To study the efficacy of yoga in maintaining health and its effects on various systems of human body . "

AIM: To study the effects of yoga on various systems of Human Body. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of benefits of regular Yoga practice on various system of body. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is important for health care professionals to be informed about nature of Yoga and evidence of its many therapeutic effects. Yoga has been practiced in India since time immemorial. In ancient Indian medicinal system, Yoga practice is described as the link between an individual and universe. It is considered to be means for physical, mental and spiritual growth of an entity. With increasing research evidence. OBSERVATION: Yoga has been emerging as a powerful tool to achieve good state of health both at physical and mental levels. Yoga includes physical postures, regulated breathing (Pranayam), Meditation (Dhyan) and relaxation which is helpful in improving lifestyle and also in bringing down prevalence of medical emergencies like psychological, neurological and metabolic disorders. Moreover it helps people to remain happy and healthy even in stressful conditions. RESULTS: Results show that Yoga enhance strength and flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, improve digestive system, reproductive system, improve immunity, improve Sleep patterns, reduce stress, anxiety depression and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.

www.ayurlog.com E-ISSN: 2320-7329 Path of worshipsystematic method of engaging mind in practice of divine love. This attitude softens our emotions and tranquilizers our mind.

Gyana Yoga :
Path of philosophy, a systematic way of enlightening the mind about realities of life by contemplation.

Raja Yoga :
Path of psychic control, a systematic process of culturing mind. Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga complement each other and form a single approach towords liberation. (3) Yoga is a science as well as an art of healthy living. The physical exercise (Asanas) may increase physical flexibility co-ordination and strength while breathing practices (Pranayam) and meditation (Dhyan) may calm and focus the mind to develop greater awareness and diminish anxiety.4) Sustain practice also leads to important outcomes such as changes in life perspective, selfawareness and an improved sense of energy to live life fully and with genuine enjoyment.(5) AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To study functions of various human body systems.
2) To study the effect of yoga on various body systems.

OBSERVATION :
Effects of Yoga on various human body systems :

Cardiovascular System :
It is an organ system conceding of heart and blood vessels that permit blood to circulate and transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells to and from the cell in body to provide nourishment, stabilize temperature and pH and maintain homoeostasis.
-Yoga increase blood flow and levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells which allows for more oxygen to reach the body cells, enhancing their function. (6) -It also thins the blood which can decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke, as they are of often caused by blood clots.
-Many studies show Yoga lowers the resting heart rate and increase endurance and can improve the maximum uptake and utilization of oxygen during exercise. (7,8,9) -Yoga practices shown to improve cardiorespiratory performances, psychological prolife and plasma melatonin levels and also significantly reduced systolic BP diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure and orthostatic tolerance. (9) -Yoga based lifestyle modifications were also shown to aid in regression of coronary lesions as well as to improve myocardial perfusion inpatients with CAD. (

2.Respiratory System :
It is the organs and other parts of body involved in breathing, when you exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. It includes nose and nasal cavity sinuses, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, diaphragm, lungs, bronchial tubes, bronchioles, alveoli and capillaries. -Improvement of various parameters of lung function reported in healthy volunteers practicing Yoga. Patients with asthma described improvement in peak expiratory flow rate, medication use and asthma attack frequency. (11) -It is found that Yoga has been beneficial in patients having COPD. Yoga improves diffusion capacity. (12) -Yogasana involves an isometric contraction which help to increase the skeletal muscle strength or improves the strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscle. (13) Some of the important Yogasanas and breathing techniques useful in respiratory system -Kapalbhati : Helps in removal of secretions from bronchial tree and helps in clearing respiratory passages. (12) Nadi Shodhan Pranayam -Respiratory apparatus gets emptied and filled more completely and efficiently. This stretches elastin and collagen fibers of lung parenchyma and lungs inflated near to total lungs capacity. This is a major physiological stimulus for release of lung surfactant into alveolar spaces which increase lung compliance. (14) Purna Ushtra Asana, Sampurna Matsya Asana, Sarwangasana, Bala Asan, Sharabha Asana, Kukkriya Pranayam are helpful in breathing disorders.

