"The yogi who has cleansed himself,has gained mastery over his mind and all his senses,who has become one with the atman in all creation,although he acts he remains unaffected.
He who is established in yoga soon attains the Brahman.Anyone who successfully follows karma yoga becomes established in yoga.He who has become pure,he whose evil impulses have all been burnt away and become reduced to a burnt thread in which only the twists of the original material are visible,will act mechanically in everything he does.That of course does not mean that he pays no attention to what he is doing;it only meas that he has no egoistic feeling that he draws out will be as straight as that drawn by a machine.An unthinking person worked mechanically and the Lord's servant,too,does merely what he is asked to do.But he does not work for payment and,therefore,his work shines out,where as the hired laborer's work does not shie out as he works for money.No supervisor is required to keep watch over a Lord's servant at worl.Outwardly,he seems dull,but inwardly he ever lives in the Brahman.He will have all the vitues of a machine and none of its defects.Besides,the man who lives in the atman,who has subdued the demons in him and mastered the senses;who sees himself in all creatures and all creatures in himself,will make no distinction between relations and others.He will ever live as a servant of all, and will partake only of what remains after others have had their share.Of such a person it can be said,Kurvannapi na lipyate,that he works,but is not bound by effects by of karma
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Peace Within
Yoga helps an individual to control his inner self and live in peace with himself and the surroundings. Although science has made tremendous progress and controlled the immediate environment, but has it given peace to mind? In fact its one- sided development may one day prove disastrous. On the other hand the problem of violence, aggression and war can find a solution only if peace within oneself exists and that is the way of yoga. It is a science of personality and anybody who has learnt to live in peace with the environment is a yogi – a perfect individual thus say our saints.
But is it necessary to go through the yoga techniques t free oneself from the bondage of birth and death?
Some very renowned personage have put a question mark on the futility of going through various yogic exercise and attaining knowledge to reach a state of freedom from bondage. The great Adi Shankaracharya who snatched back the ancient Hindu religinon from the clutches of Jainism and Buddhism has declared in his Viveka chudamani that the study of scriptures and the following the pratices given terein has no use unless one reaches the state of mukti. And once one attains that state, one has nothing to do with scriptures. To quote him:” A first – hand knowledge of the moon can be had not by seeing the moon by one’s own eyes. So is the case with mukti; it has to be experience by trying to know what others have said about it.”
But is it necessary to go through the yoga techniques t free oneself from the bondage of birth and death?
Some very renowned personage have put a question mark on the futility of going through various yogic exercise and attaining knowledge to reach a state of freedom from bondage. The great Adi Shankaracharya who snatched back the ancient Hindu religinon from the clutches of Jainism and Buddhism has declared in his Viveka chudamani that the study of scriptures and the following the pratices given terein has no use unless one reaches the state of mukti. And once one attains that state, one has nothing to do with scriptures. To quote him:” A first – hand knowledge of the moon can be had not by seeing the moon by one’s own eyes. So is the case with mukti; it has to be experience by trying to know what others have said about it.”
What is yoga?
Yoga is the most ancient system of development of the body and the mind. It was practiced thousands of years ago in this country and is being carried out even today.
Some say Lord Shiva was its innovator. Our ancestors practiced it with remarkable success to maintain good physic and to keep mind tranquil.
Yoga has been an integral part of our Vedantic philosophy. Vedas, Upanishads and Ramayana talk about it. Lord Krishna also explained to Arjuna the secret of yoga in the Gita.
The science of yoga was was coming down to us from one generation to another by the word of mouth. Among the earliest sages who contributed in laying the foundation of yoga system was Kapil who lived in 700 B.C . He authored Samkhya philosophy. He was of the opinion that the answer to human problem lay in acquiring ‘Samyak Gyan’ – proper knowledge. Men face sorrow, according to kapil , because they lack proper knowledge about the spirit9self) and prakriti(nature). Once they ac uire that knowledge, they overcome pain, maintain mental equilibrium and attain peace with in.Teh question ‘who am I’ was always pondered over in India. But kapil’s philosophy was confined only to telling that men should acquire knowledge. He groped in the dark beyond that. He did not show the way to reach the ultimate good- how to realize the self.It was left to sage Patanjali(300 B.C.) show a method for obtaining the goal laid down by kapil. While Kapil laid stress on acquiring ‘gyan’, the Patanjali system deals with both the body and mind.The purusha has to do both the things simultaneously; he must acquire samyak gyan and also practice yoga to achieve an excellent body and a sound mind free from tumult. That way he will have a harmonious relationship between the mind and the body.
Yoga is a psychophysical system of exercises based upon the knowledge of the relation between the body and the mind. According to Sage Patanjali both the body and soul(spirit) play vital role in the transformation of the finite into the infinite. It is in fact a key reveal the mysteries of universal consciousness. It shows the way how men can conquer suffering, disease and death. It teaches how to stretch life span and enjoy a better living. We can also realize the self through asana, rhythmic breathing, concentration and meditation.
The method discovered and the experiences gained by ancient yogis, are eternal. They stand equally significant even today as they were thousands of years ago.
Yoga is not merely a science dealing with various body postures; it is, apart being a source of sound health, gives eternal peace of mind. A regular practice not only adds years to life but leads to a meaningful life.
