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What is life and death; the functions of five Vayus

What is life and death? What is life and death; the functions of five Vayus   Yavad vayuh sthito dehe tavaj jivanam uchyate / Maranam tasya nishkrantistato vayum nirodhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 3).   As long as the vayu (air and prana) remains in the body, that is called life. Death is when it leaves the body. Therefore, retain vayu. (Chapter -2, Verse 3).  

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Times and duration of Pranayama practice

Times and duration of Pranayama practice Times and duration of practice – Early morning, midday, evening and midnight, holding is step by step  held up to eighty counts in one sitting.   Pratarmadhyandine sayamardharatre cha kumbhakan/ Sanairasitiparyantam chaturvaram samabhyaset//(Chapter -2, Verse 11).   Holding should be practiced perfectly four times a day: early morning, midday, evening and midnight, so that holding is step by step held up to eighty counts in one sitting. (Chapter -2, Verse 11).

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Signs and symptoms of right Pranayama practice

Signs and symptoms of right Pranayama practice Kaniyasi bhavedsveda kampo bhavati madhyame / Uttame sthanamapnoti tato vayum nibandhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 12). At first stage there is sweating, in the middle stage trembling, in the last stage complete steadiness, and therefore the breath should be withheld. (Chapter -2, Verse 12).

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Sattvic quality of mind and  the three Gunas for pranayama Practice

Sattvic quality of mind and  the three Gunas for pranayama Practice   Pranayamam tatah kuryannityam sattvikaya dhiya / Yatha sushumnanadistha malah suddhim prayanti cha//(Chapter -2, Verse 6). Therefore pranayama should, be practice daily with a sattvic quality of mind so that the impurities are removed out of sushumna nadi and cleanliness occurs. (Chapter -2, Verse 6).

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Pranayama three types, rechaka, pooraka, and kumbhaka

Pranayama three types, rechaka, pooraka, and kumbhaka. Pranayamas tridha prokto rechapurakakumbhakaih / Sahitah kevalascheti kumbhako dvividho matah//  (Chapter -2, Verse 71). Pranayama is said to be of three types: exhalation (rechaka), inhalation (pooraka), and retention (kumbhaka). Kumbhaka is again of two types: connected sahita and unconnected kevala. (Chapter -2, Verse 71).   Yavat kevalasiddhih syat sahitam tavad abhyaset/ Rechakam purakam muktva sukham yadvayudharanam//(Chapter -2, Verse 72). Till attain perfection in kevala kumbhaka, sahita kumbhaka has to be practiced. When you are freed of inhalation/exhalation then the breath/prana is ceased spontaneously. (Chapter -2, Verse 72). Pranayamoa yam ityuktah sa vai kevalakumbhakah/ Kumbhake kevale siddhe rechapurakavarjite//(Chapter -2, Verse 73).   Perfection of isolated holding is freedom from inhalation and exhalation process. This pranayama spoken of is verily kevala kumbhaka. (Chapter -2, Verse 73). Na tasya durlabham kimchittrishu lokeshu vidyate/ Saktah kevalakumbhena yatheshtam vayudharanat//(Chapter -2, Verse 74).   Nothing in the three worlds of existence is unobtainable by him who has mastery over kevala kumbhaka and can hold the breath as desired time. (Chapter -2, Verse 74).  

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Nadis and Chakras for retention of Prana

Cleansing of the Nadis and Chakras for retention of Prana   Suddhameti yada sarvam nadichakram malakulam / Tadaiva jayate yogi pranasamghrahane kshamah//(Chapter -2, Verse 5). When all the nadis and chakras which are full of impurities are cleansed, then the hatha yogi is able to retain prana. (Chapter -2, Verse 5).  

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Mind and Prana

Interconnection of Mind and Prana Interconnection of Mind and Prana and their controlling through Pranayama   Chale vate chalam chittam nischale nischalam bhavet / Yogi sthanutvamapnoti tato vayum nirodhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 2).   When Prana moves, chitta the mental force too moves. When prana is still, Chitta also still without any movement. By this steadiness of prana the Hatha Yogi reaches stableness and should thus control the Vayu air. (Chapter -2, Verse 2).

