Unit 2

Yoga principle and knowledge of ancient text

Following are the tenYogaPrinciples -

1. Non-violence (Ahimsa)

2. Truthfulness (Satya)

3. Righteousness (Asteya)

4. Wisdom (Brahmacharya)

5. Simplicity (Aparigraha)

6. Worship Of The spiritual goal(Ishvara-pranidhana)

7. Sacrifice the ego(Shaucha)

8. Self-discipline (Tapas)

9. Reading (Svadhyaya)

10. Contentment(Santosha)

Meaning of Yoga Principle

● Non-violence(Ahimsa) :-

Nokilling of other beings and be peaceful.

Truthfulness (Satya)

Live in the truth. Basically, be honest with yourself and others. Also there should be no little lies
of convenience.

● Righteousness (Asteya)

Neither stealing nor cheating. A Yogi is always honest.

● Wisdom (Brahmacharya)

Live in the spiritual light. Do not serve the money but your inner happiness. Be centered in your
inner happiness and peace.

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 ● Simplicity (Aparigraha)

Be moderate in external enjoyment and consumption. A spiritual person lives modestly

● Worship Of The Spiritual goal (Ishvara-pranidhana)

So that we do not lose our spiritual path, it is necessary that we remind ourselves again and again
about our spiritual goal. We can worship any image (Goddess, Shiva, Patanjali), we can bow
before a statue (Buddha,Jesus,Shiva) or speak amantra(prayer).

● Sacrifice the ego(Shaucha)

Purification/cleaning. The way into the light passes through the crucifixion of the ego. Without a
crucifixion, there is no enlightenment. True sacrifice is an art. who sacrifices too much braces
them [Link] Sacrifices too little,does not solve this tensions.

● Self-discipline (Tapas)

A clear goal, a clear life plan and a clear way of practicing. Tapas means to lead a disciplined
life.

● Reading(Svadhyaya)

Daily reading (mantra, meditation) keeps us on the spiritual path, cleanses our spirit, connects us
with the enlightened masters and makes us spiritual victors.

● Contentment (Santosha)

Satisfied with what one has.

Knowledge of Ancient Yoga Text

In order to have a deeper knowledge of Yoga, one should have a good understanding of ancient
Yoga texts.

Some of the important Yoga texts are given below-

1- Bhagavad Gita

2- PatanjaliYogaSutra

3- TheRamayana

4- NaradBhaki Sutra

Bhagavad Gita

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The Geeta is the linchpin of a great epic, and that epic is the Mahabharata or Great Story of
theBharatas. With nearly one hundred thousand verses divided into eighteen chapters, it is one of
the longest epic poems in the world— in fact, a whole library of stories that exerted a
tremendous

The central story of the Mahabharata is a conflict over succession to the throne of Hastinapur.

The struggle is between two groups of cousins, the Pandavas or sons of Pandu, and the Kauravas,
or descendants of Kuru.

The battle rages for eighteen days and ends with the defeat of the Kauravas. All the Kauravas
die; only the five Pandava brothers and Krishna survive. The six set out for heaven together, but
all die on the way, except. Yudhishthira, who reaches the gates of heaven accompanied only by a
small dog, who turns out to be an incarnation of the god Dharma.

the Bhagavad Gita, or the Song of the Lord, most commonly referred to simply as the Gita. It is
a conversation between lord Krishna and Arjuna .

The eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita are classified as 'yogas', staring with the 'yoga' of

Arjuna's depression and ending with the yoga of 'liberation through renunciation'. The eighteen

chapters are:

Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of The Despondency of Arjuna

Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga -The Yoga of Knowledge

Chapter 3: Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Action

Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge as well as the Disciplines Of
action and Knowledge

Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa Yoga - The yoga of Action and knowledge

Chapter 6: Atma Samyama Yoga -The yoga of Self-Control

Chapter 7:Gyana Vigyana Yoga-Knowledge of manifest Divinity

Chapter 8:Akshara Brahma Yoga -The Yoga of The Imperishable Brahman

Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga - The yoga of Sovereign Science and the Sovereign
Secret

Chapter10: Vibhuti Yoga - The Yoga Of The Divine Glories

Chapter 11:Visvarupa Darsana Yoga-The Yoga of The Vision of the Cosmic

Form Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga - The Yoga of Devotion