The medical science, which has developed in leaps and bounds, has also reached the conclusion that without taking into account the mind, it is not possible to cure the body. Thus yoga unites body, mind and spirit.
Why was there the necessity to do yogic exercise? Our ancient sages had realized that life on earth was full of pain and sorrow. The body was a prey to all sorts of diseases and the mind was turbulent and wavering- unsteady. The old age was a curse. So they engaged themselves in finding a way out to get rid off them. And thus they found a way out. What was more desirable than yoga to obtain peace and sound health?
Yoga has been variously defined in our various scriptures. The Kathapanishad says yoga is a ‘stat of steadiness and full control over sense as well as mind and the intellect’. As is well known it is very difficult to fix the mind at one place. It is always wandering around. The man is attracted towards worldly objects and desires to enjoy them. But a yogi’s mind is steady; he is not attracted by mundane objects.
Shevetaashvatara Upanishad tells us that a ‘yogi does not suffer from old age, disease and death. His body is healthy, mind free from old age, disease and death. His body is healthy, mind free from greed and is peaceful. The mind and body both become pure’
In Yogavasesta, yoga is described as an instrument ‘for reaching the other, shore of the stream of sorrow’.
In the Gita, the Lord(Krishna) himself says the state of yoga is a state of equipoise where a yogi is not affected by a pair of opposites. For him day and night, joy and sorrow, hot or cold, criticism or praise, etc are all alike. He does not bear any desire. He has reached the state of happiness per excellence. He has realized that absolute truth after which nothing remains to be realized. Although he continues to act, his actions are directed for the good of others, He does not look for rewards for his virtuous deeds. Thus he frees himself from bondage.
Sage Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutra’ has said ‘yoga is a state where one if free from thought and modifications of the mind are complete?’
According to “ Yoga Sutra’, one attains the state of oneness with the Supreme Lord only after mastering eight parts of yoga. And to reach that state one must have at least two conditions; One, practice; two, absence of any desire. Through constant practice one has to make his mind steady by adopting various methods depending upon one’s temperament. There are different types of yoga to do so, each leading to ultimate goal of acquiring ‘mokshya’ – freeing oneself from the cycle o birth and death.
The eight steps of yoga or limbs(Astanga Yoga), according to Patanjali, are: Yama,niyama, asanas, pranayama, pratyahar,dharna, dhyan ana Samadhi. Yoga means control and discipline, niyma means rules, methods and principles, asana relate to make physical postures, pranayama is kriyas with air, prayahar is avoiding undesirable, dharna is concentration, dhyana is meditation and Samadhi is contemplation..
Patanjali did not go into details about the eight types of yoga. Therefore more study of yogas. Therfore more study or research was necessary. The result of further studies were that they were grouped under different categories according to nature.
Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Hatha yoga.
Bhakti yoga: Very common mong the people, this method of yoga is very easy to follow as it does not require any technical and comp-licated process nor any special intelligence. It creates a feeling of security in man. He develops unflinching faith that there is a superior power, i.e, God, which is all powerful and merciful and will come to his rescue in time of need, protecting him from harm. He on his part has to have abiding faith that attaining him is the ultimate goal of human life. He has to surrender himself, his desires and go on fulfilling his duty without expecting any results from Him. He has to go through scriptures, follow instruction therin, do good deeds and consider every being as fragment of the Supreme Lord.
Karma Yoga: Karma is a Sanskrite word meaning action. There is no one from Brahma down to an insect that does not perform action. One cannot live with out action . Lord himself has said in the Gita that all beings who are controlled by Prakrti have to act. Even after attainment of the goal of yoga(mukti) on does not renounce acts. Gita tells us that those who perform actions with some motive and expect fruits from them get into bondage because of the attitude or intention involved in it. But a karma yogi is indifferent as he bears no desire. He is concerned only with doing his duty without any reservation and without expecting any return for his acts. But this yoga is very difficult to cultivate. Human mind is always wavering; it does not stay at one place. Man by nature is attracted towards worldly pleasures; he wants to enjoy them. He always wants to have more and more of pleasure, wealth, objects or enjoyment, fame and name.
A karma yogi has no such attitude. He utilizes his energy in doing good deeds. He has acquired peace within and without. He does not run after pleasures; it is the pleasures which run after him.
Gyan yoga or Raja yoga: This yoga is followed by intelligent devotees. All other methods also ultimately lead to this yoga. But it is a difficult process and can be achieved by persistent practice of mental discipline. It seems when Patjali spoke of yoga to be made of eight parts in his ‘yoga sutra’, he was referring to this method. He says fove of the method are external and three internal.Yama and Niyama mean one should avoid indulging in speaking lies,stealing,amassing wealth beyond one’s requirement and cultivate the habit of keeping the body and mind clean and remain contented with his position.Asana and Pranayama come under Hatha yoga.Pratyar is described as aversion to mundane desires and non-enjoyment of sense-objects. The other parts are related to the process of concentration.I f these eight parts are faithfully and sincerely practices for a reasonable length of time, impurities of body and mind melt down and one attains knowledge which ultimately liberates him from bondage. This yoga also called ‘dhyan yoga’ or ‘Ashtana yoga’-lays emphasis on concentration of mind. The Gita desribes it in its sixth chapter in detail.
