2.5 Learn Yoga from Animals
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Seven English.
ShareAdvertisement
Margin Questions
Yoga was perfected in ancient India[cite: 11].
Yoga is a composite practice involving the complete mind-body-soul complex that is a human being[cite: 11].
Yoga helps us to attain concentration and focus, and it also improves flexibility, balance, and strength[cite: 11].
In simple terms, "bio" means life and "mimicry" is to emulate[cite: 11]. Basically, biomimicry is the science of solving human problems with solutions already present in the natural world[cite: 11].
Yoga is a form of biomimicry because in typical asanas or poses, we emulate mountains, trees, fish, cats, and many more animals[cite: 11]. This emulation helps solve day-to-day problems like stiffness and back pain, allowing us to feel physically vibrant and mentally sharp[cite: 11].
English Workshop
(A) Benefits of yoga
- Helps to attain concentration and focus[cite: 11].
- Improves flexibility, balance, and strength[cite: 11].
- Helps solve problems like stiffness and back pain[cite: 11].
- Allows us to feel physically vibrant and mentally sharp[cite: 11].
(B) Precautions in Yoga Practice
- Beginners should start practising either in the presence of a yoga teacher or join a yoga class[cite: 11].
- Practise in a clean, airy, and well-lit room on a level floor, preferably using a yoga mat[cite: 11].
- The best time to practise is in the morning before breakfast or in the evening before dinner[cite: 11].
(C) What is Yoga?
- A culture of physical, mental and spiritual discipline[cite: 11].
- Composite practice involving the complete mind-body-soul complex[cite: 11].
- Integrated system of physical exercises[cite: 11].
Advertisement
This is a chart-making activity. Students should prepare charts using the textbook information. Here is a worked example for one of the asanas to help you format your charts.
Name: Bhujangasana[cite: 11].
Meaning in English: Cobra Pose[cite: 11].
General Information: It is a beginner's pose that resembles the posture of a cobra with a raised head[cite: 11].
Benefits: It tones the muscles of the back, strengthens the spine, and benefits the chest and shoulders[cite: 11].
Steps:
1. Lie face down and relax your muscles[cite: 11].
2. Place your palms just below your shoulders[cite: 11].
3. Breathe in deeply as you slowly raise your head[cite: 11].
4. Smoothly raise the upper part of your body without coming up with a jerk[cite: 11].
5. Come up slowly, feeling the movement of the spine vertebra by vertebra, and curve the spine well[cite: 11].
6. Keep the navel touching the ground[cite: 11].
7. Hold the breath to a count of twenty, then come down slowly while breathing out[cite: 11].
Body parts mentioned in the passage include: mind, body, back, spine, chest, shoulders, face, muscles, palms, head, navel, eyes, forehead, mouth, palette (roof of the mouth), tongue, nose, jaws, arms, fingers, lungs, abdomen, hands, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, chin, leg, thigh, calf, feet, toes, quadriceps, tail-bone, pubis, and neck[cite: 11].
Adverbs: completely, deeply, slowly, smoothly, straight, behind, gently, directly, upwards, simultaneously[cite: 11].
Adverbial phrases: in simple terms, vertebra by vertebra, at the top of your voice, as much as possible[cite: 11].
Conjunctions are words that join words or clauses. Examples from the text: "Sahil and Rohan go to school together," "We played well, but we lost the match," "She has not come to school because she is ill"[cite: 11].
Interjections are words that express a sudden feeling or emotion. Examples from the text: "Hurrah! We have won the game," "Ouch! That hurt," "Wow! What a nice picture!"[cite: 11].