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49Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
UNIT 4: RELATION OF YOGA WITH
PHYSIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY
UNIT STRUCTURE
4.1 Learning Obectives
4.2 Introduction
4.3 Physiological Systems:
4.3.1 The Skeletal System
4.3.2 The Muscular System
4.3.3 The Digestive System
4.3.4 The Excretory System
4.3.5 The Respiratory System
4.3.6 The Circulatory System
4.3.7 The Endocrine Gland System
4.3.8 The Nervous System
4.3.9 The Lymphatic System
4.3.10 The Reproductive system
4.4 The Effects of Yogic Practices on Physiological System
4.4.1 The Effects of Asanas
4.4.2 The Effects of Pranayama
4.4.3 The Effects of Meditation
4.4.4 The Effects of Sat-karmas
4.5 Role of Yoga in Psychological Preparation of Children : Mental
Well Being, Anxiety and Depression Control
4.6 Let us Sum up
4.7 Further Reading
4.8 Answer to Check Your Progress
4.9 Model Questions
4.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you will be able to
� describe the physiological system of human body
50 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
� explain the effects of yogic practices on physiological system
� discuss the role of yoga in psychological preparation of children
� describe the role of yoga in maintaining mental well being and
controlling anxiety and depression
4.2 INTRODUCTION
In the previous unit we have learnt the concept of yama, niyama and
asanas. We have also highlighted the parts and varieties of pranayama and
it’s effects. We got information with regard to pratyahara and also learnt
about dharana, dhyana and samadhi, types of samadhi and effects of
dharana-dhyana-samadhi.
In this unit, you will learn about physiological system. Here, we shall
highlight on various systems of the human body. We shall also touch upon
the important issues related to the effects of yogic practices on physiological
system.
4.3 PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
The body and mind are the two vehicles in the journey of our life and
we can arrive at our goal safely and successfully only when these two
vehicles are in good order. The body and mind are inter- dependent on each
other as one’s well-being depends on the other’s well-being. So, it is
necessary to take care of both- the body and the mind simultaneously. To
keep them healthy, one must know their structure and functioning as well.
Yoga has great role to play in developing physical and mental health. The
human body is a very complex structure, that constitutes a number of complex
system, viz., the Skeletal system, the Muscular system, the Digestive
system, the Excretory system, the Respiratory system, the Circulatory
system, the Endocrine Gland system, the Nervous system, Lymphatic
system and the Reproductive system.
4.3.1 The Skeletal System
The Skeletal System is the bony structure, consisting of 206
numbers of bones of different shapes and sizes, which is kept erect
51Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
and movable by different joints, tendons and ligaments. The skeleton
is divided into three parts-
The Skull consisting of cranium and facial skeleton;
The Trunk consisting of the vertebral column, ribs, sternum
pelvis bone
The Appendages or Extremities consisting of the upper limbs
and lower limbs.
Functions:
1. The skeleton provides a framework for the body with shape
and size;
2. Working with the skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and
joints it helps movement of the body;
3. The Skull protects the brain, the vertebral column protects the
spinal cord, the thoracic cage protects the lungs and heart
and the Pelvic girdle protects the sex organs;
4. The bone-marrows produce blood cells, store minerals like
calcium and phosphorus and control acid-alkali balance. The
yellow bone-marrows of long bones store fat and serve as
energy reservoir.
4.3.2 The Muscular System
The Muscular System consists of some 650 muscles, out
of which some are smooth and some striated in accordance with
their shape, some are voluntary and some involuntary, in accordance
with their nature. In accordance with their position, the muscles are
divided into three types – Skeletal, Visceral and Cardiac muscles.
The muscles, because of the contractible character, provide
force for movements of the body parts and blood circulation, give
stability and posture to the body, producing heat to keep the body
warm, and helping in digestion.
52 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
4.3.3 The Digestive System
The Digestive System consists of the mouth, alimentary
canal, stomach, small intestine and the large intestine or the colon.
The teeth present in our mouth helps to masticate (i.e. chew
and break) the food particles. The three salivary glands, present in
the mouth, secreates an enzyme called ptyalin (or salivary amylase)
which breaks sugar and cooked starch thereby helping in swelling
the masticated food. The stomach which secretes hydrochloric acid
and pepsin helps to kill the harmful particles present in the food.
Thereafter, the food is digested in the small intestine with the help of
bile which is supplied by the liver and enzymes such as lipase and
amylase supplied by the pancreas. Finally, all the digested nutrients
are absorbed through the intestinal walls and the remaining waste
materials are expelled out from the body through the colon.