Hatha yoga: The world’s most ancient art to keep fit physically and mentally, being practiced in India (asana,pranayama ,mudra,etc.) to seek health ,happiness and wisdom to attain self-realization, is made up of two words-HA and Tha, the former meaning Surya or the sun and the latter Chandra or moon. Yoga is union of the two, according to some leading yogis. It is a system of psychophysical excerxises.Asanas is carried out to make spine elastic and strengthen the nervous system. They not only give strength to mind, but give an insight to the hidden powers of the spirit, strengthen will-power and ultimately raise a person to the state of self-realization.
Hatha yoga unites the sun and the moon. Sun is prana the life force. It carries out the function of blood circulation and respiration.
The moon –apana- performs the function of removing impurities from the body. The two forces let the life pushed forward. The prana(vital force) regulates the movements of stars, planets and the sun and the moon;it courses trhough wind, manifests in froms of energy like electricity, magnetism, light , heat, radio waves, and is seated in the heart of beings.
The moon is situated in a region above the hard palate and perhaps exudes a fluid which percolates down and si swallowed by the sun- situated near the navel. It is due to the swallowing up of this elixir by the sun that old age and death come, Hatha yoga brings about the union of the two asanas.
Hatha yoga is a means to establish universal peace and harmony as well. As is well known peace in the world depends upon the peace of individuals and unless anger, hatred, greed, desire for worldly pleasures are done away with through the observance of yoga, there will be no desire to establish peace in the world,.
Swatmarama says in his Hathayoga Pradipika;” hatha yoga is a stepping stone to Raja yoga (Gyan yoga)’.
What yoga really stands for and who is a real yogi?
Most of the people do not really understand their meaning. Many persons acquire some powers or siddhis and try to impress people with demonstrations like stopping moving cars, walking on fire or water, etc. Yoga sutra is very clear that such misuse of power through display is actually distraction in the path of samadhi.
A yogi biologically is like any other person. He feels hunger, thirst, sleepy and needs rest like others to keep the body going. But the difference lies on the psychological plane. He is not allured by the worldly objects. He goes on working for the good of humanity. He uses his sense-organs but is not swayed away by sensations.
We would do well here t quote jnaneshwara, a master of yoga, from his Anubhavamrita:
“The yogi may respond to life experiences but he is unaffected or undisturbed within. He yogi reacts passively to what ever confronts him in life. His passivity and peace are not disturbed by whatever he does and while his sense organs are used, his Samadhi remains undisturbed with in.
Adi shankaracharya, who had, we are told, reached the state of jivanmukti, describes a yogi thus:’ He is sinless, unsmitten by desires, peaceful like fire that has consumed its fuel, and being himself in a state beyond death and sorrow, helps others mercifully and compassionately’.
“For a yogi”, says Yoga vasishta. “Who has found the treasure of eternal happiness and whose intellect has stopped running after the objects of enjoyment; even the greatest empire on the earth is nothing more valuable than a dry leaf that is to be shed. Such a person, even with a single coin in his possession, still gets the pleasure that can hardly ever be obtained by an emperor”.
The yogi of al yogis-lord Krishna –has himself described in the Gita who a yogi is. He says a yogi’s mind is not engaged in craving and he is peaceful with himself and the world. He is not affected by external factors, is like an ocean which is undisturbed when rivers pour water in it. A yogi treats every being as alike, is above the felling of attachment and takes all opposites-hot and cold, joy and sorrow, etc in his stride.
But can such a state be attained by anybody?
Some say Lord Shiva was its innovator. Our ancestors practiced it with remarkable success to maintain good physic and to keep mind tranquil.
Yoga has been an integral part of our Vedantic philosophy. Vedas, Upanishads and Ramayana talk about it. Lord Krishna also explained to Arjuna the secret of yoga in the Gita.
The science of yoga was was coming down to us from one generation to another by the word of mouth. Among the earliest sages who contributed in laying the foundation of yoga system was Kapil who lived in 700 B.C . He authored Samkhya philosophy. He was of the opinion that the answer to human problem lay in acquiring ‘Samyak Gyan’ – proper knowledge. Men face sorrow, according to kapil , because they lack proper knowledge about the spirit9self) and prakriti(nature). Once they ac uire that knowledge, they overcome pain, maintain mental equilibrium and attain peace with in.Teh question ‘who am I’ was always pondered over in India. But kapil’s philosophy was confined only to telling that men should acquire knowledge. He groped in the dark beyond that. He did not show the way to reach the ultimate good- how to realize the self.It was left to sage Patanjali(300 B.C.) show a method for obtaining the goal laid down by kapil. While Kapil laid stress on acquiring ‘gyan’, the Patanjali system deals with both the body and mind.The purusha has to do both the things simultaneously; he must acquire samyak gyan and also practice yoga to achieve an excellent body and a sound mind free from tumult. That way he will have a harmonious relationship between the mind and the body.
Yoga is a psychophysical system of exercises based upon the knowledge of the relation between the body and the mind. According to Sage Patanjali both the body and soul(spirit) play vital role in the transformation of the finite into the infinite. It is in fact a key reveal the mysteries of universal consciousness. It shows the way how men can conquer suffering, disease and death. It teaches how to stretch life span and enjoy a better living. We can also realize the self through asana, rhythmic breathing, concentration and meditation.
