Encyclopaedia of Yoga for Common Diseases

Modern man, mesmerized by the glitter of luxuries provided by the present technological civilization, has unfortunately lapsed into laziness where the discipline of the body is concerned and failed to mentally rediscover his own divine nature. Further, in view of the existing cut-throat competition, limitless ambition, enormous thirst for wealth, combined with irresponsible indulgence in food and sex, have hardened our hearts, silenced our scruples and corrupted our moral base leading to heart, diabetes, depression and other diseases.

The book "Encyclopaedia of Yoga for Common Diseases" has aptly described in detail how some diseases at present pose a major challenge to life and longevity. Just as business management is most important, whether it is hotel or hospital, household or industry, the correct management of all the organs of our body is essential. The key organ that works non-stop from birth to death all the 24 hours, is the heart. For the heart to be healthy one must entertain healthy thoughts in the mind, and adopt yogic way of life. In fact, holistic health is essential for one to have a healthy heart.

In the treatment of many diseases, unnecessary medication is discouraged, as most drugs have harmful side effects. As a cure the book "Encyclopaedia of Yoga for Common Diseases", prescribes yoga in its entirety. Hatha Yoga for the body, Raja Yoga for the mind and Gnana Yoga for scaling spiritual heights. The yoga in its entirety has been detailed in the book.

Coming to the subject of cure, the books stress the important role of Asanas practiced with Pranayama. Asanas without pranayama degenerate into mere physical jerks. Yogasanas not only aim at strengthening the inner organs like the heart, the lungs, digestive organs, and endocrine glands but also bring about development of body and mind with regular practice of yogasanas with pranayama most ailments can be nipped in the bud.

Many ladies, who work both in the house and outside as well, tend to believe that they need no yoga or any exercise. I wish to inform such ladies to perform selected Asanas with pranayama to lead a disease-free life to enjoy both health and beauty.

About Pranayama, it is said that "To breathe is to live and to be alive is to breathe." The prevalent abundant pollution, stressful conditions of life, faulty food habits, faulty style of living—all make pranayama absolutely essential. In each inhalation we breathe in both oxygen and "prana" otherwise called vital force "Cosmic Energy". While the oxygen goes to the lungs to purify the blood, the prana is stored in the nervous system. Higher types of Pranayama help to make man to spiritual heights. "Food is thy Medicine," is a wise saying from a great man, which very few follow at present. Increasing number of palatable dishes, that only cater to taste are flooding the market. Errors in diet can give rise to many ailments and diseases. Lord Krishna told Saint Udhava, "Jitam Sarvam Kite Rase," he who controls taste controls everything. In the book Balanced Diet and Yogic Diet have been discussed in detail

In the relentless pursuit of wealth, power and position and all the things that follow them many have become "work-o-holics" with no capacity whatever to relax and sleep properly. Such people take recourse to "drugs, happy pills, tranquillizers," smoking and alcohol. These may give a temporary relief, but ultimately land them in diseases—physical and mental. In fact, such people are potential heart-disease patients. Jogging and other physical exercises tend to strain the heart. On the other hand yogic relaxation in Shavasana with rhythmic breathing gives "Super-relaxation," providing required relaxation and rest to both body and mind.

Yoga treats human body as a flower. Yogasanas give exercise to every system and every organ in the body. The word yoga has a long history. It is an integral subjective science. Its divisions into spiritual, mental or physical cannot be separated from each other. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yujir" meaning "to yoke" or "union" or "to join" Viyoga is the opposite of this implying "Separation". Yoga is the restoration of "Swaroopa" or absolute peace. Yoga is equanimity, serenity and control of the senses and the mind. Yoga is a technique, a way of life, a path, a method that has something to offer to everyone, men and women, irrespective of age, faith or clime. No branch of yoga is more popular and more misunderstood than the Hatha Yoga. The word "Hatha" is derived from the ancient Sanskrit words "Ha" and "Tha" meaning The Sun and The Moon. These symbols refer to the metaphysical and physical aspects of yoga. Our physical and mental faculties must be so trained that they shall function with rhythm and harmony. Yoga is an ideal system for attaining harmonious development of body, mind and mental health. Patanjali states in his "Sutras" that harmonious development of body, mind and soul can be obtained through the eight limbs of yoga: -
1. Yama: (Abstinence) moral conduct, truthfulness, non-covetousness.
2. Niyama (Observances) of cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, study and self-surrender to God.
3. Asanas (Right postures).
4. Pranayama (Breath control) control of prana by regulating breathing processes of inspiration, expiration and retention of breath.
5. Dharna (Concentration) fixing the mind on one subject or point.
6. Pratyahara (Sense withdrawal) turning the senses in word and withdrawing them from external objects.
7. Dhyana (Contemplation) or Meditation keeping the mind fixed exclusively on one subject or idea for something without any interruption.
8. Samadhi (Self-realisation) super conscious experience in trance where enlightenment or union with self takes place.

