UNIT 4: RELATION OF YOGA WITH PHYSIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY

Transcription

1 UNIT 4: RELATION OF YOGA WITH PHYSIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY UNIT STRUCTURE 4.1 Learning Obectives 4.2 Introduction 4.3 Physiological Systems: The Skeletal System The Muscular System The Digestive System The Excretory System The Respiratory System The Circulatory System The Endocrine Gland System The Nervous System The Lymphatic System The Reproductive system 4.4 The Effects of Yogic Practices on Physiological System The Effects of Asanas The Effects of Pranayama The Effects of Meditation The Effects of Sat-karmas 4.5 Role of Yoga in Psychological Preparation of Children : Mental Well Being, Anxiety and Depression Control 4.6 Let us Sum up 4.7 Further Reading 4.8 Answer to Check Your Progress 4.9 Model Questions 4.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After going through this unit, you will be able to describe the physiological system of human body 49

2 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology explain the effects of yogic practices on physiological system discuss the role of yoga in psychological preparation of children describe the role of yoga in maintaining mental well being and controlling anxiety and depression 4.2 INTRODUCTION In the previous unit we have learnt the concept of yama, niyama and asanas. We have also highlighted the parts and varieties of pranayama and it s effects. We got information with regard to pratyahara and also learnt about dharana, dhyana and samadhi, types of samadhi and effects of dharana-dhyana-samadhi. In this unit, you will learn about physiological system. Here, we shall highlight on various systems of the human body. We shall also touch upon the important issues related to the effects of yogic practices on physiological system. 4.3 PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS The body and mind are the two vehicles in the journey of our life and we can arrive at our goal safely and successfully only when these two vehicles are in good order. The body and mind are inter- dependent on each other as one s well-being depends on the other s well-being. So, it is necessary to take care of both- the body and the mind simultaneously. To keep them healthy, one must know their structure and functioning as well. Yoga has great role to play in developing physical and mental health. The human body is a very complex structure, that constitutes a number of complex system, viz., the Skeletal system, the Muscular system, the Digestive system, the Excretory system, the Respiratory system, the Circulatory system, the Endocrine Gland system, the Nervous system, Lymphatic system and the Reproductive system The Skeletal System The Skeletal System is the bony structure, consisting of 206 numbers of bones of different shapes and sizes, which is kept erect 50

3 and movable by different joints, tendons and ligaments. The skeleton is divided into three parts- The Skull consisting of cranium and facial skeleton; The Trunk consisting of the vertebral column, ribs, sternum pelvis bone The Appendages or Extremities consisting of the upper limbs and lower limbs. Functions: 1. The skeleton provides a framework for the body with shape and size; 2. Working with the skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints it helps movement of the body; 3. The Skull protects the brain, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord, the thoracic cage protects the lungs and heart and the Pelvic girdle protects the sex organs; 4. The bone-marrows produce blood cells, store minerals like calcium and phosphorus and control acid-alkali balance. The yellow bone-marrows of long bones store fat and serve as energy reservoir The Muscular System The Muscular System consists of some 650 muscles, out of which some are smooth and some striated in accordance with their shape, some are voluntary and some involuntary, in accordance with their nature. In accordance with their position, the muscles are divided into three types Skeletal, Visceral and Cardiac muscles. The muscles, because of the contractible character, provide force for movements of the body parts and blood circulation, give stability and posture to the body, producing heat to keep the body warm, and helping in digestion. 51

4 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology The Digestive System The Digestive System consists of the mouth, alimentary canal, stomach, small intestine and the large intestine or the colon. The teeth present in our mouth helps to masticate (i.e. chew and break) the food particles. The three salivary glands, present in the mouth, secreates an enzyme called ptyalin (or salivary amylase) which breaks sugar and cooked starch thereby helping in swelling the masticated food. The stomach which secretes hydrochloric acid and pepsin helps to kill the harmful particles present in the food. Thereafter, the food is digested in the small intestine with the help of bile which is supplied by the liver and enzymes such as lipase and amylase supplied by the pancreas. Finally, all the digested nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls and the remaining waste materials are expelled out from the body through the colon The Excretory System or the Urinary System The Excretory system or the urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one urinary bladder and one urethra. The waste materials like urea, uric acid, creatinine etc. are produced due to metabolic activities in the cells, and are carried by the blood stream to the kidneys. The kidneys distil the polluted blood, sending out the waste materials with the excess water in the form of urine through urethra. The functions of the kidneys are: i) regulation of water balance, ii) regulation of salt concentration in the blood, iii) regulation of acid base balance of the blood iv) excretion of waste products including excess of salt. The two kidneys keep the blood purified. 52

