Abstract

ROLE AND IMPACT OF YOGA IN PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDS)

*Dr. Neelam Verma and Dr. Navdeep Kaur

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Abstract

Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide. Death rates due to this particular group of diseases are accelerating globally (67.85%), especially in developing countries (28 million each year). It is predicted that NCDs will be causing seven out of every ten deaths in developing countries in next 5-6 years. Indian Traditional Medicine System, like Ayurveda and Yoga, has the potential to offer solutions to these challenging health issues. Lifestyle related problems have brought with them an increased risk of developing chronic NCDs such as- cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HTN and DM. Yoga is an art of righteous living or an integrated system for the benefit of body, mind and inner spirit. Yoga balances tripods of life, gets the body & mind benefitted by stimulation of parasympathetic and suppression of sympathetic nervous system and helps in controlled secretion of neurohormones which play an important role in maintenance of health and cessation of diseases. Yoga practices like Asanas, Ujjayi Pranayama, Bhrasrika Pranayama and Shatkarma have been proved to be very beneficial in management of NCDs like DM, PCOS as they help in eliminating the root causes like lack of physical activity, stress and less self control.

Keywords: Ayurveda, lifestyle, NCDs, neurohormones, Pranayama, premature death, Shatkarma, Yoga.