The method discovered and the experiences gained by ancient yogis, are eternal. They stand equally significant even today as they were thousands of years ago.
Yoga is not merely a science dealing with various body postures; it is, apart being a source of sound health, gives eternal peace of mind. A regular practice not only adds years to life but leads to a meaningful life.
The medical science, which has developed in leaps and bounds, has also reached the conclusion that without taking into account the mind, it is not possible to cure the body. Thus yoga unites body, mind and spirit.
Why was there the necessity to do yogic exercise? Our ancient sages had realized that life on earth was full of pain and sorrow. The body was a prey to all sorts of diseases and the mind was turbulent and wavering- unsteady. The old age was a curse. So they engaged themselves in finding a way out to get rid off them. And thus they found a way out. What was more desirable than yoga to obtain peace and sound health?
Yoga has been variously defined in our various scriptures. The Kathapanishad says yoga is a ‘stat of steadiness and full control over sense as well as mind and the intellect’. As is well known it is very difficult to fix the mind at one place. It is always wandering around. The man is attracted towards worldly objects and desires to enjoy them. But a yogi’s mind is steady; he is not attracted by mundane objects.
Shevetaashvatara Upanishad tells us that a ‘yogi does not suffer from old age, disease and death. His body is healthy, mind free from old age, disease and death. His body is healthy, mind free from greed and is peaceful. The mind and body both become pure’
In Yogavasesta, yoga is described as an instrument ‘for reaching the other, shore of the stream of sorrow’.
In the Gita, the Lord(Krishna) himself says the state of yoga is a state of equipoise where a yogi is not affected by a pair of opposites. For him day and night, joy and sorrow, hot or cold, criticism or praise, etc are all alike. He does not bear any desire. He has reached the state of happiness per excellence. He has realized that absolute truth after which nothing remains to be realized. Although he continues to act, his actions are directed for the good of others, He does not look for rewards for his virtuous deeds. Thus he frees himself from bondage.
Sage Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutra’ has said ‘yoga is a state where one if free from thought and modifications of the mind are complete?’
According to “ Yoga Sutra’, one attains the state of oneness with the Supreme Lord only after mastering eight parts of yoga. And to reach that state one must have at least two conditions; One, practice; two, absence of any desire. Through constant practice one has to make his mind steady by adopting various methods depending upon one’s temperament. There are different types of yoga to do so, each leading to ultimate goal of acquiring ‘mokshya’ – freeing oneself from the cycle o birth and death.
The eight steps of yoga or limbs(Astanga Yoga), according to Patanjali, are: Yama,niyama, asanas, pranayama, pratyahar,dharna, dhyan ana Samadhi. Yoga means control and discipline, niyma means rules, methods and principles, asana relate to make physical postures, pranayama is kriyas with air, prayahar is avoiding undesirable, dharna is concentration, dhyana is meditation and Samadhi is contemplation..
Patanjali did not go into details about the eight types of yoga. Therefore more study of yogas. Therfore more study or research was necessary. The result of further studies were that they were grouped under different categories according to nature.
Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Hatha yoga.
Bhakti yoga: Very common mong the people, this method of yoga is very easy to follow as it does not require any technical and comp-licated process nor any special intelligence. It creates a feeling of security in man. He develops unflinching faith that there is a superior power, i.e, God, which is all powerful and merciful and will come to his rescue in time of need, protecting him from harm. He on his part has to have abiding faith that attaining him is the ultimate goal of human life. He has to surrender himself, his desires and go on fulfilling his duty without expecting any results from Him. He has to go through scriptures, follow instruction therin, do good deeds and consider every being as fragment of the Supreme Lord.
Karma Yoga: Karma is a Sanskrite word meaning action. There is no one from Brahma down to an insect that does not perform action. One cannot live with out action . Lord himself has said in the Gita that all beings who are controlled by Prakrti have to act. Even after attainment of the goal of yoga(mukti) on does not renounce acts. Gita tells us that those who perform actions with some motive and expect fruits from them get into bondage because of the attitude or intention involved in it. But a karma yogi is indifferent as he bears no desire. He is concerned only with doing his duty without any reservation and without expecting any return for his acts. But this yoga is very difficult to cultivate. Human mind is always wavering; it does not stay at one place. Man by nature is attracted towards worldly pleasures; he wants to enjoy them. He always wants to have more and more of pleasure, wealth, objects or enjoyment, fame and name.
A karma yogi has no such attitude. He utilizes his energy in doing good deeds. He has acquired peace within and without. He does not run after pleasures; it is the pleasures which run after him.
Gyan yoga or Raja yoga: This yoga is followed by intelligent devotees. All other methods also ultimately lead to this yoga. But it is a difficult process and can be achieved by persistent practice of mental discipline. It seems when Patjali spoke of yoga to be made of eight parts in his ‘yoga sutra’, he was referring to this method. He says fove of the method are external and three internal.Yama and Niyama mean one should avoid indulging in speaking lies,stealing,amassing wealth beyond one’s requirement and cultivate the habit of keeping the body and mind clean and remain contented with his position.Asana and Pranayama come under Hatha yoga.Pratyar is described as aversion to mundane desires and non-enjoyment of sense-objects. The other parts are related to the process of concentration.I f these eight parts are faithfully and sincerely practices for a reasonable length of time, impurities of body and mind melt down and one attains knowledge which ultimately liberates him from bondage. This yoga also called ‘dhyan yoga’ or ‘Ashtana yoga’-lays emphasis on concentration of mind. The Gita desribes it in its sixth chapter in detail.