Musculoskeletal System -
This system consists of bones, muscles and joints. It is designed for support locomotion and protection of internal organs.
-Numerous studies show that Asana, meditation or a combination of the two can reduce pain and disability while improving flexibility and functional mobility in people with a numbers of conditions causing chronic pain. (5,6,15,16) In some cases use of pain medication was reduced or eliminated completely.
-Yoga also shown to improve gait function and reduce age related changes in gait among group of healthy, non-obese elders. (17) -Yoga helps to build muscle mass or maintain muscle strength which protects from condition such as arthritis, osteoporosis and back pain. (5) -Some of the Yogasana which tones muscles, increase strength and flexibility, remove stiffness and pain.

Digestive System:
It is a series of hollow organs joined in a long twisting tube from mouth to anus. Inside the tube, there is mucus lining which helps for digestion by producing digestives juices. Intake of food, digestion, absorption and assimilation of food, water balance, elimination of wastes are functions of this systems.(18) -The complete elimination of waste product from the body is promoted by Yogasana which not only massage and activate internal muscles for peristaltic activity but also keep internal organ in their proper place in the abdominal cavity; preventing prolapse of stomach, intestine. (19) -Yoga increase digestive power, decrease bloating sensation in abdomen, relieves gastric troubles, relives constipation. -Kapalabhati can be useful in PCOS.

Endocrine System :
It is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood.
-Yoga is an alternative therapy for diabetes with not only physical but also psychological benefits. It improves blood glucose, lipid profiles and oxidative stress. Dandasana, helps proper blood supply to pituitary and pineal gland.

Nervous Systems :
It is a complete network of nerves and cells that carry message to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of body.
-Yoga practices inhibit the areas responsible for fear, aggressiveness and rage and stimulate the rewarding pleasure center in the median forebrain and other areas leading to a state of bliss and pleasure. This inhibition result in lower anxiety, HR, RR, BP, cardiac output. (5,7) -Most studies on Yoga offered some evidence that Yoga promotes a reduction in sympathetic activation, enhancement of cardio vagal functions and shift in ANS balance from primarily sympathetic to parasympathetic. (26) -Consistent Yoga practice improves depression and can lead to significant increase in serotonin levels coupled with decrease in levels of monamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitter and cortisol. (

Miscellaneous :
-While Yoga is not a cure for a cancer, nor definitive way of preventing it, Yoga increase physical, emotional and spiritual wellness and brings about a certain peace, of which many cancer patients desire. (26) -Regular practice of Yoga resulted in a significant decrease in time taken to fall asleep, an increase in total member of hours slept and in the feeling of being rested in the morning. (27) -Practicing Yoga and meditation as a means to manage and relieve both acute and chronic stress helps individual overcome other comorbidities associated with diseases and leads to increased quality of life.(28)

DISCUSSION :
Yoga offers an effective method of managing and reducing stress, anxiety, depression and numerous studies demonstrate the efficacy of Yoga on mood related disorders. Yoga a form of mind body exercise has become an increasingly widespread therapy used to maintain wellness and alleviate a range of health problems and ailments. It should be considered as a complementary therapy in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders as it created a greater sense of well-being, increase feelings of relaxation, improves self-confidence and body image, improve efficiency, better interpersonal relationships, increase attentiveness, lower irritability and encourage on optimistic outlook on life. While it is not surprising that physical fitness improved by Yoga or other exercise, it is of interest that in individuals with pain, Yoga may have beneficial effects with overall moderate effect seen strong in healthy persons and weaker in chronic pain conditions. When individual has position mind state healing happens more quickly whereas if mind state is negative, healing may be prolonged. Health care professionals, trainers, educators, need to be aware of potential of Yoga as an important part of a personal wellness plan. Although it may not result in complete elimination of disease from the body but is offers a holistic part of healing.