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Yoga Education

Book · February 2012

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Kamakhya Kumar
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 Yoga Education

Dr. Kamakhya Kumar

Senior Faculty
School of Yoga and Health
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya
Haridwar, Uttarakhanda

Foreword
Prof. (Mrs.) Neelam Sood
Dept. of Exclusive Education
National University of Education Planning & Administration
17-B, Sri Aurobindo Marg,
New Delhi-16 (INDIA)

Publisher: SHIPRA PUBLICATION

 © Author
All the right including translation into any language
(Indian or Foreign) in any form, or by any means
(electronic, photocopy or otherwise) of this book is
reserved with the Author, no part of the book can be
used without written permission of the Author.

Language: English

YEAR: 2012
ISBN: 9788175416222(HB)
Price: Rs. 495.00

ISBN: 9788175416239(PB)
Price: Rs. 140.00

Publisher: Shipra Publication, New Delhi

 Contents
Foreword
Introduction

Chapter I: Introduction to Traditions of Yoga

• Yoga: Its Meaning and Importance
• History of Yoga from Vedic to Modern times
• Schools of Yoga
• Gyān Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Karma Yoga
• Rāja Yoga

Chapter II: Introduction to Hatha Yoga

• Introduction to Hatha Yoga
• Shatkarma
• Āsana
• Prānāyāma
• Mudrā and Bandha

Chapter III: Introduction to Pātanjal Yoga

• Concept of Chitta and its modifications
• Introduction to Pātanjal Yoga Sutra
• Astānga Yoga

Chapter IV: Introduction to Human Body and Mind

• Introduction to Human body and their functions
• Effect of Yogic practices on Human Body
• Human Mind & Role of Yoga in Mental health

Chapter V: Yoga and Health Care

• Concept of Health and Disease in Yoga
 • Yogic Practices for Common Man
• Yogic Management of Common Disorders

Chapter VI: Role of Yoga for Healthy life Style

• Healthy Life Style and its Importance
• Yoga & Healthy lifestyle

Chapter VII: Yoga and Education

• Role of Yoga in Education with special emphasis on
Values
• Role of Yoga towards Personality Development

Chapter VIII: Methods of Yoga Teaching

• Method and Skills of Teaching Yoga
• Evaluation in Yoga Teaching

Chapter IX: Yoga Practices

• Common instructions for the practice
• Preparatory Practices
• Sūrya Namaskār
• Meditative, Cultural and Relaxation Āsana
• Prānāyāma Practice
• Śatkarma Practice
• Practice Leading to Meditation
• Special Relaxation Technique
 Foreword

I first met Dr. Kamakhaya Kumar when my search for

psycho-spiritual literature emanating from a deeper quest for
understanding the larger purpose and meaning of life took me
to library of Dev Sanskriti University at Haridwar. Awestruck
by the unique stature of the university and feeling quietude in
the campus air, I got interested in understanding the activities
of various departments. It was at the School of Yoga and
Health where I learnt about Dr. Kamakhya’s work and
participated in the discussions on the subject of Yoga.

Scientific understanding of the discipline of Yoga is deeply

rooted in the Indian culture and heritage. Yoga has been
practiced in our country for several thousand years. With
changing times, understanding of the discipline of yoga has
undergone some change. The theories and concepts, though
remain the same, the application has changed due to increased
understanding and appreciation. During the early Sixties, yoga
asanas were taught for physical fitness or for beautifying the
body. Later on as the thrust of yoga changed, it came to be
seen as a way to reduce stress and anxiety and relax the mind.
With the emergence of Meditation, it became a way of finding
mental peace. Yogic practice of achieving mental calmness is
widely prevalent now. Many organizations and individuals
have adopted the yogic structure and created their own brand
of yoga that addresses the needs of many people today.

In modern times, a vast majority of people driven by their

ambitions and endless desires find themselves thrown into a
conflict in relation to their work, family and society. This
gives rise to an internal imbalance and one strives to attain
inner peace and harmony. This is where understanding and
practicing yoga is very useful. But the number of experts
engaged in propagating and teaching of yoga is rather small to
cater to the needs of a vast majority of people. In this context,
the present Volume makes a useful addition as it serves as an
excellent guide-book for the yoga teachers who are keen to
learn to teach Yoga methodically with an in-depth knowledge.