5 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Q 1: Fill in the gaps: i) The Muscular System consists of some... muscles. ii) The muscles is of the... character. iii) The three salivary glands secretes an enzyme called... breaks sugar and cooked starch thereby helping in swallowing the food. iv) The waste materials are produced due to metabolic activities in the cells, and are carried by the blood stream to the... v) The two... keep the blood purified The Respiratory System The Respiratory System consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli, alveolar sacs, pulmonary alveoli and the two lungs. The respiratory canal starting with the two nasal passages transport the air between the external environment and the lungs. In the lungs, there is an exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Out of the oxygen contained in the incoming air, 4.94% is carried by the arteries from the lungs to the cells in the form of fuel to run the machineries working inside them, for production of energy. The veins carry carbon dioxide, the waste product after metabolism, from the cells to the lungs wherefrom the respiratory canal breaths out the carbon dioxide to the external atmosphere The Circulatory System The Circulatory System transports the nutrients (such as amino acids, electrolytes etc), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells, to and from the cells in the body to provide nourishment, to help in fighting disease, stabilise both temperature 53

6 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology and PH (alkali-acid base), maintain homeostasis and to keep the internal body clean. The essential components of the circulatory system are - 1. The Heart is a muscular organ which pumps blood to the whole body, 2. The Blood vessels, which are further divided into i) Arteries- The Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the cells (Aorta, Arteries, Arterioles and Capillaries) ii) Veins- which carry waste material i.e., Co 2 from the cells to the heart (Vena Cava- superior and inferior, Veins and Capillaries) 3) Blood 4) Blood Cells protects the interior of the body from the attack of alien like germs, bacteria, virus or fungi by fighting with them, eating them up and by creating anti-body to create immunity and shield the human body from any disease The Endocrine System The Endocrine System consists of a number of glands that releases substances, called hormones. The system regulates the metabolic functions of the body. Hormones, secreted by different glands control growth, development, behaviour, reproduction and functions of our body. The endocrine glands are: 1. The Pineal Gland- located at the middle of brain 2. The Pituitary - located at the base of the brain. 3. The Thyroid- located below the larynx at the neck 4. The Parathyroid- at the back of thyroid, 5. The Thymus- at the chest 6. The Adrenal at the top of the kidneys 7. The Sex gland (Testes and ovaries)- at the pelvic cavity 8. The Pancreas behind the stomach 54

7 4.3.8 The Nervous System The Nervous System consists of the Brain, the Spinal Cord and the Nerves, is the master system which controls the functioning of all other body systems. The system regularly receives information from the outer and the inner environments and from various parts of the body, records and analyses them and sends out messages and orders to the parts of the body to perform certain functions. The Nervous System may broadly be divided into three systems (i) The Central Nervous System (CNS), (ii) the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and (iii) the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The Central Nervous System, also called Cerebro-Spinal system constitutes the i) Brain ii) the Medulla Oblongata (brain stem) and iii) the Spinal Cord. The brain is the most important organ of the nervous system as a whole, where all the controlling centres are located. The Peripheral Nervous System consists of 43 pairs of nerves 12 pairs of cranial nerves connected with the Brain and 31 pairs of spinal nerves connected with the spinal cord. The peripheral nerves are of two categories, one is sensory or afferent nerves, which carry information from the body parts to the brain and the other is motor or efferent nerves, which carry orders or messages from the brain to the organs of the body. The Autonomic Nervous System, also called Visceral Nervous system, communication among the visceral organs, like heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestine etc and controls their activities by sending orders or messages The Lymphatic System The Lymphatic System constitutes the Lymph, Lymphatic Vessels, Lymphatic Ducts and Lymphatic Glands or Nodes. The Lymphatic System is a system that helps the body get rid of the 55