Hatha yoga: The world’s most ancient art to keep fit physically and mentally, being practiced in India (asana,pranayama ,mudra,etc.) to seek health ,happiness and wisdom to attain self-realization, is made up of two words-HA and Tha, the former meaning Surya or the sun and the latter Chandra or moon. Yoga is union of the two, according to some leading yogis. It is a system of psychophysical excerxises.Asanas is carried out to make spine elastic and strengthen the nervous system. They not only give strength to mind, but give an insight to the hidden powers of the spirit, strengthen will-power and ultimately raise a person to the state of self-realization.
Hatha yoga unites the sun and the moon. Sun is prana the life force. It carries out the function of blood circulation and respiration.
The moon –apana- performs the function of removing impurities from the body. The two forces let the life pushed forward. The prana(vital force) regulates the movements of stars, planets and the sun and the moon;it courses trhough wind, manifests in froms of energy like electricity, magnetism, light , heat, radio waves, and is seated in the heart of beings.
The moon is situated in a region above the hard palate and perhaps exudes a fluid which percolates down and si swallowed by the sun- situated near the navel. It is due to the swallowing up of this elixir by the sun that old age and death come, Hatha yoga brings about the union of the two asanas.
Hatha yoga is a means to establish universal peace and harmony as well. As is well known peace in the world depends upon the peace of individuals and unless anger, hatred, greed, desire for worldly pleasures are done away with through the observance of yoga, there will be no desire to establish peace in the world,.
Swatmarama says in his Hathayoga Pradipika;” hatha yoga is a stepping stone to Raja yoga (Gyan yoga)’.
What yoga really stands for and who is a real yogi?
Most of the people do not really understand their meaning. Many persons acquire some powers or siddhis and try to impress people with demonstrations like stopping moving cars, walking on fire or water, etc. Yoga sutra is very clear that such misuse of power through display is actually distraction in the path of samadhi.
A yogi biologically is like any other person. He feels hunger, thirst, sleepy and needs rest like others to keep the body going. But the difference lies on the psychological plane. He is not allured by the worldly objects. He goes on working for the good of humanity. He uses his sense-organs but is not swayed away by sensations.
We would do well here t quote jnaneshwara, a master of yoga, from his Anubhavamrita:
“The yogi may respond to life experiences but he is unaffected or undisturbed within. He yogi reacts passively to what ever confronts him in life. His passivity and peace are not disturbed by whatever he does and while his sense organs are used, his Samadhi remains undisturbed with in.
Adi shankaracharya, who had, we are told, reached the state of jivanmukti, describes a yogi thus:’ He is sinless, unsmitten by desires, peaceful like fire that has consumed its fuel, and being himself in a state beyond death and sorrow, helps others mercifully and compassionately’.
“For a yogi”, says Yoga vasishta. “Who has found the treasure of eternal happiness and whose intellect has stopped running after the objects of enjoyment; even the greatest empire on the earth is nothing more valuable than a dry leaf that is to be shed. Such a person, even with a single coin in his possession, still gets the pleasure that can hardly ever be obtained by an emperor”.
The yogi of al yogis-lord Krishna –has himself described in the Gita who a yogi is. He says a yogi’s mind is not engaged in craving and he is peaceful with himself and the world. He is not affected by external factors, is like an ocean which is undisturbed when rivers pour water in it. A yogi treats every being as alike, is above the felling of attachment and takes all opposites-hot and cold, joy and sorrow, etc in his stride.
But can such a state be attained by anybody?
Yoga carving new personality
Our ancestors knew fully well that not only the human body be kept in healthy state but the mind should also be sound. That was why they developed a faultless system of techniques which takes care of all the tissues of the body and their functions in a superb manner. Body health depends on two factors supply of adequate nourishment to it and quick removal of waste materials which are produced in the tissues as a result of biochemical activity.
This can be achieved only when every tissue functions properly. Each tissue gets the nutrients for its function form the blood flowing in the capillaries. A tissue cannot get proper nourishment if it remains inactive and waste materials are also not removed. The inactivitity of a tissue causes poor circulation of blood in it, and if such a situation continues for long , very little or no blood may flow through the tissue. Such a tissue loses its efficiency in due course of time.
If a tissue is subject to exercise or movement , by causing the muscles concerned to contract and stretch, the capillaries are pressed, and the tissue gets increased supply of blood, oxygen, and the nutrients. In rigorous exercises like running, swimming, gymnastics , wrestling., a particular muscle or a set of muscles are repeatedly contracted. This causes the muscles to develop in beautiful shapes due o an increase in the size of the muscles and addition or more number of fibers to them. The more fibers, the more is the physical strength of a person.
I t is thus that various skeletal muscles of the arms, chest, back, thighs, etc. are developed through rigorous exercises. Such exercises involve rapid contraction of muscles, called “phasic” or “isotonic” contraction. Contraction of muscle causes the bone to move around a joint as a fulcrum. Most of the yoga techniques don not, however , involve phasic contraction of the muscles. They cause static contraction ,in which a muscle is maintained under a stretch or tension without causing repeated movements.