4.3.4 The Excretory System or the Urinary System
The Excretory system or the urinary system consists of two
kidneys, two ureters, one urinary bladder and one urethra.
The waste materials like urea, uric acid, creatinine etc. are
produced due to metabolic activities in the cells, and are carried by
the blood stream to the kidneys. The kidneys distil the polluted blood,
sending out the waste materials with the excess water in the form
of urine through urethra.
The functions of the kidneys are: i) regulation of water balance,
ii) regulation of salt concentration in the blood, iii) regulation of acid
base balance of the blood iv) excretion of waste products including
excess of salt. The two kidneys keep the blood purified.
53Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Q 1: Fill in the gaps:
i) The Muscular System consists of some
.................... muscles.
ii) The muscles is of the ..................... character.
iii) The three salivary glands secretes an enzyme called
.................... breaks sugar and cooked starch thereby helping
in swallowing the food.
iv) The waste materials are produced due to metabolic activities
in the cells, and are carried by the blood stream to the ...............
v) The two .................... keep the blood purified.
4.3.5 The Respiratory System
The Respiratory System consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx,
larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli, alveolar
sacs, pulmonary alveoli and the two lungs.
The respiratory canal starting with the two nasal passages
transport the air between the external environment and the lungs. In
the lungs, there is an exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Out
of the oxygen contained in the incoming air, 4.94% is carried by the
arteries from the lungs to the cells in the form of fuel to run the
machineries working inside them, for production of energy. The veins
carry carbon dioxide, the waste product after metabolism, from the
cells to the lungs wherefrom the respiratory canal breaths out the
carbon dioxide to the external atmosphere.
4.3.6 The Circulatory System
The Circulatory System transports the nutrients (such as
amino acids, electrolytes etc), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones
and blood cells, to and from the cells in the body to provide
nourishment, to help in fighting disease, stabilise both temperature
54 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
and PH (alkali-acid base), maintain homeostasis and to keep the
internal body clean.
The essential components of the circulatory system are -
1. The Heart is a muscular organ which pumps blood to the whole
body,
2. The Blood vessels, which are further divided into –
i) Arteries- The Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the
heart to the cells (Aorta, Arteries, Arterioles and
Capillaries)
ii) Veins- which carry waste material i.e., Co2 from the cells
to the heart (Vena Cava- superior and inferior, Veins and
Capillaries)
3) Blood
4) Blood Cells protects the interior of the body from the attack of
alien like germs, bacteria, virus or fungi by fighting with them,
eating them up and by creating anti-body to create immunity
and shield the human body from any disease.
4.3.7 The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System consists of a number of glands that
releases substances, called hormones. The system regulates the
metabolic functions of the body. Hormones, secreted by different
glands control growth, development, behaviour, reproduction and
functions of our body. The endocrine glands are:
1. The Pineal Gland- located at the middle of brain
2. The Pituitary - located at the base of the brain.
3. The Thyroid- located below the larynx at the neck
4. The Parathyroid- at the back of thyroid,
5. The Thymus- at the chest
6. The Adrenal – at the top of the kidneys
7. The Sex gland (Testes and ovaries)- at the pelvic cavity
8. The Pancreas – behind the stomach
55Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
4.3.8 The Nervous System
The Nervous System consists of the Brain, the Spinal Cord
and the Nerves, is the master system which controls the functioning
of all other body systems. The system regularly receives information
from the outer and the inner environments and from various parts of
the body, records and analyses them and sends out messages and
orders to the parts of the body to perform certain functions.
The Nervous System may broadly be divided into three
systems (i) The Central Nervous System (CNS), (ii) the Peripheral
Nervous System (PNS) and (iii) the Autonomic Nervous System
(ANS) .
The Central Nervous System, also called Cerebro-Spinal
system constitutes the i) Brain ii) the Medulla Oblongata (brain stem)
and iii) the Spinal Cord. The brain is the most important organ of the
nervous system as a whole, where all the controlling centres are
located.
The Peripheral Nervous System consists of 43 pairs of
nerves – 12 pairs of cranial nerves connected with the Brain and 31
pairs of spinal nerves connected with the spinal cord. The peripheral
nerves are of two categories, one is sensory or afferent nerves,
which carry information from the body parts to the brain and the
other is motor or efferent nerves, which carry orders or messages
from the brain to the organs of the body.
The Autonomic Nervous System, also called Visceral
Nervous system, communication among the visceral organs, like
heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestine etc and controls their
activities by sending orders or messages.
