Wellness and Relaxation Techniques

Fill in the blank (iv).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Many studies have tried to determine the _____(i)_____ of meditation as a complementary intervention for many diseases. In a survey being _____(ii)_____, many meditation practitioners reported improvement in mental health. The ultimate aim of meditation is liberation. Its _____(iii)_____ brings forth absolute freedom, when the transparency of material nature and spirit reach a perfect balance. Meditation is also used as a complete exercise programme and physical therapy routine. Apart from the _____(iv)_____ goals, it is also used to _____(v)_____ health problems, reduce stress and make a spine supple.

Directions: The short passage below is followed by a question based on its content. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

You can use the breath to send you attention to certain parts of your body. This is a good way to energize your self, to increase awareness of your body, and to promote inner calmness by being present in the moment. With every in-breath bring your awareness down to your spine and with every out breath let it rise up again. It is very helpful to visualize a ball of energy traveling down your spine on the inhalation, and climbing up your spine till the top of the head on the exhalation. After a while you can feel burning heat in the lower belly; you will feel every part of your body and the increased energy can give a tingling sensation. It is a simple way to fell a strong connection between heaven and earth; with the in-breath you sink into the body (God meets you), while on the out-breath your consciousness leaves the body (you meet God). Regular practice can lead to bliss. Breathing deeply helps to get in contact with deep seated emotions, the fears, pains and anger.

Which of the following options best represents the theme of the passage?

What personal attributes does power yoga draw upon? (Passage 1)

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            The west has a new initiative for the fitness freaks - Power
            Yoga remodeled from the Ashtanga Yoga. Power Yoga
            does not restrict the set of postures. They vary from session
            to session. But Power Yoga stresses upon muscle strength
(5)        and stretching. Power yoga has been the precursor of
            yoga’s existent prominence. People consider it to be a
            relaxing work out. The U.S. gyms got their first intro to yoga
            through power yoga.
            Power Yoga does not bewitch the physically unfit or obese
(10)      alone; it has an enticing effect on health freaks who enjoy
            exercising just for the heck of it. Power yoga is a modified
            western version of Indian Ashtanga yoga which is based on
            self-control, discipline and self denial of luxuries. It not only
            inculcates a regular physical work–out, it also upgrades
(15)      mental ability and concentration, though, to start with, it may
            cause a little uneasiness in muscles.
            A reputed Sanskrit scholar Shri K.Pattabhi Jois enlightened
            the western masses about yoga as a style of workout. He
            also introduced the yogic philosophies to them. Power yoga
(20)      is an abridged form of Ashtanga yoga. In Power Yoga the
            yogi needs only to perform the basic postures like Bikram
            yoga, which is an energy booster. It can easily be performed
            by newcomers in the field also. It enhances the body
            language, improves stamina and even flexibility level if one
(25)       can hold the postures longer. Power yoga involves yogic
            postures with synchronized breathing styles. Every action
            involves abundant elegance and dignity of postures. The
            fixation of concentration helps one to focus.
            An irregular Power Yoga may have free flowing dance like
(30)      movements. While a regular power yogi is able to contour
            his every limb impeccably and elegantly with profound
            peace and concentration in his eyes, the perfection in
            power yoga is a slow and tedious process. A few postures
            cannot be held by the uninitiated even for five breaths.
(35)      The session begins with a warm up, stretching muscles as
            a follow up. Its unusual aspect is that it is done in a heated
            room to achieve maximum muscle flexibility. The
            newcomers can feel the stretch hard for a few days. So,
            a few body-conditioning sessions are given before
(40)      initiation.