The yogic system involves exercise of the skeletal as well as the deep-seated smooth muscles, which is not found in other forms of exercises. The muscles of abdominal wall, pelvis, trunk, back and chest ,abdominal viscera, neck, as well as muscles of the limbs are subjected to stretch in the various exercises. It is why the yoga techniques are of great significance for corrective and restorative purposes. A special characteristic of the yoga system is that it brings about changes in internal pressure on the various organs and glands. These exercises promote blood-circulation in various parts causing a sort of gentle massage to the organs.
Changing Personality
Yoga techniques is often taken to be only a scope for development of the body. Most of the people link it with postures (asanas). The techniques actually are concerned with changing one’s personality as a whole, by bringing about a revolution in one’s attitude, tendencies, emotions as well as the physiological processes underlying these. Physical postures are only the beginning. In fact physiological and psychological changes can be brought in personality through control of breath ad mind.
The yoga techniques for bodily health include three types of procedures, namely, the asanas ,mudras, and cleansing acts.
The asanas were perhaps developed for the purpose of sitting comfortably for long durations in a state of peace and relaxation. This is clear from the mention of asanas in Upanishads, the Gita ,the Yoga sutra of Patanjali, and some other ancient treatises.
Later on, however, the physical aspects of the asanas were elaborated by the Hatha Yogis, and we find many simple as well as intricate postures mentioned in their literature. The names of the various poses are derived mainly from the resemblance of the posture with the appearance of various animals, birds, and sometimes other symbols like a tree, a lotus, a circle, and so on. It is said in the Gheranda Samhita, an authoritative text of Hatha Yoga, that there are as many asanas as there are species of living beings, and that 84 out of them are more in vogue.
The term “mudra” perhaps carries the same meaning as asanas. But sometimes a difference is also made between the two. For example, the Hathayoga Pradipika sya that the practice of the asanas brings mental and physical steadiness and make for perfect health and suppleness of body, while the practice of mudra is undertaken to arouse dormant kundalini.
This can be achieved only when every tissue functions properly. Each tissue gets the nutrients for its function form the blood flowing in the capillaries. A tissue cannot get proper nourishment if it remains inactive and waste materials are also not removed. The inactivitity of a tissue causes poor circulation of blood in it, and if such a situation continues for long , very little or no blood may flow through the tissue. Such a tissue loses its efficiency in due course of time.
If a tissue is subject to exercise or movement , by causing the muscles concerned to contract and stretch, the capillaries are pressed, and the tissue gets increased supply of blood, oxygen, and the nutrients. In rigorous exercises like running, swimming, gymnastics , wrestling., a particular muscle or a set of muscles are repeatedly contracted. This causes the muscles to develop in beautiful shapes due o an increase in the size of the muscles and addition or more number of fibers to them. The more fibers, the more is the physical strength of a person.
I t is thus that various skeletal muscles of the arms, chest, back, thighs, etc. are developed through rigorous exercises. Such exercises involve rapid contraction of muscles, called “phasic” or “isotonic” contraction. Contraction of muscle causes the bone to move around a joint as a fulcrum. Most of the yoga techniques don not, however , involve phasic contraction of the muscles. They cause static contraction ,in which a muscle is maintained under a stretch or tension without causing repeated movements.
The yogic system involves exercise of the skeletal as well as the deep-seated smooth muscles, which is not found in other forms of exercises. The muscles of abdominal wall, pelvis, trunk, back and chest ,abdominal viscera, neck, as well as muscles of the limbs are subjected to stretch in the various exercises. It is why the yoga techniques are of great significance for corrective and restorative purposes. A special characteristic of the yoga system is that it brings about changes in internal pressure on the various organs and glands. These exercises promote blood-circulation in various parts causing a sort of gentle massage to the organs.
Changing Personality
Yoga techniques is often taken to be only a scope for development of the body. Most of the people link it with postures (asanas). The techniques actually are concerned with changing one’s personality as a whole, by bringing about a revolution in one’s attitude, tendencies, emotions as well as the physiological processes underlying these. Physical postures are only the beginning. In fact physiological and psychological changes can be brought in personality through control of breath ad mind.
The yoga techniques for bodily health include three types of procedures, namely, the asanas ,mudras, and cleansing acts.
The asanas were perhaps developed for the purpose of sitting comfortably for long durations in a state of peace and relaxation. This is clear from the mention of asanas in Upanishads, the Gita ,the Yoga sutra of Patanjali, and some other ancient treatises.
Later on, however, the physical aspects of the asanas were elaborated by the Hatha Yogis, and we find many simple as well as intricate postures mentioned in their literature. The names of the various poses are derived mainly from the resemblance of the posture with the appearance of various animals, birds, and sometimes other symbols like a tree, a lotus, a circle, and so on. It is said in the Gheranda Samhita, an authoritative text of Hatha Yoga, that there are as many asanas as there are species of living beings, and that 84 out of them are more in vogue.
The term “mudra” perhaps carries the same meaning as asanas. But sometimes a difference is also made between the two. For example, the Hathayoga Pradipika sya that the practice of the asanas brings mental and physical steadiness and make for perfect health and suppleness of body, while the practice of mudra is undertaken to arouse dormant kundalini.
