Siddappa Naragatti
ABSTRACT
Yoga is an ancient science of health and wellness bestowed by the seers and sages of India for the welfare of the humanity. It has been a great art and science of healthy living even though it is one of the six systems of Indian philosophy. The practice of yoga is very useful in the promotion of positive health of the mind and body. The practice of yoga is also great means alleviating the sufferings of the human life through the proper knowledge and understanding of the connections of the afflictions and their influence. Its therapeutical applications have been highly significant in the prevention and management of various diseases of the different systems of the human body. Health is a multidimensional phenomenon; heart is one of the precious organs playing prominent role in the positive health. Heart care is one of the most demanding medical attentions due to the most of the cardiovascular disorders manifest due to the chronic stress experienced either in the professional or personal life. The principle and practices of yoga promote the functions of lungs and liver which are the two important organs helping the heart through enhancing the healthy lipid profile and proper lung capacity. The teaching of classical curriculum of hatha yoga such as the practice of asana contributes for the physical and mental health, steadiness, and feeling of well-being and keeps an individual free from diseases of the mind and body. The current paper focuses on the preventive, promotive, and curative aspects of yoga as natural health care measures for the promotion of the healthy heart functions.
Key words: Healthy heart, yoga techniques, yoga practice