Passage 2

            Yoga has taken the limelight and many people have learnt
            the advantages of indulgence in it. In India since primeval
            times yoga has yielded health to yogis. People have
            inculcated regular yoga regime in their lives. It has since
(5)        enriched the lives of people on other lands also. Being an
            eastern concept, it took time before enveloping the western
            people in its stride.
            It helps cope with common ailments like bronchitis,
            constipation, stress and mental imbalance; even fatal
(10)      diseases like cancer can be cured. It revitalizes the lost
            immunity. The splendid news is that yoga today needs no
            long hours training. It only needs a consistent routine of
            forty five minutes daily. These forty five minutes if spent
            regularly can work wonders with your health. Yoga can
(15)      have a profound effect on our life style. In this chaotic
            materialistic world where tension surrounds everyone
            everywhere, a session of yoga can be a stress buster. It
            enhances concentration and helps those out of shape or
            obese. It briskly burns the calorie count and sheds the extra
(20)      flab from the body. No doubt it has gained ever- increasing
            popularity.
            Though yoga is said to have existed since commencement
            of the civilization, no potent proof supports this claim. The
            ancient seals show yogic postures taking yoga’s infancy to
(25)      around 3000 B.C. It has commendable mention in Upanishads,
            Vedas and the Gita. The Gita propagates Bhakti Yoga,
            Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. So we can attribute yoga to
            be the oldest practice of self enhancement. The classic
            version includes postures, meditation and breathing controls.
(30)      Meditation has been a unified part of yogic philosophy.
            Through it a mortal can have spiritual awakening. It relaxes
            us and awakens our consciousness. This simplistic technique
            has allured many in this fast paced world to rejuvenate their
           lives.

How does yoga rejuvenate a mind in this fast paced life? (Passage 2)

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            The west has a new initiative for the fitness freaks - Power
            Yoga remodeled from the Ashtanga Yoga. Power Yoga
            does not restrict the set of postures. They vary from session
            to session. But Power Yoga stresses upon muscle strength
(5)        and stretching. Power yoga has been the precursor of
            yoga’s existent prominence. People consider it to be a
            relaxing work out. The U.S. gyms got their first intro to yoga
            through power yoga.
            Power Yoga does not bewitch the physically unfit or obese
(10)      alone; it has an enticing effect on health freaks who enjoy
            exercising just for the heck of it. Power yoga is a modified
            western version of Indian Ashtanga yoga which is based on
            self-control, discipline and self denial of luxuries. It not only
            inculcates a regular physical work–out, it also upgrades
(15)      mental ability and concentration, though, to start with, it may
            cause a little uneasiness in muscles.
            A reputed Sanskrit scholar Shri K.Pattabhi Jois enlightened
            the western masses about yoga as a style of workout. He
            also introduced the yogic philosophies to them. Power yoga
(20)      is an abridged form of Ashtanga yoga. In Power Yoga the
            yogi needs only to perform the basic postures like Bikram
            yoga, which is an energy booster. It can easily be performed
            by newcomers in the field also. It enhances the body
            language, improves stamina and even flexibility level if one
(25)       can hold the postures longer. Power yoga involves yogic
            postures with synchronized breathing styles. Every action
            involves abundant elegance and dignity of postures. The
            fixation of concentration helps one to focus.
            An irregular Power Yoga may have free flowing dance like
(30)      movements. While a regular power yogi is able to contour
            his every limb impeccably and elegantly with profound
            peace and concentration in his eyes, the perfection in
            power yoga is a slow and tedious process. A few postures
            cannot be held by the uninitiated even for five breaths.
(35)      The session begins with a warm up, stretching muscles as
            a follow up. Its unusual aspect is that it is done in a heated
            room to achieve maximum muscle flexibility. The
            newcomers can feel the stretch hard for a few days. So,
            a few body-conditioning sessions are given before
(40)      initiation.

Passage 2

            Yoga has taken the limelight and many people have learnt
            the advantages of indulgence in it. In India since primeval
            times yoga has yielded health to yogis. People have
            inculcated regular yoga regime in their lives. It has since
(5)        enriched the lives of people on other lands also. Being an
            eastern concept, it took time before enveloping the western
            people in its stride.
            It helps cope with common ailments like bronchitis,
            constipation, stress and mental imbalance; even fatal
(10)      diseases like cancer can be cured. It revitalizes the lost
            immunity. The splendid news is that yoga today needs no
            long hours training. It only needs a consistent routine of
            forty five minutes daily. These forty five minutes if spent
            regularly can work wonders with your health. Yoga can
(15)      have a profound effect on our life style. In this chaotic
            materialistic world where tension surrounds everyone
            everywhere, a session of yoga can be a stress buster. It
            enhances concentration and helps those out of shape or
            obese. It briskly burns the calorie count and sheds the extra
(20)      flab from the body. No doubt it has gained ever- increasing
            popularity.
            Though yoga is said to have existed since commencement
            of the civilization, no potent proof supports this claim. The
            ancient seals show yogic postures taking yoga’s infancy to
(25)      around 3000 B.C. It has commendable mention in Upanishads,
            Vedas and the Gita. The Gita propagates Bhakti Yoga,
            Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. So we can attribute yoga to
            be the oldest practice of self enhancement. The classic
            version includes postures, meditation and breathing controls.
(30)      Meditation has been a unified part of yogic philosophy.
            Through it a mortal can have spiritual awakening. It relaxes
            us and awakens our consciousness. This simplistic technique
            has allured many in this fast paced world to rejuvenate their
           lives.

