திருமந்திரம்

270.
அன்பு சிவம் இரண்டு என்பர் அறிவிலார்
அன்பே சிவமாவது ஆரும் அறிகிலார்
அன்பே சிவமாவது ஆரும் அறிந்தபின்
அன்பே சிவமாய் அமர்ந்திருந் தாரே. 1

552..
இயம நியமமே எண்ணிலா ஆதனம்
நயமுறு பிராணாயா மம்.(1).பிரத்தி யாகாரஞ்
சயமிகு தாரணை தியானஞ் சமாதி
அயமுறும் அட்டாங்க மாவது மாமே


554..
கொல்லான்பொய் கூறான் களவிலான் எண்குணன்
நல்லான் அடக்க முடையான் நடுச்செய்ய
வல்லான் பகுந்துண்பான் மாசிலான் கட்காமம்
இல்லான் இயமத் திடையில்நின் றானே

556..
தூய்மை .(1). அருளூண் சுருக்கம் பொறைசெவ்வை
வாய்மை நிலைமை வளர்த்தலே மற்றிவை
காமங் களவு கொலையெனக் காண்பவை
நேமியீ ரைந்து நியமத்த னாமே

564..
ஐவர்க்கு நாயகன் அவ்வூர்த் தலைமகன்
உய்யக்கொண்டேறுங் குதிரைமற் றொன்றுண்டு
மெய்யர்க்குப்பற்றுக்கொடுக்குங் கொடாதுபோய்ப்
பொய்யரைத் துள்ளி விழுத்திடுந் தானே

588..
கோணா மனத்தைக் குறிக்கொண்டு கீழ்க்கட்டி
வீணாத்தண் டூடே வௌiயுறத் தானோக்கிக்
காணாக்கண் கேளாச் செவியென் றிருப்பார்க்கு
வாணாள் அடைக்கும் வழியது வாமே

598..
வருமாதி யீரெட்டுள் வந்த தியானம்
பொருவாத புந்தி புலன்போக மேவல்
உருவாய சத்தி பரத்தியான முன்னுங்
குருவார் சிவத்தியானம் யோகத்தின் கூறே

631..
சமாதிசெய் வார்க்குத் தகும்பல யோகஞ்
சமாதிகள் வேண்டாம் இறையுட னேகிற்
சமாதிதா னில்லை தானவ னாகிற்
சமாதியில் எட்டெட்டுச் சித்தியும் எய்துமே

724..
உடம்பார் அழியில் உயிரார் அழிவர்
திடம்பட மெய்ஞ்ஞானஞ் சேரவு மாட்டார்
உடம்பை வளர்க்கும் உபாயம் அறிந்தே
உடம்பை வளர்த்தேன் உயிர்வளர்த் தேனே

785..
மனையிலஒன் றாகும் மாதமு மூன்றுஞ்
சுனையில்ஒன் றாகத் தொனித்தனன் நந்தி
வினையற வோங்கி வௌiச்செய்து நின்றால்
தனையுற நின்ற தலைவனு மாமே

1777
மேவி எழுகின்ற செஞ்சுடர் ஊடுசென்று
ஆவி எழும்அள வன்றே உடலுற
மேவப் படுவதும் விட்டு நிகழ்வதும்
பாவித்து அடக்கிற் பரகதி தானே. 5


2883
பார்ப்பான் அகத்திலே பாற்பசு ஐந்துண்டு
மேய்ப்பாரும் இன்றி வெறித்துத் திரிவன
மேய்ப்பாரும் உண்டாய் வெறியும் அடங்கினால்
பார்ப்பான் பசுஐந்தும் பாலாச் சொரியுமே

YOGA THERAPY- INDIAN YOGIES

UNIT 4 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

The Siddha medicine is a form of south Indian Tamil traditional medicine and part of the trio Indian medicines - ayurveda, siddha and unani
a nearly 10,000 year[1][2] old medical system followed by the Tamil people, both in India and abroad. This system of medicine was popular in ancient India,due to the antiquity of this medical system,the siddha system of medicine is believed to be one of the oldest medical system. The system is believed to be developed by the 18 siddhas in the south called siddhar. They are the ancient supernatural spiritual saints of India and the Siddha system is believed to be handed over to the Siddhar by the Hindu God - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. So are the siddhars, the followers of Lord Shiva (Shaivaites). Siddhar's total nos are eighteen, with agathiyar being the first Siddhar.[3]

The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), established in 1978, by Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, coordinates and promotes research in the fields of Ayurveda and Siddha medicine[4], also Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) a statutory body established in 1971 under AYUSH, monitors higher education in areas of Indian medicine including, Siddha.[5] To fight biopiracy and unethical patents, the Government of India, in 2001, set up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as repository of 223,000 formulations of various systems of Indian medicine, such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha


Ayurveda

(Sanskrit: आयुर्वेद; Āyurveda, "the complete knowledge for long life") or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India[1] and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine.[2] In Sanskrit, the word ayurveda consists of the words āyus, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science".[1] Evolving throughout its history, ayurveda remains an influential system of medicine in South Asia.[3] The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India.[2] The Suśruta Saṃhitā and the Charaka Saṃhitā were influential works on traditional medicine during this era.[2] Over the following centuries, ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments .[4]

Western medicine has ayurveda classified as a system of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that is used to complement, rather than replace, the treatment regimen and relationship that exists between a patient and their existing physician


A Siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara (ego or I-maker), have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies (composed mainly of dense Rajo-tama gunas) into a different kind of body dominated by sattva. This is usually accomplished only by persistent meditation.

According to Jain belief Siddha are liberated souls who have destroyed all the karma bondings. Siddha do not have any kind of body, they are soul at its purest form.

A siddha has also been defined to refer to one who has attained a siddhi. The siddhis as paranormal abilities are considered emergent abilities of an individual that is on the path to siddhahood, and do not define a siddha, who is established in the Pranav or Aum – the spiritual substrate of creation. The siddhi in its pure form means "the attainment of flawless identity with Reality (Brahman); perfection of Spirit."

In the Hindu philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Hindu tantra), siddha also refers to a Siddha Guru who can by way of Shaktipat initiate disciples into Yoga.

Unani

-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine (pronounced /juːˈnɑːni/; Yūnānī in Arabic, Hindi-Urdu and Persian) means "Greek Medicine", and is a form of traditional medicine widely practiced in South Asia. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arabic medicine,[1][2] which is based on the teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates, and Roman physician Galen, and developed in to an elaborate medical System by Arab and Persian physicians, such as Rhazes, Avicenna (Ibn Sena), Al-Zahrawi, Ibn Nafis.[3]

Unani medicine is based around the concepts of the four humours: Phlegm (Balgham), Blood (Dam), Yellow bile (Ṣafrā') and Black bile (Saudā'


Acupuncture

is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. Its proponents variously claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats disease, prevents disease, promotes general health, or can be used for therapeutic purposes.[1] Acupuncture being effective beyond the placebo effect has never been proven, except some pain relieving applications, though the latter results are somewhat inconsistent as well. Acupuncture typically incorporates traditional Chinese medicine as an integral part of its practice and theory. However, many practitioners consider 'Traditional Chinese Medicine' (TCM) to narrowly refer to modern mainland Chinese practice.[2] Acupuncture in Japan and Korea, and to a certain extent Taiwan, diverged from mainland China in theory and practice. In European countries such as the UK almost half the practitioners follow these non-TCM practices.[3] The most notable difference is that these other approaches often are primarily acupuncture, and do not incorporate Chinese herbal medicine. The term “acupuncture” is sometimes used to refer to insertion of needles at points other than traditional ones, or to applying an electric current to needles in acupuncture points.[4][5] Acupuncture dates back to prehistoric times, with written records from the second century BCE.[6] Different variations of acupuncture are practiced and taught throughout the worlD


A mud THERAPY


bath is a bath of mud, commonly from areas where hot spring water can combine with volcanic ash. Mud baths have existed for thousands of years, and can be found now in high-end spas in many countries of the world.

Mud baths can be found at the Dead Sea in Israel. Dead Sea mud, which is considered therapeutic[who?], is applied to the face, hair and body. Mud baths in the United States are mostly found at the resorts in Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, and in Miami Beach, Florida. The mud is a combination of local volcanic ash, imported Canadian peat and naturally heated mineral waters. Historically, the mud bath treatment has been used for centuries in Eastern and Western European spas as a way to relieve arthritis.

The mud baths of Espalmador are said to have healing properties and to be a beauty treatment that revitalizes skin.