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Diet and Pranayama – Milk and Ghee is recommended

Diet and Pranayama – Milk and Ghee is recommended. At the beginning period of pranayama practice, food, consisting of milk and ghee is recommended very much. Upon being established in the practice such conditions are not necessary at all. (Chapter -2, Verse 14).

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Veerasana (Hero’s Pose)

Veerasana (Hero’s Pose) Ekam padam tathaikasmin vinyased uruni sthiram / Itarasmims tatha chorum virasanam itiritam//(Chapter -1, Verse 21). Placing one foot by the opposite thigh and the other foot under the same thigh, its called as veerasana. (Chapter -1, Verse 21).

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 Swastikasana (auspicious pose)

 Swastikasana (auspicious pose) Janurvor antare samyak krtva padatale ubhe / Rjukayah samasinah svastikam tat prachakshate//(Chapter -1, Verse 19). Placing both soles of the feet on the inner side of the thighs, sitting equipoised with a straight body. This is called swastikasana). (Chapter -1, Verse 19).  

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Simhasana (lion’s pose)

Simhasana (lion’s pose) Ghulphau cha vrshanasyadhah Sivantyah parsvayoh kshipet/ Dakshine savyaghulpham tu Dakshaghulpham tu savyake//(Chapter -1, Verse-50). Place the ankles below the scrotum, right ankle on the left side, left ankle on the right side of the perineum. (Chapter -1,Verse-50).   Hastau tu janvoh samsthapya Svangghulih samprasarya cha / Vyattavaktro niriksheta nasaghram susamahitah// (Chapter -1, Verse-51). Place the palms on the knees, fingers spread apart, keep the mouth open and gaze at the nose tip with a concentrated mind.(Chapter -1, Verse-51).   Simhasanam bhavedetatpujitam yoghipungghavaih / Bandhatritayasandhanam kurute chasanottamam//(Chapter -1, Verse-52). This is simhasana, held in great esteem by the highest yogis. This most excellent asana facilitates the three bandhas. (Chapter -1, Verse-52).  

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Siddhasana (Adept’s Pose)

Siddhasana (Adept’s Pose) Yonisthanakam angghrimulaghatitam   Krtva drdham vinyaset / Mendhre padam  athaikameva hrdaye Krtva hanum susthiram // Sthanuh samyamitendriyoa chaladrsa pasyed bhruvor antaram/ Hyetan mokshakapatabhedajanakam Siddhasanam prochyate//(Chapter -1, Verse -35) Press the perineum with the heel of one foot, place the other foot on top of the genitals. Having done this, rest the chin on to the chest. Remaining still and steady, with the senses controlled, gaze steadily into the eyebrow center; it breaks open the door to liberation. This is called siddhasana. (Chapter -1, Verse -35)

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Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Shavasana (Corpse Pose) Uttanam sabavad bhumau  sayanam tat savasanam/ Savasanam srantiharam chittavisrantikarakam//(Chapter -1, Verse 32). Lying flat on the ground with the face upwards, in the manner of a dead body, is savasana. It removes tiredness and enables the mind-body complex to relax deeply. (Chapter -1, Verse 32).

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Paschimottanasana (Back Stretching Pose)

Paschimottanasana (Back Stretching Pose) Prasarya padau bhuvi dandarupau Dorbhyam padaghradvitayam ghrhitva/ Januparinyastalalatadeso Vasedidam paschimatanamahuh.// (Chapter -1, Verse 28). Stretching the legs in front on the ground, like a stick; bending forward, holding the toes with both hands and placing the forehead on the knees, is known as Paschimottanasana. (Chapter -1, Verse 28). Paschimottanasana Iti paschimatanamasanaghryam Pavanam paschimavahinam karoti/ Udayam jatharanalasya kuryad Udare karsyamaroghatam cha pumsam//(Chapter -1, Verse 29). Paschimottanasana is the best among asanas. By this asana the pranic currents rise through sushumna, the digestive fire stimulates, the abdomen becomes flat, and the practitioner becomes free from all kind of diseases. (Chapter -1, Verse 29).  

