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Background and Aim: Lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Concept of Prakriti (human constitution) can be applied for manifestation and prognosis of diseases. Therefore, in this study, we intend to study Pradhana Sharira and Manas Prakriti (dominant bodily and mental constitution) in Sthaulya (obesity) participants. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 Sthaulya participants who had no confirmed mental illness to participate were selected without any bar of age, sex, caste, and religion. The diagnosis was mainly based on the sign and symptoms of Sthaulya as mentioned in Ayurvedic and Allopathic literature. Participants aged between 20 and 60 years and with body mass index (BMI) >25 (BMI = weight in kg/height in m²) considered as obese were included in the study. Participants of Sthaulya were assessed as per Prakriti assessment pro forma. Vata-, Pitta-, and Kapha Dosha (bodily humors)-dominant Prakriti were analyzed according to the characteristics found in participants. Same protocol was done in assessing the Manas Prakriti, i.e., Sattva Pradhana Prakriti, Rajas Pradhana Prakriti, and Tamas Pradhana Prakriti. Results: 56.60% Kapha-dominant Prakriti participants and 47.17% Tamas Pradhana Prakriti were found in Sthaulya. Conclusion: Dominant Kapha and Tamas Prakriti have influence on manifestation of that Dosha-dominant disease obesity.

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Background: Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of complementary and alternative therapies such as Yoga, Ayurveda, and Naturopathy on osteoarthritis (OA), but combining these therapies will have any synergistic effect and will be feasible and safe or not is not known. Aim: This study aims to assess feasibility and compare the effect of Ayurveda and Naturopathy as an add-on to Yoga in individuals with knee OA. Materials and Methods: This study involves forty Seven individuals (21 males and 26 females) in the age range of 45.19 ± 3.39, suffering from knee OA since 3.37 years admitted in a residential holistic therapy hospital. They were allocated into one of the three treatment programs based on their preference and clinician's advice: (a) Yoga (n = 16), (b) Yoga + Ayurveda (n = 21), and (c) Yoga + Naturopathy (n = 10). Assessments were done at baseline and after 1 week of respective treatment program using knee injury and OA outcome score (KOOS), perceived stress scale, visual analog scale for pain intensity, and stiffness index. Furthermore, physiological and anthropometric measures were assessed. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA for within and between groups comparison, respectively, using SPSS version 10.0. Results: No side effects were reported by the individuals in any of the groups. Within-group comparisons showed significant improvement in all the variables except blood pressure in all the three groups and body mass index, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate in Yoga + Naturopathy group. Between-group comparison showed significant improvement in Yoga group as compared to Yoga + Naturopathy group for KOOS subscale - sports function (P = 0.049; F = 3.24) and for HR (P = 0.025, F = 4.014) in Yoga group as compared to Yoga + Ayurveda group. Conclusion: Addition of Ayurveda and Naturopathy to Yoga therapy for short-term treatment was found to be safe and feasible. Seven days of Yoga therapy improved clinical symptoms, anthropometric measures, and psychological states of individuals with knee OA.

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Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual giant of the modern age. He was a man of profundity and the full import of his ideas is yet to be understood by us. This article deals with understanding Swami Vivekananda's view on Will, especially its nature. This is a field in which very few researches have been done. For this review, “The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda” published in 9 volumes by Advaita Ashrama was referred to. A keyword search for the terms “Will” and “Free-Will” was employed to find the relevant passages. There are two main metaphysical theories on Will – Libertarianism and Determinism. The main purport is to show that Swami Vivekananda held a Deterministic view on Will – that is, he believed that the Will is a bound phenomenon. Throughout his works, we find various instances wherein the Swami gives reasons as to why the Will cannot be free. However, Vivekananda was not a fatalist, though he was a determinist, and held the power of Will in high regard. This aspect of his philosophy shall also be presented, along with his explanation of why we feel free even though the Will is bound.

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Yoga is becoming very popular across the globe. We need to understand the holistic approach of Yoga in the light of ancient scriptures to explore one's own nature. Yoga is not mere physical exercises and postures; rather it is a lifestyle. If we examine the current trend, starting from childhood to old age, all are undergoing a drastic change in lifestyle due to rapid technological advancement which is leading to pain, misery, and diseases. We have to examine and understand the perfect way of life in real sense as discussed in various ancient scriptures, where emphasis is given on following a systematic routine in accordance with nature. The concept of total health and well-being is the real Vedantic insight which has been originally stated in many of ancient scriptures of India. There are hundreds of efforts being made all over the globe with different ideologies in interpreting Yoga based on their own understanding. This study is aimed at the conceptual understanding of Yoga as lifestyle in day-to-day living as propounded in our ancient scriptures.

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