ICEH Papers

YOGA – A REMEDY TO RESPIRATORY ILLNESS


Krishnan, Dr.Sripriya “Yoga – A Remedy To Respiratory Illness” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 243 – 251.

Abstract:

Every human society, be it rural or urban, industrial or technologically advanced, is affected extremely by pollution of the air. Atmospheric pollution due to the increase in the concentration of gases other than oxygen in the air is responsible for various respiratory illnesses.

Breathing sustains life, but natural breathing brings health and happiness. It clears the mind and calms all the emotions and releases the vitalizing flow of energy within us. Many people with serious respiratory ailments have found a solution in Yoga. As the mind is calmed the hyper reactivity that causes diseases such as bronchial asthma and nasal allergy is reduced. Pranayama, an important aspect of Yoga, helps in strengthening the immune system, so chronic infections are less likely. Regular practice of Pranayama helps in improving the mechanical efficiency of our breathing and makes the most of our lung capacity.

Fable has it that the fish will be the last to discover that it can survive only in water. This discovery will be made too late, as the fish lies dying, having jumped out of the stream onto the dry earth. At times it would appear that man has made the same mistake about his physical environment, discovering its all embracing properties, only when it is almost too late to act upon that knowledge.

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