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Padmasana (lotus pose)

Padmasana (lotus pose) Vamorupari dakshinam cha charanam Samsthapya vamam tatha / Dakshorupari paschimena vidhina Dhrtva karabhyam drdham // Angghushthau hrdaye nidhaya Chibukam nasaghramalokayet / Etadvyadhivinasakari yaminam Padmasanam prochyate//(Chapter -1, Verse 44) Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh, cross the hands behind the back and firmly hold the toes. Press the chin against the chest and look at the tip of the nose. This is called padmasana, the destroyer of a yogi’s diseases. (Chapter -1, Verse- 44). Uttanau charanau krtva urusamsthau prayatnatah / Urumadhye tathottanau pani krtva tato drsau//(Chapter -1, Verse-45) Place the feet on the thighs, soles upward, palms in the middle of the groin, facing upward. (Chapter -1, Verse-45)   Nasaghre vinyasedrajadantamule tu jihvaya/ Uttambhya chibukam vakshasyutthapy pavanam sanaih//(Chapter -1, Verse-46) Gaze at the nose tip, keeping the tongue pressed against the root of the upper teeth and the chin against the chest, and slowly raise the prana upward. (Chapter -1, Verse-46) Idam padmasanam proktam sarvavyadhivinasanam/ Durlabham yena kenapi dhimata labhyate bhuvi//(Chapter -1, Verse-47) This is called padmasana, destroyer of all diseases. Ordinary people cannot achieve this posture, only the few wise ones on this earth can do.    (Chapter -1, Verse -47).

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Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)

Mayurasana (Peacock Pose) Dharam avashtabhya karadvayena Tatkurparasthapitanabhiparsvah/ Uchchasano dandavad utthitah san Mayuram etat pravadanti pitham//(Chapter -1, Verse 30).   Lie down on the stomach, placing both hands on the ground under the body and place the elbows at the sides of the navel. Raise the body high, keeping it like a stick. This is called  peacock pose by the expert Yogis. (Chapter -1, Verse 30).   Harati sakalaroghanasu ghulmodaradin Abhibhavati cha doshanasanam srimayuram/ Bahu kadasanabhuktam bhasma kuryadasesham Janayati // jatharaghnim jarayetkalakutam/(Chapter -1, Verse 31).   Mayurasana quickly alleviates all diseases like enlargement of the glands, dropsy and other stomach disorders. It rectifies imbalance of the humors (vata, pitta, kapha). It reduces to ashes all food taken indiscriminately, kindles the gastric fire and enables destruction of deadly poison). (Chapter -1, Verse 31).  

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Matsyendrasana (Spinal Twist Pose)

Matsyendrasana (Spinal Twist Pose) Vamoru mularpitadakshapadam Janor bahir veshtitavamapadam/ Praghrhya  tishthet parivartitangghah srimatysanathoditam asanam syat//(Chapter -1, Verse 26).   Place the right foot at the base of the left thigh, the left foot at the side of the right knee. Take hold of the left foot with the right hand, pass the left arm behind the waist and remain with the body turned. This asana is explained by Sri Matsyendranath. (Chapter -1, Verse 26). Matsyendrapitham jatharapradiptim Prachandarughmandalakhandanastram/ Abhyasatah kundaliniprabodham Chandrasthiratvam cha dadati pumsam//(Chapter -1, Verse 27). Practice of this asana Matsyendrasana increases the digestive fire to such an incredible capacity, this will eradicate all stomach diseases and thus awakening the serpent power and bringing equilibrium in the Bindu. (Chapter -1, Verse 27).

