BASKET COURSE

PROJECT
YOGA
DISEASE CURED BY YOGA- ASTHMA AND
YOGA

PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED AS A PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF

BCom LL.B HONS. IN THE FACULTY OF LAW

Submitted to: KUNAL SIR

Submitted by:Urmimala Mukherjee
B.COMLL.B(H) 9TH SEMESTER

Submitted on:
18th NOVEMBER 2015

Yoga Overview

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline which originated in India.
There

is

broad

variety

of

schools,

practices

and

goals

in Hinduism, Buddhism (particularly Vajrayana, Buddhism and Jainism. The best-known

are Hatha yoga and Rja yoga.
The origins of yoga have been speculated to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions, but
most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE, in ancient
India's ascetic and raman a movements. The chronology of earliest texts describing yogapractices is unclear, varyingly credited to Hindu Upanishads and Buddhist Pli Canon,
probably of third century BCE or later. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali date from the first half
of the 1st millennium CE, but only gained prominence in the West in the 20th century. Hatha
yoga texts emerged around the 11th century with origins in tantra.
Yoga practice helps develop the body and mind bringing a lot of health benefits yet is not a
substitute for medicine. It is important to learn and practice yoga postures under the
supervision of a trained Yoga teacher.
Weight loss, a strong and flexible body, glowing beautiful skin, peaceful mind, good health
whatever you may be looking for, yoga has it on offer. However, very often, yoga is only
partially understood as being limited to asanas (yoga poses). As such, its benefits are only
perceived to be at the body level and we fail to realize the immense benefits yoga offers in
uniting the body, mind and breath. When you are in harmony, the journey through life is
calmer, happier and more fulfilling.
With all this and much more to offer, the benefits of yoga are felt in a profound yet subtle
manner. Here, we look at the top 10 benefits of yoga practice.

1. All-round fitness. You are truly healthy when you are not just physically fit but also
mentally and emotionally balanced. As Sri Sri Ravi Shankar puts it, Health is not a mere
absence of disease. It is a dynamic expression of life in terms of how joyful, loving and
enthusiastic you are. This is where yoga helps: postures, pranayama (breathing techniques)
and meditation are a holistic fitness package.

2. Weight loss. What many want! Yoga benefits here too. Sun Salutations and Kapal Bhati
pranayama are some ways to help lose weight with yoga. Moreover, with regular practice of
yoga, we tend to become more sensitive to the kind of food our body asks for and when. This
can also help keep a check on weight.

3. Stress relief. A few minutes of yoga during the day can be a great way to get rid of stress
that accumulates daily - in both the body and mind. Yoga postures, pranayama and meditation
are effective techniques to release stress. You can also experience how yoga helps de-tox the
body and de-stress the mind at the Art of Living Yoga Level 2 Course.

4. Inner peace. We all love to visit peaceful, serene spots, rich in natural beauty. Little do we
realize that peace can be found right within us and we can take a mini-vacation to experience
this any time of the day! Benefit from a small holiday every day with yoga and meditation.
Yoga is also one of the best ways to calm a disturbed mind.

5. Improved immunity. Our system is a seamless blend of the body, mind and spirit. An
irregularity in the body affects the mind and similarly unpleasantness or restlessness in the
mind can manifest as an ailment in the body. Yoga poses massage organs and stregthen
muscles; breathing techniques and meditation release stress and improve immunity.

6. Living with greater awareness. The mind is constantly involved in activity swinging
from the past to the future but never staying in the present. By simply being aware of this
tendency of the mind, we can actually save ourselves from getting stressed or worked up and

relax the mind. Yoga and pranayama help create that awareness and bring the mind back to
the present moment, where it can stay happy and focused.

7. Better relationships. Yoga can even help improve your relationship with your spouse,
parents, friends or loved ones! A mind that is relaxed, happy and contented is better able to
deal with sensitive relationship matters. Yoga and meditation work on keeping the mind
happy and peaceful; benefit from the strengthened special bond you share with people close
to you.

8. Increased energy. Do you feel completely drained out by the end of the day? Shuttling
between multiple tasks through the day can sometimes be quite exhausting. A few minutes of
yoga everyday provides the secret to feeling fresh and energetic even after a long day. A 10minute online guided meditation benefits you immensely, leaving you refreshed and
recharged in the middle of a hectic day.

9. Better flexibility & posture. You only need to include yoga in your daily routine to
benefit from a body that is strong, supple and flexible. Regular yoga practice stretches and
tones the body muscles and also makes them strong. It also helps improve your body posture
when you stand, sit, sleep or walk. This would, in turn, help relieve you of body pain due to
incorrect posture.

10. Better intuition. Yoga and meditation have the power to improve your intuitive ability so
that you effortlessly realize what needs to be done, when and how, to yield positive results. It
works. You only need to experience it yourself.
Remember, yoga is a continuous process. So keep practicing! The deeper you move into your
yoga practice, the more profound are its benefits.

