Health Hygiene and Yoga

Need for education on yoga including asanas and pranayama at the higher education level has been felt since long. During their busy schedule of lectures, laboratory classes, assignments, tests, projects, and term papers students tend to neglect their health and hygiene. This not only affects their health and wellbeing but also the quality of their academic performance.

Though many classic texts on Yoga are available but these usually attract a person well versed in the discipline. A lucid book on Yoga for beginners as a text book for higher education classes is needed. Also, there is need for a text which also addresses the overall health and hygiene in students.

The book entitled 'Health, Hygiene and Yoga', meets these requirements effectively. The book is based on the curriculum for course with the same title for the first year students of undergraduate degree in engineering and technology.

Dr. Manju Shukla (b. 29th Dec. 1964) at Khairagarh (C.G). She selected her field of study in Hindi, Music & Yoga because of her family background and values. She got diploma in 'Yoga and cultural synthesis' from Kaivalyadhama, Lona-vala, Pune in 1991. She did her M.A. from Ladnu university in Prekshadhyana and Yoga and awarded Ph-D. from R.D. university, Jabalpur (M.P).

She started her teaching life from M.G. Gramodaya Vishvavidyalaya, Chitrakoot M.P. in 1993 after that she taught yoga in yoga kendra R.D. University, Jabalpur. At present she is teaching yoga in National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur (C.G) .

Need for education on yoga including asanas and pranayama at the higher education level has been felt since long. During their busy schedule of lectures, laboratory classes, assignments, tests, projects, and term papers students tend to neglect their health and hygiene. This not only affects their health and wellbeing but also the quality of their academic performance. Though many classic texts on Yoga are available but these usually attract a person well versed in the discipline. A lucid book on Yoga for beginners as a text book for higher education classes is needed. Also, there is need for a text which also addresses the overall health and hygiene in students.

The book entitled "Health, Hygiene and Yoga", meets these requirements effectively. The book is based on the curriculum for course with the same title for the first year students of undergraduate degree in engineering and technology under the department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Raipur. The course on 'Health, Hygiene and Yoga' aims to develop concentration, good physical and mental health and hygiene, and positive attitude. Continuous pressure of studies, lack of direction, lack of physical labor, hormonal changes may produce depression, frustration, excitement, anger, physical laxity and idleness in students. To address this, NIT Raipur has introduced the course of "Health, Hygiene and Yoga" in the curriculum, for all branches of first year students as a compulsory subject. Under this course students are introduced to the important theoretical and scientific aspects and guided through methodical practices of asanas, pranayama, meditation and shuddhi kriyas etc.

This book is divided into 5 chapters. In the first chapter, holistic health and yogic perspectives, the definitions of traditional health, the rules of healthy lifestyle and the style of eating habits have been highlighted. In the second chapter, a lucid description of Ashtang Yoga, including ideological purity of Yama-Niyam, required for meaningful efforts in social upliftment is explained. The definition and techniques of asana with descriptive pictures, their benefits and limitations are also given. Definition of Pranayama, Pratyahar, and the scientific aspects of mental and senses control have been elaborated. In the third and fourth chapters, aspects of good health and therapies of common ailments such as blood pressure, diabetes, vata disease, sinus, joint pain, acidity etc. have been discussed with possible solutions. In the fifth chapter, definitions of dhyan and its scientific basis, methods of concentration, have been explained with techniques. Special focus is on mantra, breath, chakra etc. as an integral part of yoga as well as the cornerstone of concentration and deep meditation. In addition to this, from the learners' point of view, the author has added some important points highlighting its significance. Regular practice of yoga in their life will enable the students to imbibe positive attitude, to have a healthy and happy life full of energy and vigour, and will make their life a true celebration.

I ardently hope this book will help the students achieve good health and happiness essential to make their future successful. I appreciate the author for her endeavors in creating a basic yet comprehensive text for students.