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Kukkutasana (Cockerel Pose)

Kukkutasana (Cockerel Pose) Padmasanam tu samsthapya janurvorantare karau / Nivesya bhumau samsthapya vyomastham kukkutasanam//(Chapter -1, Verse 23).   By adopting Padmasana, insert the hands between the thighs and calves, planting them the hands firmly on the ground; raise the body in the air. This is called as Kukkutasana. (Chapter -1, Verse 23).

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 Koormasana (Tortoise Pose)

 Koormasana (Tortoise Pose) Ghudam nirudhya ghulphabhyam vyutkramena samahitah/ Kurmasanam bhavedetaditi yogavido viduh//(Chapter -1, Verse 22).   Press the anus firmly with the ankles in the opposite direction and sit well-poised. According to the Yogis this is called as Koormasana. (Chapter -1, Verse 22).  

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Gomukhasana (Cow’s Face Pose)

Gomukhasana (Cow’s Face Pose) Savye dakshinaghulpham tu prshthaparsve niyojayet / Dakshineapi tatha savyam ghomukham ghomukhakrtih//(Chapter -1, Verse 20).   Place the right ankle next to the left buttock and the left ankle next to the right buttock. This is gomukhasana and it looklike the face of the cow. (Chapter -1, Verse 20).

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Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

 Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) Padanghushthau tu panibhyam ghrhitva sravanavadhi / Dhanurakarshanam kuryad dhanurasanam uchyate//(Chapter -1, Verse 25).   Holding the toes with the hands, pull them up to the ears as if drawing a bow. This is called Dhanurasana. (Chapter -1, Verse 25).

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Bhadrasana (gracious pose)

Bhadrasana (gracious pose) Ghulphau cha vrshanasyadhah Sivantyah parsvayoh kshipet / Savyaghulpham tatha savye Dakshaghulpham tu dakshine // Parsvapadau cha panibhyam Drdham baddhva sunischalam / Bhadrasanam bhavedetatsarvavyadhivinasanam //(Chapter -1, Verse- 53).   Place the ankles below the genitals on the sides by the perineum, left ankle on the left (side) right ankle on the right (side).(Chapter -1, Verse- 53). Ghorakshasanamityahuridam vai siddhayoghinah/ Evamasanabandheshu yogindro vighatasramah // Abhyasennadikasuddhim mudradipavanakriyam/(Chapter -1, Verse-54).   Then hold the feet, which are on their sides, firmly with the hands and remain motionless. This is bhadrasana which destroys all diseases. The yogis who are perfected (siddhas) call it gorakshasana. (Chapter -1, Verse-54).

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Who can practice Yoga?

Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Who can practice Yoga? Yuvo vrddhoativrddho va vyadhito durbaloapi va / Abhyasat siddhim apnoti sarvayogheshvatandritah//(Chapter -1, Verse -64). Either, Young or old, very old, sick or feeble, one can attain perfection in all the Yogas by regular constant practicing. (Chapter -1, Verse – 64).  

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Food conducive for Hatha Yogic Practices

Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Food conducive for Hatha Yogic Practices Ghodhuma-sali-yava-shashtika-sobhanannam / Kshirajyakhanda-navanitasi hamadhuni// Sunthipatolakaphaladikapanchasakam / Mudghadidivyam udakam cha yamindrapathyam//(Chapter -1, Verse -62). The most supporting foods for the Hatha Yogic practices are: good grains, wheat, rice, barley, milk, ghee, brown sugar, sugar candy (crystallized sugar), honey, dry ginger, patola fruit (species of cucumber), five vegetables, mung, pulses, and pure water. (Chapter -1, Verse -62). Pushtam sumadhuram snighdham Gavyam dhatupraposhanam / Manobhilashitam yoghyam yogi bhojanamacharet//(Chapter -1, Verse-63). The Hatha Yogi should take nourishing and sweet food mixed with, ghee and milk; it should nourish the dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable for body-mind-soul. (Chapter -1,Verse-63).  

