How Chronic Illness Really Begins (And What You Can Do About It)

Have you ever wondered why some people fall sick—even when they eat right and exercise?

As both a doctor and a yogi, I’ve asked myself the same question for years. The truth is, most chronic diseases don’t start in the body. They begin with the mind. In Ayurveda, this is called Pragya Aparadha—a “mistake of the intellect.” It's when we act against our inner wisdom.

Whether it’s ignoring your limits, speaking harshly, or living on autopilot—these small misalignments in thoughts, speech, and actions slowly chip away our health.

The good news? When you understand the real root of disease, you can start making simple shifts that protect your body, balance your mind, and bring lasting wellness.

1. Atiyoga: The Hidden Dangers of Overuse and Overindulgence

We often hear that “too much of anything is bad”—Ayurveda knew this centuries ago. Atiyoga, or overuse, is the first way our intellect goes off track, leading to imbalance and eventually disease.

In simple terms, Atiyoga means overstimulating the body or mind—doing more than what’s naturally needed. That could be excessive talking, overthinking, constant scrolling on your phone, or overeating just for taste, not hunger. These modern habits may seem harmless, but over time they exhaust your senses, strain your organs, and disturb your energy flow.

Even physical overuse—like repetitive knee impact in runners or tennis elbow from overtraining—can lead to long-term issues like arthritis.

Your body thrives on moderation, not extremes. The more we overindulge, the more we move away from balance—and that's where the disease process begins.

2. Mithya Yoga: When Misusing Your Mind, Speech & Actions Turns Toxic

It’s not just about what you do—it’s about how you do it. Mithya Yoga refers to the improper use of your body, speech, and mind, and it’s more common than we realize.

Think of it as misusing your power—gossiping, lying, reacting with anger, using harsh or senseless words, or taking action from a place of ego, fear, or envy. These small but harmful behaviors are often driven by unchecked emotions like grief, greed, or insecurity.

In today’s world, habitual swearing, online bullying, or passive-aggressive behavior have sadly become normal. But this kind of misuse creates mental unrest—causing anxiety, insomnia, depression, and even strained relationships.

Mithya Yoga doesn’t just hurt others—it silently sabotages your own peace. When your thoughts, words, and actions are misaligned, your health starts to suffer. Real well-being begins with conscious intention in everything you express.

3. Ayoga – Disuse or Insufficient Use of the Senses and Organs

Ayoga refers to the underuse or complete disuse of our physical, mental, or sensory faculties. This includes behaviors such as speaking very little or not at all, avoiding physical activity, or not engaging the mind through intellectual pursuits.

In today’s world, Ayoga is commonly seen in individuals who spend most of their time working on computers with little to no physical movement, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Others may avoid social interaction due to underlying fear or anxiety, which can negatively affect both mental health and relationships.

Similarly, those who rarely read or engage with stimulating content may experience a stagnation of thought and limited self-awareness, further deepening ignorance and detachment from the world around them.

This disrupts the delicate balance of the body and mind, which thrive on moderation and harmony—both internally and externally—for optimal functioning.

When there is Atiyoga (overuse), Mithya Yoga (misuse), or Ayoga (disuse) of the sense organs, it leads to Pragya Aparadha, or a disturbance in the intellect. Over time, this persistent misalignment can result in the blockage of energy centers (chakras), giving rise to various physical, mental, and emotional health issues.

4. How Ayoga leads to Root chakra Imbalance?

Lets see how a person in ayoga develops Muladhara (root chakra) blockage from the start and how it evolves into full blockage.

For instance, a person operating in a state of Ayoga may show little interest in understanding their own body and mind and may become disengaged with their environment. (We see this too often in youngsters who are addicted to their phones) .This can lead to self-centered behavior, poor communication skills, and a lack of motivation, causing their career to stagnate. Such patterns often manifest as financial instability or poverty—commonly seen as an early symptom of Muladhara (root chakra) imbalance.

As we know, the Muladhara is the root chakra, and when imbalance begins—often marked by poverty—it can trigger a cascade of related issues such as depression, insomnia, malnutrition, addictions, anxiety, constipation, and uncontrolled sexual urges.

These conditions, if left unaddressed, can evolve into more complex physical and psychological challenges later in life. This illustrates how Ayoga, or the disuse of our faculties, can give rise to a wide range of modern ailments, making it a fundamental root cause of many issues we see in society today.

This also sheds light on why yoga and ancient spiritual texts consistently emphasize the importance of moving away from ignorance and toward wisdom, awareness, and self-realization. Their guidance is designed to help us avoid Pragya Aparadha—the mistake of the intellect.

