Research Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091 ROLE OF ‘YOGA’ AS RASAYANA IN VARIOUS TREATMENTS Ketki Prakash Adhav1, Kunal H Lahare2, Prakash R. Adhav3 1Lecturer-ASS AyurvedCollege,Nashik, Maharashtra, India 2Lecturer-SSAM &H Ayurved College,Nashik, Maharashtra, India 3Principle, HOD, 3Professor- SVNH Ayurved college, Rahuri, Maharashtra, ABSTRACT Rasayana is the most famous treatment in aging. Ayurveda also accepted in yoga as a vital Rasayana in the different disease management. This study explains conceptual role of yoga as Rasayana. The objective of this study is to give collective information of yoga references with its benefits. Books available on yoga & Ayurveda in different libraries as well as on internet were reviewed.Results of the study were presented under headings namely types of yoga, physical strength, mental health, improvements in illness, other changes in health. Discussions regarding references regarding yoga werediscussed with experts in Ayurveda&yoga.The findings of refer- ences are significantly useful for quick review to the physicians in different disease management. The practice of Yoga not only works the physical body by keeping it fit while strengthening and elongating the muscles, it also helps the nervous and circulatory systems by purifying and ba- lancing them. Key words: Yoga, Rasayana, treatment INTRODUCTION Rasayana is the most famous treat- So yoga not only helps in increasing ment in aging. Ayurveda also accepted Yoga physical, mental health of human being but as a vital Rasayana in the Antiagingma- it also increases all the eight bala(Power) nagement.1Those who are practicing Yoga in which further improves satvatat- their day to day life got some benefits. Yoga va(immunity) in humans.3 In the old age is also mentioned in Ayurvedic Classics for basically all the indriyakarma(body sys- that we have to search some references from tems) becomes kshin(Sluggish in function). Samhitas of those one well-known Samhita Yoga helps in improving the quality of life, in which Precious Yoga and its usefulness as ancient Rushimunies(Aacharya) were sur- mentioned is Charak Samhita.2 Rasayana is vived for years without food & they didn’t defined as it improvises basic body elements hampered the power of body [physical or such as ashtadhatu. It also increases lifespan mental]. by its antiaging property. It increases memo- This study includes such benefits of ry, improvises body texture, skin colour, yoga in Antiaging management which acts physical & mental health. similarly to the Rasayana medicine quoted in Ayurveda. Ketki Prakash Adhav Et & All :Role Of ‘Yoga’ As Rasayana In Various Treatments 2. Aim&Objective: &abd muscles. Relaxes mind, helpful in a. To collect all the references mentioned mind concentration. Helps in depressive, in all yoga & Ayurvedic classics. back & abdominal disorders. b. To explain the effectiveness of yoga in 5. Sarwangasan8- Helps in body growth, different disease management. increases immunity, keeps skin healthy, c. To give collective information on yoga improves metabolism Increases confi- as Rasayana to the physicians of modern dent. Helps in circulatory disorders of era. heart & brain, useful in IBS, headache, 4. Methodology: Material onyoga&its use abdominal painand constipation. in different disease management was re- 6. Halasan9- Strengthens spinal cord and viewed from Ayurvedic classics available in vertebral column. Helps in Constipation, different libraries like Hatha Yoga Pradipika metabolic & liver disorders. or Gherandha samhita or Shiva samhita 7. Shalabhasan10- Strengthens muscles of etc…and scientific papers published in jour- back & buttocks, reduces backache. nals. Helps in Metabolic disorders 5. Observation &Result:The review of lite- 8. Naukasan11- Reduces abdominal fat, rature gives following information.As asana Strengthens muscles of back & buttocks. are the easiest among all the yoga, we ex- Reduces backache, abdominal disorders. plained it in detail- Some papers were re- 9. Ardhamatsendrasan12- Strengthens mus- vived from pub med like Comparative im- cles of back & abdomen, improves liver mediate effect of different yoga asanas on & spleen function, intestinal motility. heart rate and blood pressure in healthy Reduces backache, abdominal disorders. young volunteers., Muscle utilization pat- 10. Pashchimottanasan13- Strengthens mus- terns vary by skill levels of the practitioners cles of back & abdomen, reduces abdo- across specific yoga poses (asanas) etc. minal fat. Reduces backache, abdominal 1. Swastikasan4- Strengthens ankle &knee disorders. joints, improvises their function. Keeps 11. Chakrasan14- Improves lungs function, mind calm. Helps in Abdominal disord- strengthens muscles of back & abdomen, ers. reduces abdominal fat. Helps in Tuber- 