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Food Prohibited for Hatha Yogic Practices

Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Food Prohibited for Hatha Yogic Practices Katvamla-tikshna-lavanoshna-haritasaka / Sauvira-taila-tila-sarshapa-madya-matsyan // Ajadi-mamsa-dadhi-takra-kulattha-kola / Pinyaka-hingghu-lasunady-amapathyam-ahuh//(Chapter -1, Verse- 59). The foods which prohibited for the Hatha Yogic practitioners are: those which are bitter, sour, pungent, salty, heating, green vegetables, sour gruel, oil, sesame and mustard, alcohol, fish, flesh foods, curds, buttermilk, horse gram, fruit of jujube, oil cakes, asafetida and garlic. (Chapter -1, Verse- 59). Bhojanam ahitam vidyāt punarasyoshnīkrtam rūksham/ Atilavanamam layuktam kadaśanaśākotkam varjyam// (Chapter -1, Verse -60).   Unnourishing food should not be consumed, that which is reheated after becoming cold, which is dry (devoid of natural oil), which is excessively salty or acidic, stale or has too many mixed vegetables. (Chapter -1, Verse -60).  

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Moderate diet for Hatha Yogic Practices

Hatha Yoga Pradipika -Moderate diet for Hatha Yogic Practices Susnighdhamadhuraharaschaturthamsavivarjitah / Bhujyate sivasamprityai mitaharah sa uchyate//(Chapter -1, Verse -58). Mitahara is defined as agreeable and sweet food, leaving one fourth of the stomach free, and eaten. (Chapter -1, Verse-58).

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Electrocardiogram ECG

Electrocardiogram ECG: The ECG shows the heart’s electrical activity as line tracings on paper. It’s the recording of electrical activity of the heart. ECG is an instrument which is used to record the electrical current generated in the heart. By means of this instrument, the electrical current generated in the heart is conducted to remote by connecting any two parts of the body with this instrument. The connections are called as leads they are. A normal ECG contains waves, intervals, segments and one complex, as defined below. Wave: A positive or negative deflection from the baseline that indicates a specific electrical event. The waves on an ECG include the P wave, Q wave, R wave, S wave, T wave and U wave. Interval: The time between two specific ECG events. The intervals commonly measured on an ECG include the PR interval, QRS interval (also called QRS duration), QT interval and RR interval. Segment: The length between two specific points on an ECG that are supposed to be at the baseline amplitude (not negative or positive). The segments on an ECG include the PR segment, ST segment, and TP segment. Complex: The combination of multiple waves grouped together. The only main complex on an ECG is the QRS complex. The P wave indicates atrial depolarization. The QRS complex consists of a Q wave, R wave, and S wave and represents ventricular depolarization. The T wave comes after the QRS complex and indicates ventricular repolarization.  

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Functions of the Skeletal System

Functions of the Skeletal System? Support of the body Locomotion Provide protection for internal organs Act as a site for the production of blood cells, Calcium storage   & endocrine regulation. Growth and development  

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Disorders of blood vessels

Disorders of blood vessels: Arteriosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. This process gradually restricts the blood flow to one’s organs and tissues. Atherosclerosis: it’s a thickening of arterial walls due to the deposition of fat and white blood cells). An aneurysm: it’s a local abnormal dilation of an artery. Classified into 3 types: fusiform, saccular, and dissecting. Embolus: it’s a clot moving in circulation and becomes impacted in a small vessel. Thrombus: it’s a clot obstructing a blood vessel at the point where it’s actually formed. Venous thrombosis: its blood clot obstructing a vein. Thrombophlebitis: it’s inflammation of vein complicated by an obstructing clot. Varicose vein: it’s a dilated and tortuous superficial vein. This occurs because valves in the veins don’t close. So, the backward flow of blood in the vein is not prevented. This leads to dropping back of the column occurs in 1- long saphenous vein. 2- short saphenous vein. 3- anterior tibial vein.  