Music therapy

is an allied health profession and a field of scientific research which studies correlations between the process of clinical therapy and biomusicology, musical acoustics, music theory, psychoacoustics, embodied music cognition and comparative musicology. It is an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health. Music therapists primarily help clients improve th eir observable level of functioning and self-reported quality of life in various domains (e.g., cognitive functioning, motor skills, emotional and affective development, behavior and social skills) by using music experiences (e.g., singing, songwriting, listening to and discussing music, moving to music) to achieve measurable treatment goals and objectives. Referrals to music therapy services may be made by a treating physician or an interdisciplinary team consisting of clinicians such as physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

Music therapists are found in nearly every area of the helping professions. Some commonly found practices include developmental work (communication, motor skills, etc.) with individuals with special needs, songwriting and listening in reminiscence/orientation work with the elderly, processing and relaxation work, and rhythmic entrainment for physical rehabilitation in stroke victims.

The Turco-Persian psychologist and music theorist al-Farabi (872–950), known as "Alpharabius" in Europe, dealt with music therapy in his treatise Meanings of the Intellect, where he discussed the therapeutic effects of music on the soul.[1] Robert Burton wrote in the 17th century in his classic work, The Anatomy of Melancholy, that music and dance were critical in treating mental illness, especially melancholia.[2][3][4]

Music therapy is considered one of the expressive therapies

Homeopathy

(pronunciation: i /ˌhoʊmiˈɒpəθi/; also spelled homoeopathy[1] or homœopathy) is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners treat patients using highly diluted[2][3] preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient. The collective weight of scientific evidence has found homeopathy to be no more effective than a placebo.[2][3][4][5][6]

In the context of homeopathy, the term remedy is used to refer to a substance prepared with a particular procedure and intended for treating patients; it is not to be confused with the generally accepted use of the word, which means "a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieves pain".[7]

The basic principle of homeopathy, known as the "law of similars", is "let like be cured by like." It was first stated by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. His "law of similars" is taken on his word[8] as an unproven assertion, and is not a true law of nature based on the scientific method.[9] Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking on an elastic body, which homeopaths term succussion. Each dilution followed by succussion is assumed to increase the effectiveness. Homeopaths call this process potentization. Dilution often continues until none of the original substance remains.[10] Apart from the symptoms, homeopaths examine aspects of the patient's physical and psychological state,[11] then homeopathic reference books known as repertories are consulted, and a remedy is selected based on the totality of symptoms.

While some individual studies have positive results, systematic reviews of published trials fail to demonstrate efficacy.[12][13][14][15][16] Furthermore, higher quality trials tend to report results that are less positive,[14][17] and most positive studies have not been replicated or show methodological problems that prevent them from being considered unambiguous evidence of homeopathy's efficacy


Hypnosis

is a mental state (according to "state theory") or imaginative role-enactment (according to "non-state theory").[1][2][3][4] It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions.[5] Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, or may be self-administered ("self-suggestion" or "autosuggestion"). The use of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes is referred to as "hypnotherapy", while its use as a form of entertainment for an audience is known as "stage hypnosis".

Massage

is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being.[1][2] The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough",[3][4] cf. Greek verb μάσσω (massō) "to handle, touch, to work with the hands, to knead dough".[5] In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage was anatripsis,[6] and the Latin was frictio.

Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities.[7] The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.[8]

Yogic Practices

The human body is constituted by different systems: all these systems work together regularly without any hindrance. The human body is made up of seven basic dhatus i.e. rasa, rakta, mansa, meda, asthi, majja and sukra. A number of changes occur in the human body during the whole life span, the homeostasis of doshas is known as health; imbalance in the doshic state may lead to the disease: shariram vyadhi mandira means the body is the seat of diseases.

The aim of Ayurveda is to preserve the health of a healthy individual and to cure the diseases of a diseased person. There is a major role of marma therapy and yoga along with Ayurveda to fulfill the above-mentioned goal. The whole world is requiring marma therapy and yoga as a weapon to combat the diseases of modern life. Marma therapy and yoga is practiced by many people for achieving the healthy state of life. A number of incurable diseases are treated with marma therapy and yogic practices.

Effect of self- marma therapy and yogic practices on digestive system: -

Digestive power of the body improves by regular self-marma therapy and yogic practices. The essential substances are supplied to the body regularly by absorbing these substances through absorption of the food material by the intestine. Metabolism of food takes place in the liver. Excessive available nutrients are deposited in different parts of the body. During necessity the body itself utilizes these nutrients.

The following effects are seen on the digestive system by marma therapy and yogic practices:



It maintains the digestive power healthier by stimulating all organs of Gastro Intestine Tract.

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It improves the digestive function of the body.
Increases the appetite by proper digestion of food.
Improves the function of intestine, so the intestine takes out the harmful substances properly.
Improves the peristaltic movement of Gastro Intestine Tract and relieves constipation, loss of appetite and hyperacidity.
By proper digestion of food the body gets proper nutrients and it also improves the working capacity of the body.

mportant organs of the digestive system—


Tongue
Salivary glands
Oesophagus
Stomach
Duodenum
Small Intestine
Appendix
Large Intestine
Rectum
Liver
Pancreas

Main Diseases of the Digestive System:



Hyperacidity

Useful in digestive system diseases:


1. Asana: - Vajrasana, supta vajrasana, ardhamatsyendrasana, paschimottana -sana. mayurasana, pavanmuktasana. katichakrasana, sarpasana. dhanurasana, sarvangasana, trikonasana, akarnadhanurasana, surya-namaskara.

Pranayama: - Nadi Shodhana, bhastrika.
Bandha: - Moola bandha, uddiyana bandha, etc.
Mudra: - Ashwini mudra, tadagi mudra, maha mudra etc.
Kriya:- Kunjala, vasti, sankhaprakshalana, Nauli, vastradhauti, agnisara etc.
Dhyana
Marma therapy:- Guda, nabhi, kurpara and indravasti.

Effect of self-marma therapy and yogic practices on blood circulatory system:
During yogic practices heart and circulatory system play an important role. It is a well known fact that any work is not possible without energy. Oxygen and nutrients are generated in the muscles during yogic practices. So at the time of yogic practices the heart rate and arterial blood circulation also increases. By this process blood pressure also increases. Due to increased blood circulation the lungs also work rapidly Body temperature increases due to different biochemical reactions in the muscles. Increased body temperature due to exercise is maintainted by sweat glands; they produce more sweat. Many excretory substances are also excreted through the sweat. Following effects take place on the circulatory system, during yogic practices.........

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Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may produce some changes in the body. The working capacity of the heart improves by regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices. The heart pumps good amount of pure blood into the circulation so the oxygen and other nutrients are readily available for better physiological activities of the body.
Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may lead to bradycardia. It provides better effect on the heart and the circulatory system. It improves the working capacity of the heart. During hard work the circulatory system gives better performance.
Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may lead to a number of biochemical changes in the blood. It increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Excretory metabolites and substances are taken away rapidly. So the concentration of excretory metabolites remains in lower level. Blood cholesterol decreases and the chances of heart attack are few in this condition.
Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may prevent the heart diseases. Patients of heart diseases may prefer high yogic practices like Kundalini jagaran and achieving Samadhi. By these practices the heart becomes healthier and strong.
By regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices the blood cells count increases. So the blood carrying capacity, diseaseresistant capacity and immunity improves.
The general body build and outlook become healthy. There is marked improvement in body resistance power.



Important organs of blood circulatory (cardio vascular) system: -
1. Arteries
2. Veins
3. Heart


Important diseases of blood circulatory (cardio vascular) system:-
1. Hypertension
2. Congenital heart diseases
3. Cardiac vascular diseases
4. Coronary artery diseases
5. Pericarditis


Useful in blood circulatory (cardio vascular) diseases: -
1. Asana:- Sheershasana, sarvangasana, shavasana, naukasana, halasana, karnapidasana etc.
2. Pranayama:- Bhastrika pranayama, nadi shodhana
pranayama, anuloma-viloma pranayama, etc.
3. Mudra:- Tnmani mudra, shambhavi mudra etc.
4. Bandha:- Uddiyana bandha, mula bandha etc.
5. Satakriya:- Agnisara, vastra dhauti, kunjala etc.
6. Dhyana
7. Marma therapy:- Talahridaya, nabhi, hridaya.
Contra-indication of yogic practices in different blood circutatory/ cardio-vascular diseases:-
In the following conditions yogic practices should not be done
1. Congenital heart diseases.
2. Cardiac failure
3. Acute pericarditis
4. Infective diseases of heart and blood vessels.
But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease


Effect of self- marma therapy and yogic practices on respiratory system:
Every physical activity needs energy. Oxygen is necessary for the energy generation from the food material. Any exercise or hard work needs more oxygen, and for better oxygenation lung functions get affected. During yogic practices the respiration rate gets increased. In the lung, exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place at the cellular level in a better way. Oxygen absorption increases and removal of carbon dioxide becomes more pronounced. During this exchange energy is generated so the body temperature and respiratory rate may be raised. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may affect the body and mind. The following effects are noted on the respiratory system during yogic practices.