Asthma Overview
Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs. These airways, or bronchial
tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs.
If you have asthma your airways are always inflamed. They become even more swollen and
the muscles around the airways can tighten when something triggers your symptoms. This
makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing,
wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness.
For many asthma sufferers, timing of these symptoms is closely related to physical activity.
And, some otherwise healthy people can develop asthma symptoms only when exercising.
This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), or exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
Staying active is an important way to stay healthy, so asthma shouldn't keep you on the
sidelines. Your physician can develop a management plan to keep your symptoms under
control before, during and after physicial activity.
People with a family history of allergies or asthma are more prone to developing asthma.
Many

people

with

asthma

also

have allergies.

This

is

called allergic

asthma.

Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful
substances while on the job.
Childhood asthma impacts millions of children and their families. In fact, the majority of
children who develop asthma do so before the age of five.
There is no cure for asthma, but once it is properly diagnosed and a treatment plan is in place
you will be able to manage your condition, and your quality of life will improve
Asthma Symptoms & Diagnosis

Asthma Symptoms
According to the leading experts in asthma, the symptoms of asthma and best treatment for
you or your child may be quite different than for someone else with asthma.
The most common symptom is wheezing. This is a scratchy or whistling sound when you
breathe. Other symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

Chest tightness or pain

Chronic coughing

Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing

Asthma symptoms, also called asthma flare-ups or asthma attacks, are often caused by
allergies and exposure to allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen or mold. Nonallergic triggers include smoke, pollution or cold air or changes in weather.
Asthma symptoms may be worse during exercise, when you have a cold or during times of
high stress.
Children with asthma may show the same symptoms as adults with asthma: coughing,
wheezing and shortness of breath. In some children chronic cough may be the only symptom.
If your child has one or more of these common symptoms, make an appointment with an
allergist / immunologist:

Coughing that is constant or that is made worse by viral infections, happens while your

child is asleep, or is triggered by exercise and cold air

Wheezing or whistling sound when your child exhales

Shortness of breath or rapid breathing, which may be associated with exercise

Chest tightness (a young child may say that his chest hurts or feels funny)

Fatigue (your child may slow down or stop playing)

Problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants)

Avoiding sports or social activities

Problems sleeping due to coughing or difficulty breathing

Patterns in asthma symptoms are important and can help your doctor make a diagnosis. Pay
attention to when symptoms occur:
At night or early morning

During or after exercise

During certain seasons

After laughing or crying

When exposed to common asthma triggers
Asthma Diagnosis
An allergist diagnoses asthma by taking a thorough medical history and performing breathing
tests to measure how well your lungs work.
One of these tests is called spirometry. You will take a deep breath and blow into a sensor to
measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale.
This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working.
Many people with asthma also have allergies, so your doctor may perform allergy testing.
Treating the underlying allergic triggers for your asthma will help you avoid asthma
symptoms.

Yoga and Asthma

Here's a list of few basic breathing techniques and yoga postures to help you counter asthma
more effectively:
1. Deep yogic breaths use our lungs to its maximum capacity and also help us to learn
breathing correctly.

2. Nadi Shodhan pranayama (Alternate nostril breathing technique)

Begin with this pranayama (breathing technique) to calm your mind and relieving the body of
accumulated stress. This breathing technique has a healing effect on many respiratory and
circulatory problems.

3. Kapal Bhati pranayama (Skull shining breathing technique)

This breathing technique relaxes the mind and energizes the nervous system. It also clears all
the nadis (energy channels) and improves blood circulation.

4. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting half spinal twist)

The Sitting half spinal twist opens the chest and improves the supply of oxygen to the lungs,
thereby reducing the probability of asthma restricting you.

5. Pavanamuktasana (Wind relieving pose)

This pose is good for people with asthma as it massages the abdominal organs and helps in
digestion and release of gas.

6. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)

The Bridge pose opens up the chest, lungs and reduces thyroid problem. It also improves
digestion and is very effective for asthma patients.

7. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

The Cobra pose expands the chest, improves blood circulation and is highly recommended
for people with asthma.

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing dog pose)

This pose helps in calming the mind, relieves stress and is good for people suffering from
asthma and sinusitis.

9. Badhakonasana (Butterfly pose)

The Butterfly pose stimulates and improves the blood circulation, relieves fatigue and has
therapeutic effect on asthma.

10. Poorvottanasana (Upward plank pose)

The Upward plank pose improves the respiratory system, stimulates the thyroid gland and
also strengthens wrists, arms, back and spine.

11. Shavasana (Corpse pose)

End your yoga practice by lying down for a few minutes in the Corpse pose. This pose brings
the body in a meditative state, rejuvenates you and also helps reduce anxiety and pressure. A
calm and relaxed body and mindset is of essence to tackle asthma.

A daily practice of these postures for 15 - 20 minutes will considerably reduce your chances
of an asthma attack and may even help you get rid of it. A few minutes spent meditating will
also enhance your experience and help calm your mind.