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Properties of skeletal muscle

Properties of skeletal muscle: Excitability and irritability: It’s the property of a muscle to respond to a stimulus. If the response occurs in the front of a contraction. It’s called as contractility. Tonicity: Muscles of a living organism are in the partially contracted state, even at rest. They are never fully relaxed and they will resist being stretched the resistance to stretch is called as tonicity. All or none response: When a stimulus is given to a muscle, the muscle either contracts to the maximum or it doesn’t contract at all. When a weak stimulus is applied to a muscle, it doesn’t produce any response. But when the stimulus is gradually increased, the muscle contracts at a point to the maximum level. Later even a greater degree of stimulus does not increase the degree of contraction. Summation: When a second stimulus is given to a muscle even while it’s contracting due to the first stimulus, the degree of contraction is more. This phenomenon is called as a summation. The increased response is due to stimulation of more and more motor units by repetitive stimuli. Treppe or staircase phenomenon: Stimulation of a muscle at regular short intervals increases the amplitudes of contraction *which goes on increasing like the steps of a staircase*. This occurs due to increased irritability of the muscle produced by chemical products of the earlier contractions. Tetanus: When a muscle is stimulated repeatedly at a very faster rate, the muscle contracts maximally. The muscle remains at this maximal state of contraction till 1- the stimulus continues or 2- it gets fatigued. This sustained maximal contraction is called tetanus. Refractory period: Muscle, like other excitable tissues, has a period following its action potential during which the membrane will not respond to stimulation regardless of the strength. Isotonic contraction: It’s the contraction in which the muscle shortens under constant load. It occurs in muscles during walking, running or lifting. Isometric contraction: In this type of contraction, the muscle develops tension but it does not shorten in length e.g. maintaining the posture against gravity. Fatigue: It’s a state of reduced excitability and contractility of a muscle. It’s produced by rapid and repeated stimulation of the muscle. Fatigue may occur due to depletion of energy and accumulation of metabolites like lactic acid.  

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Joint Disorders

Joint Disorders Arthritis – inflammation of a joint. Characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling. Over time, the joint can become severely damaged. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s often related to aging or to an injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of Autoimmune arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Bursitis – inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint, Excessive use of a joint or stress on a bursa may cause bursitis, an inflammation of a bursa. Joint Dislocation: Luxation or Dislocation, displaces the articulating bones of a joint and usually results from a fall or other unusual body movement. Joint dislocation produces an obvious deformity of the joint, some loss of ability to move the articulated bones, localized pain, and swelling. Sprains: Sprains result from overstretching or tearing the connective tissues, ligaments, and tendons associated with a joint, but they do not dislocate the articular bones.  

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Cardiac Cycle

The Cardiac cycle:   the function of the heart is to maintain a constant circulation of blood throughout the body. It acts as a pump to maintains a constant circulation of blood throughout the body. It’s achieved as follows: The functions of the cardiovascular system are to provide the tissues of the body with oxygen and nutrients which are transported in the blood. The superior and inferior vena cava veins bring venous blood from various body parts to the heart. This venous blood fills the right atrium. When it’s full, the right atrium contracts sending blood to the right ventricle. Now the right ventricle contracts this sends blood to the lungs through pulmonary trunk which divides into right and left pulmonary arteries.  The blood gets oxygenated in the lungs and then the oxygenated blood is carried by a pulmonary vein to the left atrium. Now the left atrium contracts and sends blood to the left ventricle. The left ventricle contracts and send blood into the aorta, this blood circulated throughout the body. This is achieved by rhythmic contraction of its muscle. The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events which occur in the heart during a single beat. Heart rate is between 60 to 90 normally. With an average rate of 72. So the time taken for one beat is 0.8 second. So the sequence of events occurs every 0.8 seconds. The cardiac cycle occurs in 2 phases: Systole which means a period of contraction. Diastole which means a period of relaxation. The cycle of events occurs as follows: To start with blood from the veins fill the 2 atria, the superior and inferior vena cava fill the right atrium, the pulmonary veins fill the left atrium. This is followed by a wave of contraction in the atria, this leads to emptying of atrial blood into the respective ventricle. When the ventricles are full, they contract, now the blood present in ventricles is forced into systemic and pulmonary circulation. At this stage, the semilunar valves guarding the aorta and pulmonary arteries are opened. At the same time, the atrioventricular are opened. At the same time, the atrioventricular valves are closed. This period of muscular contraction of the heart is called systole. This is followed by a period of relaxation called diastole during which there’s no contraction. This sequence of events constitutes the cardiac cycle.  