The book sets out to give insights into the nature and meaning
of yoga and clarifies misconceptions that are widely
prevalent. Altogether in nine chapters, the book systematically
and scientifically explains the traditions and types of yoga;
yogic practices; the role of yoga for a healthy life style; and
above all the different methods of teaching. It is therefore
visualized to be a comprehensive resource as it covers all the
aspects of yoga teaching that may be necessary to be learnt by
a teacher. With an earnest hope that the book will be accessed
by a large number of yoga teachers who are able to make use
of it in their journey to be master trainers, I send my best
wishes.

Neelam Sood
 Introduction
Yoga aims for the integrity of the body, mind, and spirit
through a system of Asana, Pranayama and meditation. In
reality, it consists of disciplines designed to bring closer to
godliness. With the integration of the body, mind and spirit,
you can attain a balance (physically and mentally) in your life
as well as an inner peace to your body

Yoga brings control over breathing and that works in

effectively increasing the psycho-motor coordination. Practice
of Yoga is a conscious process of gaining control over the
mind, and thus the concentration and attention-span improve,
and hence intelligence of the children found in this study
increased.

At recent time there has been an increased awareness and

interests in health and nature remedies. Yoga is an effective
and time tested method for promotion and improving our
health as well as prevention and management of diseases
especially psychosomatic and degenerative chronic disorders.
The scientific psycho-spiritual discipline of Yoga is the most
precious gem of our culture and heritage and is being
practiced in India for thousands of years.

Like yoga, modern education to keep evolving constantly.

Formerly, yoga was taught under the Gurukula system of
ancient Indian Education pattern, but today it is gradually
adopting modern methods of teaching and communication
technologies. Recently, as the educationists become more and
more aware about the lacune and short-comings or ills of
modern education. Some of them have started looking
hopefully towards yoga education as a useful complementary
to overcome such problems. Modern yogis too appear to be
favorably inclined to ring about a sort of integration between
yoga and modern education. The only hitch is on “How to
bring about such an integration of yoga into modern education
with maximum advantage: Firstly, modern educationists are
convinced that yoga somehow can promote the aim of
education.Secondly, scientific studies have shown that yoga
can be helpful in promoting health and fitness. So yoga
education can be usefully integrated with modern health
education.Another point is, Educationists are increasingly
becoming aware of the affective Educational Objectives in
education; Yoga can also play a significant role in effective
education of students. Apart from that Yoga is found to
provide strategies for successfully coping with various kinds
of life stresses. This aspect can contribute much to the life-
long education of students of all age-groups to confront
stressful situation in life.

Lack of proper standardization of techniques and concepts of

yoga is one of the stumbling blocks in the meaningful
integration of yoga in education. Only increasing research,
especially on this problem in particular, can bring about a
better understanding amongst the institutions and teachers of
yoga. Then it will be found easier and more effective for the
proper integration of yoga in modern education.

There are no well-written, objectively presented, and relevant

text-books for the use of students of different levels of their
education. Text-books need to be written that can be useful,
simple and objective by collecting the material available from
the research studies carried out so far by different individuals
and institutions of repute.

Yoga needs to be integrated in education rather as a boon to

the students than an additional burden. It is not necessary to
add more and more yoga practices from lower to higher
standards in schools, or colleges’ etc. selected yoga practices
can be appropriated for the use of different types of learners to
meet their specific requirements and problems. Coverage of
syllabus need not be insisted. Instead, maximum contribution
towards the welfare of the learners could be aimed at while
selecting various items and contents from a sort of flexible
syllabus.

Integration of Yoga into modern education calls for a

research-oriented, objective approach than what has been
attempted so far. Basically, yoga should be integrated in
education to make it a source of relief and blessing to the
students than an additional burden. Such integration should
strive to present the depth and breadth of yoga science, its
long history, vast literature. Its impact on physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual wellbeing of human beings – all
presented objectively and insightfully.

Students are a valuable asset of any country or community as

they are the future citizen. It is necessary to take care of their
intelligence and well being. Scientist says that the students
have many unexplained and unexpressed problems; they
cannot express their problem correctly because of their
growing age and hesitation. The advancement of the
technology is coming into the new syllabus and it is coming
with the information overload. Competitions, exams and tests
not only manifests into academic anxiety and examofobia, it
also manifest into regression and guilt.

Practice of Yoga not only help to keep the mental body strong
and supple but also incorporate mental activities, disciplines
that help to develop attention and concentration and stimulate
the creative ability that are latent within human body.
Several studies have been done in the field of Yoga and
among them some have been based on children’s well being
and the effectiveness. Gharote, M.L. and Ganguly, S.K.
(1975) have observed in his three weeks study on 430 school
going children that selected practice of Yoga improves the
muscular fitness of the 36.8% students of practice group.

