Vyayama-Vijnan in
Ancient India

(Science of Exercise in Ancient India) 

By Dr. S. H. Deshpande 
Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amravati. 

In the modern age of scicnce and technology, along with other subjects the subject of exercise has also been developed to a great extent. A special branch of science is identified with the subject of exercise and sport. This branch of scicnce is known as science of exercise or "VyäyamaVijnana". This branch deals with the various aspects of exercise, such as exercise and health, exercise and fitness, exercise and nutrition, exercise and growth, exercise and sport performance, therapeutic use of exercise, etc. The science of exercise i.e. " Vyayama-Vijnana" was also studied in ancient India in greater depth. It was integrated with the science of health and medicine. Ayurveda was the term used for the science of health and medicine. The Ayurveda texts written by ancient Indian seers centuries ago deal thoroughly with the subject of 

"Vyayama-Vijnana". Ever since the period of Upanisadas, references to the study of medical science or Ayurveda are found. Object of studying this science was to know the procedure of maintaining the equilibrium of the body elements which contribute to the health of the individual. Health received great importance in life, because it was believed that without health and strength one cannot discharge one's duties in life. The greatest endowment in one's life was one's health. Charaka, Sutra 1 :15  The science of Ayurved has two important purposes to serve : firstly, the preventive and restorative aspect of health, and the second one the curative. The first one was for the promotion and preservation of health and strength in the healthy, and the second one was for the elimination of disease in the ailing and afflicted. 

This paper deals with the first purpose of Ayurveda, since it discusses the science of positive health.The science of positive health in ancient India covers the entire life-span. Right from pre-natal stage of the child, instructions about maintenance and care of health are given. The pattern of growth and development of the body and mind, factors such as diet, climate etc. influencing the growth, body types, psycho-physiological needs of different periods of life ; factors promoting health and also those causing damage to the health etc. are thoroughly discussed in Ayurveda. Vyayäma-Vijnana was a part of Ayurveda. The discussion in this paper is limited to Vyayama-Vijnäna. It covers definition and concept of physical exercise, principles of the practice of exercise, over exercise and its ill-effects, under-exercise, diet and exercise, therapeutic use of exercise, somato types, bodily strength and its types, physiology of strength, ideals of physical development, etc.