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Somatic Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System The somatic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for carrying motor and sensory information both to and from the central nervous system. This system is made up of nerves that connect to the skin, sensory organs, and all skeletal muscles. The system is responsible for nearly all voluntary muscle movements as well as for processing sensory information that arrives via external stimuli including hearing, touch, and sight. The somatic system is responsible for transmitting sensory information as well as for vol untary movement. This system contains two major types of neurons: Sensory neurons (or afferent neurons) that carry information from the nerves to the central nervous system. It is these sensory neurons that allow us to take in sensory information and send it to the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons (or efferent neurons) that carry information from the brain and spinal cord to muscle fibers throughout the body. These motor neurons allow us to take physical action in response to stimuli in the environment.

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Skeletal System

Skeletal system  The human skeleton is made up of 206 bones making the human body a multifunctional structure. The skeletal system is composed of Bones, Joints, Cartilage, Tendons, and Ligaments. Human infants are born with about 270 bones, most of which ossifies as they grow up. The skeletons of adult males and females have some variation, primarily to accommodate childbirth. The female pelvis is flatter, more rounded and proportionally larger. Bone: A rigid form of connective tissue that is part of the skeletal system of vertebrates and is composed principally of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. It also serves as a storage area for calcium, playing a large role in calcium balance in the blood. The ligament is a small band of dense, white, fibrous elastic tissue. Ligaments connect the ends of bones together in order to form a joint. They also assist in holding organs in place. Tendons are a tough, flexible and inelastic band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscles to bones and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments; both are made of collagen.  

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Respiratory System

Respiratory system The Human Respiratory System is a series of organs which facilitates the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream and distributes throughout the body and receives carbon dioxide from the blood and removes the process of exhalation. The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which carry out this exchange of gases as we breathe. The respiratory system consists of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The upper respiratory tract composes of Nasal cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx. The lower Respiratory Tract composes of Lungs, Diaphragm, Trachea, Bronchi and Bronchioles. Gaseous Exchange: The main function of the respiratory system is a gaseous exchange. This refers to the process of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide moving between the lungs and blood. Diffusion occurs when molecules move from an area of high concentration (of that molecule) to an area of low concentration. This occurs during the gaseous exchange as the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli has a lower oxygen concentration of Oxygen than the air in the alveoli which has just been inhaled.  

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Physiology of Muscle contraction

Physiology of Muscle contraction: Muscles contract to produce force, the actin and myosin filaments within the sarcomeres of muscle fibers bind to create cross-bridges and slide past one another, creating a contraction. The events of muscle contraction: During a normal resting state of a muscle, the muscle membrane is in a polarized state, this occurs because: The interior of the muscle cell is negatively charged. It contains a large concentration of potassium ions. The exterior of the muscle cell is positively charged. It contains a large contraction of sodium ions. For a contraction to occur there must first be a stimulation of the muscle in the form of an impulse from a motor neuron. A motor neuron stimulates a number of muscle fibers within a muscle. The Nerve impulse reaches the muscle fibers of a Neuromuscular Junction, it stimulates a reaction in each sarcomere between the actin and myosin filaments.  This reaction results in muscular contraction. When the muscle contraction is over, acetylcholine is destroyed by the acetyl cholinesterase. Now, Potassium ions move into the cell and sodium ions get out of the cell. ATP is re-synthesized allowing actin and myosin to maintain their strong binding state. This produces repolarization of the muscle membrane. Now the muscle is ready to contract again.  