Purifying the mind
It is at this point that yoga comes to our rescue. It is well known that one has to purify his mind and thereby his intellect before he can reach the state of self realization. Here it will not be out place to quote yoga sutra that an honest practice of eight parts of yoga removes impurities of mind an done proceeds to have atmadarshan. Once the mind is pure , attachment, running after mundane objects ,anger, jealousy, etc are gone and one can attain mukti. Although very, very few people one in thousands can attain the state of mukti , but still the importance of yoga cannot be dismissed altogether.
Yoga exercises some do's and don'ts
All those who have the desire to practice yoga techniques have to consider certain factors before proceeding. If those factors are ignored, the results may be harmful for the practitioner. For example if a person has been suffering from some bodily disorder , it will not be prudent to undertake yogic exercises. that might produce harmful effect..
Therefore, the foremost consideration is that the person must be having normal health. At the same time he has to be aware of the time of conducting exercises, the place, dress during the exercises, duration of practice, diet the intake of water, etc.
Physical condition: As has already been mentioned above, yoga technique should not be undertaken if the body condition is not normal. Yogic exercises have heir effect n delicate organs of the body like heart, brain, lungs etc. they might get harmed if the physic is carrying some disease. Therefore, this factor should be borne in mind before practicing yoga. NO doubt yogic exercises are very beneficial but one should be advised to consult an expert before undertaking them. Here again on should be cautious that the teacher has a scientific attitude and has not undertaken the job to mint money only.
Place: the place where yogic exercises are carried out should be an open place where no one disturbs the proceedings. The surrounding should not be noisy. If carried out indoors, the place should be well ventilated and free from noise. Exercises like breathing and concentration are practiced individually. Any conversation, mental activity, listening to music, etc. should be done away with to avoid distraction of mind and to conserve energy. Yoga should be practiced on floor. In the Gita the Lord recommends that a grass carpet is spread on the ground; it should be covered with a dear hide over which a clean linen cloth is spread. The seat should be comfortable for sitting for long durations while meditating.
Therefore, the foremost consideration is that the person must be having normal health. At the same time he has to be aware of the time of conducting exercises, the place, dress during the exercises, duration of practice, diet the intake of water, etc.
Physical condition: As has already been mentioned above, yoga technique should not be undertaken if the body condition is not normal. Yogic exercises have heir effect n delicate organs of the body like heart, brain, lungs etc. they might get harmed if the physic is carrying some disease. Therefore, this factor should be borne in mind before practicing yoga. NO doubt yogic exercises are very beneficial but one should be advised to consult an expert before undertaking them. Here again on should be cautious that the teacher has a scientific attitude and has not undertaken the job to mint money only.
Place: the place where yogic exercises are carried out should be an open place where no one disturbs the proceedings. The surrounding should not be noisy. If carried out indoors, the place should be well ventilated and free from noise. Exercises like breathing and concentration are practiced individually. Any conversation, mental activity, listening to music, etc. should be done away with to avoid distraction of mind and to conserve energy. Yoga should be practiced on floor. In the Gita the Lord recommends that a grass carpet is spread on the ground; it should be covered with a dear hide over which a clean linen cloth is spread. The seat should be comfortable for sitting for long durations while meditating.
diet for yoga practitioners
Diet: diet has its importance in keeping the body fit. Any individual who does not take proper diet spoils himself physically and mentally. The ill effects of poor nourishment tell upon his behavior, thought and action. A vegetarian diet of milk, whet, vegetables, fruits and other nutritious products will be ideal for exercises. One should at the same time, avoid stimulants like tea, coffee, wine, smoking and drugs.
One should avoid eating rajasi food fried, roasted, sweets and drinks. Such foods add to one’s weight, create heaviness after dinner and arouse passion. Tamasi food with too much spices, salt, peeper and chilies should also be avoided as that leads to a quarrel some an intolerant temperament. The food, infact should be prepared with the least amount of spices and should be fresh and cooked in a simple way.
Important thing is one should eat a balanced diet. The items included in food should be salad, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits and raw nuts. Cucumber, tomato, carrot, lettuce, cauliflower, etc. should be used for preparing said.
It equally important that one should not eat to his neither full nor overeat. Some pace must be left in the stomach. This helps in digestion and in the intake. Other wise overeating puts unnecessary strain in the abdominal system and body in general.
There is also a proper method to eat. One should take his own time at the table and swallow food only after thoroughly crushing and chewing it. Apart form giving satisfaction; the food gets properly mixed up with saliva and is easily digested.
One should eat at least two hours before he/she goes to sleep. This helps in the food being properly processed by body. And if the stomach is not heavy one gets sound sleep and rest. One should eat food four times with in a span of 24 hours- breakfast in the morning, lunch at non, refreshment in the afternoon and dinner in the evening.
The practitioner should intake about ten to twelve glasses of water everyday but one should avoid taking it along with food. It should be taken half an hour before meal. It is said that many skin disorders are cured if water is not taken at the time of eating. Water clears the body system of impurities.
Yoga practitioners advise the intake of germinated gram which is highly conducive to good health. Green grams can be eaten fresh and the ripe ones should be soaked in water for 6-8 hours and taken.
It is not necessary that a yogic practitioner should eat only vegetarian food but it is recommended because to learn Brahma vidya one must be vegetarian if one need to learn beyond general yoga.. What ever it is the diet should be balanced.
