PREVENTIVE SOCIAL MEDICINE THROUGH THE LENS OF SWASTHAVRITTA AND YOGA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Dr. Pradip Chhaganrao Surashe*

ABSTRACT

The main focus of Preventive and Social Medicine is to promote health and prevent illness in individuals and communities. Swasthavritta has a long proven track record of supporting contemporary preventative health practices. Swasthavritta places an emphasis on maintaining one’s health by encouraging the use of daily, seasonal and ethical regimens (Dinacharya, Ritucharya and Sadvritta) which promote good health that is physical, mental, social and spiritual. Yoga’s psychophysiological approach through Asanas, Pranayama and meditation emphasizes bodily function, mental stability and resistance to stress. When combined, Swasthavritta and Yoga constitute a holistic preventative model based on the use of holistic methods to decrease incidence rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as improve an individual's quality of life because they promote balance between an individual’s body, mind, and environment.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Swasthavritta, Yoga, Preventive and Social Medicine, Asanas.