Health from the point of view of Ayurveda

Health value

No amount of wealth can be likened to health. Preference should always be given to health, as without health we can't enjoy the wealth, while, with health, riches can be purchased.

In the Upanishads it is stated: "Health provides longevity, gives confidence and strength; thus the way will find a greater fullness".

All virtuous deeds and achievements in the field of faith is only achievable with good health.

In Indian medicine Charaka Samhita it is said:

“The main thing that is required from the body is in good health in order to achieve all the four goals of human existence, namely: the acquisition of merit for the faith (Dharma) and wealth, in order to live in peace and to be generous (Artha), the satisfaction of permitted pleasures and fulfillment of desires (Kama) and finally achieve release from earthly bondage of birth and death” (Moksha).
(Charaka Samhita. 1.1.15)

Without health there is no power. The power can be saved, if only to maintain health. Under the health of the body should be understood and the physical and mental health.

Self-actualization is not available weak. (Mundaka Upanishads. III,24)

When we talk about good health, we mean all aspects of our physical, physiological and mental existence. While the implied lack of infectious and other diseases, the absolute harmony between the physical and mental functions.

The body is the seat of Chitta (the Trinity of mental faculties, composed of spirit, intellect and ego).

In perfect health the physical and mental functions are in such harmony that they can turn inward with the goal of self-realization.

... body and spirit need to be cleaned attentive practice of Asana and Pranayama.

The nature of the disease

Disease can be defined as a disorder of normal activity of organism and psyche. Ayurveda defines health as total harmony of body functions, well-balanced metabolism and a happy, balanced state of mind and feelings.

In Ayurveda the physiological functions of the body are grouped in three groups, namely:

Chalana movement
Pachana — digestion and absorption
Lepana — breathing or inspiration

Health is defined as equilibrium between the five factors:

Dosha — fluid (body),

Dhatu — seven samobytnyh secretions of the body,

Agni is the actual function of digestion and elimination of waste, called metabolism,

Clarity, or purity, of the senses

The peace and tranquility of the spirit.

Any the rise and fall of the level of Doshas (humoral masses) or Dhatus (secrets) and any hindrance in their movement, leads to an imbalance, causing discomfort and disease.

According to Ayurveda, the body has 13 Srota, or vessels, in which different substances are carried around the body.

Among them:

Pranavah — respiratory tract, trachea, etc.
Anavah — the food tract, the esophagus, etc.
Hudakova — water duct
Rasamaha — fluids like bile and pancreatic juice
Raktabija — blood vessels
Masabacha — flesh
Medovaja — fat
Acdivoca — bones
Maljava — bone marrow
Chakravaham — seminal duct
Sakadachi — discharge, feces, etc.
Satravaha — ureter
Cvetovaja — sweat moves

When the balance in three humoral fluids (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) interferes with the normal circulation in blood vessels. To ensure good health, should support the unhindered circulation in Srota (vessels). In other words, to exchange the process proceeded properly, should maintain the right balance of humoral masses.

In the same way as fluctuations in the body caused by humoral masses and oscillations in the psyche caused by the Gunas of Rajas and Tamas, if they predominate over Sattva.

Rajas is one of the factors that cause people activity in the form of passions and emotions.

Tamas — factor is another property that causes inertia or inaction leading to the dark States, such as sadness, anxiety, ignorance, etc.

When Rajas and Tamas dominate or suppress Sattva factor of goodness and of purity, the abode of the disease becomes psyche. So both body and spirit require reasonable treatment.

Health from the point of view of Yoga

Like Ayurveda, Yoga recognizes three types of disasters namely djatmiko, adhidaivika and adhibhautika.

To adhyatmika are, both somatic and mental illness.
To adhidaivika belong epidemic, the deaths due to the attacks of beasts, the death under water, accidents, etc.;
To adhibhautika — natural disasters, such as cyclones, storms, sunstroke, flood, caused by the fury of nature.

Here Yoga is something that adds to the definition of health, making it more understandable.
According to Yoga, any obstacle to self-realization, indicates a physical disorder that causes a change in the state of spirit — Citta - Vṛtti.

The purpose of Yoga is to limit physical disturbances, and changes in the psyche.
Such obstacles, or hindrances, are the following: soreness, stiffness, doubt, delusion, carelessness, intemperance, misperceptions, ignorance, instability in the sadhana, depression, sadness, anxiety, and disrupted or irregular breathing. All this originates in the body or in the spirit. Therefore, the health means a complete lack of physical and mental clutter in the way to achieving the goal.

Modern medical science has no objection to such a definition acknowledges that between body and spirit there is a close relationship. To vital processes have not been violated, should support the health and care of the functioning of various organs, especially the Central nervous system.

Many diseases are caused by mental depression, anger, sadness, sexual intemperance, fear, resentment, doubt, and other psychosomatic disorders.

Often people with weakened mental activity suffer from the pain of his imagination, which in many cases leads to the fatal outcome.

Cultivating such virtues as enthusiasm, kindness, courage, optimism, can achieve physical and mental rehabilitation and strengthening of weakened body. The practice of Yoga leads to absolute balance of body and spirit.

Yoga heals the body, making it able to interact with the consciousness and thereby developing stability, self-control and restraint.

Patanjali says that Yoga practice gives you the opportunity to avoid the pain that may await us in the future.

Thus, the practice of Yoga brings not only physical but also mental health.

It teaches how to overcome difficulties and to live peacefully and quite happily, in pursuit of the main goal in life — fulfillment.

(Geeta Iyengar “YOGA FOR WOMEN”. Chapter 5)

Source: aayurveda.ca/life/health-core/3/