Yoga for Wellness Chapter 5 Flashcards

Study Notes

Definitions of Health

WHO Definition: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not just the absence of disease.
Sanskrit Definition: Swasthya refers to abiding in one's own Self.

Qualities of Health

Yoga Perspective:
- Relaxed muscles and loose joints.
- Balanced metabolic rate and efficient energy use.
- Coordinated organ function, even under stress.
Shvetasvatara Upanishad:
- Lightness of body and clear complexion.
- Absence of desires and pleasant voice.
- Agreeable odour and minimal excretions.
Hatha Pradipika:
- Slim body with a lustrous face.
- Clear voice, bright eyes, and disease-free state.
- Control over seminal ejaculation and stimulation of gastric heat.
Yoga Darshan (Vibhuti Pada):
- Attributes of beauty, gracefulness, strength, and radiant effulgence.

Mental Health Qualities

Bhagavad Gita:
- State of being beyond passion, fear, and anger.
- Pure-hearted, skillful, and engaged in goodwill without ego.
- Understanding nature, non-possessive, and unbewildered.
Mentally Healthy Person: Identified as Stitha prajna.

Emotional Stability

Emotional instability arises from constant fixation on sensory objects.
Leads to negative states: Kama (desires), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), and Moha (attachment).

Pancha Koshas (Five Sheaths)

Annamaya: Gross body composed of 5 senses and 5 elements.
Pranamaya: Vital breath and energy; refers to the aura.
Manomaya: Composed of mind, intellect, ego, and conscience.
Vijnanamaya: Involves intellect and sensory organs, associated with intuition.
Anandamaya: Bliss body, residing in the heart, detached from the external world.

Elements of the Physical Body

Mahabhoota/Panchabuthas:
- Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), Akasa (sky), Jala (water).
Substance Characteristics:
- Parthiva Dravya: Solid, heavy, associated with obesity and strength.
- Taijasa Dravya: Hot, light, dry, and shaped.
- Vayavya Dravya: Light, cool, dry, and coarse.
- Akasha Dravya: Smooth, light, and flat.
- Apya Dravya: Fluid, cold, and dense.

Body Composition According to Ayurveda

Composed of doshas, psyche (gunas), body tissues (dhatus), and waste (malas).
Doshas: Vata (motion energy), Pitta (chemical/metabolic energy), Kapha (solid matter).
Gunas: Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), Tamas (inertia).

Health & Conduct Principles

Achara: Right conduct guiding ethical behaviour.
Vichara: Right thinking that fosters mental clarity.
Vyavahara: Right behaviour leads to harmonious interactions.
Vihara: Importance of movement for physical health.

Moderation and Balance

Emphasizes moderation in efforts, work, sleep, and general lifestyle (Yukta-cestasya, Karmasu, yukta-svapna-avabodhasya).
Adhis: Primary mental diseases; Vyadhis: Secondary physical diseases.

Forms of Mental and Physical Imbalance

Adhis:
- Samanya: Ordinary ailments stemming from worldly interactions; psychosomatic in nature.
- Sara: Essential ailments responsible for rebirth.
Vyadhis can be categorized as:
- Adhija: Caused by mental states.
- Anadhija: Not influenced by the mind, such as infectious diseases.

Description

Explore essential definitions and qualities of health as outlined in Chapter 5 of Yoga for Wellness. This quiz focuses on key terms and their meanings from a holistic yoga perspective, enriching your understanding of wellness in both physical and mental dimensions.