Because of numerous requests from patients and yoga students I have undertaken to write this book so that even in the absence of a teacher one can practise daily this science of yoga to maintain good health. But it is desirable to get training from an expert yoga teacher. In tlr course of writing these books on common diseases I have been inspired by the tenacity, wisdom, and intellectuality of Yogi Ram, a great yoga luminary; his words of blessings that have come to me in the form of foreword are like drops of nectar to me.

I have been inspired by the following yoga luminaries for their most valuable opinions and exhortations. My meetings with them have dispelled many doubts and removed many confusions hovering in my mind.
1. H.H. The Dalai Lama (Macdolganj)
2. H.H. Jagat Guru Kripalaji (Barsana)
3. H.H. Swarni Krishnanand ji (Rishikesh)
4. H.H. Swarni Akhlesh ji (Ara, Bihar)

I am deeply indebted to Dr. Naresh Kumar Goyal, M.D., an eminent Cardiologist of Barnala for providing me the authentic literature on heart diseases and depression.

My thanks are also due to Dr. K.C. Sidana, M.S. of Barnala and Dr. Hari Gopal Gupta, Prop. Surgical Clinic of Barnala for their valuable views on yoga.

My heartfelt thanks are due to Dr. Jiwan Singh Komy of Barnala who, quite generously, placed all authentic literature on yoga at my disposal for thorough perusal. I am extremely grateful to my friend Sh. Praveen Mittal, Managing Director of B.R. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi who has evinced lot of interest and taken pains to publish these books on common diseases.

I have made this humble attempt with a hope and confidence that these books will serve the readers as self-learning guides regarding some common diseases and their cure through the system of yoga.

I feel convinced that people can be initiated into yoga provided they show a will and faith to practice it. In the words of Swami Shivananda, "Man is the master of his own destiny. He Sows an action and reaps a habit. Sows a habit and reaps a character. Sows a character and reaps a destiny." I shall feel my humble attempt amply rewarded if it creates sustained interest in the readers for the system of yoga. "Sarvey Bavanti Sukhina"—Let all be happy and healthy!

Amnesia (Loss of Memory): This part is designed to give the reader some basic information about the meaning, nature of memory and the causes of Amnesia (Loss of memory) and how loss of memory can be treated, cured and prevented with different Yogas and techniques namely Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and Yogic diet.

The Brain and Nervous system control the whole system. The spinal cord leading from the brain sends nerve ends to every part of the body. Three brain structures are critical to the formation of memories, the medial temporal lobe, certain diencephalic nuclie, and the basal forebrain. The medial temporal lobe houses the hippocampus and elongated highly repetitive network. Amygdala is adhacent to the anterior end of the hippocampus. The amygdala has been suggested to rate the emotional importance of an experience and to activate the level of hippocampal activity accordingly. Thus an emotionally intense experience is indelibly etched in memory. Within the diencephalon the dorsal medial nucleus of the thalamus and the manillary bodies appear necessary for memory formation. One of the most important characteristics of brain is that it is a store house of memories.

HIV and AIDS: This part is designed to give the reader some basic information about the meaning, symptoms and transmission of HIV/AIDS, a Global problem, and how this grave problem can be checked and controlled with the Yogic practices namely Yogic principles, Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and the diet therapy. The relationship of Yoga and sex has been dealt with in detail.

How sex problems and sex diseases can be checked and cured with the help of Yogic practices. A disproportionate desire for sexual activity may exists which renders an individual either "Under sexed' or 'Over sexed'. Usually these conditions result from emotional factors. Because of emotional disturbances, 'Under sexed' individual becomes inhibited concerning genital activity. So that the desire for sexual activity is diminished conversely the 'Oversexed', individual suffers from mental upsets that result in heightened sexual activity. In this opposite extreme the 'Over sexed' persons seek to express through genital activity the sexuality they strive to satisfy.

AIDS is the dead liest epidemic in human history. We must rise to the occasion and with firm determination act to combat this dreaded disease. The disease is likely to claim millions of lives across the globe in the next 10 years. Aids prevention is too serious an issue to be left to the indifferent state governments to implement.

AIDS (The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by the HIV/Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV can be transmitted by contaminated needles or other objects that penerate the skin. Large numbers are being infected from hetrosexual and bisexual partners. Between one and 10 years after infection 80% of people develop aids or a wide spread lymph node problem or brain involvement. Fifty percent will develop the full aids pattern with such severe loss of immunity that they become susceptible to a wide range of infections and some cancers.

The present work is an endeavour to consider the various aspects of the most serious problems HIV/AIDS, sex, drugs, and drug abuse, and to suggest preventive measures in the light of Yoga. Whosoever wants to free himself from the din and noise, trials and tribulation, stresses and strains and fear and psychosis, sexual problems must come to the refuge of Yoga— the eternal sedative the only choice before making.