Gharote, M.L (1976) again observed the effect of yogic

practices on 44 children for three weeks and fined a
significant change in their physical health. Uma, K. et. al.
(1989) observed the effect of Yogic practices on 45 children
and found a significant change in IQ and Social Adaptation
parameters in comparison to the non Yoga practitioner
children after one year study.

Telles S. et. al (1993) observed the effect of yogic packages

on 45 children in two groups and find a significant change in
Attention span and Memory in the practice group after a ten
days study. Batra, B.K., Nagratna, Dr. R and Nagendra, Dr.
H.R; (2003) observed in a study over 322 children that the
selected practice of Yoga improves the analysing capacity.
Pushpa, Nagratna, Dr. R and Nagendra, Dr. H.R; (2003) again
observed in their study over 300 children that the selected
practice of Yoga improves the memory of the children.

Experts recommend few specific Asana for them. As the

practice of Asana bring suppleness in the body and good
flexibility in the muscles and joints. But one should not only
stop with asana because Asana without Pranayama is some
times become exhaustive. The practitioner may fall sick, thus
a proper care should be taken and Pranayama should also be
introduced in the case of growing children, adolescent and
college going students.
Practice of Prānāyamas not only brings a harmony into both
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, but it also
improves the immunity and the vital energy in the
practitioners. Nādī śodhan, Bhastrikā, Śītalī, & Bhrāmari
pranayamas should be practiced regularly in sequence of
Yogic practices.

Meditation is one of the greatest resources for concentration

memory and awareness. Thus it is difficult to bring the mind
into one point, so Gāyatri Mantra Japa is one of the best
practices for meditation and concentration. Scientist says that
the practice of meditation changes the way our brain works,
and find in his research study that thoughts can influence the
brain and the body. When his research team used MRI
imaging to study the brains of four people meditating, he says
the team found increased activity in specific areas involved in
attention and control of the autonomic nervous system.

Yoga instructor should make a package of every step of yoga

including asana, pranayama and meditation so that the holistic
development of the personality takes place among the
practitioner especially for the students.

Hence it is easy to practice and it is of course convenient to

use yoga tapes and T V Programs but practice of yoga should
not perform without the direct guidance of a Yoga expert.
Yoga is a method of peeling off the subliminal sheath of
conscious (external) mind that covers the inner core of the
unconscious (inner) mind. Thus practice of yoga can be
considered as a highly effective practice to be introduced to
the students for a healthy and happy body and mind.

Yoga helps bring about subtle attitudinal changes in life. If

taught earlier on in life. It can be implemented only in
Schools, and it may bring a revolutionary change into the
society. Being able to harness ambition in a positive manner
rather than through negativity will not only help the student
excel but also make them a healthier and happier person for
the country and community.

- Dr. Kamakhya Kumar

 About the Book
The book delineates every aspects of Yoga.
It not only provides the systematic history of
succession of Yogic knowledge, starting from
the beginning, but it also spreads light on
the various aspects of Yoga. It contains
knowledge of practical and insightful yogic
instructions for success in physical and
spiritual life and a guideline with special
focus on Teaching-learning methodology of
Yoga. Through this book the author has
made an effort to present the practical
aspects of Yoga in a very simple, lucid and
concise manner for the aspirants, students
as well as teachers of Yoga and also for
those who want to make the best use of
Yoga in their day to day life. Hope, the
readers shall make the best use of the book.
 Abou
ut the Author
A
Dr. Ku umar is an a establisshed
investigaator and a well kno own
n the area off Yogic Science.
author in
He has gone throu ugh the anccient
scriptures of India and
a the various
Yogic tex xts.

He has got
g Doctoratte in the area of
Yogic Science for f his work
w
“Psycho--physiological Changess as Relateed to Yogaa
Nidra” annd received the award in
n the auspicious presencee
dent of Indiaa H. H. Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inn
of Presid
the Year 2006.

He is wo
orking with the Dev San nskriti Vishwwavidyalayaa,
Haridwarr (India) as Assistant Prrofessor in thhe School oof
Yoga and Health an nd teaching the
t post graaduates sincee
2002. Ap
part from th hat he has thet addition nal charge oof
Yoga Aroogya Polycliinic as chieff coordinatorr since 2007..

He has to o his credit publications

p in the form of Books onn
Yogic Science
S andd more thaan 60 reseearch paperrs
published d in differen
nt National annd Internatio
onal Journal s
till date.. He has alsoa delivereed lectures for variou s
institutions and broaadcasted a seeries of talk on All Indiaa
Radio.

Email: kamakhya.k
k [email protected]

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