Yogic Concept of Health

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The classical Indian texts state that health is the only tool for achieving the four basic objectives of life, namely, dharma, artha, kama and Moksha. Even though the body is of a perishable nature, total health leads to a blissful life and helps to free a person from the miseries of the cycle of life and death.

The Definitions of Health:

• World Health Organization (WHO) outlines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity." There are three closely interrelated dimensions of health: physical, mental and social. A fourth dimension, spiritual health, has also been suggested.

• The biomedical approach explains health as "an absence of disease and disease as a deviation from the biomedical norm". This concept considers the human body as a machine, and ill-health as a consequence of the breakdown of this machine.

• The ecological approach views health as a "harmonious equilibrium between humans and their environment, and disease as a maladjustment of the human organism to the environment."

• The holistic approach analyses health as a "multidimensional process involving the well-being of the whole person in the context of his environment." This view represents the ancient, where health implies a sound mind, in a sound body, in a sound family and in a sound environment.

• The ayurvedic approach includes the views of several ancient sages who took a special interest in defining health, and based their regiments on these definitions.
  • Acharya Sushruta (the first surgeon of the world) describes health as "a state of equilibrium or harmony among the doshas, agnis, dhatus, and malas, and between their actions that lead to the establishment of propitiation of the self, mind, organs or body.
  • Acharya Charaka (the father of ayurveda) explains health as "the absence of disease leading to the attainment of equilibrium in dhatus."
  • Acharya Vagbhata states that health is "a state of equilibrium of the doshas whereas disease is the deranged state of this equilibrium among the doshas."

• The naturopathic approach conceptualizes health as "a natural state of body and mind which is free from toxins and waste materials."

Most of these definitions link health to the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of a person.

The Determinants of Health:

• Human biology: the state of health partially depends on the genetic constitution of the body and biological factors
• Environment: health is determined by the coordination of the internal environment or microcosm (i.e. bodily organs within) with the external environment or macrocosm
• Way of living: health is deeply related to lifestyle, which includes food, sleep, sex, personal hygiene, habits and behavior
• Socio-economic status: health is also intimately related to poverty, affluence and other socio-economic conditions
• Health services: health is specifically determined by the quality of the healthcare systems that have been adopted, for example, immunization, primary healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition

Prescribed Health:

Health is not a passive interplay between the body's substances and the forces conditioning them, but an active response of the body's forces working towards adjustment. Alternative health sciences, like yoga therapy and ayurveda actually prescribe health with certain procedures. Ayurveda advises three basic regimens for maintaining good health.

They are:

• Dina Charya: the adherence to a proper regimen and daily routine
• Ritu Charya: a dietary regimen adopted according to the season
• Sadvrittas: ethical thought and action

The hatha yoga texts prescribe health using a variation of kriyas, asana, pranayama, bandhas, mudras and meditation.

Patanjali prescribes health with the eight limbs of yoga:

Yama-niyama-asana-pranayama-pratyahara-dharana-dhyana-samadhayostavangani |

In addition, the classical texts of ayurveda recommend the right intake of food, correct sleep and proper behavior:

Nityam hitahara vihara sevi samiksakari visayesva saktah |
Data samah styaparah kshamavanapto sevi tra bhavatya rogah ||

Meaning: The person who follows a proper diet and indulges in sound activities, who acts after proper thinking, who is not obsessed with anything, who is generous, balanced in thinking, truthful, patient and follows the sayings of great men does not become ill.

The Importance of Health:

Health is dynamic in nature, it is a biologically normal state according to the place, age, sex, community and individual. Therefore, health standards obviously differ from country to country and according to culture, age-group etc. Health is a state of relative equilibrium of body form and function that results in successful, dynamic adjustment to the forces that disturb it. Stability among the philosophical, cultural, socio-economical, environmental, educational and nutritional dimensions determines the nature of health. Health is a gem that shines and will continue to shine through the ages.