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Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices enhances the working capacity of the respiratory system especially the lungs and bronchial tree. Initially there is marked increase in the respiration rate during exercise but in the long run the respiratory rate does not get much affected even after vigorous yogic practice.
By regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices lung capacity increases. Vital capacity and tidal volume gets positiveresponse.
Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices improve the function of the muscles supporting the respiration.
Due to regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices especially pranayama oxygen consumption gets lower, so the respiration rate gets more slowed down. One can perform all vigorous activities without increasing the respiratory rate.
Important organs of respiratory system: -
1. Nose 2. Trachea
3. Lungs
4. Thoracic muscles
5. Diaphragm


Important diseases of respiratory system: -
1. Rhinitis
2. Cough
3. Bronchitis
4. Pneumonitis
5. Tuberculosis
6. Bronchial Asthma


Useful in diseases of respiratory system:-
1. Asana: - Yoga mudra, singhasana, akarna dhanurasana, shavasana, paschimottanasana, pavanmuktasana, naukasana, sarvangasana, halasana, karnapidasana etc.
2. Pranayama: - Nadi shodhan pranayam, bhastrika pranayama, suryabhedan pranayana etc.
3. Satakriya: - Jalaneti, sutra-neti, kapala-bhati, kunjal-kriya, vastra-dhauti, nauli etc.
4. Bandha: - Uddiyana bandha, jalandhara bandha etc.
5. Mudra: - Viparita karani, mahamudra
. 6. Dhyana
7. Marma therapy: - Marma of head and neck and thorax.


Contra-indication of yogic practices in different respiratory diseases:-
In following diseases yogic practice should not be done
1. Acute infective diseases of respiratory system
2. Acute pneumonitis.
3. Haemoptysis.
4. Tuberculosis and complications.
5. Epistaxis.
6. Acute Rhinitis & Sinusitis.
But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform marma therapy at any stage of disease.


Effect of self-marma therapy and yogic practices on excretory system:-
Skin, kidneys and large intestine are the main excretory organs of the human body. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices give positive impact on these organs. Self- marma therapy and yogicm practices affect these organs in the following ways

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During exercise the heart rate and pulmonary function improve. They work more efficiently. Consumption of oxygen increases and more carbon dioxide gets excreted. This removes a number of body ailments.
Sweat glands in the skin produces more sweat and due to excessive perspiration more metabolites are excreted through the sweat glands. It keeps the blood pure.
During self- marma therapy and yogic practices due to increased blood circulation in the brain, heart, kidneys and liver, the working capacity of these organs increases. The body becomes healthier. The kidneys play an important role in urine formation and excretion of metabolites through urine. Kidneys are the main blood filters. The liver plays an important role in the digestion of foot. Bile formation takes place in the liver. From the liver bile comes into the gall bladder, shrinks, and the whole bile comes into the duodenum. Bile is important for the digestion of fat in many ways. But it contains many other metabolites, pigments, salts and excretory substances that also reach in the intestine and is evacuated through the faecal material and urine.
By regular self-marma therapy and yogic practices the working capacity of the organs of digestive system improves. Smooth muscles of gastro intestinal tract become stronger and digestion power improves. Excretion of excretory substances takes place in a better way. Yogic practices play an important role to improve the functioning of all excretory organs. Important organs of urine excretory system: -
1. Kidneys
2. Ureters
3. Urinary bladder
4. Urethra
Important diseases of urine excretory system: -
1. Nephritis
2. Ureteritis
3. Cystitis
4. Urolithiasis
5. Haematuria
6. Oilgouria and anuria
7. Prostatic enlargement
Useful yogic practices in urine excretory system: -
1. Asana: - Ardhamatsyendrasana, matsyendrasana, ustrasana, trikonasana, paschimottanasana, naukasana, pavanmuktasana, supta-katichakrasana, kati chakrasana, bhuganagasana, mayurasana, dhanurasana, halasana, bhunamanasana, hastapadangysthasana, surya namaskara etc.
2. Pranayama: - Nadishodhana pranayana, bhastrika pranayana etc.
3. Bandha: - Mula bandha, uddiyana
4. Mudra: - Ashwinimudra, tagadimudra, mahamudra, bajrali mudra etc.
5. Kriya: - Vasti, nauli, sankha prakshalana, agnisarakriya, kunjala etc.
6. Dhyana
7. Marma therapy: - Parsvasandhi, guda, vasti, nabhi and marmas of lower extremity.
Contra-indication of yogic practices in different diseases of urine excretory system: -
In the following urine excretory system diseases yogic practices should not be done.
1. Acute uraemia/ azotemia
2. Urolithiasis
3. Hematuria
4. Acute urinary tract infection
5. Malignant growth of urinary system.
But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.


Effect of marma therapy and yogic practices on endocrine and exocrine glands:
In the following urine excretory system diseases yogic practices should not be done.
1. Acute uraemia/ azotemia
2. Urolithiasis
3. Hematuria
4. Acute urinary tract infection
5. Malignant growth of urinary system.
But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.

Effect of marma therapy and yogic practices on endocrine and exocrine glands: -
There are two types of glands
1. Endocrine gland
2. Exocrine gland
Those glands are endocrine which are ductless. Secretion of these glands directly enters into the blood circulation........

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Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid thymus and adrenals are the main endocrine glands. Pancreas, ovary and testicle are combined glands. Some of these secretes enzymes, ova and sperms are transported into intestine, uterus and urethra. Salivary glands, sweat glands and glands situated in the stomach and intestine secrete their secretions.
In reference to sweat glands, any exercise increases the excessive sweating. Yogic practices increase the blood circulation of the glands. Due to increased blood circulation, the function of these glandsimproves. So the body immunity and secretion of these glands affect the function of many organs.
By regular yogic practices the function of these glands can be affected. In the healthy individual yogic practices may activate the function of these glands. Health promotion is possible by activating the endocrine and exocrine glands.

Regular yogic practices and marma therapy improve the
function of glands.
Glands secrete good amount of hormone.
The quality and composition of hormones becomes more balanced.
It improves the body immunity and decaying/ageing process can be delayed.
Important Glands are-
1. Pituitary gland
2. Thyroid gland
3. Parathyroid gland
4. Thymus gland
5. Pancreas gland
6. Adrenal glands
Important diseases of endocrine glands:
1. Thyroid swelling
2. Diabetes
3. Infertility
4. Congenital brain and anatomical deformities.
Useful yogic practices in different endocrine gland diseases: -
1. Asana: - Siddhasana, matsyendrasana, yoga mudra, mayurasana, shirshasana, paschimottanasana, pavan muktasana, suptakatichakrasana, trikonasana etc.
2. Pranayama: - Nadi shodhana, bhastrika, bhramari, surya bhedi, dhaauani yukta pranava uchcharana(Japa) etc.
3. Bandha: - Mula bandha, uddiyana bandha, jalandhara bandha, etc.
4. Mudra: - Khechari mudra, shambhavi mudra, ashwini mudra etc.
5. Kriya: - Jalaneti, sutra neti, kunjala, vasti, trataka etc.
6. Dhyana
7. Marma therapy: - Marmas of neck and head, and marmas related to particular endocrine gland.
Contra-indication of yogic practices in different diseases of endocrine system: -
In the following endocrine system diseases yogic practices should not be done.
1. Acute haemorrhagic conditions of endocrine system.
2. Traumatic lesions of endocrine system.
3. Acute endocrine infection.
4. Malignant growth of endocrine system.
But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.

EXCRETORY SYSTEM

The Human Excretory System


The urinary system is made-up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The nephron, an evolutionary modification of the nephridium, is the kidney's functional unit. Waste is filtered from the blood and collected as urine in each kidney. Urine leaves the kidneys by ureters, and collects in the bladder. The bladder can distend to store urine that eventually leaves through the urethra

Human excretory system and the details of the kidney. Images from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates (www.sinauer.com) and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com), used with permission.

The Nephron


The nephron consists of a cup-shaped capsule containing capillaries and the glomerulus, and a long renal tube. Blood flows into the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into capillaries associated with the glomerulus. Arterial pressure causes water and solutes from the blood to filter into the capsule. Fluid flows through the proximal tubule, which include the loop of Henle, and then into the distal tubule. The distal tubule empties into a collecting duct. Fluids and solutes are returned to the capillaries that surround the nephron tubule.

Filtration of the blood in the fine structure of the kidneys. Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates (www.sinauer.com) and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com), used with permission.

The nephron has three functions:

Glomerular filtration of water and solutes from the blood.
Tubular reabsorption of water and conserved molecules back into the blood.
Tubular secretion of ions and other waste products from surrounding capillaries into the distal tubule.
Nephrons filter 125 ml of body fluid per minute; filtering the entire body fluid component 16 times each day. In a 24 hour period nephrons produce 180 liters of filtrate, of which 178.5 liters are reabsorbed. The remaining 1.5 liters forms urine.