4.3.9 The Lymphatic System
The Lymphatic System constitutes the Lymph, Lymphatic
Vessels, Lymphatic Ducts and Lymphatic Glands or Nodes. The
Lymphatic System is a system that helps the body get rid of the
56 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
toxins, wastes and other unwanted materials. The primary function
of the system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection fighting
white blood corpuscles, called lymphocytes, throughout the body.
The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ, which controls the amount
of red blood corpuscles and blood storage in the body and helps to
fight infection.
4.3.10 The Reproductive System
The Reproductive system is constituted by the external and
internal sex organs of males and females that work together for the
purpose of procreation.
Male Reproductive organs are - Testes, Scrotum,
Vasdeferens, Prostate gland, Urethra and Penis.
Female Reproductive organs are - Two Ovaries, Fallopian
Tube, Uterus and Vagina or Birth Canal.
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Q 2: Fill up the gaps:
i) The ............. is the largest lymphatic organ.
ii) ………………, secreted by different glands control growth,
development, behaviour, reproduction and functions of our body.
Q 3: What are the essential components of the circulatory system?
..................................................................................................
Q 4: What are Endocrine Gland?
..................................................................................................
4.4 THE EFFECTS OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON
PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
The yogic practices like the Asanas, Pranayamas, Sat-karmas (the
six practices for internal purification), and Meditation effect the body systems
individually as well as collectively.
57Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
4.4.1 The Effects of Asanas
There are three types of Asanas – Meditative, Cultural and
Relaxative.
During Meditative Asanas (Dhyanasanas) the practitioner
sits on a particular posture with the spine and head erect, relaxing
all the muscles, keeping the hands on the knees in Jnana Mudra.
Due to the erect posture of the body, the organs like the heart and
lungs in the chest cavity, stomach, intestine, liver, kidney, pancreas
and spleen in the abdominal cavity, the sex organs in the pelvic
cavity, become free from pressure and are able to work freely,
through the free flow of blood to these areas. As a result, they become
healthy and strong.
In the Cultural Asanas, the spine is bent forward, backward,
sideward and twisted. Thereby, the vertebral column becomes
flexible. Flexibility removes the difficulty of movement in the body.
The body is rejuvenated due to the circulation of sufficient amount of
fresh blood to the various parts of the body and thus becomes filled
with freshness and vitality.
In the Relaxative Asanas the muscles of the body and the
mind are relaxed, and thus all the internal organs of the body as well
as the mind get rest.
Awareness is the first principle to be observed in practicing
yoga. Thus, the practice of Asana increases awareness, stability
and endurance.
4.4.2 The Effects of Pranayama
Pranayamas are breathing techniques whereby the prana,
the vital energy, is controlled and extended. Oxygen that goes inside
our body through breathing is used in the cells of our body for
metabolic activities and production of energy. Respiration is a natural
process. It is involuntary. In our usual respiration only one third of
our lungs is filled up. Pranayama is voluntary; it is a special type of
58 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
breathing where it tries to fill up the entire lungs. Thereby, more
oxygen enters into the lungs which means the cells receive more
oxygen for their use and are able to produce more energy.
Due to the uses of all the three lobes in pranayama, they
become active and energised. As a result, the vital index goes up
and the body of the practitioner becomes full of vitality with strength,
agility, cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
4.4.3 The Effects of Meditation
Meditation is keeping the mind fixed on an object or thought
for a long period. In meditation, all distractions, stress and anxiety
are removed from the mind. When the mind becomes stress-free,
the frequency of the brain waves gradually slows down and comes
to the minimum possible frequency. At such a stage, the analytical
power increases clarity comes to the mind, memory increases and
the latent talents start unfolding.
In mediation, the entire mind-body complex is relaxed. As a
result, metabolic activities comes to the minimum; hence all the
parts of the body get rest. The entire body is rejuvenated with energy
and freshness
4.4.4 The Effects of Sat-karmas
The Sat-karmas or the six means of purification helps to keep
the internal body clean by removing the residual waste materials
from the body. The internal organs, free from accumulated waste
materials, are enabled to function efficiently and thus they becomes
free from diseases. Sat-karmas not only improve the physical health
of the practitioner, but also prepare the body towards practicing
various types of higher yogic practices.
59Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
Childhood is the period of growth –physical, as well as, psychological.