What differentiates passage 2 from passage 1?

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            The west has a new initiative for the fitness freaks - Power
            Yoga remodeled from the Ashtanga Yoga. Power Yoga
            does not restrict the set of postures. They vary from session
            to session. But Power Yoga stresses upon muscle strength
(5)        and stretching. Power yoga has been the precursor of
            yoga’s existent prominence. People consider it to be a
            relaxing work out. The U.S. gyms got their first intro to yoga
            through power yoga.
            Power Yoga does not bewitch the physically unfit or obese
(10)      alone; it has an enticing effect on health freaks who enjoy
            exercising just for the heck of it. Power yoga is a modified
            western version of Indian Ashtanga yoga which is based on
            self-control, discipline and self denial of luxuries. It not only
            inculcates a regular physical work–out, it also upgrades
(15)      mental ability and concentration, though, to start with, it may
            cause a little uneasiness in muscles.
            A reputed Sanskrit scholar Shri K.Pattabhi Jois enlightened
            the western masses about yoga as a style of workout. He
            also introduced the yogic philosophies to them. Power yoga
(20)      is an abridged form of Ashtanga yoga. In Power Yoga the
            yogi needs only to perform the basic postures like Bikram
            yoga, which is an energy booster. It can easily be performed
            by newcomers in the field also. It enhances the body
            language, improves stamina and even flexibility level if one
(25)       can hold the postures longer. Power yoga involves yogic
            postures with synchronized breathing styles. Every action
            involves abundant elegance and dignity of postures. The
            fixation of concentration helps one to focus.
            An irregular Power Yoga may have free flowing dance like
(30)      movements. While a regular power yogi is able to contour
            his every limb impeccably and elegantly with profound
            peace and concentration in his eyes, the perfection in
            power yoga is a slow and tedious process. A few postures
            cannot be held by the uninitiated even for five breaths.
(35)      The session begins with a warm up, stretching muscles as
            a follow up. Its unusual aspect is that it is done in a heated
            room to achieve maximum muscle flexibility. The
            newcomers can feel the stretch hard for a few days. So,
            a few body-conditioning sessions are given before
(40)      initiation.

Passage 2

            Yoga has taken the limelight and many people have learnt
            the advantages of indulgence in it. In India since primeval
            times yoga has yielded health to yogis. People have
            inculcated regular yoga regime in their lives. It has since
(5)        enriched the lives of people on other lands also. Being an
            eastern concept, it took time before enveloping the western
            people in its stride.
            It helps cope with common ailments like bronchitis,
            constipation, stress and mental imbalance; even fatal
(10)      diseases like cancer can be cured. It revitalizes the lost
            immunity. The splendid news is that yoga today needs no
            long hours training. It only needs a consistent routine of
            forty five minutes daily. These forty five minutes if spent
            regularly can work wonders with your health. Yoga can
(15)      have a profound effect on our life style. In this chaotic
            materialistic world where tension surrounds everyone
            everywhere, a session of yoga can be a stress buster. It
            enhances concentration and helps those out of shape or
            obese. It briskly burns the calorie count and sheds the extra
(20)      flab from the body. No doubt it has gained ever- increasing
            popularity.
            Though yoga is said to have existed since commencement
            of the civilization, no potent proof supports this claim. The
            ancient seals show yogic postures taking yoga’s infancy to
(25)      around 3000 B.C. It has commendable mention in Upanishads,
            Vedas and the Gita. The Gita propagates Bhakti Yoga,
            Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. So we can attribute yoga to
            be the oldest practice of self enhancement. The classic
            version includes postures, meditation and breathing controls.
(30)      Meditation has been a unified part of yogic philosophy.
            Through it a mortal can have spiritual awakening. It relaxes
            us and awakens our consciousness. This simplistic technique
            has allured many in this fast paced world to rejuvenate their
           lives.