8 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology toxins, wastes and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection fighting white blood corpuscles, called lymphocytes, throughout the body. The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ, which controls the amount of red blood corpuscles and blood storage in the body and helps to fight infection The Reproductive System The Reproductive system is constituted by the external and internal sex organs of males and females that work together for the purpose of procreation. Male Reproductive organs are - Testes, Scrotum, Vasdeferens, Prostate gland, Urethra and Penis. Female Reproductive organs are - Two Ovaries, Fallopian Tube, Uterus and Vagina or Birth Canal. CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Q 2: Fill up the gaps: i) The... is the largest lymphatic organ. ii), secreted by different glands control growth, development, behaviour, reproduction and functions of our body. Q 3: What are the essential components of the circulatory system?... Q 4: What are Endocrine Gland? THE EFFECTS OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEM The yogic practices like the Asanas, Pranayamas, Sat-karmas (the six practices for internal purification), and Meditation effect the body systems individually as well as collectively. 56

9 4.4.1 The Effects of Asanas There are three types of Asanas Meditative, Cultural and Relaxative. During Meditative Asanas (Dhyanasanas) the practitioner sits on a particular posture with the spine and head erect, relaxing all the muscles, keeping the hands on the knees in Jnana Mudra. Due to the erect posture of the body, the organs like the heart and lungs in the chest cavity, stomach, intestine, liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen in the abdominal cavity, the sex organs in the pelvic cavity, become free from pressure and are able to work freely, through the free flow of blood to these areas. As a result, they become healthy and strong. In the Cultural Asanas, the spine is bent forward, backward, sideward and twisted. Thereby, the vertebral column becomes flexible. Flexibility removes the difficulty of movement in the body. The body is rejuvenated due to the circulation of sufficient amount of fresh blood to the various parts of the body and thus becomes filled with freshness and vitality. In the Relaxative Asanas the muscles of the body and the mind are relaxed, and thus all the internal organs of the body as well as the mind get rest. Awareness is the first principle to be observed in practicing yoga. Thus, the practice of Asana increases awareness, stability and endurance The Effects of Pranayama Pranayamas are breathing techniques whereby the prana, the vital energy, is controlled and extended. Oxygen that goes inside our body through breathing is used in the cells of our body for metabolic activities and production of energy. Respiration is a natural process. It is involuntary. In our usual respiration only one third of our lungs is filled up. Pranayama is voluntary; it is a special type of 57

10 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology breathing where it tries to fill up the entire lungs. Thereby, more oxygen enters into the lungs which means the cells receive more oxygen for their use and are able to produce more energy. Due to the uses of all the three lobes in pranayama, they become active and energised. As a result, the vital index goes up and the body of the practitioner becomes full of vitality with strength, agility, cheerfulness and enthusiasm The Effects of Meditation Meditation is keeping the mind fixed on an object or thought for a long period. In meditation, all distractions, stress and anxiety are removed from the mind. When the mind becomes stress-free, the frequency of the brain waves gradually slows down and comes to the minimum possible frequency. At such a stage, the analytical power increases clarity comes to the mind, memory increases and the latent talents start unfolding. In mediation, the entire mind-body complex is relaxed. As a result, metabolic activities comes to the minimum; hence all the parts of the body get rest. The entire body is rejuvenated with energy and freshness The Effects of Sat-karmas The Sat-karmas or the six means of purification helps to keep the internal body clean by removing the residual waste materials from the body. The internal organs, free from accumulated waste materials, are enabled to function efficiently and thus they becomes free from diseases. Sat-karmas not only improve the physical health of the practitioner, but also prepare the body towards practicing various types of higher yogic practices. 58

11 Childhood is the period of growth physical, as well as, psychological. At this stage, children are required to be provided with congenial environment and facilities for their all-round development at home and school alike. But, unfortunately, in the present-day world, where most of the people are too caught up in fulfilling their worldly desires in a world that has progressed through modern science and technology, the children are getting overburdened due to mental pressure from different sources. On the one hand, they are facing numerous expectations and constant stimulations through the internet and other media, and on the other hand, they are highly pressurised by their parents, guardians, teachers and the psychological environment prevailing around them in the society, to excel in the examinations and competitions, and, many a times, to study courses and subjects which are not of their choice. They suffer from anxiety and depression, behavioural disorders like aggressiveness (bullying), deviant attitudes, problems with attention and self-regulation, insomnia, obesity, drugabuse, lack of school motivation etc. In order to cope with all these psychological problems which challenge the mental health of the children, they need to be provided with such tools that will take them inward to their own selves and make them listen to their feelings and ideas, deep inside their minds, making their minds calm and composed. Here comes the effectiveness of yogic practices. Yoga provides such training to the body and mind which brings, not only balances the functioning of the human internal organs, but also helps to maintain emotional balance in the mind. Yoga has tools to take the practitioner deep inside his body and mind and listen quietly to the inner self and thereby enjoy peace and tranquility, and also to make him free from all stress and tension, anxiety and depression, fear and negative feelings. The tools of yoga used for the above purposes are: 1. The five Yamas and five Niyamas, the sincere practice of which 59

12 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology develops the power to control all kinds of emotions which create tension, anxiety and depression. 2. Asanas, the regular practice of which not only improves general health of the body, but also helps in changing mental attitude by regulating hormone secretion by the endocrine glands. 3. Pranayamas, where breath is controlled. Breath control leads to the control of Prana, the vital energy. There is a direct connection between Prana and the mind. So, by practising Pranayama it is easy to gain control over the mind. A controlled mind can effectively control the emotions, like worries and anxieties, depression and negative feelings. 4. Pratyahara takes away the mind and the senses away from the outside world and confines them to the internal world. As a result of Pratyahara, the worldly needs and desires are unable to disturb the mind. 5. Meditation takes the practitioner into more and more deeper levels of consciousness, leading to Super-conscious(Turiya) state where the practitioner arrives the vision of Reality, which is Existence-Knowledge- Bliss Absolute. After this realisation through meditation, the practitioner learns how to remain unmoved by the problems he faces in his journey of life. Much scientific experiments have been conducted in India and abroad, in order to test the efficacy of yoga in combating the mental challenges faced by the children, aged The experiments have established that regular practice of yoga enables children and youths to cope with stress and tension, anxiety and depression thereby improving resilience, mood and self regulation skill, pertaining to emotion and stress. Yoga is a powerful medium for developing personality of the children and youths and to make them capable of facing challenges and problems that they may fall in their lives from time to time. The practice of yoga, particularly Astanga yoga are: 1) Improves concentration and memory power & analytical capacity 2) Increases mental strength, self confidence or self regulating capacity, remove mental stress, anxiety and depression 3) Brings emotional balance and bring in the feeling of well being. 60

13 4.6 LET US SUM UP The Skeletal System is the bony structure, consisting of 206 numbers of bones, which is kept erect and movable by different joints, tendons and ligaments. The skeleton is divided into three parts, they are skull, trunk and the appendages or extremities. The Muscular System consists of some 650 muscles, out of which some are smooth and some striated, some are voluntary and some involuntary. The muscles are divided into three types Skeletal, Visceral and Cardiac muscles. The Digestive System consists of the mouth, alimentary canal, stomach, small intestine and the large intestine or the colon. The Excretory system or the urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one urinary bladder and one urethra. The Respiratory System is consist of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli, alveolar sacs, pulmonary alveoli and the two lungs. The essential components of the circulatory system are - the heart, the blood vessels, blood and blood cells. The endocrine glands are: the Pineal Gland, the Pituitary, the Thyroid, the Parathyroid, the Thymus, the Adrenal, the Sex gland and the Pancreas. The Nervous System may broadly be divided into three systems (i) the Central Nervous System (ii) the Peripheral Nervous System and (iii) the Autonomic Nervous System. The Lymphatic System is a system that helps the body to get rid of the toxins, wastes and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white-blood- corpuscles, called lymphocytes, throughout the body. The Reproductive system constituted of the external and internal sex organs of males and females that work together for the purpose of 61

