Yoga - A way of Life — NCERT Solutions

Note: This question depends on an image (a letter grid) that cannot be viewed here. Students should refer to their textbook for the exact letters provided.

General approach to solve this activity:

Step 1: Identify all the letters given in the image, making sure to note the central letter 'A' which must be used in every word.

Step 2: Try forming words of 2, 3, 4, and more letters using the available letters, always including 'A'.

Step 3: Check that each word you form is a real English word.

Example (if the letters given are Y, O, G, A, L, I, F, E):

• 2-letter words: at, an, as, am (using A + any available consonant)
• 3-letter words: ago, age, ale, ail, lay, gay, fag, lag, gal
• 4-letter words: goal, foal, gale, yoga, opal, logy
• 5-letter words: agile, oafly

Students should write down all the words they find and share them with classmates and the teacher as instructed.

Given: A listening task where students hear a girl speak about yoga and must identify four true statements.

Note: This is a listening activity. Students must listen to the audio provided by the teacher or available with the textbook. The transcript is given on page 129 of the textbook.

Based on the transcript (page 129), the four TRUE statements are:

The four TRUE statements are: 3, 4, 6, and 7.

(Students should verify these answers by listening carefully to the audio and cross-checking with the transcript on page 129.)

Given: A speaking activity where students share their personal thoughts about yoga in groups of four.

Concept: This is an open-ended speaking task. Students should speak honestly about their own experience or wishes regarding yoga. Below is a sample response for guidance.

Sample response (for a student who has tried yoga):

• I practise yoga because it helps me feel calm and energetic at the start of the day.
• My favourite thing about yoga is the breathing exercises because they help me focus better in class.
• I feel refreshed and peaceful after a yoga session because the stretching relaxes my muscles and the deep breathing clears my mind.
• The one thing in yoga that I want to practise is the Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) because it improves balance and concentration.

Sample response (for a student who has not tried yoga yet):

• I wish to practise yoga because I have seen how it has helped my family members stay healthy and stress-free.
• I hope that once I begin practising yoga, I will become more flexible and feel less tired after school.
• The kind of exercise I want to try in yoga is Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) because it is a full-body workout and is said to give energy for the whole day.

Note: Students should use these as a guide and speak in their own words, sharing their genuine thoughts with their group.

Given: A writing task asking students to write a short paragraph on 'The Benefits of Yoga' using the provided sentence starters.

Concept: A good paragraph has an opening line (topic sentence), supporting ideas (body), and a concluding line.

Sample Paragraph:

The Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is important because it improves both our physical and mental health in a natural and gentle way. One benefit of yoga that interests me is how it helps reduce stress and anxiety through breathing exercises and meditation. Practising yoga can help people become more flexible, build muscular strength, and maintain a healthy body weight. A popular yoga pose is the Tadasana (Mountain Pose) because it improves posture and helps develop a sense of balance and stability. Yoga is not just physical exercise; it also trains the mind to stay calm, focused, and positive even in difficult situations. Finally, yoga can be a great way to bring harmony between the body and the mind, helping us lead a healthier, happier, and more balanced life.

Tips for students:

• Write 6–8 sentences.
• Use the sentence starters provided but add your own ideas.
• Make sure your paragraph flows logically from the opening to the conclusion.
• Proofread for spelling and grammar before submitting.

Given: Historical and global facts about yoga.

Key facts to remember:

1. Ancient origins: Yoga dates back to at least 2700 BC, as evidenced by seals found from the Sindhu-Sarasvati (Indus Valley) Civilisation. This shows that yoga is one of the oldest known practices of human civilisation.

2. International recognition: On 11th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with all 193 member nations, accepted the proposal to declare 21st June as International Yoga Day.

3. Significance: The unanimous acceptance by 193 countries shows that yoga is valued globally as a practice that promotes health, peace, and well-being for all of humanity.

Reflection: Yoga began in India thousands of years ago and has now become a gift that India has shared with the entire world. Celebrating International Yoga Day every year on 21st June reminds us of the importance of this ancient practice in our modern lives.

Given: Students are asked to research two yoga asanas and their benefits.

Concept: An asana is a physical posture practised in yoga. Each asana has specific physical and mental benefits.

Asana 1: Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

• How to do it: Stand straight with feet together, arms by the sides, spine erect, and gaze forward. Breathe deeply and hold the posture for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Benefits:
• Improves posture and body alignment.
• Strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles.
• Increases awareness and concentration.
• Helps reduce flat feet.

Asana 2: Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)

• How to do it: Stand on one leg, place the sole of the other foot on the inner thigh of the standing leg, join the palms together above the head, and balance for 30 seconds.
• Benefits:
• Improves balance and stability.
• Strengthens the legs, spine, and core muscles.
• Enhances concentration and mental focus.
• Builds confidence and a sense of calm.

Note: Students should visit the websites mentioned in the textbook to explore more asanas and present their findings to the class with pictures or demonstrations if possible.