व्यायाम

व्यायाम is an integral part of our दिनचर्या (Daily regime). व्यायाम maintains Health and also treats some diseases. Morning is the best time for व्यायाम; before taking the bath. However as per the convenience, one can do व्यायाम even in evening. Basic rule is to have a minimum gap of 4 to 5 hours post lunch before doing व्यायाम.

व्यायाम benefits-

"लाघवम कर्मसामर्थ्यम दिप्तो अग्निः मेदसः क्षयः |

विभक्त घन गात्रत्वम व्यायामादुपजायते ||"

• Lightens body and makes it more flexible

• Increases body strength

• Improves digestive power

• Gets rid of excess body fats

• Ensures correct posture and curves of the body

व्यायाम- its type or duration should be determined as per certain circumstances like age of person, disease condition if any, place of performing व्यायाम and the duration of day or season.

व्यायाम involves movement of body parts and hence it increases वातदोष. Also व्यायाम induces sweating; thus it increases पित्तदोष. Hence people suffering from vitiated वातपित्तदोष diseases should avoid व्यायाम. Very aged person or kids below 16 yrs or person having indigestion should also restrict व्यायाम. Here व्यायाम refers to heavy exercise and workouts. But gentle exercise or सूक्ष्मव्यायाम can be performed as per experts opinion.

Even as per season, one must change his व्यायाम routine. For example, व्यायाम should be exempted in hot summer season and heavy rains as it deprives us of our energy. Winter or autumn is the best season to start व्यायाम. In other seasons like वसंत  or spring season, one can continue with व्यायाम. However gentle exercise or सूक्ष्मव्यायाम can be performed as per experts opinion in all seasons.

One must do व्यायाम as per his strength. These limits need not be number of squats or time duration but ‘अर्धशक्त्या निषेव्यस्तु’ as per Ayurved. It means one should do व्यायाम upto his half capacity or stregth. When one gets sweat over forehead or armpits and goose bumps on body with rapid breathing; one must stop व्यायाम immediately.

Life style disorders like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stress anxiety etc can be very well treated with adequate व्यायाम. even many more diseases like arthritis, sciatica, spondylosis, hormonal imbalances, can be controlled by व्यायाम in daily routine. In fact व्यायाम is not only preventive but also curative aspect of treatment in various diseases. It is a stress buster, mood enlighter, rejeventing regime given by Ayurved.

व्यायाम covers all types like physical exercise, stretches, fitness routines, brisk walking , सूक्ष्मव्यायाम, योगासन, प्राणायाम or even कुस्ती. Heavy workouts in Gym with various machines should be limited as it increases वातदोष and if not performed properly leads to some troubles like muscle pull or strain. Before performing व्यायाम, one must apply liberal amount of oil on body and give a massage aka अभ्यंग as stated in last article. This checks the वातदोष. After व्यायाम, मर्दन or deep tissue massage should be done to relax any stress or tension in muscles. व्यायाम in any form should always be started with prior consulation with expert and his guidelines only so as to achieve maximum benefits.

There is a famous ओवी in ज्ञानेश्वरी which states that-

रोग जाये दुधें साखरे । तरी निंब कां पियावा ॥ ज्ञानेश्वरी/अध्याय चौथा २२३ ॥

If a disease can be cured by milk sugar aka sweet treatment, why one will choose bitter medicine??? Off course not. Same way, following  व्यायाम and all other दिनचर्या routines, prevent everyone from diseases and after treatments with their side effect. Hence one must follow दिनचर्या Ayurvedic way.