Urine Production


Filtration in the glomerulus and nephron capsule.
Reabsorption in the proximal tubule.
Tubular secretion in the Loop of Henle.
Components of The Nephron
Glomerulus: mechanically filters blood
Bowman's Capsule: mechanically filters blood
Proximal Convoluted Tubule: Reabsorbs 75% of the water, salts, glucose, and amino acids
Loop of Henle: Countercurrent exchange, which maintains the concentration gradient
Distal Convoluted Tubule: Tubular secretion of H ions, potassium, and certain drugs.
Kidney Stones
In some cases, excess wastes crystallize as kidney stones. They grow and can become a painful irritant that may require surgery or ultrasound treatments. Some stones are small enough to be forced into the urethra, others are the size of huge, massive boulders (or so I am told).

Kidney Function


Kidneys perform a number of homeostatic functions:

Maintain volume of extracellular fluid
Maintain ionic balance in extracellular fluid
Maintain pH and osmotic concentration of the extracellular fluid.
Excrete toxic metabolic by-products such as urea, ammonia, and uric acid.
Hormone Control of Water and Salt | Back to Top
Water reabsorption is controlled by the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in negative feedback. ADH is released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Dropping levels of fluid in the blood signal the hypothalamus to cause the pituitary to release ADH into the blood. ADH acts to increase water absorption in the kidneys. This puts more water back in the blood, increasing the concentration of the urine. When too much fluid is present in the blood, sensors in the heart signal the hypothalamus to cause a reduction of the amounts of ADH in the blood. This increases the amount of water absorbed by the kidneys, producing large quantities of a more dilute urine.

Aldosterone, a hormone secreted by the kidneys, regulates the transfer of sodium from the nephron to the blood. When sodium levels in the blood fall, aldosterone is released into the blood, causing more sodium to pass from the nephron to the blood. This causes water to flow into the blood by osmosis. Renin is released into the blood to control aldosterone.

Disruption of Kidney Function


Infection, environmental toxins such as mercury, and genetic disease can have devastating results by causing disruption of kidney function. Many kidney problems can be treated by dialysis, where a machine acts as a kidney. Kidney transplants are an alternative to dialysis.




Cells produce water and carbon dioxide as by-products of metabolic breakdown of sugars, fats, and proteins. Chemical groups such as nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous must be stripped, from the large molecules to which they were formerly attached, as part of preparing them for energy conversion. The continuous production of metabolic wastes establishes a steep concentration gradient across the plasma membrane, causing wastes to diffuse out of cells and into the extracellular fluid.

Single-celled organisms have most of their wastes diffuse out into the outside environment. Multicellular organisms, and animals in particular, must have a specialized organ system to concentrate and remove wastes from the interstitial fluid into the blood capillaries and eventually deposit that material at a collection point for removal entirely from the body

Excretory systems regulate the chemical composition of body fluids by removing metabolic wastes and retaining the proper amounts of water, salts, and nutrients. Components of this system in vertebrates include the kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin.

Not all animals use the same routes or excrete their wastes the same way humans do. Excretion applies to metabolic waste products that cross a plasma membrane. Elimination is the removal of feces.

Water and Salt Balance | Back to Top
The excretory system is responsible for regulating water balance in various body fluids. Osmoregulation refers to the state aquatic animals are in: they are surrounded by freshwater and must constantly deal with the influx of water. Animals, such as crabs, have an internal salt concentration very similar to that of the surrounding ocean. Such animals are known as osmoconformers, as there is little water transport between the inside of the animal and the isotonic outside environment.

Marine vertebrates, however, have internal concentrations of salt that are about one-third of the surrounding seawater. They are said to be osmoregulators. Osmoregulators face two problems: prevention of water loss from the body and prevention of salts diffusing into the body. Fish deal with this by passing water out of their tissues through their gills by osmosis and salt through their gills by active transport. Cartilaginous fish have a greater salt concentration than seawater, causing water to move into the shark by osmosis; this water is used for excretion. Freshwater fish must prevent water gain and salt loss. They do not drink water, and have their skin covered by a thin mucus. Water enters and leaves through the gills and the fish excretory system produces large amounts of dilute urine.

Terrestrial animals use a variety of methods to reduce water loss: living in moist environments, developing impermeable body coverings, production of more concentrated urine. Water loss can be considerable: a person in a 100 degree F temperature loses 1 liter of water per hour.

Excretory System Functions | Back to Top
Collect water and filter body fluids.
Remove and concentrate waste products from body fluids and return other substances to body fluids as necessary for homeostasis.
Eliminate excretory products from the body.
Invertebrate Excretory Organs | Back to Top
Many invertebrates such as flatworms use a nephridium as their excretory organ. At the end of each blind tubule of the nephridium is a ciliated flame cell. As fluid passes down the tubule, solutes are reabsorbed and returned to the body fluids

CARDIO VASCULAR SYSTEM

CARDIO VASCULAR SYSTEM


1) What are the two parts of the cardiovascular system?

Blood
Blood vessels and the heart
(2) What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?

The heart pumps blood all through the body.
The blood helps fight infections, regulates temperature, and regulated ph levels.
(3) What are the types of blood vessels?
Arteries, capillaries, and veins.
(4) What is the structure and function of these vessels?

Arteries: Consists of three levels. 1) Endothelium: thin cells that make up the inner level 2) Middle layer is smooth muscle 3) The outer layer is connective tissue. These walls allow the artery to be protect under pressure and allows them to expand. Arteries carry blood from the heart.
Capillaries: Arterioles branch out and become capillaries. Capillaries are made of endothelium.
Veins: Veins have the same layers as arteries but has less of the middle layer. Veins are thinner than arteries, because of this they can expand further. Veins carry blood to the heart.
(5) Why is the heart a double pump?

The heart is a double pump because it is pumping blood to the lungs and blood to the body at the same time but they never intersect.
(6) What causes the "lub" and the "dup" of the heart sounds?

Lub: "Cusps of Av valve" slam shut due to pressure
Dup: When the ventricles relax and the blood begins to glow again.
(7) What keeps the heart beat regular?

The SA node sends a signal ever .85 seconds which causes the atria to contract. The signal is then sent to the AV.
(8) What does the pulse rate of a person indicate?

The pulse rate tells how many beats the heart has beat in a minute.
(9) What accounts for blood flow in the arteries?

The blood flow in the arteries is called blood pressure .
(10) What accounts for blood flow in the veins?

Skeletal pump: caused by skeletal muscle contraction
Respiratory Pump: caused by breathing
valves in the veins

The human body consists of many organs that are useful to carry out the functions of the body properly. All organs in the body are very much essential for normal functioning of the human body. In the similar manner, cardiovascular system is the most essential part of the body. It comprises of three main parts: blood, the heart, and the blood vessels, arteries and capillary veins.

The main function of cardiovascular system is to transport oxygen to all other organs of the body. Thus, this process provides sufficient amount of nutrition to several parts of the body. It is the most interesting and essential component of the body. Many researchers and scientist have toiled their life to get all the detailed information about this system. Every part of the system has different facts and functions. Thus, we may discuss here some interesting facts about blood, heart and blood vessels.

Blood:

Blood is the nutrition of the body that provides us energy for survival. Blood is actually a carrier of nutrition and oxygen to all other organs and cells of the body. Some interesting facts will help you to understand the proper functioning of blood.

Blood is made up of blood cells which are in the form of liquid, known as blood plasma. Seven % of the blood comprises in the total weight of the body. An adult human body contains an average of five liters of blood. There are two types of blood in the body: Red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). Blood even comprises of leukocytes and platelets. Hemoglobin is the main component of RBC, which is protein with iron that is very much essential for body to transport oxygen. Blood is made up of connective tissues and is generated within bones.

Heart:

The heart is the most important component of the body. It supplies blood and oxygen to all other parts of the body. The heart of male weighs approximately 300-350 grams whereas, female heart weight almost 250-300 grams. Its size is equivalent to the size of your hand fist. The heart is wrapped by double layer sac- Pericardium. Our heart is made up of three main parts: Innermost layer (Endocardium), Middle layer (Myocardium) and the Uppermost layer( Visceral layer) Heart comprises of four chambers: two arteries and two ventricles.

Blood vessels:

Blood vessels transport blood to the heart and other organs of the body.

The blood vessels in divided into three types: veins, capillaries and arteries. Each blood vessel carries out an important function of the body. The veins transport blood cells to the heart while, arteries pull away the blood from the heart. The Capillaries exchange chemicals with water. Aorta is the largest artery in the blood vessels that transports the blood from the heart. It is divided into: carotid artery, celiac trunk, renal artery, iliac artery, subclavian artery, and mesenteric arteries.


The heart is the pump responsible for maintaining adequate circulation of oxygenated blood around the vascular network of the body. It is a four-chamber pump, with the right side receiving deoxygenated blood from the body at low presure and pumping it to the lungs (the pulmonary circulation) and the left side receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumping it at high pressure around the body (the systemic circulation).