At this stage, children are required to be provided with congenial environment
and facilities for their all-round development at home and school alike. But,
unfortunately, in the present-day world, where most of the people are too
caught up in fulfilling their worldly desires in a world that has progressed
through modern science and technology, the children are getting
overburdened due to mental pressure from different sources. On the one
hand, they are facing numerous expectations and constant stimulations
through the internet and other media, and on the other hand, they are highly
pressurised by their parents, guardians, teachers and the psychological
environment prevailing around them in the society, to excel in the
examinations and competitions, and, many a times, to study courses and
subjects which are not of their choice. They suffer from anxiety and
depression, behavioural disorders like aggressiveness (bullying), deviant
attitudes, problems with attention and self-regulation, insomnia, obesity, drug-
abuse, lack of school motivation etc.
In order to cope with all these psychological problems which
challenge the mental health of the children, they need to be provided with
such tools that will take them inward to their own selves and make them
listen to their feelings and ideas, deep inside their minds, making their minds
calm and composed.
Here comes the effectiveness of yogic practices. Yoga provides such
training to the body and mind which brings, not only balances the functioning
of the human internal organs, but also helps to maintain emotional balance
in the mind. Yoga has tools to take the practitioner deep inside his body and
mind and listen quietly to the inner self and thereby enjoy peace and tranquility,
and also to make him free from all stress and tension, anxiety and depression,
fear and negative feelings.
The tools of yoga used for the above purposes are:
1. The five Yamas and five Niyamas, the sincere practice of which
60 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
develops the power to control all kinds of emotions which create
tension, anxiety and depression.
2. Asanas, the regular practice of which not only improves general health
of the body, but also helps in changing mental attitude by regulating
hormone secretion by the endocrine glands.
3. Pranayamas, where breath is controlled. Breath control leads to the
control of Prana, the vital energy. There is a direct connection between
Prana and the mind. So, by practising Pranayama it is easy to gain
control over the mind. A controlled mind can effectively control the
emotions, like worries and anxieties, depression and negative feelings.
4. Pratyahara takes away the mind and the senses away from the outside
world and confines them to the internal world. As a result of Pratyahara,
the worldly needs and desires are unable to disturb the mind.
5. Meditation takes the practitioner into more and more deeper levels of
consciousness, leading to Super-conscious(Turiya) state where the
practitioner arrives the vision of Reality, which is ‘Existence-Knowledge-
Bliss Absolute’. After this realisation through meditation, the practitioner
learns how to remain unmoved by the problems he faces in his journey
of life.
Much scientific experiments have been conducted in India and abroad,
in order to test the efficacy of yoga in combating the mental challenges
faced by the children, aged 3-18. The experiments have established that
regular practice of yoga enables children and youths to cope with stress
and tension, anxiety and depression thereby improving resilience, mood
and self regulation skill, pertaining to emotion and stress. Yoga is a powerful
medium for developing personality of the children and youths and to make
them capable of facing challenges and problems that they may fall in their
lives from time to time.
The practice of yoga, particularly Astanga yoga are:
1) Improves concentration and memory power & analytical capacity
2) Increases mental strength, self confidence or self regulating capacity,
remove mental stress, anxiety and depression
3) Brings emotional balance and bring in the feeling of well being.
61Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
4.6 LET US SUM UP
� The Skeletal System is the bony structure, consisting of 206 numbers
of bones, which is kept erect and movable by different joints, tendons
and ligaments. The skeleton is divided into three parts, they are skull,
trunk and the appendages or extremities.
� The Muscular System consists of some 650 muscles, out of which
some are smooth and some striated, some are voluntary and some
involuntary. The muscles are divided into three types – Skeletal, Visceral
and Cardiac muscles.
� The Digestive System consists of the mouth, alimentary canal,
stomach, small intestine and the large intestine or the colon.
� The Excretory system or the urinary system consists of two kidneys,
two ureters, one urinary bladder and one urethra.
� The Respiratory System is consist of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli, alveolar sacs,
pulmonary alveoli and the two lungs.
� The essential components of the circulatory system are - the heart,
the blood vessels, blood and blood cells.
� The endocrine glands are: the Pineal Gland, the Pituitary, the Thyroid,
the Parathyroid, the Thymus, the Adrenal, the Sex gland and the
Pancreas.
� The Nervous System may broadly be divided into three systems (i)
the Central Nervous System (ii) the Peripheral Nervous System and
(iii) the Autonomic Nervous System.
� The Lymphatic System is a system that helps the body to get rid of
the toxins, wastes and other unwanted materials. The primary function
of the system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting
white-blood- corpuscles, called lymphocytes, throughout the body.