What are the aspects of power yoga common with its original form? (Passages 1 and 2) (i) A regular regime yields assured benefits. (ii) It helps cure both chronic and common ailments. (iii) One needs consistent performance to derive results. (iv) It lends a meditative mind to a body (v) It only requires a forty five minute regular session.

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            The west has a new initiative for the fitness freaks - Power
            Yoga remodeled from the Ashtanga Yoga. Power Yoga
            does not restrict the set of postures. They vary from session
            to session. But Power Yoga stresses upon muscle strength
(5)        and stretching. Power yoga has been the precursor of
            yoga’s existent prominence. People consider it to be a
            relaxing work out. The U.S. gyms got their first intro to yoga
            through power yoga.
            Power Yoga does not bewitch the physically unfit or obese
(10)      alone; it has an enticing effect on health freaks who enjoy
            exercising just for the heck of it. Power yoga is a modified
            western version of Indian Ashtanga yoga which is based on
            self-control, discipline and self denial of luxuries. It not only
            inculcates a regular physical work–out, it also upgrades
(15)      mental ability and concentration, though, to start with, it may
            cause a little uneasiness in muscles.
            A reputed Sanskrit scholar Shri K.Pattabhi Jois enlightened
            the western masses about yoga as a style of workout. He
            also introduced the yogic philosophies to them. Power yoga
(20)      is an abridged form of Ashtanga yoga. In Power Yoga the
            yogi needs only to perform the basic postures like Bikram
            yoga, which is an energy booster. It can easily be performed
            by newcomers in the field also. It enhances the body
            language, improves stamina and even flexibility level if one
(25)       can hold the postures longer. Power yoga involves yogic
            postures with synchronized breathing styles. Every action
            involves abundant elegance and dignity of postures. The
            fixation of concentration helps one to focus.
            An irregular Power Yoga may have free flowing dance like
(30)      movements. While a regular power yogi is able to contour
            his every limb impeccably and elegantly with profound
            peace and concentration in his eyes, the perfection in
            power yoga is a slow and tedious process. A few postures
            cannot be held by the uninitiated even for five breaths.
(35)      The session begins with a warm up, stretching muscles as
            a follow up. Its unusual aspect is that it is done in a heated
            room to achieve maximum muscle flexibility. The
            newcomers can feel the stretch hard for a few days. So,
            a few body-conditioning sessions are given before
(40)      initiation.

Passage 2

            Yoga has taken the limelight and many people have learnt
            the advantages of indulgence in it. In India since primeval
            times yoga has yielded health to yogis. People have
            inculcated regular yoga regime in their lives. It has since
(5)        enriched the lives of people on other lands also. Being an
            eastern concept, it took time before enveloping the western
            people in its stride.
            It helps cope with common ailments like bronchitis,
            constipation, stress and mental imbalance; even fatal
(10)      diseases like cancer can be cured. It revitalizes the lost
            immunity. The splendid news is that yoga today needs no
            long hours training. It only needs a consistent routine of
            forty five minutes daily. These forty five minutes if spent
            regularly can work wonders with your health. Yoga can
(15)      have a profound effect on our life style. In this chaotic
            materialistic world where tension surrounds everyone
            everywhere, a session of yoga can be a stress buster. It
            enhances concentration and helps those out of shape or
            obese. It briskly burns the calorie count and sheds the extra
(20)      flab from the body. No doubt it has gained ever- increasing
            popularity.
            Though yoga is said to have existed since commencement
            of the civilization, no potent proof supports this claim. The
            ancient seals show yogic postures taking yoga’s infancy to
(25)      around 3000 B.C. It has commendable mention in Upanishads,
            Vedas and the Gita. The Gita propagates Bhakti Yoga,
            Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. So we can attribute yoga to
            be the oldest practice of self enhancement. The classic
            version includes postures, meditation and breathing controls.
(30)      Meditation has been a unified part of yogic philosophy.
            Through it a mortal can have spiritual awakening. It relaxes
            us and awakens our consciousness. This simplistic technique
            has allured many in this fast paced world to rejuvenate their
           lives.