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Chapter13: Kshetra Kshetra Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of The Distinction Between the Field and
the Knower off the field

Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of The Division of the Three Gunas

Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga.- The Yoga of The SupremeSpirit

Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of The Division Between the Divine
and the Demoniacal

Chapter 17: Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of The Division of the Threefold Faith
Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Liberation By Renunciation

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Yoga is commonly practiced as a routine which helps in improving physical fitness and
sometimes as a means to stress management. There is growing awareness that yoga can be
effectively used as therapy in treating a variety of ailments, including hypertension, diabetes,
heart conditions, etc. Those who have been practicing yoga for a while can attest to the physical
and physiological benefits that the practice brings.

The true meaning and purpose of yoga is “the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind”.
This brief and succinct definition was given by Sage Patanjali, more than three thousand years
ago,in theYoga Sutras Patanjali. theYoga Sutras,Patanjali Has Provided A very scientific and
practical exposition of the philosophy and practice of yoga. One very important section of the
book describes what is commonly called “ashtanga yoga” or the Eight Limbs of Yoga

which provides practical guidelines for achieving the goal of yoga,i.e., controlling the mind.

Most of the yoga as it is practiced today, called Hatha Yoga, includes physical postures (asanas)
and handsome breathing techniques (pranayama) . However, to develop a fully integrated
practice of yoga and achieve the final objectives of yoga, one needs to include in their routine all
the eight limbs of yoga in some form.

Overview of Yoga Sutras

The credit for putting together a formal, cohesive philosophy of yoga goes to Sage [Link]
hisYogaSutras ,Patanjali has provided the very essence of the philosophy and teachings of yoga
in a highly scientific and systematic exposition. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (YSP) are one of
the six darshanas of Hindu schools of philosophy and a very important milestone in the history of
Yoga.

The book is a set of 195 aphorisms (sutras). The sutras are divided into four chapters (pada) as
follows:

Samadhi Pada: The first chapter provides a definition and the purpose of yoga. Various
approaches that can be used to achieve the objectives of yoga are provided.

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Sadhana Pada: The second chapter contains the practical approach to achieve the goals of yoga.
In this chapter, the author gives a description of the eight limbs of yoga called Ashtanga Yoga,
which is how the yoga sutras are sometimes referred to.

Vibhui Pada: The third chapter focuses on some of the supernatural powers that an adept yogi
may be able to attain.

Kaivalya Pada: In the fourth chapter the nature of the mind and mental perceptions, desire,
bondage and liberation and what follows it are discussed.

The YogaSutras of Patanjali are also sometimes referred to as "Raj Yoga" or the "Royal Yoga".
In sutra2 of the first chapter,Patanjali Has Defined yoga as -

"Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff" – translation by Swami

In subsequent sutras, Patanjali explains that once the mind is properly restrained, then the “seer”
or the “soul,the true self” can rest in its own true nature. In simpler terms, what this definition
tells us is that we can be peaceful and happy when we can control the mind; else, the mind
continues to control us, and we stay in a state of suffering.

Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga)

The eight limbs of yoga as defined in the second chapter are as follows:

● Yamas (self-restraints): The yamas are guidelines for how to interact with the outside
world at a

social level. The five yamas are:

Ahimsa (non-violence)

Satya (truthfulness)

Asteya (non-stealing)

Brahmacharya (abstinence)

Aparigraha (non-hoarding).

● Niyamas (observances): The niyamas represent guidelines for self-discipline. The five
niyamas are:

shoucha (cleanliness)

santosha (contentment)

tapas (austerity)

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swadhyaya (the study of the scriptures and self-study)

Ishvara pranidhana (surrender to God).

Together, yamas and niyamas provide an ethical and moral code to be followed so that the
aspiring yogi can establish an adequate moral foundation for his/her spiritual journey.

● Asana (posture): Asana refers to the seated posture which should be steady and
comfortable so the yogi can sit and meditate for long periods of time.
● Pranayama (breath control): Pranayama, which literally means stretching or expansion
of prana, the vital life force, involves breath control and helps train and prepare the mind
for dharana (concentration).
● Pratyahara (sense withdrawal): Through pratyahara one gains the ability to withdraw
the senses from their objects thus achieving perfect control over the senses.
● Dharana (concentration/focus): Dharana involves focusing the mind on a single object
of concentration for long periods of time.
● Dhyana (meditation): When there is an uninterrupted flow of the mind toward the object
of focus, the yogi enters the state of meditation.
● Samadhi (total absorption): Finally when even the self-awareness of the mind
disappears, and only the object of meditation shines through, it is called the state of
samadhi. It is only in the highest stage of “Samadhi”, called the “nirbeeja Samadhi”
(seedless Samadhi).

