Benefits of Joint Exercise in the Practice of Classical Yoga- Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers- Journal of Complementary Medicine
Yoga, which refers to the union of the body and mind,
is a science of right living. This meditative movement has become
prominent as therapy in the science of complementary and alternative
medicine. While maintaining its underlying principles, the number of
variations and styles in yoga have mushroomed over the last two decades.
Unlike many other types of sports, yoga works on the
physical, mental, emotional and psychic planes. This explains why the
entire body must be mentally and physically prepared before one indulges
in any type of asana (posture) be it a beginner or advanced posture. It
is imperative for one to also understand that yoga is not a form of
exercise but merely a system which involves subtle processes to help
manipulate the energy within the biological system.
Therefore, in a classical yoga session, the
preparation of the body and mind begins with the joint exercise or
simply known as the Pawanmuktasana series in Sanskrit. This series
consists of extremely non-challenging postures, but they should be done
with awareness due to its innate characteristics. Each and every
movement made by the body influences the energy flow throughout the
entire anatomy. It is so crucial that the Pawanmuktasana series be done
prior to any other challenging postures. Unknown to many modern day yoga
practitioners, this series of asanas is so useful as it opens all the
major joints and relaxes the muscles of the body [1]. The beauty about
this series is that it can be practiced by anyone, young or old,
beginner or advanced.
From the etymological point of view, the word -
pawanmuktasana denotes three aspects which are pawana, mukta and asana.
While pawana refers to wind or vital breath, mukta and asana refer to
the release and the pose respectively. Simply put, the Pawanmuktasana
series or the joint exercise connotes
the freeing of wind through a series of asanas. The freeing of the wind
helps eliminate blockages which may obstruct the free flow of energy in
the entire body and mind. Swami Satyananda Saraswati from the Bihar
School of Yoga classified this series of asanas into three distinct
groups namely anti-rheumatic, digestive or abdominal, and shakti bandha
(energy locks) [2]. While the anti-rheumatic group of asanas help loosen
the joints of the body, the digestive and shakti bandha groups of
asanas help strengthen the digestive system and improve the energy flow
within the body respectively. The profound benefits of the
Pawanmuktasana series are discussed in detail in the following
paragraphs.
Firstly, the effect of the pawanmuktasana series is
seen in the synovial fluid. Found in the joints such as the knees, hips,
and elbows, this fluid together with the hyaline cartilage, allows
smooth painless movements of the bones. However, this fluid is not found
in between the discs in the vertebrae, neither is it found in the
sacroiliac joints in the back of the pelvis [1]. This explains why
movements in these joints are more restricted compared to the others.
The practice of the pawanmuktasana series, which are coordinated with
breath, help promote the flow of the synovial fluid to the joints making
them supple.
The pawanmuktasana series also helps in strengthening
the joint-supporting muscles. In fact, it prepares the body for higher
level asanas. If performed correctly, the series is of utmost importance
in promoting flexibility in the joints and removing hardness of the
muscles [3]. Yoga practitioners should not forego this series as the
subtle effect of this extremely easy practice brings about positive
effects to the entire body and mind.
Last but not least, the pawanmuktasana series is also
employed as a tool in yogic management of various disorders [2]. The
naïve and the ignorant suffering from modern-day illnesses which are
psychosomatic in nature, tend to be lured into drugs
for treatment. While some drugs may provide immediate relief,
it may be wise to note that drug treatment of many illnesses is
symptomatic. This simply implies that the root of the disease is
most of the time not addressed. That is the reason why many
patients keep going back to the hospital for more and more
medication. Swami Satyananda Saraswati has reported that the
practice of the pawanmuktasana series has a positive impact
on a range of disorders from arthritis to heart ailments to even
hypertension [2]. This series, if performed mindfully, not only
relaxes the muscles of the body, but also the impulses that travel
back to the brain. By synchronizing the movement of the asanas
with breath, the attentive faculty of the mind is made active
and is not allowed to wander. The autonomic nerves will be
normalized, and the hormonal functions and activities of internal
organs will be regulated [2]. These findings concur with that of
Motoyama [4], who advocated that the pawanmuktasana series
be performed before any other asanas as they are preparatory
work for the awakening the chakras, the energy points. He
purported that the distribution of prana, which is the life force,
and heat is enhanced as a result of the joint exercise.
In summary, it is strongly recommended that a yoga class
or session begin with the pawanmuktasana series. It has been
established that consistent practice of the three groups of asanas
in this series over a duration of a couple of months will bring
about not only profound relaxation, but also toning of the entire
psycho-physiological structure [2]. While working through these
joint movements, one should be mindful of each and every asana
performed. Performing the asanas quickly without awareness
may be futile or it may bring about more harm than good. The
crucial aspect here is to move with the breath and to breathe
with awareness.