The myocardium (cardiac muscle) is a specialised form of muscle, consisting of individual cells joined by electrical connections. The contraction of each cell is produced by a rise in intracellular calcium concentration leading to spontaneous depolarisation, and as each cell is electrically connected to its neighbour, contraction of one cell leads to a wave of depolarisation and contraction across the myocardium.

This depolarisation and contraction of the heart is controlled by a specialised group of cells localised in the sino-atrial node in the right atrium- the pacemaker cells. These cells generate a rhythmical depolarisation, which then spreads out over the atria to the atrio-ventricular node.
The atria then contract, pushing blood into the ventricles.
The electrical conduction passes via the Atrio-ventricular node to the bundle of His, which divides into right and left branches and then spreads out from the base of the ventricles across the myocardium.
This leads to a 'bottom-up' contraction of the ventricles, forcing blood up and out into the pulmonary artery (right) and aorta (left).
The atria then re-fill as the myocardium relaxes.

The 'squeeze' is called systole and normally lasts for about 250ms. The relaxation period, when the atria and ventricles re-fill, is called diastole; the time given for diastole depends on the heart rate

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Respiratory System

Anatomy of the Respiratory System
What is respiration?

Respiration is the act of breathing:

inhaling (inspiration) - taking in oxygen
exhaling (expiration) - giving off carbon dioxide
What makes up the respiratory system?
The respiratory system is made up of the organs involved in breathing and consists of the:

nose
pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
lungs
The upper respiratory tract includes the:

nose
nasal cavity
ethmoidal air cells
frontal sinuses
maxillary sinus
larynx
trachea
The lower respiratory tract includes the:

lungs
bronchi
alveoli
What do lungs do?
The lungs take in oxygen, which all cells throughout the body need to live and carry out their normal functions. The lungs also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's cells.

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. They take up most of the space in the chest, or the thorax (the part of the body between the base of the neck and diaphragm).

The lungs are inside in a membrane called the pleura.

The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum, an area that contains the following:

heart and its large vessels
trachea (windpipe)
esophagus
thymus
lymph nodes
The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. When you breathe, the air:

enters the body through the nose or the mouth


travels down the throat through the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe)


goes into the lungs through tubes called main-stem bronchi

one main-stem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung


in the lungs, the main-stem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi


and then into even smaller tubes called bronchioles


bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli


Every minute we breathe, we take in 13 pints of air! That is we breathe about 6.15 liters of air every minute.
We breathe about 9 to 20 times every minute. Through every breath, we breathe in about half a liter of air.
We inhale and exhale air about 22,000 times per day and in the process, transport about 300 cubic feet of air (which is about 8.5 cubic meters of air)!
Human breathing mechanism is called tidal breathing, as air comes out the same way it goes in.
We exhale about half a liter of water vapor in a whole day.
Breathing is initiated by the diaphragm, which is a stretchable muscle under the lungs. When it contracts, the volume of the chest cavity rises and the air pressure drops. That is what enables the high pressure air outside, to enter the lungs and makes them expand like balloons.
When the diaphragm expands, lungs are emptied of air and we exhale it outside.
When air passes through the nose and into the nasal passage called the windpipe, it gets filtered, moistened and heated.

Breathing Mechanism


Humans breathe by flattening and contracting the diagram for inhalation and relaxing the diaphragm for exhalation. Intercostal muscles assist breathing.

In humans the chest cavity, or thorax, is separated from the abdominal cavity by a dome shaped muscle called the diaphragm.

Two lungs are enclosed within the thorax, which is supported by the ribs, and they are connected to the mouth and nose by the trachea. In an adult the trachea is about 11 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter. It is supported by several horseshoe-shaped sections of cartilage that prevent the trachea collapsing and closing the airway.

Inhalation
On inhalation the diaphragm contracts and becomes flatter as it is lowered. In addition, the lower ribs swing upwards and outwards as the external intercostal muscles contract. These movements increase the volume of the thorax and the pressure within it falls to below atmospheric pressure. Consequently, air rushes into the lungs to fill this partial vacuum.

Exhalation
Relaxation of the external intercostals and the diaphragm allow a set of opposing muscles, the internal intercostal muscles, to return the thorax to its previous size. As the thorax diminishes in size air is expelled from the lungs. All English speech sounds are composed using exhaled air from the lungs, i.e. using a pulmonic air stream.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.

Most of the digestive organs (like the stomach and intestines) are tube-like and contain the food as it makes its way through the body. The digestive system is essentially a long, twisting tube that runs from the mouth to the anus, plus a few other organs (like the liver and pancreas) that produce or store digestive chemicals.

The Digestive Process:

The start of the process - the mouth: The digestive process begins in the mouth. Food is partly broken down by the process of chewing and by the chemical action of salivary enzymes (these enzymes are produced by the salivary glands and break down starches into smaller molecules).

On the way to the stomach:

the esophagus - After being chewed and swallowed, the food enters the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach. It uses rhythmic, wave-like muscle movements (called peristalsis) to force food from the throat into the stomach. This muscle movement gives us the ability to eat or drink even when we're upside-down.

In the stomach -

The stomach is a large, sack-like organ that churns the food and bathes it in a very strong acid (gastric acid). Food in the stomach that is partly digested and mixed with stomach acids is called chyme.

In the small intestine -

After being in the stomach, food enters the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. It then enters the jejunum and then the ileum (the final part of the small intestine). In the small intestine, bile (produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder), pancreatic enzymes, and other digestive enzymes produced by the inner wall of the small intestine help in the breakdown of food.

In the large intestine -

After passing through the small intestine, food passes into the large intestine. In the large intestine, some of the water and electrolytes (chemicals like sodium) are removed from the food. Many microbes (bacteria like Bacteroides, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella) in the large intestine help in the digestion process. The first part of the large intestine is called the cecum (the appendix is connected to the cecum). Food then travels upward in the ascending colon. The food travels across the abdomen in the transverse colon, goes back down the other side of the body in the descending colon, and then through the sigmoid colon.

The end of the process - Solid waste is then stored in the rectum until it is excreted via the anus.

Digestive System Glossary:


abdomen

- the part of the body that contains the digestive organs. In human beings, this is between the diaphragm and the pelvis
alimentary canal - the passage through which food passes, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus.
anus - the opening at the end of the digestive system from which feces (waste) exits the body.

appendix - a small sac located on the cecum.

ascending colon - the part of the large intestine that run upwards; it is located after the cecum.

bile - a digestive chemical that is produced in the liver, stored in the gall

bladder, and secreted into the small intestine.

cecum - the first part of the large intestine; the appendix is connected to the cecum.

chyme - food in the stomach that is partly digested and mixed with stomach acids.
Chyme goes on to the small intestine for further digestion.

descending colon - the part of the large intestine that run downwards after the transverse colon and before the sigmoid colon.

digestive system - (also called the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract) the system of the body that processes food and gets rid of waste.

duodenum - the first part of the small intestine; it is C-shaped and runs from the stomach to the jejunum.

epiglottis - the flap at the back of the tongue that keeps chewed food from going down the windpipe to the lungs. When you swallow, the epiglottis automatically closes. When you breathe, the epiglottis opens so that air can go in and out of the windpipe.

esophagus - the long tube between the mouth and the stomach. It uses rhythmic muscle movements (called peristalsis) to force food from the throat into the stomach.
gall bladder - a small, sac-like organ located by the duodenum. It stores and releases bile (a digestive chemical which is produced in the liver) into the small intestine.

gastrointestinal tract - (also called the GI tract or digestive system) the system of the body that processes food and gets rid of waste.
ileum - the last part of the small intestine before the large intestine begins.
intestines - the part of the alimentary canal located between the stomach and the anus.
jejunum - the long, coiled mid-section of the small intestine; it is between the duodenum and the ileum.

liver - a large organ located above and in front of the stomach. It filters toxins from the blood, and makes bile (which breaks down fats) and some blood proteins.
mouth - the first part of the digestive system, where food enters the body. Chewing and salivary enzymes in the mouth are the beginning of the digestive process (breaking down the food).

pancreas - an enzyme-producing gland located below the stomach and above the intestines. Enzymes from the pancreas help in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the small intestine.
peristalsis - rhythmic muscle movements that force food in the esophagus from the throat into the stomach. Peristalsis is involuntary - you cannot control it. It is also what allows you to eat and drink while upside-down.
rectum - the lower part of the large intestine, where feces are stored before they are excreted.

salivary glands - glands located in the mouth that produce saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates (starch) into smaller molecules.
sigmoid colon - the part of the large intestine between the descending colon and the rectum.

stomach - a sack-like, muscular organ that is attached to the esophagus. Both chemical and mechanical digestion takes place in the stomach. When food enters the stomach, it is churned in a bath of acids and enzymes.
transverse colon - the part of the large intestine that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

SKELETAL SYSTEM

The 3 Types of Muscle:


Skeletal Muscle-attached to and moves bones. You can control their contracts.
Smooth Muscle-squeezes, exerts pressure inside the tube or organ which it surrounds. Found inside the walls of internal organs, and blood vessels.
Cardiac Muscle-helps the heart muscle contract. Generates and conducts electrical impulses which give rhythmic contractions.

