Well-being & Yoga

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO, 1948). This is very forward looking and more apt definition by WHO, and is strikingly different from traditional understanding of health,as absence of illness or disease ,that may be measured under clinical diagnostic conditions. WHO definition links health with well-being  at physical, psychological as well as at social-connect levels. 

           This contemporary definition provided by WHO is overwhelmingly  in tune with understanding about well-being derived from ancient Indian sacred  Vedic texts  and Yogic texts. As per Upanishads , everybody is a grand collection of being residing in five sheaths namely physical, pranic (breath), psychological (emotional), knowledge and Bliss sheaths, called Pancha Kosha Viveka (पंचकोश विवेक).  Any imbalance in one sheath has effect on the other sheath and impacts wellbeing of  the person. If  we refrain ourselves in  not going to deeper understanding about the imbalance at each sheath ( as it  leads to a multi year long spiritual journey), but limit ourselves in putting efforts to minimize the this imbalance at physical and psychological level, then we can proudly say that we are on the path of enhanced well-being and health. 

                        The word Yoga resonates with many of us, as a combination of physical exercises and breath practices and sometimes includes mindfulness routines. In last few decades, yoga has penetrated immensely in western culture and  western medicine ( as a prescription) due to enormous benefits offered especially for Non Communicable Disorders (NCD) like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Yoga based routines offer perfect care as adjunctive medicine for many of NCD diseases , when practiced under careful supervision. 

                            Health has  become the subject of paramount importance not only for old people but also for children, adolescents, young and middle aged people alike , due to  ever demanding , resource crunching lives we are in , with future looking more bleaker.  Dr. Srinivas is passionate about learning more about yoga based science as well as to spread the message of yoga for the welfare of one and all ( सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः) | . On the side bar of this page, one can navigate through Yoga  based awareness sessions as well as practice sessions conducted by him.