Knowledge, once acquired, is permanent; it cannot be stolen or destroyed and it remains with us throughout life. It is through this inner wisdom that a person can navigate life's challenges with greater clarity, effortlessly attaining peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

5. How the Mistake of the Intellect (Pragya Aparadha) affects Body, Speech & Mind

In this context, Karma encompasses all activities performed through the Kaya (body), Vacha (speech), and Manas (mind). This kind of Karma is called Trividha karma that helps us incorporate awareness at 3 different levels. These three dimensions are deeply interconnected, and understanding their influence is essential for personal growth and spiritual development.

For example, when attempting to manage anger, it is not enough to control just the physical urges (Kaya), such as the impulse to hit or lash out aggressively. One must also address verbal reactions (Vacha), like shouting or using harsh language, as well as the mental patterns (Manas), such as harboring resentment or wishing harm upon others.

By cultivating awareness and discipline across all three levels, one can gain meaningful control over their emotions and foster an inner balance.

6. Why Mithya Yoga Is the Most Dangerous of All?

The interplay of various etiological factors with Trividha Karma—actions of the body (Kaya), speech (Vacha), and mind (Manas)—is central to the emergence of Pragya Aparadha (the mistake of the intellect).

When these faculties are overused, it results in Atiyoga; when they are underused or neglected, it leads to Ayoga. However, it is Mithya Yoga—the faulty or inappropriate use of the body, speech, and mind—that holds the most significance in this context.

From my experience as both a physician and a yogi, Mithya Yoga is one of the most prevalent causes of disease in today’s society. It manifests in everyday behaviors that may seem minor but have profound cumulative effects on future health and well-being.

10 Common examples of Mithya Yoga seen today:

• Poor posture at work

• Use of foul or aggressive words

• Consumption of unhealthy or junk food

• Irregular and erratic sleep patterns

• Carelessness that leads to accidents (e.g., slipping on stairs)

• Engaging in unnecessary arguments (online & offline)

• Harsh facial expressions & body language (nail biting)

• Excessive use of phones

• Adopting escapism routes like alcohol & smoke

• Engaging in random sexual encounters

  
  

These seemingly simple actions, when repeated over time, disturb the balance of the body, mind, and spirit—ultimately laying the foundation for chronic illnesses and mental unrest.

7. Why Even the “Healthy” Get Sick?

This helps us understand why even someone who exercises regularly or a millionaire enjoying all material comforts may still suffer from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression, cancer, or stroke.

True health extends beyond the physical body and is deeply influenced by the quality of our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Emotional disturbances such as fear, anxiety, anger, greed, confusion, vanity, envy, and delusional thinking are all examples of Mithya Yoga of the Manas (mind). These mental imbalances often go unnoticed but have a powerful impact on overall well-being.

This concept also aligns with the Dashavidha Papa Karma—the ten sinful actions—which include violence, theft, unlawful deeds, gossip, deceit, incoherent or harmful speech, intent to harm, coveting others’ possessions, and spiritual ignorance or disbelief.

When left unchecked, these mental and moral misalignments can quietly erode one's health, regardless of outward success or physical fitness. True wellness arises only when body, speech, and mind are aligned in conscious harmony.

8. Ayurvedic Wisdom: The Path to True Prevention

The concepts of Pragya Aparadha and Trividha Karma are fundamental in understanding the root causes of disease. They are especially valuable because they establish a profound psychosomatic connection between the mind and the body, offering a holistic explanation of how mental and behavioral factors contribute to physical illness.

This framework provides a comprehensive understanding of psychosomatic diseases often overlooked or inadequately addressed by modern medicine.

Moreover, these principles expand the scope for preventive healthcare by highlighting the importance of lifestyle, behavior, and mental discipline. They form the foundation for

Ayurvedic preventive strategies such as:

• Dinacharya (daily routines or sadhana)

• Ritucharya (seasonal regimens)

• Sadvritta (ethical conduct)

• Achar Rasayana (behavioral rejuvenation)

  
  

These time-tested practices not only support physical health but also promote emotional balance and mental clarity, thereby preventing the onset of disease at its root.

Conclusion: Real Healing Begins Within

In our fast-paced world, we often look outside for cures—pills, diets, routines—but true healing starts from within. Through the lens of Ayurveda, we learn that disease is not simply a breakdown of the body, but often a reflection of deeper misalignments in our thoughts, speech, and actions.

Pragya Aparadha—the mistake of the intellect—is not a flaw, but a signal. It’s life’s way of asking us to slow down, tune in, and realign with our inner wisdom. Whether it's overuse (Atiyoga), misuse (Mithya Yoga), or disuse (Ayoga), each step away from awareness brings imbalance. And each return to awareness brings the potential for profound healing.

Let this not just be knowledge you read, but wisdom you embody. Begin by observing your hab

its. Reflect on your words. Listen to your thoughts. Align your body, speech, and mind—and you'll notice that wellness is no longer something to chase. It becomes your natural state.

Your healing doesn't start in the doctor's office. It starts with you