Tendons:


Thick bands of connective tissue
Attaches bones to muscles

Ligaments:

Tough bands of connective tissue
Attaches one bone to another

Joints:


Where two or more bones meet
Immovable joints are held together by the inter growth of a bone or by fibrous cartilaye
Can be fixed or facilitate movement of bones in relation to one another

Possible muscles/Organs injured in Robin:


Smooth Muscle (Caused the bleeding?)
Skeletal Muscle (Causing the shaking?)
Kidneys (Cause of the blood in the pee)
Intestines (Cause of the blood from the anus)

Muscular System:


Groups of fibers, or cells, bound together
Muscle tissues is made up of units called myofibrils
Contractions and relaxation of muscles create movements
Makes body stronger

Skeletal System:


Contains about 206 bones
Axial Skeleton-contains the skull and bones that support the body
Appendicular Skeleton-includes the bones of the arms and legs, and structures associated with them
Protects internal organs
Provides framework for the tissues of your body
Produces red blood cells
Stores minerals
Bones may be a sponge like material


Muscular system with other systems:

Works with the skeletal system to provide skeletal movement
Works with the digestive system to control entrances and exits of digestive tract
Works with the endocrine system to produce heat
Works with the nervous system to sense things
Works with the respiratory system to allow the diaphragm to expand
Works with the cardiovascular system to provide circulation

Skeletal system with other systems:

Provides protection for organs (cranium for brain, ribs for lung etc.)
Provides attachments for muscles
Bone marrow makes blood components
Bone releases and absorbs minerals (e.g. calcium).


BONE

A fully developed bone is made up of mineral salts, water and tissue. There are two types of bone - compact and cancellate. A compact bone is smooth and solid, while a cancellate bone is a much lighter structure. The structure of the cancellate bone is similar to a honeycomb. All bones are a combination of cancellate and compact bone.

Inside each bone is a jelly like substance. This is called bone marrow and is at the center of the bone. This marrow produces blood cells for the body. Blood vessels run through the center of the bone so that the bone receives food, oxygen and minerals.


Bone is one of the strongest materials. Bones are much lighter than steel or concrete, but weight for weight, they are much stronger.


What is the Skeletal System?

Your Skeletal system is all of the bones in the body and the tissues such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage that connect them.
Your teeth are also considered part of your skeletal system but they are not counted as bones. Your teeth are made of enamel and dentin. Enamel is the strongest substance in your body.

How does the Skeletal System help us?

Support
The main job of the skeleton is to provide support for our body. Without your skeleton your body would collapse into a heap. Your skeleton is strong but light. Without bones you'd be just a puddle of skin and guts on the floor.

Protection
Your skeleton also helps protect your internal organs and fragile body tissues. The brain, eyes, heart, lungs and spinal cord are all protected by your skeleton. Your cranium (skull) protects your brain and eyes, the ribs protect your heart and lungs and your vertebrae (spine, backbones) protect your spinal cord.

Movement
Bones provide the structure for muscles to attach so that our bodies are able to move. Tendons are tough inelastic bands that hold attach muscle to bone.


Contents



Who has more bones a baby or an adult?

Babies have more than adults! At birth, you have about 300 bones. As you grow older, small bones join together to make big ones. Adults end up with about 206 bones.

Are bones alive?

Absolutely. Old bones are dead, dry and brittle. But in the body, bones are very much alive. They have their own nerves and blood vessels, and they do various jobs, such as storing body minerals like calcium. Bones are made of a mix of hard stuff that gives them strength and tons of living cells which help them grow and repair themselves.

What is a bone made of?

A typical bone has an outer layer of hard or compact bone, which is very strong, dense and tough. Inside this is a layer of spongy bone, which is like honeycomb, lighter and slightly flexible. In the middle of some bones is jelly-like bone marrow, where new cells are constantly being produced for the blood. Calcium is an important mineral that bone cells need to stay strong so keep drinking that low-fat milk!



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How do bones break and heal?

Bones are tough and usually don't break even when we have some pretty bad falls. I'm sure you have broken a big stick at one time. When you first try to break the stick it bends a bit but with enough force the stick finally snaps. It is the same with your bones. Bones will bend a little, but if you fall the wrong way from some playground equipment or maybe your bike or skateboard you can break a bone. Doctors call a broken bone a fracture. There are many different types of fractures.

Luckily, bones are made of living cells. When a bone is broken your bone will produce lots of new cells to rebuild the bone. These cells cover both ends of the broken part of the bone and close up the break.

How do I keep my bones healthy?

Bones need regular exercise to stay as strong as possible. Walking, jogging, running and other physical activities are important in keeping your bones strong and healthy. Riding your bike, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, baseball, dancing, skateboarding and other activities are all good for your bones. Make sure you wear or use the proper equipment like a helmet, kneepads, shin guards, mats, knee pads, etc... to keep those bones safe.

Strengthen your skeleton by drinking milk and eating other dairy products (like low-fat cheese, frozen yogurt, and ice cream). They all contain calcium, which helps bones harden and become strong.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Endocrine System




The nervous system sends electrical messages to control and coordinate the body. The endocrine system has a similar job, but uses chemicals to “communicate”. These chemicals are known as hormones. A hormone is a specific messenger molecule synthesized and secreted by a group of specialized cells called an endocrine gland. These glands are ductless, which means that their secretions (hormones) are released directly into the bloodstream and travel to elsewhere in the body to target organs, upon which they act. Note that this is in contrast to our digestive glands, which have ducts for releasing the digestive enzymes.

Pheromones are also communication chemicals, but are used to send signals to other members of the same species. Queen bees, ants, and naked mole rats exert control of their respective colonies via pheromones. One common use for pheromones is as attractants in mating. Pheromones are widely studied in insects and are the basis for some kinds of Japanese beetle and gypsy moth traps. While pheromones have not been so widely studied in humans, some interesting studies have been done in recent years on pheromonal control of menstrual cycles in women. It has been found that pheromones in male sweat and/or sweat from another “dominant” female will both influence/regulate the cycles of women when smeared on their upper lip, just below the nose. Also, there is evidence that continued reception of a given man’s pheromone(s) by a woman in the weeks just after ovulation/fertilization can significantly increase the chances of successful implantation of the new baby in her uterus. Pheromones are also used for things like territorial markers (urine) and alarm signals.

Each hormone’s shape is specific and can be recognized by the corresponding target cells. The binding sites on the target cells are called hormone receptors. Many hormones come in antagonistic pairs that have opposite effects on the target organs. For example, insulin and glucagon have opposite effects on the liver’s control of blood sugar level. Insulin lowers the blood sugar level by instructing the liver to take glucose out of circulation and store it, while glucagon instructs the liver to release some of its stored supply to raise the blood sugar level. Much hormonal regulation depends on feedback loops to maintain balance and homeostasis.

There are three general classes (groups) of hormones. These are classified by chemical structure, not function.

steroid hormones including prostaglandins which function especially in a variety of female functions (aspirin inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins, some of which cause “cramps”) and the sex hormones all of which are lipids made from cholesterol,
amino acid derivatives (like epinephrine) which are derived from amino acids, especially tyrosine, and
peptide hormones (like insulin) which is the most numerous/diverse group of hormones.
The major human endocrine glands include:

the hypothalamus and pituitary gland





The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” but it is under the control of the hypothalamus. Together, they control many other endocrine functions. They secrete a number of hormones, especially several which are important to the female menstural cycle, pregnancy, birth, and lactation (milk production). These include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates development and maturation of a follicle in one of a woman’s ovaries, and leutinizing hormone (LH), which causes the bursting of that follicle (= ovulation) and the formation of a corpus luteum from the remains of the follicle.
There are a number of other hypothalamus and pituitary hormones which affect various target organs.
One non-sex hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary is antidiuretic hormone or ADH. This hormone helps prevent excess water excretion by the kidneys. Ethanol inhibits the release of ADH and can, thus, cause excessive water loss. That’s also part of the reason why a group of college students who go out for pizza and a pitcher of beer need to make frequent trips to the restrooms. Diuretics are chemicals which interfere with the production of or action of ADH so the kidneys secrete more water. Thus diuretics are often prescribed for people with high blood pressure, in an attempt to decrease blood volume.
Another group of non-sex hormones that many people have heard of is the endorphins, which belong to the category of chemicals known as opiates and serve to deaden our pain receptors. Endorphins, which are chemically related to morphine, are produced in response to pain. The natural response to rub an injured area, such as a pinched finger, helps to release endorphins in that area. People who exercise a lot and push their bodies “until it hurts” thereby stimulate the production of endorphins. It is thought that some people who constantly over-exercise and push themselves too much may actually be addicted to their own endorphins which that severe exercise regime releases.