Human Body

Human Body is a very complex machine. It works well when all of its components works in
tandem and remain in good condition. We can divide Human Body in following systems-

1- Skeletal System

2- Cardiovascular System

3- Muscular System

4- Digestive System

5- Endocrine System

6- Nervous System

7- Respiratory System

8- Immune & Lymphatic System

9- Urinary System

10- Female Reproductive System

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11-Male Reproductive System

Skeletal System

The skeletal system of a body is made up of 206 individual bones. These bones are arranged into
two major divisions: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

● The axial skeleton runs along the body's

midline axis and is made up of 80 bones in the following regions: Skull,Hyoid,Auditory

● The appendicular skeleton is made up of 126 bones in the following regions:

Upper Limbs,Lower Limbs,Pelvic girdle andPectoral(shoulder) girdle

skull

Our skull has 22 bones and all bones are fused except Mandible(Jawline bone). These 21 fused
bones are separated in children which allows the skull and brain to grow and in adults it is fused
to give added strength and protection to the brain. The mandible remains as a movable jaw bone
and forms the only movable joint in skull.

The bones of the superior porion (forehead) of the skull are known as the cranium and protect the
brain from damage. The bones of the inferior and anterior porion of the skull are known as facial
bones and support the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Hyoid and auditory ossicles

Hyoid is a small U shape Bone and it is the only bone in the body that does not form a joint with
other bones. It is also known as floating bone.

It has a function to open the mouth and has a bony connection with tongue.

The malleus, incus, and stapes—known collectively as the auditory ossicles—are the smallest
bones in the body. they serve to transmit and amplify sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Vertebrae

There are 26 vertebrae from the vertebrae column. They named by regions:-

Cervical (neck) - 7 vertebrae Thoracic (chest) - 12 vertebrae Lumbar (lower back) - 5 vertebrae
Sacrum-1 vertebra Coccyx (tailbone)- 1 vertebra With the exception of the singular sacrum and
coccyx, each vertebra is named by the first letter of its region and its position along the superior-
inferior axis. For example, the most superior thoracic vertebra is called T1, and the most inferior
is calledT12.

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Ribs and sternum

Sternum is also known as breast bone. It is a thin knife bone located along the midline. The
sternum connects to the ribs by thin bands of cartilage called the costal cartilage.

There are 12 pairs of ribs (24 ribs) that together with the sternum form the ribcage of the thoracic
region. The first seven ribs are known as “true ribs” because they connect the thoracic vertebrae
directly to the sternum through their own band of costal cartilage. Ribs 8, 9, and 10 all connect to
the sternum through cartilage that is connected to the cartilage of the seventh rib, so we consider
these to be “false ribs.” Ribs 11 and 12 are also false ribs but are also considered to be“floaing
ribs” because they do not have any cartilage attachment to the sternum at all.

Pectoral girdle and upper limb

The pectoral girdle connects the upper limb (arm) bones to the axial skeleton and consists of the
left and right clavicles (beauty bone or neck bone) and left and right scapula (triangular shaped
bone).

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm. It forms the ball and socket joint of the shoulder with
the scapula (Triangular shaped Bone) and forms the elbow joint with the lower arm bones. The
radius and ulna are the two bones of the forearm. The ulna is on the medial side of the forearm
and forms a hinge joint with the humerus at the elbow. The radius allows the forearm and hand to
turnover at the wrist joint.

The lower arm bones form the wrist joint with the carpals, a group of eight small bones that give
added flexibility to the wrist. The carpals are connected to the five metacarpals that form the
bones of the hand and connect to each of the fingers. Each finger has three bones known as
phalanges, except for the thumb, which only has two phalanges.

Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb

Formed by the left and right hip bones, the pelvic girdle connects the lower limb (leg) bones to
the axial [Link] femur is the largest bone in the body and the only bone of the thigh
(femoral) region. The femur forms the ball and socket hip joint with the hip bone and forms the
knee joint with the ibia and patella. Commonly called the kneecap, the patella is special because
it is one of the few bones that are not present at birth. The patella forms in early childhood to
support the knee for walking and crawling.

The ibia and fibula are the bones of the lower leg. The ibia is much larger than the fibula and
bears almost all of the body's weight. The fibula is mainly a muscle attachment point and is used
to help maintain balance. The ibia and fibula form the ankle joint with the talus, one of the seven
tarsalbones inthefoot.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and the approximately 5 liters of
blood that the blood vessels transport. Responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones,

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and cellular waste products throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is powered by the
body's hardest-working organ — the heart, which is only about the size of a closed fist. Even at
rest, the average heart easily pumpsover 5 liter of blood throughout the body every minute.

The Heart

The heart is a muscular pumping organ located medial to the lungs along the body's midline in
the thoracic region. The bottom ip of the heart, known as its apex, is turned to the left so that
about 2/3 of the heart is located on the body's left side with the other 1/3 on the right. The top of
the heart, known as the heart's base, connects to the great blood vessels of the body: the aorta,
vena cava, pulmonary trunk, and pulmonary veins.

There are 2 primary circulatory loops in the human body:the pulmonary circulation loop and the
systemic circulation loop.

Pulmonary circulation transports deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the
lungs, where the blood picks up oxygen and returns to the left side of the heart. The pumping
chambers of the heart that support the pulmonary circulation loop are the right atrium and right
ventricle.

Systemic circulation carries highly oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to all of the
issues of the body (with the exception of the heart and lungs). Systemic circulation removes
wastes from body issues and returns deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart. The left
atrium and left ventricle of the heart are the pumping chambers for the systemic circulation loop.

Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are the body's highways that allow blood to flow quickly and efficiently from the
heart to every region of the body and back again. The size of blood vessels corresponds with the
amount of blood that passes through the vessel. All blood vessels contain a hollow area called
the lumen through which blood is able to flow. Around the lumen is the wall of the vessel, which
may be thin in the case of capillaries or very thick in the case of arteries.

Muscular System

The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the human [Link] to the bones
of the skeletal system are about 700 named muscles that make up roughly half of a person's body
weight. Each of these muscles is a discrete organ constructed of skeletal muscle tissue, blood
vessels, tendons, and nerves. Muscle tissue is also found inside of the heart, digestive organs, and
blood vessels. In these organs, muscles serve to move substances throughout the body.

There are three types of muscle issue: Visceral, cardiac, and skeletal.

Visceral Muscle

Visceral muscle is found inside of organs like the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. The
weakest of all muscle issues, visceral muscle makes organs contract to move substances through
the organ. Because visceral muscle is controlled by the unconscious part of the brain, it is known

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as involuntary muscle—it cannot be directly controlled by the conscious mind. The term
“smooth muscle” is often used to describe visceral muscle because it has a very smooth, uniform
appearance when viewed under a microscope. This smooth appearance starkly contrasts with the
banded appearance of cardiac and skeletal muscles.

Cardiac Muscle

Found only in the heart, cardiac muscle is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
Cardiac muscle tissues cannot be controlled consciously, so it is an involuntary muscle. While
hormones and signals from the brain adjust the rate of contraction, cardiac muscle simulates
itself to contract. The natural pacemaker of the heart is made of cardiac muscle tissue that
simulates other cardiac muscle cells to contract. Because of itself-simulation, cardiac muscle is
considered to be autorhythmic or intrinsically controlled.

The cells of cardiac muscle tissue are striated—that is, they appear to have light and dark stripes
when viewed under a light microscope. The arrangement of protein fibers inside of the cells
causes these light and dark bands. Striations indicate that a muscle cell is very strong, unlike
visceral muscles.

The cells of cardiac muscle are branched X or Y-shaped cells tightly connected together by
special junctions called intercalated disks. Intercalated disks are made up of finger-like
projections from two neighboring cells that interlock and provide a strong bond between the
cells. The branched structure and intercalated discs allow the muscle cells to resist high blood
pressures and the strain of pumping blood throughout a lifetime. These features also help to
spread electrochemical signals quickly from cell to cell so that the heart can beat as aunit.

Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is the only voluntary muscle tissue in the human body—is controlled
consciously. Every physical action that a person consciously performs (e.g. speaking, walking, or
writing) requires skeletal muscle. The function of skeletal muscle is to contract to move parts of
the body closer to the bone that the muscle is attached to. Most Skeletal muscles are attached to
two bones across a joint,so the muscle serves to move parts of those bones closer to each other.
Skeletal muscle cells form when many smaller progenitor cells lump themselves together to form
long, straight, multinucleated fibers. Striated just like cardiac muscle, these skeletal muscle
fibers are very strong. Skeletal muscle derives its name from the fact that these muscles always
connect the skeleton at least one place.

Skeletal systems typically make up roughly 35% of your body weight and these can very person
to person.

Digestive System

The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic
nutrients to feed the entire body. Food passes through a long tube inside the

body known as the alimentary canal or the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The alimentary

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canalis makeup of the oral cavity,pharynx,esophagus,stomach,small intestines, and large
intestines. In addition to the alimentary canal, there are several important accessory organs that
help your body to digest [Link] are the main parts Of Digestive System.

Digestive System

Mouth

Food begins its journey through the digestive system in the mouth, also known as the oral
cavity. Inside the mouth are many accessory organs that aid in the digestion of food—the tongue,
teeth, and salivary glands. Teeth chop food into small pieces, which are moistened by saliva
before the tongue and other muscles push the food in the pharynx.

Teeth

The teeth are 32 small, hard organs found along the anterior and lateral edges of the mouth.
Each tooth is made of a bone-like substance called denim and covered in a layer of enamel—the
hardest substance in the body. Teeth are living organs and contain blood vessels and nerves under
the denin in a soft region known as the pulp. The teeth are designed for cutting and grinding food
into smaller pieces.

Tongue

The tongue is located on the inferior portion of the mouth just posterior and medial to the teeth.
It is a small organ made up of several pairs of muscles covered in a thin, bumpy, skin-like layer.
The outside of the tongue contains many rough papillae for gripping food as it is moved by the
tongue's muscles. The taste buds on the surface of the tongue detect taste molecules in food and
connect to nerves in the tongue to send taste information to the brain. The tongue also helps to
push food toward the posterior part of the mouth for swallowing.]

Salivary Glands

Surrounding the mouth are 3 sets of salivary glands. The salivary glands are accessory organs
that produce a watery secretion known as saliva. Saliva helps to moisten food and begins the
digestion of carbohydrates. The body also uses saliva to lubricate food as it passes through the
mouth, pharynx, and esophagus.

Pharynx

The pharynx, or throat, is a funnel-shaped tube connected to the posterior end of the mouth. The
pharynx is responsible for the passing of masses of chewed food from the mouth to the
esophagus. The pharynx also plays an important role in the respiratory system, as air from the
nasal cavity passes through the pharynx on its way to the larynx and eventually the lungs.
Because the pharynx serves two different functions, it contains a flap of tissue known as the
epiglottis that acts as a switch to route food to the esophagus and air the larynx.

Esophagus

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The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach that is part of the upper
gastrointestinal tract. It carries swallowed masses of chewed food along its length. At the inferior
end of the esophagus is a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter or cardiac
sphincter. The function of this sphincter is to close off the end of the esophagus and trap food in
the stomach.

Stomach

The stomach is a muscular sac that is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, just
inferior to the diaphragm. In an average person, the stomach is about the size of their two fists
placed next to each other. This major organ acts as a storage tank for food so that the body has
time to digest large meals properly. The stomach also contains hydrochloric acid and digestive
enzymes that continue the digestion of food that began in the mouth.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is a long, thin tube about 1 inch in diameter and about 10 feet long that is part
of the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is located just inferior to the stomach and takes up most of
the space in the abdominal cavity. The inside surface of small intestine is full of many ridges and
folds. These folds are used to maximize the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. By the
time food leaves the small intestine, around 90% of all nutrients have been extracted from the
food that entered it.

Liver and Gallbladder

The liver is a roughly triangular accessory organ of the digestive system located to the right of
the stomach. The liver weighs about 3 pounds and is the second largest organ in the body. The
liver has many different functions in the body, but the main function of the Liver in digestion is
the production of bile and its secretion into the small intestine.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located just posterior to the liver. The gallbladder
is used to store and recycle excess bile from the small intestine so that It can be reused for the
digestion of food.