� The Reproductive system constituted of the external and internal sex
organs of males and females that work together for the purpose of
62 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
procreation.
� Awareness is the first principle to be observed in practising yoga. Thus
the practice of Asana increases awareness, stability and endurance.
� Pranayamas are breathing techniques whereby the prana, the vital
energy is controlled and extended.
� Yoga provides such training to the body and the mind which brings,
not only balances the functioning of the human internal organs, but
also helps to maintain emotional balance in the mind.
4.7 FURTHER READING
1) Chatterjee, C. C., (1987). Human Physiology, 2 Vols. Calcutta : Medical
Allied Agency.
2) Gyuton, Arthur, (1986). Textbook of Medical Physiology ,
Phaladelphia : W. B. Saunders.
3) Pearce, Evelyn, (1978). Anatomy and Physiology for the Nurses.
Calcutta : Oxford University Press,
4) Phukan, B. N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay (Chapters VI and X). North
Lakhimpur, Assam : Dr. Jogada Phukan
4.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR
PROGRESS
Ans to Q No 1: i) 650 ii) Contractible iii) Ptylin
iv) Kidneys v) Kidneys
Ans to Q No 2: i) Spleen ii) Hormone
Ans to Q No 3: The components of the circulatory system are- The Heart,
The Blood vessels i) Arteries ii) Veins, Blood and Blood
Cells
63Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
Ans to Q No 4: Endocrine glands are:
I. The Pineal Gland
II. The Pituitary
III. The Thyroid
IV. The Parathyroid
V. The Thymus
VI. The Adrenal
VII. The Sex gland
VIII. The Pancreas
4.9 MODEL QUESTIONS
A. Very Short Questions
Q 1: Mention the different parts of the Skeleton System.
Q 2: What are the types of muscles?
Q 3: What are the different parts of Respiratory System?
Q 4: What do you mean by blood cells?
B. Short Questions (Answer in about 150 words)
Q 1: Write a short note on ‘Excretory System’.
Q 2: Write about the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous
System.
Q 3: Write a short note on ‘Lymphatic System’.
Q 4: What are the effects of meditation?
C. Long Questions (Answer in about 300-500 words)
Q 1: Give a description of the physiological systems of the human body.
Q 2: Discuss the effects of yogic practice on human physiology.
Q 3: Explain the role played by yoga in controlling emotions like anxiety and
depression and bringing mental wellbeing among the children.
*** ***** ***
64 Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and PsychologyUnit 5
REFERENCES
� Bapat, Sudhir, (1981). A Scientific Approach to Yoga. Delhi : Ravi.
� Dvivedi, M. N. (Ed .and Tr.), 1934, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Adyar,
Madras : Theosophical Publishing House.
� Feuerstein, George, (2002).The Yoga Tradition. Delhi : Motilal
Baanershidas.
� Phukan, B.N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay. North Lakhimpur : Dr.
Jogada Phukan,
� Singh, Pancham (Ed.), (1975). The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. N.D. :
Oriental Book Reprint Corporation,
� Shastri, Pandit, A. Mahadev (ed), (1983). The Yoga Upanishads.
Madras: The Adyar Library and Research Centre.
� Taimini, I. K., (1979). The Science of Yoga. Adyar, Madras : The
Theosophical Publishing House.
� Vasu, Srisa Chandra (Ed), (1975). The Gheranda Samhita. N.D. :
Oriental Book Reprint Corporation.
� Worthington, Vivian, (1982). A History of Yoga. London : Routledge
and Kegen Paul.
� Yogeswar, (1981). Textbook of Yoga. Madras : Yoga Centre.
� Yogeswarananda, Swami, (1970). First Steps to Higher Yoga.
Gangotri : Yoga Niketan Trust.
� National Policy on Education, 1983, Ministry of H.R.D., Govt. of India,
New Delhi.
� National Curriculum Framework, 2005
� Syllabus on Health and Physical Education for Class Secondary and
Senior Secondary Classes.
� Chatterjee, C. C., (1987). Human Physiology, 2 Vols. Calcutta : Medical
Allied Agency.
65Yoga Education
Relation of Yoga with Physiology and Psychology Unit 5
� Gyuton, Arthur, (1986). Textbook of Medical Physiology .
Phaladelphia : W. B. Saunders.
� Pearce, Evelyn, (1978). Anatomy and Physiology for the Nurses.
Calcutta : Oxford University Press.
� Phukan, B. N., (2012). Yog Vijnan Parichay (Chapters VI and X). North
Lakhimpur, Assam : Dr. Jogada Phukan.