the thyroid gland


Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, therefore body temperature and weight. The thyroid hormones contain iodine, which the thyroid needs in order to manufacture these hormones. If a person lacks iodine in his/her diet, the thyroid cannot make the hormones, causing a deficiency. In response to the body’s feedback loops calling for more thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland then enlarges to attempt to compensate (The body’s plan here is if it’s bigger it can make more, but that doesn’t help if there isn’t enough iodine.). This disorder is called goiter. Dietary sources of iodine include any “ocean foods” because ocean-dwelling organisms tend to accumulate iodine from the seawater, and would include foods like ocean fish (tuna) and seaweeds like kelp. Because of this, people who live near the ocean do not have as much of a problem with goiter as people who live inland and don’t have access to these foods. To help alleviate this problem in our country, our government began a program encouraging salt refiners to add iodine to salt, and encouraging people to choose to consume this iodized salt.

the pancreas


This organ has two functions. It serves as a ducted gland, secreting digestive enzymes into the small intestine. The pancreas also serves as a ductless gland in that the islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon to regulate the blood sugar level. The -islet cells secrete glucagon, which tells the liver to take carbohydrate out of storage to raise a low blood sugar level. The -islet cells secrete insulin to tell the liver to take excess glucose out of circulation to lower a blood sugar level that’s too high. If a person’s body does not make enough insulin (and/or there is a reduced response of the target cells in the liver), the blood sugar rises, perhaps out of control, and we say that the person has diabetes mellitus.

the adrenal glands

These sit on top of the kidneys. They consist of two parts, the outer cortex and the inner medulla. The medulla secretes epinephrine (= adrenaline) and other similar hormones in response to stressors such as fright, anger, caffeine, or low blood sugar. The cortex secretes corticosteroids such as cortisone. Corticosteroids are well-known as being anti-inflammatory, thus are prescribed for a number of conditions. However, these are powerful regulators that should be used with caution. Medicinal doses are typically higher than what your body would produce naturally, thus the person’s normal feedback loops suppress natural secretion, and it is necessary to gradually taper off the dosage to trigger the adrenal glands to begin producing on their own again. Because the corticosteroids suppress the immune system, their use can lead to increased susceptibility to infections, yet physicians typically prescribe them for people whose immune systems are hard at work trying to fight off some pathogen. For example, back when I was in grad school, I was diagnosed with mono, and the campus doctor prescribed penicillin and cortisone. Since mono is a virus and penicillin only is effective against some bacteria, about all it did was kill off the friendly bacteria in my body, therefore causing me to develop a bad case of thrush. At the same time, the cortisone was supressing my immune system so my body could not as efficiently fight off the mono and the thrush. People with high blood pressure should be leery of taking prescription corticosteroids: they are known to raise blood pressure, thus can cause things like strokes. My mother-in-law had high blood pressure and was being treated with diuretics. Her physician also had her on large doses of cortisone for her arthritis. While he was on vacation, she started having significant back pain and was referred to an orthopedic surgeon. This man decided the back pain was just due to arthritis, and without carefully checking on what dosage she was already taking, prescribed more cortisone. Simultaneously, because of difficulty walking due to her arthritis, she decided to decrease the amount of diuretics she was taking so she didn’t have to make as many “long” trips to the other end of the house. The combination of lowered dose of diuretics and high dose of cortisone raised her blood pressure to the point where a blood vessel in her brain burst, causing a stroke. When the EMTs took her blood pressure, as I recall the systolic was way over 200 mm Hg.

the gonads or sex organs


In addition to producing gametes, the female ovaries and male testes (singular = testis) also secrete hormones. Therefore, these hormones are called sex hormones. The secretion of sex hormones by the gonads is controlled by pituitary gland hormones such as FSH and LH. While both sexes make some of each of the hormones, typically male testes secrete primarily androgens including testosterone. Female ovaries make estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts depending on where in her cycle a woman is. In a pregnant woman, the baby’s placenta also secretes hormones to maintain the pregnancy.

the pineal gland

This gland is located near the center of the brain in humans, and is stimulated by nerves from the eyes. In some other animals, the pineal gland is closer to the skin and directly stimulated by light (some lizards even have a third eye). The pineal gland secreted melatonin at night when it’s dark, thus secretes more in winter when the nights are longer. Melatonin promotes sleep (makes you feel sleepy). It also affects reproductive functions by depressing the activity of the gonads. Additionally, it affects thyroid and adrenal cortex functions. In some animals, melatonin affects skin pigmentation. Because melatonin production is affected by the amount of light to which a person is exposed, this is tied to circadian rhythm (having an activity cycle of about 24 hours), annual cycles, and biological clock functions. SAD or seasonal affective disorder (syndrome) is a disorder in which too much melatonin is produced, especially during the long nights of winter, causing profound depression, oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, and sadness. Treatment consists of exposure to bright lights for several hours each day to inhibit melatonin production. It has also been found that melatonin levels drop 75% suddenly just before puberty, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in the regulation of the onset of puberty. Studies have been done on blind girls (with a form of blindness in which no impulses can travel down the optic nerve and reach the brain and pineal gland), which showed that these girls tended to have higher levels of melatonin for a longer time, resulting in a delay in the onset of puberty. While some older people, who don’t make very much melatonin, thus don’t sleep well, might benefit from a melatonin supplement, I’m skeptical of the recent melatonin craze in this country. When so many people apparently are suffering from SAD, I question the wisdom of purposly ingesting more melatonin, especially since the pineal gland is one of the least-studied, least-understood of the endocrine glands.
Local regulators are hormones with target cells nearby or adjacent to the endocrine gland in question. For example, neurotransmitters are secreted in the synapses of our nervous system and their target cells are in the same synapses.




ENDOCRINE SYSTEM - YOGIC VIEW

First Chakra

The first chakra is located at the base of the spine, it is said that the Kundalini serpent (Shakti) lies coiled there waiting to be released and Merged with Shiva in the crown center. The color of this base energy center is red and its orientation is that of survival. It is the animal instinct which lies within all of us that urges us to survive.

People that do not have enough flow of energy through this chakra do not feel as though they are secure in the world, there daily life is a battle just to stay above water and they are typically on edge.

This center has to due with elimination, when energy flows freely through this center one is able to release, and let go, of that which could slow them down.

Benefits of a Balanced First Chakra

Sense of groundedness
Security
A stable base from which to move forward
The 1st chakra is ever so important because it allows us to feel connected to the earth. It is the first chakra that tells us to walk bare foot on the beach, it is the first charkra that tells us nature is a beautiful thing. And it is the 1st chakra that helps those more spiritually inclined to keep their feet on the ground as their head dances in the clouds

Second Chakra- Svadhisthana

The second chakra is located just above the base of the spine around ones sex organs. This energy center has to do with creativity, specifically around the creation of life. Orange is the color of the 2nd Chakra. There is a large imbalance in our society in the second center due to mass media glorifying sexuality, without the presence of love

When this chakra is blocked it manifests itself with a deep sense of insecurity with ones own sexuality. A person with an over active 2nd chakra will tend to focus on sex too much.

The second chakra builds upon the survival instincts of the 1st chakra, by Desire. The desire to pass along our genetic blue print and produce off spring.

Benefits of a Balanced 2nd Chakra
Proper flow of energy through reproductive organs
Healthy sex life
Ability to properly focus creative energy
Once one has properly balanced the sacral center they are able to transmute the creative energies of the second chakra into the higher centers and express the divine creativity from within.

Third Chakra- Manipura (Personal Power)

The 3rd Chakra is located in the belly. It is the seat of ones personal power. It directly affects ones ability to project their will into manifestation. This center is one that is constantly challenged in humanity . The majority of people are constantly having their power chakras challenged weather it be at work, in our relationships, or simply within ourselves. Power struggles are contsant in our daily grind. An under active third chakra can lead to a true feeling of powerlessness. An over active 3rd center can be just as detrimental as an under active one and may result in the over powering of others, typically for selfish desire.
The root of this problem stems from not transfering the energy of the 3rd center up through the heart center. The power that stems from the third chakra, balanced in love will lead humanity to a grand state of peace and well being.

The 3rd center is commonly associated with the “core” balancing activities that many aerobics focus on. The focus on this core, or power center, allows people to feel in control of their own destiny. As it is located in the belly it is also tied into the digestive system. When we are stressed we tend to get indigestion, which is merely a symptom of an unbalanced 3rd chakra.
This energy center is typically associated with the color Yellow, or Gold.

Benefits of a Balanced 3rd Chakra
Properly porportioned sense of self
Ability to influence/change ones surrounding environment
Strong digestive system
Core stability
As the power center this chakra helps to regulate the flow of energy to the other centers. By clearing this chakra of imbalances we can operate powerfully in our environment. This leads to an improved sense of self, and self esteem, which in turns increases our ability to help others.


Fourth Chakra- Anahata (Heart Center)


The 4th chakra lies between the shoulder blades slightly higher than the physical heart.