Pancreas

The pancreas is a large gland . It is about 6 inches long and shaped like a short, lumpy snake with
its “head” connected to the duodenum and its “tail” pointing to the left wall of the abdominal
cavity. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to complete the chemical
digestion.

Large Intestine

The large intestine is a long, thick tube about 2 ½ inches in diameter and about 5 feet long. The
large intestine absorbs water and contains many symbiotic bacteria that aid in the breaking down
of wastes to extract some small amounts of nutrients. Feces in the large intestine exit the body
through the anal canal.

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Endocrine System

The endocrine system includes all of the glands of the body and the hormones produced by those
glands. The glands are controlled directly by simulation from the nervous system as well as by
chemical receptors in the blood and hormones produced by other glands. By regulating the
functions of organs in the body, these glands help to maintain the body's homeostasis, Cellular
metabolism, reproducion, sexual development, sugar and mineral homeostasis, heart rate, and
digestion.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a part of the brain. It serves many different functions in the nervous system
and is also responsible for the direct control of the endocrine system through the pituitary gland.
The hypothalamus contains special cells called neurosecretory cells—neurons that secrete
hormones:

1- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

2-Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

3- Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone(GHIH)

4-Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

5-Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

6-Oxytocin

7-Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a small pea-sized lump of issue connected
to the inferior portion of the hypothalamus of the brain. Many blood vessels surround the
pituitary gland to carry the hormones it releases throughout the body. Situated in a small
depression in the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, the pituitary gland is actually made of 2
completely separate structures: the posterior and anterior pituitary glands

Pineal Gland

The pineal gland is a small pinecone-shaped mass of glandular tissue. The pineal gland produces
the hormone melatonin that helps to regulate the human sleep-wake cycle known as the circadian
rhythm. The activity of the pineal gland is inhibited by simulation from the photoreceptors of the
reina. This light sensitivity causes melatonin to be produced only in low light or darkness.
Increased Melanin production causes humans to feel drowsy at nighttime when the pineal gland
is active.

Thyroid Gland

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The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck and wrapped around
the lateral sides of the trachea. The thyroid gland produces 3 major hormones:

Calcitonin Triiodothyronine (T3)

Thyroxine (T4)

Calcitonin is released when calcium ion levels in the blood rise above a certain set point.
Calcitonin functions to reduce the concentration. ions in the blood by aiding the absorption of
calcium into the matrix of bones. The hormones T3 and T4 work together to regulate the body's
metabolic rate. Increased levels of T3 and T4 lead to increased cellular activity and energy usage
in the body.

Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are 4 small masses of glandular tissue found on the posterior side of the
thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands produce the hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH), which
is involved in calcium ion homeostasis. PTH is released from the parathyroid glands when
calcium ion levels in the blood drop below a set point. PTH stimulates the osteoclasts to break
down the calcium-containing bone matrix to release free calcium ions into the bloodstream. PTH
also triggers the kidneys to return calcium ions filtered out of the blood back to the bloodstream
so that it is conserved.

Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are a pair of roughly triangular glands. The adrenal glands are each made of 2
distinct layers, each with their own unique functions: the outer adrenal cortex and inner adrenal
medulla.

Androgens, such as testosterone, are produced at low levels in the adrenal cortex to regulate the
growth and activity of cells that are receptive to male hormones. In adult males, the amount of
androgens produced by the testes is many times greater than the amount produced by the adrenal
cortex, leading to the appearance of male secondary sex characteristics.

The adrenal medulla produces the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine under simulation by
the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Both of these hormones help to
increase the flow of blood to the brain and muscles to improve the “fight-or-flight” response to
stress. These hormones also work to increase heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure while
decreasing the flow of blood to and function of organs that are not involved in responding to
emergencies.

Pancreas

The pancreas is a large gland located in the abdominal cavity. The pancreas is considered to be a
heterocrine gland as it contains both endocrine and exocrine tissue. The endocrinevcells of the
pancreas makeup just about 1% of the total mass of the pancreas and are found in small groups

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throughout the pancreas called islets of Langerhans. Within these islets are 2 types of
cells—alpha and beta cells. The alpha cells produce the hormone glucagon, which is responsible
for raising blood glucose levels.

