Impact of Vyayama and Chankramana on mental and emotional health

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Vyayama – i.e. exercising is a part of Dinacharya – daily regimen protocol as explained by Ayurveda. Since it is a part of Dinacharya, it is a mandatory activity which should be an essential part and parcel of our daily life. It simply means that everyone should exercise every single day without fail, in accordance with his body constitution and capacity (vyayama shakti / samarthya).

Vyayama not only contributes to physical health and fitness, it also has an important role in keeping the balance of mental and emotional health.

In this article I will discuss the impact of Vyayama on Mind and emotions from Ayurveda perspective.

Impact of regular Vyayama on Mind and Emotional Health

Vyayama

Exercise, when done regularly as a part of Dinacharya, will have a super positive impact on body, mind and senses. Our body and mind get fuel from the foods we eat and this food is digested properly and converted into nutrients by the action of a properly functioning metabolic fire in the gut – the agni, which also nurtures the other forms of agni located in our tissues. Apart from reducing abnormal accumulations of meda – fat and kapha, vyayama keeps the agni actively functioning. The mental balance and peace also depends on the balance of agni. Regular exercise keeps us fit and healthy. Being healthy is happiness – sukha, which is a subject of mind.

Looking at Vyayama specifically from its benefits point of view –

Laghutva – Vyayama bestows lightness. Lightness is experienced not only at the physical level but also at the mental level after completing a planned and customized exercise. Lightness of mind and senses come in the form of a relaxed and rejuvenated mind which can think positively and focus on tasks. The mind and senses do not get easily tired / fatigued in a person who gets involved in daily activities and chores after doing vyayama early in the day. Early morning walking or jogging or work outs or physical games followed by a soothing massage and hot shower is more advantageous. The person will be highly spirited, energetic and focused throughout the day after undergoing this combo, all of which are part and parcel of dinacharya. Walking or strolling is the simplest form of exercise which can be correlated with Chankramana – which has a similar impact as that of Vyayama. One can also fit in ‘evening walks’ and ‘short night strolls’ in their schedule if possible.

Karma Samarthyam – Vyayama bestows one with good strength, endurance and capacity to indulge in day-long activities. Those who do not exercise every day would find it difficult to cope up with daily chores. We can see that they are very tired and stressed out at the end of the day. We can see these people screaming and yelling at others, feeling restless, disturbed, and worn out and looking to hit the bed. They will be seen binging on foods and entertainment. When we speak about samarthyam or capability, it also includes the capability of mind and sense organs in perceiving their related objects and comprehending them in a good way. Exercise also enhances the learning skills, thought process, memories and intellectual functions. Vyayama also fine tunes the way we handle our emotions and respond to different emotions. It makes us calmer and wiser in the way we handle things. All this happens because vyayama enhances the oxygenation – the prana energy to all the cells, the mind and senses.

Agni Deepana – Sama Agni – balanced agni is one of the parameters for declaring the person as swastha – healthy. When agni is in a state of balance, the food we consume is digested properly. This would result in formation of ahara rasa – a well formed essence of digested food which is put into circulation. This essence of food would nurture all the tissues and mind. So, we need good food for mental health also and that food in the form of nutrition is formed and provided by the action of balanced agni on the food we consume. Vyayama keeps this agni activated and functional. So, one needs to exercise regularly to keep the agni and the metabolism in balance.

Vyayama

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Agni deepana – digestive fire and tissue fire are kindled and kept activated and functional

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The foods we consume is properly digested

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Good quality ahara rasa is formed

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This ahara rasa provides nutrition to the body (tissues) and mind

Thus, mental health is dependent on Agni and this Agni functions to optimum levels being activated by Vyayama.

When someone compliments us for our good looks we are happy. Our state of mind will be positive. Beauty, attraction, brightness, color, complexion and glow are bestowed by Agni and also courage (Su.Sha.1/20, Cha.Sha.4/12). All these features keep us happy. Happiness is a state of mind. Vyayama is the bridge for happiness. It bestows this virtue by keeping the agni activated.

Bala – strength, arogya – health, ayu – longevity, varna – complexion, utsaha – enthusiasm and positiveness, upachaya – growth and development, nourishment, prabha – luster, oja – essence of tissues / immunity and prana – life energy are the factors one needs to enjoy happy and healthy life and for body-mind health. These virtues are bestowed by agni and this agni is kept activated and balanced by vyayama.

Also, as long as the agni is intact and balanced, one will not suffer from any physical or mental diseases and the person lives a long and disease-free life. Thus, agni is important for mental health and vyayama is important for proper functioning of agni.

Medasha Kshaya – When there is excessive fat accumulation in the body, it will deprive nutrition to all the tissues by blocking all the srotas. It will also block the manovaha srotas – the channels related to functioning of mind and cause many mental ailments, along with a wide array of physical disorders. We can see that obese and overweight individuals suffer from various mental imbalances and disorders like depression, eating disorders, anxiety, excessive sleepiness, stress etc. More weight and added calories will also make the person sad and emotionally drained. They will lose self-confidence and become detached and introverted. Fat and disorders of fat metabolism have a strong negative impact on mental, emotional and sensual health.

When the medas block the srotas, all tissues will undergo depletion. This will deplete strength, immunity, endurance, courage and mental health. The person will also become emotionally disturbed. The person will not be capable of doing even the simplest of daily activities – physical or mental and will become victim of many psychosomatic ailments.

The best way is to keep the weight at check, to prevent fat accumulation or expel that which has accumulated in excess through suitable medicines, dietetic changes, therapies, exercises, workouts and behavioral therapies, along with stress management.

The easiest and most effective way to get rid of the unwanted fat from the body and hit back to normal health and numbers (related to body) is indulgence in regular exercise.

Vyayama brings about kshaya – depletion of medas – fat. The reverse engineering which sets in would fine-tone the body, relieve the stress, would build up confidence and courage and reestablish health, endurance, immunity and energy levels.

Vibhakta Ghana Gatratvam – Vyayama provides a well chiseled, trimmed, toned, demarcated, strong and sturdy physique. This will build up endurance and immunity and also confidence and courage. A strong physique also keeps one happy and mentally healthy. These people will also not suffer from physical or mental disorders.

Impact of Vyayama on Sattva Guna and doshas of Manas

As already discussed, vyayama is healthy for the mind and has a positive impact on mind health. Vyayama brings in a lot of positivity and energy into the mind. This will help in keeping the doshas of mind i.e. rajas and tamas at bay. It will also help in enhancing the Sattva Guna of the mind which is a reflection of good and positive mental state and health. Vyayama is anti-kapha. So it will have a devastating effect on the Tamo Guna of the mind. This will help in relieving one of his or her laziness and clouding of mind. This will help in opening up the mind in positive directions and keep it happy and healthy.

Impact of Chankramana on mental and emotional health

Chankramana is also a mild form of exercise and consists of strolling and has a similar impact on our mind as of Vyayama. It keeps the agni active and improves the perception power of indriyas, including the mind. It controls and balances Vata. Balanced Vata is responsible for perception of sense organs and controller of mind activities. Chankramana keeps the mind active and positively motivated.