The focus of the heart center is non other than love and balance. It is from within the heart center that the Lord of Love shines forth in all of us. The heart center plays an important role in the balancing of the chakra system. In order to achieve a proper balance and flow of energy through the chakras, that energy must be integrated across the heart center. The blending of the higher and lower centers, (though each equally important) must be acheived across the heart center.

One means of achieving balance across the charka system is to take an inventory of what centers are out of balance. See to it that as you work on balancing each of those centers that you even out the balancing across the heart center. If weeek 1 you work on your 1st Chakra, and your 7th Chakra is out of balance as well, then try working on your 7th Chakra the next week. As you work with these energy centers you will find that the blockages move as your life moves. I speak only from my own personal experience in working with these centers over the past couple of years, (in this life time.)

When a person is blocked in the Heart Center it may manifest as a lack of abilty to give freely, or a lack of resources. The Heart Center tends to be an area that humanity requires the most healing in, who hasn’t been hurt by a loving relationship in the past. An ironic twist is that the Heart Center is also the primary center from which healing flows.
The color of the fourth chakra, is green. Green the color of abundance and good fortune. Pink is another potential color for this center, which represents a balancing of the White Light from above with the Red of the 1st Chakra.

Benefits of a Balanced Fourth Chakra
Love
Ability to give freely to others
Abundance
Healing for ones self and others
Integration of the higher and lower energy centers
Meditation from the Heart Center is an excellent means of polling our higher selves for what is right. If you hear your heart speak it to you then follow it. I have been working on allowing my heart to guide me for sometime, which is challenging considering my head likes to think it controls things The path may not be the one most easily taken, but listening to and operating from the heart center will help you to achieve your purpose.
The Heart Center represents Love. What a fantastic quailty to work on balancing

Thyroid Disease

It has come to my attention that a good number of individuals suffer from Thyroid Disease, of some sort or another, and it appears as though women are more likely to have difficulties than men. Weather it is an underactive thyroid, or an overactive thyroid the imbalance in the endocrine system is simply devistating to ones health. This ailment faces my mother and one of my co-workers as well, so it really hits home for me.

As I work through my studies of Kundalini Yoga I am researching the human endocrine system, and outlining some thoughts for chakra-neuroendocrinology, (a science that the yogis have understood for some time, but requires additional Western study.)

My study now takes me to the Thyroid. I seek to gain an understanding of its function and make the case for Kundalini Yoga as a Preventative Maintenance program to keep thyroid disease and disorders away. (Yoga is a maintenance program for the body, mental, emotional and spiritual, as well, but let’s stay focused on this aspect for the time.)

In my previous post on chakra-neuroendocrinology I referenced a resource book that is helping me understand the system. My high level overviews of the tyroid, based on the book, and other insights are as follows:

The thyroid is related to the 5th chakra, or center of communication located around the throat. It is good to keep in mind that the element associated with the 5th chakra is ether. Technically speaking all of our chakras are rooted on the subtle plane of the ethers and bridge the vital gap into physical manifestation. But the 5th chakra is of much interest to etheric relations. It makes one ponder upon the etheric implications of under active and over active 5th chakras.

The human thyroid is the gland that is very closely associated with metabolism. “A primary role of the thyroid is to increase energy expenditure and thermo-genesis.”
That being said the pituitary gland, (or Master Gland,) is responsible for stimulating the thyroid hormone secretion. An imbalance in the thyroid or pituitary gland can lead to challenges in the system.

Hypothyroidism- Underactive thyroid

This implies an individual has thyroid hormone levels that are too low for proper flow in the endocrine system. A common cause of this is the presence of antithyroid antibodies. A common symptom of this is sluggishness, (yoga helps make the body move.)
Hyperthyrodism- Overactive thyroid

This implies that an individual has thyroid levels that are higher than appropriate for the proper flow of energy. There are technically 2 types of this disorder, the type that is caused from within the body and the type that is caused from outside of the body. A common symptom of this is weight loss. This dis-ease can also lead to increased speed in mental processes, but with the propensity to create errors within the thinking. Again, one cause of this is a mis-aligned anti body within the system.

Preventative Thyroid Maintenance
It is my thinking that Yoga, (I am partial to Kundalini but all forms of Yoga are appropriate,) is the optimal means of preventing thyroid disease and disorders. It’s kind of like a car, one takes in their car on a regular basis so that maintenance work can be done. The result of this maintenance is a car that runs smoother, lasts longer and is less likely to die on you. The same is true of the human body and they thyroid.

Kundalini Yoga provides lovely specific means to maintain proper balance within the thyroid. The best way to cure thyroid disease is to never allow the root cause to develop in the first place, thus I stress maintenance.

Food that nurtures the Thyroid
Eating the right foods is also important for proper flow through the thyroid. Mark Hyman M.D. has noticed that thyroid disorders are on the rise, and he brings an interesting and valid perspective as to the cause. He focuses more on the environmental and dietary factors that enter into the thyroid system:

“For example, food allergies, like sensitivities to gluten and other foods, also negatively affect thyroid function-and are frequently undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients important to good thyroid function-like selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids. and iodine and tyrosine-can trigger thyroid problems.”

Fight Thyroid Disease
Mark Hyman has very sound tips for fighting thyroid disease. I would suggest that we focus on preventing them in the first place.

But if you find yourself in a situation where you need to fight the dis-ease review his suggestions and might I suggest integrating a strong Kundalini Yoga practice into your life cycle.

I have another future proposed test for testing the validity of healing via chakra-neuroendocrinology. There are a couple tests that can be done to measure the levels of thyroid hormones in ones system. I propose a controlled test with 3 groups:

Group of people with over active thyroid (n=60)
Group of peoplw with under active thyroid (n=60)
Control group (n=60)
Measure the levels of thyroid hormone prior to testing. One half of each group will live out their lives normally, or under go the typical Western treatment. The second half will practice Kundalini Yoga on a Daily basis with a strong focus on 5th chakra exercizes and a little 6th chakra work here and ther. (We could add thyroid specific eating into the equation at a future date perhaps.)

I find it interesting that one of my first major energetic blockages in this life time, that I was consciously aware of, was in my throat center. (Sarah, thanks again for the release.)

The timing of this post is also rather interesting, as I am 18 days into a 40 Kundalini Yoga kriya that focuses on the 5th chakra.

Sixth Chakra- Ajna (

Center of Intution or Third Eye)
The ajna center is located directly in ones brow, between the eyebrows on the forehead. This center is commonly called the Third eye. As the third eye opens one is able to access their intuition at a much higher level.

The sixth chakra is also provides a channel for projection of energy, more specifically thought energy. As one starts actively working with the Third Eye sensations, or impressions, begin to register with the conscious mind right in the forehead. One may speak of it as reinforcing ones forehead

When there is not sufficient energy flowing into this center one will have challenges projecting their thoughts into the world of manifestation. They will also have difficulties with their sense of intuition.
People that have an overactive Third Eye may be too mental in nature. They can focus too much of their attention within their own mind and can come off as aloof.
The color of the 6th chakra is a blend of electric blue meets deep purple.

Benefits of a Balanced 6th Chakra
Improved intuition
Ability to swiftly transition into a meditative state
Psychic ability
Thought projection into manifestation
The sixth chakra has much potential to increase the quality of our lives when properly balanced. As humanity evolves the power of the sixth center will be with us. The ability to focus within the mind and bring down impressions from above is truly inspiring


Seventh Chakra- Sahasrara- Crown


The 7th chakra is our connection to the divine. It has been called the thousand petal lotus by many. The seventh center is located at the top of ones head, where the soft spot is located on a baby. It is from this center that we are connected to our souls, and all souls, through the rainbow bridge.

The color of the seventh chakra is light purple, or violet. It is also closely associated with white, or divine, light from above.

Yoga, is a study of Union. It can be said that Kundalini Yoga focuses on the union and balance of the 1st chakra flowing up through the etheric system and merging in the crown chakra.

When the seventh chakra is blocked it impeeds the flow of divine light to flow through our being. It becomes challenging for us to aknowledge the divine within all forms, (Sat Nam, Namaste.) Our relationship with G.O.D is not centered. For those of you who science of prime importance, Generating Energy, Organizing Energy and Destroying/Delivering Energy.

Those with an overactive crown chakra that is not balanced across the heart center may be prone to being not of the world from time to time. Flighty, or aloof come to mind. One that is properly centered is able to operate in the world, but not be of the world.

Benefits of a balanced 7th Chakra
Connection with ones soul
Ability to realize soul purpose
Meditative prowless
Aknowledgement of the divine within all form
Close relationship with G.O.D.
Knowing and walking ones path
The crown chakra represents a location of great spiritual potential. But this is not the only focus of Yoga. All things must come to balance. While participating on the earth school the energies of the 7th center and the connection with the soul must merge with the rest of our being. And from this union peace may be known