Glucagon triggers muscle and liver cells to break down the polysaccharide glycogen to release
glucose into the bloodstream. The Beta cells produce the hormone insulin, which is responsible
for lowering blood glucose levels after a meal. Insulin triggers the absorption of glucose from the
blood into cells, where it is added to glycogen molecules for storage.

Gonads

The gonads—ovaries in females and testes in males—are responsible for producing the sex

hormones of the body. These sex hormones determine the secondary sex characteristics of

adult females and adult males.

Testes: The testes are a pair of ellipsoid organs found in the scrotum of males that produce the
androgen testosterone in males after the start of puberty. Testosterone has effects on many parts
of the body, including the muscles, bones, sex organs, and hair follicles. This hormone causes
growth and increases in strength of the bones and muscles, including the accelerated growth of
long bones during adolescence. During puberty, testosterone controls the growth and
development of the sex organs and body hair of males, including pubic, chest, and facial hair.

Ovaries: The ovaries are a pair of almond-shaped glands located in the pelvic body cavity lateral
and superior to the uterus in females. The ovaries produce the female sex hormones progesterone
and estrogens. Progesterone is most active in females during ovulation and pregnancy where it
maintains appropriate conditions in the human body to support a developing fetus. Estrogens are
a group of related hormones that function as the primary female sex hormones. The release of
estrogen during puberty triggers the development of female secondary sex characteristics such as
uterine development, breast development, and the growth of pubic hair. Estrogen also triggers the
increased growth of bones during adolescence that leads to adult height and proportions.

Thymus

The thymus is a soft, triangular-shaped organ found in the chest posterior to the sternum. The
thymus produces hormones called thymosins that help to train and develop T-lymphocytes
during fetal development and childhood. The T-lymphocytes produced in the thymus go on to
protect the body from pathogens throughout a person's entire life. The thymus becomes inactive
during puberty and is slowly replaced by adipose tissue throughout a person's life.

Nervous System

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all of the nerves that
connect these organs to the rest of the body. Together, these organs are responsible for the control
of the body and communication among its parts. The brain and spinal cord form the control

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center known as the central nervous system (CNS), where information is evaluated and decisions
made. The sensory nerves and sense organs of the peripheral nervous system(PNS)monitor.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system provides oxygen to the body's cells while removing carbon dioxide, a
waste product that can be lethal if allowed to accumulate. There are 3 major parts of the
respiratory system: the airway, the lungs, and the muscles of respiration. The airway, which
includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, carries air between
the lungs and the body's exterior.

Immune and Lymphatic Systems

The immune and lymphatic systems are two closely related organ systems that share several
organs and physiological functions. The immune system is our body's defense system against
infectious pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi as well as parasitic animals and protists. The
immune system works to keep these harmful agents out of the body and attack those that manage
to enter. The lymphatic system is a system of capillaries,vessels, andnodes.

Urinary System

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. The kidneys
filter the blood to remove wastes and produce urine. The ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra
together form the urinary tract, which acts as a plumbing system to drain urine from the kidneys,
store it, and then release it during urination. Besides filtering and eliminating wastes from the
body, the urinary system also maintains the homeostasis of water, ions, pH, blood pressure and
calcium.

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva,
mammary glands, and breasts. These organs are involved in the production and transportation of
gametes and the production of sex hormones. The female reproductive system also facilitates the
fertilization of ova by sperm and supports the development of offspring during pregnancy and
infancy.

Male Reproductive System

The Male reproductive system comprises many organs, whose main function is to produce and
supply sperm for reproduction. The male sex system is formed by testosterone secreted from the
fetal testes; On reaching puberty, the secondary sex organ gets developed and becomes fully
functional. Its main function is to produce Sperm in the testes and to send it by the epididymis,
ejaculatory duct, and urethra. The sperms are released fromthe penis during ejaculaion.

Benefits of Yoga on Human Body

Unlike other physical exercises, which give benefits to the body only, Yoga benefits Body, mind,
and soul. Also, no other exercise give benefits to internal organs and glands, while for good

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health it is very essential that they all should work properly. Below are some of the benefits of
yoga -

- Improves flexibility
- Improves body posture
- Betters your bone health
- Increase your balance
- Build muscle strength etc….

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