नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नत: | न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन || 16 || युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा || 17 || |
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“O Arjuna, those who eat too much or too little, sleep too much or too little, cannot attain success in Yoga.”
“Those who eat, work, relax and remain awake with a regulated balance can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yoga”
Commentary: Both overeating and undereating can have significant effects on the body’s physiological processes. If one overeats, consuming more calories than the body requires, some physiological changes may include weight gain, digestive issues and risk of heart disease. Consuming fewer calories than the body needs may cause weight loss, nutrient deficiency and low energy levels.
Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall physical and mental health, and any disruption in the amount or quality of sleep can lead to various physiological changes in the body. If one oversleeps for longer hours than the recommended duration of 7 to9 hours for adults, some physiological changes may include increased risk of obesity, diabetes, headaches and mood changes. On the other hand, if one sleeps too little, adverse changes may include increased risk of heart disease, impaired cognitive function and weak immune system. Oversleeping and sleep deprivation are both harmful to the body.
To practice yoga properly, the body must be in optimal health and the yogi must strike a balance between material and spiritual duties.