The Physiology of Yoga

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2020-2021

Course director

Number of hours/semester

lectures: 12 hours

practices: 0 hours

seminars: 0 hours

total of: 12 hours

Subject data

  • Code of subject: OAF-JOE-T
  • 1 kredit
  • General Medicine
  • Optional modul
  • autumn
Prerequisites:

OAA-EL2-T completed

Course headcount limitations

min. 5 – max. 30

Available as Campus course for 20 fő számára. Campus-karok: ÁOK BTK ETK TTK

Topic

The physical, mental and psychological stability of healthcare professionals is essential in maintaining health and managing daily stress, as well as being empathetic towards patients on the long term. Regular practice of yoga balances and strengthens our body and mind; it stretches tense muscles and strengthens weak ones, and also helps to acknowledge bodily sensations. Yoga quiets the breathing and the mind, thus we can stay aware and in the present, coping in situations with greater self-confidence and less anxiety. The complex system of yoga could be used as a preventive healthcare method and therefore deserves special attention, complementing traditional, western medicine. During the course, we systematically explore the yoga system, and its proven physiological effects in view of the available literature (there are at present 4304 hits for the keyword 'yoga' in PubMed). We compare the western, evidence based methods with the ancient eastern knowledge. We get an insight into the different types of yoga traditions, and the blossoming modern yoga schools, which helps to decide which of them suits us, depending on our life cycle, energy level or present needs. On every occasion, we will try a new type of breathing exercise and meditation, and the last two sessions will involve yogic poses (asanas) as well. Thus, students attending this course will get hands on experience regarding the beneficial effects of yoga, and later can guide their patients and acquaintances as a reliable source in the world of yoga and relaxation, recognizing its significance as a preventive medicine.

Lectures

  • 1. The history and philosophy of yoga. The eight limbs of yoga. Modern schools and ancient traditions. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 2. Physiology of Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation, Bandha and Mudra. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 3. Yoga as a complementary medicine, a method of primary prevention. Eastern and Western approach to health and disease. Published research. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 4. Physiology of asanas, their role in health, published research. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 5. Physiology of pranayama, the breath regulation and its Eastern interpretation. Published research. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 6. Ayurveda. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 7. The yogic diet, role of diet in health and primary prevention in view of the scientific literature. - Dr. Ráczné Dr. Mikó-Baráth Eszter
  • 8. Eastern and Western concepts of the mind. Meditation and yoga nidra - the yogic sleep. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 9. Diseases of modern age: stress and chronic fatigue. Maintaining mental health with yoga, a practical approach. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 10. Role of yoga in different life cycles, from prenatal to senior yoga. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 11. Injury prevention and rehabilitation with yoga for athletes. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
  • 12. Demonstration: asana, pranayama, meditation, home practice. Oral exam. - Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes

Practices

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Lecture material will be handed out.

Notes

Recommended literature

B.K.S. Iyengar: The path to holistic health.
B.K.S. Iyengar: Light on yoga.

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Maximum of 25 % absence allowed

Mid-term exams

Oral examination during the last lecture, which, if missed can be compensated on the given week.

Making up for missed classes

Based on individual arrangement.

Exam topics/questions

Oral questions from the lecture material.

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars