Tuberculosis is a disease caused by infection by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although there are many notional schemes to prevent and cure the disease it is still a burning problem in our country.
There are several reasons for this which include
- the need for long duration of treatment for at least 3 months
- poor compliance to treatment due to lack of education and laziness
- development of resistant germs because of irregular medication
- poor immune system due to unhealthy living habits including smoking, nutritional deficiency, poor ventilation and crowded living places.
- HIV infections which is on the increase. This has hiked up the problem of TB infection with added problems.
What is the role of yoga?
Yoga helps to develop mastery over mind which in tern changes the life style. Awareness is half solution to any problem. Although the national schemes incorporate many programs for education it appears that there is a need to make it effective by reinforcement by yoga. Yoga provided several physical, mental, emotional, intellectual level practices to stabilize the mind and improve the immune system.
A research was undertaken by VYASA in a TB sanatorium. Two groups of patients with lung TB were selected. One group practiced Integrated Yoga Module for one hour daily. The result showed that patients who cleared the germs from their body within one week were much higher in the yoga group.
The compliance to treatment and quality of life would also be much better with addition of yoga. The discipline of starting the day with yoga would help in disciplining the mind for speedy recovery.
The recommended set of practices include
Breathing Practices: Hands in and out breathing, Hands stretch breathing, Ankle stretch breathing.
Suryanamaskara
Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Sashankhasana, Shavasana, Kapalabhati, Nadisuddhi, Bhramari.
The whole set of 40 minutes to be repeated twice a day.
FORWARD AND BACKWARD BENDING
Sthiti: Tadasana
Practice
- Stretch the arms straight above the head with the palms facing forward.
- Inhale and bend backwards with arms stretched above the head.
- While exhaling bend forward as much as possible.
- While inhaling come up and bend backwards.
- Repeat 10 times.
Note:
Start slowly and gradually increase speed.
Always bend from the lower waist.
Make the movement free, easy and flowing.
Benefits:
Builds physical stamina
Allows free of Prana in Nadis
Calms down the mind |