For more article Please click on https://juniperpublishers.com/jcmah/index.php
For more Open accee journals Please click on https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php
Yoga, which refers to the union of the body and mind,
is a science of right living. This meditative movement has become
prominent as therapy in the science of complementary and alternative
medicine. While maintaining its underlying principles, the number of
variations and styles in yoga have mushroomed over the last two decades.
Unlike many other types of sports, yoga works on the
physical, mental, emotional and psychic planes. This explains why the
entire body must be mentally and physically prepared before one indulges
in any type of asana (posture) be it a beginner or advanced posture. It
is imperative for one to also understand that yoga is not a form of
exercise but merely a system which involves subtle processes to help
manipulate the energy within the biological system.
Therefore, in a classical yoga session, the
preparation of the body and mind begins with the joint exercise or
simply known as the Pawanmuktasana series in Sanskrit. This series
consists of extremely non-challenging postures, but they should be done
with awareness due to its innate characteristics. Each and every
movement made by the body influences the energy flow throughout the
entire anatomy. It is so crucial that the Pawanmuktasana series be done
prior to any other challenging postures. Unknown to many modern day yoga
practitioners, this series of asanas is so useful as it opens all the
major joints and relaxes the muscles of the body [1]. The beauty about
this series is that it can be practiced by anyone, young or old,
beginner or advanced.
From the etymological point of view, the word -
pawanmuktasana denotes three aspects which are pawana, mukta and asana.
While pawana refers to wind or vital breath, mukta and asana refer to
the release and the pose respectively. Simply put, the Pawanmuktasana
series or the joint exercise connotes
the freeing of wind through a series of asanas. The freeing of the wind
helps eliminate blockages which may obstruct the free flow of energy in
the entire body and mind. Swami Satyananda Saraswati from the Bihar
School of Yoga classified this series of asanas into three distinct
groups namely anti-rheumatic, digestive or abdominal, and shakti bandha
(energy locks) [2]. While the anti-rheumatic group of asanas help loosen
the joints of the body, the digestive and shakti bandha groups of
asanas help strengthen the digestive system and improve the energy flow
within the body respectively. The profound benefits of the
Pawanmuktasana series are discussed in detail in the following
paragraphs.
Firstly, the effect of the pawanmuktasana series is
seen in the synovial fluid. Found in the joints such as the knees, hips,
and elbows, this fluid together with the hyaline cartilage, allows
smooth painless movements of the bones. However, this fluid is not found
in between the discs in the vertebrae, neither is it found in the
sacroiliac joints in the back of the pelvis [1]. This explains why
movements in these joints are more restricted compared to the others.
The practice of the pawanmuktasana series, which are coordinated with
breath, help promote the flow of the synovial fluid to the joints making
them supple.
The pawanmuktasana series also helps in strengthening
the joint-supporting muscles. In fact, it prepares the body for higher
level asanas. If performed correctly, the series is of utmost importance
in promoting flexibility in the joints and removing hardness of the
muscles [3]. Yoga practitioners should not forego this series as the
subtle effect of this extremely easy practice brings about positive
effects to the entire body and mind.
Last but not least, the pawanmuktasana series is also
employed as a tool in yogic management of various disorders [2]. The
naïve and the ignorant suffering from modern-day illnesses which are
psychosomatic in nature, tend to be lured into drugs
for treatment. While some drugs may provide immediate relief,
it may be wise to note that drug treatment of many illnesses is
symptomatic. This simply implies that the root of the disease is
most of the time not addressed. That is the reason why many
patients keep going back to the hospital for more and more
medication. Swami Satyananda Saraswati has reported that the
practice of the pawanmuktasana series has a positive impact
on a range of disorders from arthritis to heart ailments to even
hypertension [2]. This series, if performed mindfully, not only
relaxes the muscles of the body, but also the impulses that travel
back to the brain. By synchronizing the movement of the asanas
with breath, the attentive faculty of the mind is made active
and is not allowed to wander. The autonomic nerves will be
normalized, and the hormonal functions and activities of internal
organs will be regulated [2]. These findings concur with that of
Motoyama [4], who advocated that the pawanmuktasana series
be performed before any other asanas as they are preparatory
work for the awakening the chakras, the energy points. He
purported that the distribution of prana, which is the life force,
and heat is enhanced as a result of the joint exercise.
In summary, it is strongly recommended that a yoga class
or session begin with the pawanmuktasana series. It has been
established that consistent practice of the three groups of asanas
in this series over a duration of a couple of months will bring
about not only profound relaxation, but also toning of the entire
psycho-physiological structure [2]. While working through these
joint movements, one should be mindful of each and every asana
performed. Performing the asanas quickly without awareness
may be futile or it may bring about more harm than good. The
crucial aspect here is to move with the breath and to breathe
with awareness.
For more article Please click on https://juniperpublishers.com/jcmah/index.php
For more Open accee journals Please click on https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php
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