Isolated and combined effect of yogic and physical exercises on selected physical, physiological and anthropometric variables among college men football players in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Yoga is the universal religion, a way of life, which above all caste, creeds, languages, regions and nations. It is simple and easy to practice, acceptable to the people of all professions and ages of India. Yoga exercises have been practiced since thousands of years. Now it is accepted that many yoga exercises are suitable for all people and recommended for long living and healthy life. The practice of yoga has been made systematic by the exponent of the system, Pathanjali’ being an important teacher. The yoga exercises, according to Pathanjali have to be practiced in a systematic way and he advocated eight steps to progressive achievement, namely abstention (yama), regulations discipline (Niyama), easy posture (Asana), control of breathing (Pranayama), sense of control (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and superconscious state (Samathi).