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Disorders of blood pressure

Disorders of blood pressure Hypertension’s Hypertension is a rise in blood pressure above normal. It’s difficult to define the average normal blood pressure. It varies from one age group to other. The blood pressure in an adult may be 120/80. Hypertension has a strong relation with life style regardless of gender and socio-economic status. The systolic blood pressure(BP) greater than or equal to140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP greater than or equal to 90 mmHg is currently the widely accepted diagnostic criteria for hypertension. The management of hypertension is a major public health challenge in developing countries, even though a wide range of antihypertensives are developed and prescribed for the management of hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular diseases and kidney disorders. Hypotension: Hypotension is low blood pressure which can be physiological in health during rest and in elderly. Mostly it occurs as a complication of other diseases e.g. shock, myocardial infarction, and hemorrhage. Blood pressure varies from one person to another. A drop as little as 20 mmHg, can cause problems for some people. Low blood pressure leads to inadequate blood supply to the brain. It may produce brief unconsciousness, fainting. if this is prolonged, death may occur. Severe hypotension can be caused by sudden loss of blood (shock), severe infection, heart attack, or severe allergic reaction.  

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Neuromuscular junction (Myoneural junction)

Neuromuscular junction (Myoneural junction) A neuromuscular junction is a synapse between a motor neuron and skeletal muscle. The space between the motor neuron and the skeletal muscle cell is simply referred to as a synapse. Synaptic transmission includes all the events within the synapse leading to excitation of the muscle. At this site, the nerve loses its myelin sheath and gets expanded. Acetylcholine is stored in some vesicles present in this expanded portion. Motor end plate is the part of the muscle facing the expanded nerve terminal. The neuron is sending the transmission and is thus referred to as the pre-synaptic cell, while the muscle is receiving the transmission and is referred to as the post-synaptic cell. Neurotransmitters are molecules stored in the pre-synaptic cell that is secreted into the synapse. Neurotransmitters, in turn, bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell membrane, and these receptors are specific for that neurotransmitter. The structure motor end plates convoluted and it has enzyme acetyl cholinesterase.  

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Common Bone Disorders

Common Bone Disorders Osteoporosis- Osteoporosis is a common disease that weakens bones, characterized with the prominent porous formation in the shaft or articulating part of the bone. As bones weaken, your risk of sudden and unexpected fractures increases. Rickets- Rickets is a skeletal disorder that results from a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Osteomyelitis- Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that is caused by bacteria, characterized by severe pain and tenderness. Osteosarcoma- An osteosarcoma or osteogenic sarcoma is a cancerous tumor in a bone. Specifically, it is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that arises from primitive transformed cells of mesenchymal origin and that exhibits osteoblastic differentiation and produces malignant osteoid. Osteomalacia- Osteomalacia is softening of the bones. It most often occurs because of a problem with vitamin D.

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Respiration Mechanism

Respiration mechanism Normal breathing involves several different mechanisms. Shallow breathing is accomplished by the contraction of the diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles for inhalation. During exhalation, the muscles relaxing and the elasticity of the lungs returning to their resting volume expels air out of the lungs.  Deep Breathing is accomplished by an inferior movement of the diaphragm towards the abdomen. The external intercostal muscles along with the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles in the neck expand the space between the ribs, increasing the volume of the chest. During deep exhalation, the internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles contract to decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity, forcing air out of the lungs. Breathing is controlled by the brain and may be controlled both consciously and unconsciously. Unconscious control of breathing is maintained by the respiratory center of the brainstem, which monitors the concentration of gases in the blood and adjusts the rate and depth of breathing as needed. During Yoga practice, the respiratory center automatically increases the breathing rate to provide constant levels of oxygen to the blood. During rest, the respiratory center reduces the breathing rate to prevent hyperventilation and maintain healthy oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Conscious control of breathing is maintained by the cerebral cortex of the brain. The cerebral cortex may override the respiratory center during the practice of Pranayama. Unconscious control of breathing resumes as soon as conscious control of breathing ends, preventing the body from suffocating from lack of breathing.  

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