2. Vajrasan5- improvises circulation at culosis, reduces backache, abdominal abd& pelvis, increases movements of disorders. ankle, knee. Keeps mind calm. Helps in 12. Aakarnadhanurasan15- strengthens mus- Arthritis, Abdominal disorders cles of back & abdomen. Reduces low- 3. Padmasan6- Improvises metabolism backache, abdominal disorders. &excretion of body waste, maintains 13. Trikonasan16- Strengthens muscles of health, increases movements of ankle & back & legs, reduces abdominal & but- knee. Reduce mind hyperactivity, con- tocks fat. Reduces low-backache, calf trols emotions. Helps in depressive, muscle disorders, increases lung capaci- Arthritic, Abdominal disorders. ty. 4. Siddhasan7- Best asana, helpful in pra- 14. Yogmudra17- Strengthens muscles of nayama, dhyan (concentration), relaxes back & abdomen, reduces abdominal & body, strengthens vertebral column 1054 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 6; November- December - 2014 Ketki Prakash Adhav Et & All :Role Of ‘Yoga’ As Rasayana In Various Treatments buttocks fat. Reduces low-backache, ab- cancer, diabetes, asthma, AIDSand Irritable dominal disorders. Bowel Syndrome.21 Six shudhikriya like Dhouti (Danta- Restorative Yoga-Restorative yoga is often Dhauti, Hrud-Dhouti, Antar-Dhouti, Mu- associated with healing from diseases. Res- lashodhana), Basti(Jala&Shushka), Neti, torative yoga is yoga practiced in a very re- Nauli, Tratak, Kapalbhati, Pranaya- laxed state by using supports instead of ma,Kunmbhak(Suryabhedan, Ujjayi, Shita- muscular tension to maintain the pose li, Sitkari, Bhasrika, Bhramari, Murcha, alignments. Restorative poses help relieve Plavini), Panchadharana, Mudra(Pashini, the effects of chronic stress in several ways. Kaki, Matangini, Bhujangini, Shaktichali- Many references were seen in different re- ni, Tadagi, Manduki, Shambhvi, Ashwi- view articles on pub med like Effect ni,Nabho), Bandha(Mula, Jalandhar, Ud- of restorative yoga vs. stretching on diurnal diyaan, ViparitKarani,Nadanusandhanalso cortisol dynamics and psychosocial out- helps in different diseasemanagement.18 All comes in individuals with the metabolic of these should be done under supervision of syndrome: the PRYSMS randomized con- experts. trolled trial, Feasibility and acceptability DISCUSSION of restorative yoga for treatment of hot History-Yoga dates back to over 5,000 flushes: a pilot trial etc. years, and is a form of a spiritual practice in First, the uses of this provide a com- India.Yoga invokes= ideals of harmony, pletely supportive environment for total re- health and balance, it “fits” well in the envi- laxation. Second, each restorative sequence ronment of modernity. Yoga as exercise has is designed to move the spine in all direc- evolved into numerous subdivisions and var- tions. Third, a well-sequenced restorative iations. There is debate as to whether or not practice also includes an inverted pose, the term HathaYoga properly describes yoga which reverses the effects of gravity. Be- as exercise, since the traditional HathaYoga cause we stand or sit most of the day, blood system originated as, and still is, a spiritual and lymph fluid accumulate in the lower ex- path in its own right.19 tremities. By changing the relationship of Overview as alternative medicine-Yoga is the legs to gravity, fluids are returned to the believed to calm the nervous system and upper body and heart function is enhanced. balance the body, mind, and spirit. It is Fourth, restorative yoga alternately stimu- thought by its practitioners to prevent specif- lates and soothes the organs. With this ic diseases and maladies by keeping the movement of blood comes the enhanced ex- energy meridians (shatchakra) open and life change of oxygen and waste products across energy (Prana)flowing. Yoga is usually the cell membrane. It is presented in article practiced in classes that range from 60 to 90 on pub med named Stress, inflammation, minutes in length. Yoga has been used to and yoga practice. lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and im- Finally, yoga teaches that the body is prove coordination, flexibility, concentra- permeated with energy. Prana, the mascu- tion, sleep, and digestion.20 line energy, resides above the diaphragm, It has also been used as supplementa- moves upward, and controls respiration and ry therapy for such diverse conditions as heart rate. Apana, the feminine energy, re- 1055 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 6; November- December - 2014 Ketki Prakash Adhav Et & All :Role Of ‘Yoga’ As Rasayana In Various Treatments sides below the diaphragm, moves down- yields 25 clinical trials published in 2007, ward, and controls the function of the abdo- 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 relating to minal organs. Restorative yoga balances yoga and emotional