICAL SCIENCES

Simplest meanings of the term, ’Yoga’

• samyogo - viyogo yogah (B.Gita)1. Getting Connected,2. Remaining Connected,3. Getting Disconnected.

• yogah karmasu kaushalam (B.Gita)Skill in action is yoga

• yogah chitta vrutti nirodhah (PYS-I:2)Cessation of the behavioral modifications of the consciousness is yoga.

An effort to understand these definitions of yoga

in the language of modern medical sciences.

A Quick Revision ofAnatomy

and Psycho-Physiology

Importance of the Nervous System

• Source of ‘Driving Force’ or ‘Engine’ to run different systems of the body.• Sensory nerve endings or

‘Sensors’ in the nervous system.• Motor nerve endings or

‘Effectors’ in the nervous system.

Organization of the Nervous System

• Central nervous system comprising of:

1.Spinal Cord,2.Brain stem,3.Cerebellum,4.Limbic Brain, 5.Cerebral Cortex.

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Organization of the Nervous System

• Autonomic or Neuro-vegetative system:

1. Sympathetic or Adrenergic Nervous System.

2. Parasympathetic or Cholinergic nervous System.

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Organization of the Nervous System

• Three components of the Brain:1. Reptile Brain,2. Mammalian Brain,3. Neo-cortex or Human Brain

• Pathways in Central Nervous system:1. Sensory nerves/pathways/tracts, 2. Motor nerves/pathways/tracts.

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> Functioning of the Nervous System is an important sign of our Life.

> Three types of functions can be recognized in the nervous system: 1. Sensory activity

2. Motor activity, and 3. Networking inside the brain.

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Sensory activity in the

Nervous System

Sensory Activity in the Nervous System

It can be related with the Five Sensory Faculties where we get knowledge about the objects, events, happenings and phenomena in the world outside the body (External Space in Yoga = bahya + akasha).

Sensory Activity in the Nervous System

• It can also be related with the functioning and the condition of the organs and structures present inside the body.• This helps us to become aware of

our feelings, thoughts, emotions and mental states.

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Sensory Activity in the Nervous System

• It starts with some kind of “Disturbance” in the “Present State of Being or Self-Consciousness ”.• The “Disturbance” gives rise to an

“Imbalance in resting Energy Level of the concerned structure/s”.• This gives rise to an “Impulse”.

Sensory Activity in the Nervous System

• The “Impulse” starts travelling as a “Wave of Disturbance along the sensory nerve”. • This “Impulse” is recognized and

perceived as a “sensation” after reaching the sensory cortex .

Sensory Activity in the Nervous System

• Perceived Sensations give rise to “Feeling”.• Feelings give rise to Thoughts and

Emotions.• These, in turn, give rise to Mental States

and States of Consciousness as well as to Actions, Activities and Behavioral Changes.

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Motor activity in the

Nervous System

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

• The response of the “Organism” to any change or disturbance in its “State of Being” perceived as a “Sensation” results in the “Motor Activity” in the nervous system.

• It is a “Nerve Impulse” which starts in the “Central Nervous System” and travels to the periphery along the motor nerves.

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

These “Motor Impulses” can start at any level of the central nervous system viz. • Spinal cord, • Brain Stem (Medulla, Pons i.e. Reptile brain), • Mid Brain (Limbic Brain/Visceral Brain or Emotional Brain) and/or • Human or Neo-Cortex (Intellectual Brain).• Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic and/or Para-sympathetic Nervous System.

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

• It can be Voluntary or Involuntary (Reflex) in nature.• Reflexes can be Learnt (Conditioned) or in-born (Un-conditioned)• Motor activity indicates our natural activities, emotional expressions, willful actions or behavior.

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

• It is related with the skeletal muscles of the arms, legs, trunk, vertebral column, face, head and the smooth muscles of the internal organs such as heart, stomach, intestines, colon, bladder, sphincters etc.

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

• It is also related with the secretions of the Exocrine and Endocrine glands as well as the Immune system.

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Motor activity in the Nervous System

• The response of the “Organism” to any change or disturbance in its “State of Being” perceived as a “Sensation” results in the “Motor Activity” in the nervous system.

• It is a “Nerve Impulse” which starts in the “Nervous System” and travels to the periphery along the motor nerves.

Motor activity in the Nervous System

These “Motor Impulses” can start at any level of the Nervous System viz. • Spinal cord, • Brain Stem (Medulla, Pons i.e. Reptile brain), • Mid Brain (Limbic Brain/Visceral Brain or Emotional Brain) and/or • Human or Neo-Cortex (Intellectual Brain).• Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic and/or Para-sympathetic Nervous System.

Motor activity in the Nervous System

• It can be Voluntary or Involuntary

(Reflex) in nature.• Reflexes can be Learnt (Conditioned) or

in-born (Un-conditioned)• Motor activity indicates our natural

activities, emotional expressions, willful

actions or behavior.

NETWORKING INSIDE

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Networking inside the Nervous System

• The Neuronal connections inside the Central Nervous System gives rise to our Response Patterns and Learned Reactions and Behaviors.• Through every kind of learning, new

networking develops. Thus response patterns and behavior can be changed.

IMPORTANCE OF THIS

REVISION FOR OUR WORK

In plain and simple words, we “YOGA” means:A1. Getting Connected with -------,A2. Remaining Connected with ---, &A3. Getting Disconnected from ---. B. Skill in ActionC. Calming the mind

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Thus, all our life, we are practicing nothing but Yoga

of some kind in one way or the other without our knowledge.

It indicates different activitiesin the nervous system.

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END

IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH BREATHING

IN SPIRITUAL YOGA

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IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH BREATHING IN SPIRITUAL YOGA

Breathing is the only “Vital Activity” which can be easily:1. “Perceived and Experienced” by us,2. It can be “Monitored” by us, and also3. “Modified and Manipulated” by us.

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IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH BREATHING IN SPIRITUAL YOGA

• There are other “Vital Functions and Activities”.

• But, some of them can not be easily Experienced, Monitored and Modified by us. For example, hormones, immune system, kidney function etc.

• Activity of the heart can be experienced and monitored, but it can not be modified by us.

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IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH BREATHING IN SPIRITUAL YOGA

• Even though the Activities of the arms, legs, vocal cords and five senses are important, they are not so vital for our existence. • Therefore, in Yoga, we work with our

Breath, Breathing and Internally aroused sensations related with breathing.

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