14 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology procreation. Awareness is the first principle to be observed in practising yoga. Thus the practice of Asana increases awareness, stability and endurance. Pranayamas are breathing techniques whereby the prana, the vital energy is controlled and extended. Yoga provides such training to the body and the mind which brings, not only balances the functioning of the human internal organs, but also helps to maintain emotional balance in the mind. 4.7 FURTHER READING 1) Chatterjee, C. C., (1987). Human Physiology, 2 Vols. Calcutta : Medical Allied Agency. 2) Gyuton, Ar thur, ( 1986). Textbook of Medical Physiology, Phaladelphia : W. B. Saunders. 3) Pearce, Evelyn, (1978). Anatomy and Physiology for the Nurses. Calcutta : Oxford University Press, 4) Phukan, B. N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay (Chapters VI and X). North Lakhimpur, Assam : Dr. Jogada Phukan 4.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Ans to Q No 1: i) 650 ii) Contractible iii) Ptylin iv) Kidneys v) Kidneys Ans to Q No 2: i) Spleen ii) Hormone Ans to Q No 3: The components of the circulatory system are- The Heart, The Blood vessels i) Arteries ii) Veins, Blood and Blood Cells 62

15 Ans to Q No 4: Endocrine glands are: I. The Pineal Gland II. The Pituitary III. The Thyroid IV. The Parathyroid V. The Thymus VI. The Adrenal VII. The Sex gland VIII. The Pancreas 4.9 MODEL QUESTIONS A. Very Short Questions Q 1: Mention the different parts of the Skeleton System. Q 2: What are the types of muscles? Q 3: What are the different parts of Respiratory System? Q 4: What do you mean by blood cells? B. Short Questions (Answer in about 150 words) Q 1: Write a short note on Excretory System. Q 2: Write about the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System. Q 3: Write a short note on Lymphatic System. Q 4: What are the effects of meditation? C. Long Questions (Answer in about words) Q 1: Give a description of the physiological systems of the human body. Q 2: Discuss the effects of yogic practice on human physiology. Q 3: Explain the role played by yoga in controlling emotions like anxiety and depression and bringing mental wellbeing among the children. *** ***** *** 63

16 Unit 5 Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology REFERENCES Bapat, Sudhir, (1981). A Scientific Approach to Yoga. Delhi : Ravi. Dvivedi, M. N. (Ed.and Tr.), 1934, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Adyar, Madras : Theosophical Publishing House. Feuerstein, George, (2002).The Yoga Tradition. Delhi : Motilal Baanershidas. Phukan, B.N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay. North Lakhimpur : Dr. Jogada Phukan, Singh, Pancham (Ed.), (1975). The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. N.D. : Oriental Book Reprint Corporation, Shastri, Pandit, A. Mahadev (ed), (1983). The Yoga Upanishads. Madras: The Adyar Library and Research Centre. Taimini, I. K., (1979). The Science of Yoga. Adyar, Madras : The Theosophical Publishing House. Vasu, Srisa Chandra (Ed), (1975). The Gheranda Samhita. N.D. : Oriental Book Reprint Corporation. Worthington, Vivian, (1982). A History of Yoga. London : Routledge and Kegen Paul. Yogeswar, (1981). Textbook of Yoga. Madras : Yoga Centre. Yogeswarananda, Swami, (1970). First Steps to Higher Yoga. Gangotri : Yoga Niketan Trust. National Policy on Education, 1983, Ministry of H.R.D., Govt. of India, New Delhi. National Curriculum Framework, 2005 Syllabus on Health and Physical Education for Class Secondary and Senior Secondary Classes. Chatterjee, C. C., (1987). Human Physiology, 2 Vols. Calcutta : Medical Allied Agency. 64

17 Gyuton, Arthur, (1986). Textbook of Medical Physiology. Phaladelphia : W. B. Saunders. Pearce, Evelyn, (1978). Anatomy and Physiology for the Nurses. Calcutta : Oxford University Press. Phukan, B. N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay (Chapters VI and X). North Lakhimpur, Assam : Dr. Jogada Phukan. 65