One should avoid eating rajasi food fried, roasted, sweets and drinks. Such foods add to one’s weight, create heaviness after dinner and arouse passion. Tamasi food with too much spices, salt, peeper and chilies should also be avoided as that leads to a quarrel some an intolerant temperament. The food, infact should be prepared with the least amount of spices and should be fresh and cooked in a simple way.
Important thing is one should eat a balanced diet. The items included in food should be salad, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits and raw nuts. Cucumber, tomato, carrot, lettuce, cauliflower, etc. should be used for preparing said.
It equally important that one should not eat to his neither full nor overeat. Some pace must be left in the stomach. This helps in digestion and in the intake. Other wise overeating puts unnecessary strain in the abdominal system and body in general.
There is also a proper method to eat. One should take his own time at the table and swallow food only after thoroughly crushing and chewing it. Apart form giving satisfaction; the food gets properly mixed up with saliva and is easily digested.
One should eat at least two hours before he/she goes to sleep. This helps in the food being properly processed by body. And if the stomach is not heavy one gets sound sleep and rest. One should eat food four times with in a span of 24 hours- breakfast in the morning, lunch at non, refreshment in the afternoon and dinner in the evening.
The practitioner should intake about ten to twelve glasses of water everyday but one should avoid taking it along with food. It should be taken half an hour before meal. It is said that many skin disorders are cured if water is not taken at the time of eating. Water clears the body system of impurities.
Yoga practitioners advise the intake of germinated gram which is highly conducive to good health. Green grams can be eaten fresh and the ripe ones should be soaked in water for 6-8 hours and taken.
It is not necessary that a yogic practitioner should eat only vegetarian food but it is recommended because to learn Brahma vidya one must be vegetarian if one need to learn beyond general yoga.. What ever it is the diet should be balanced.
Who can practice?
Age is no bar to practice yoga so is sex or religion or faith or physic whether stiff, tense or overweight. Even children below the age of twelve can adopt simple poses but after consulting experts. Generally relaxing exercise can be undertaken by all. A word of caution; young and old should avoid undertaking exercises which result in too much stress on the body parts. Women, in particular,, should not practice some exercise during menstruation and pregnancy, although some of them could be carried out . Infact there are some exercises which correct disorders during menstruation and pregnancy.
Time suitable for exercises. : Morning time between 4.am to 6.am before breakfast is the most suitable time for undertaking yoga exercises. In the evening it can be between 6.p.m and 8p.m. But exercise should be undertaken when stomach is empty. An interval of three to four hours should be given after eating. A gap of half an hour after drinking water, tea or juice is also a must. If morning or evening times are not suitable to an individual, one can chose his or her time, But the time should be the same everyday. Exercise can be undertaken only once in 24 hours. One more point of note: One should not eat immediately after practice is over. Light food can be taken after half an hour and complete meal after one hour.
Time suitable for exercises. : Morning time between 4.am to 6.am before breakfast is the most suitable time for undertaking yoga exercises. In the evening it can be between 6.p.m and 8p.m. But exercise should be undertaken when stomach is empty. An interval of three to four hours should be given after eating. A gap of half an hour after drinking water, tea or juice is also a must. If morning or evening times are not suitable to an individual, one can chose his or her time, But the time should be the same everyday. Exercise can be undertaken only once in 24 hours. One more point of note: One should not eat immediately after practice is over. Light food can be taken after half an hour and complete meal after one hour.
Meditation(mukti from time and space)
Meditation is simply being in the present moment.The present moment frees the individual to change, explore new patterns, pleasures, and possibilities. It is a power way to heal isolation.
There are many ways to meditate. No one way is best for everyone. One thing common to all forms of meditation is the art of paying attention. We do a lot of different things at the same time.In order to meditate first pay attention breathing. Breathing is central to every aspect of meditation training. It is wonderful place to focus the mind. Breath is a rich experience. It connects us with the whole universe. When you try to pay attention to breathing, you notice that the mind starts wandering. The wandering of the mind is a normal state of mind.From the meditative perspective the normal state of mind is severely suboptimal. It is more asleep than awake.Its energy is frittered away in thoughts of past and future.It is rarely in the present moment. Human beings have a capacity of shifting their awareness wherever they wish. Normally individuals who have not been trained to meditate keep their awareness on the mind which has the habit of wandering.Cultivating and developing a capacity to keep the awareness in the present moment instead of the wandering mind is all what meditation is about. When you start focusing your awareness in the present moment instead of the wandering mind is all what meditation is about. When you start focusing your awareness on breathing, you begin to ride the waves of breath, in and out. At this moment, the awareness begins to wander to the thoughts. Willingly, gently and kindly bring it back to the breath.If it wanders a million times, just lasso it back to breath a million times.This will train the mind to settle at one place.When the mind is thus cultivated, you begin to feel that you are in the present moment-time slows down and might even seem to stop.You are in a Now, that is continually unfolding.The moment you are in touch with the present moment, almost everything will become more vivid and alive. The calm experienced in meditation brings about penetrative insight(into our experience in the present moment). From this insight comes greater understanding, and therefore greater freedom to conduct our lives. The way we feel would lead to greater wisdom and happiness. The deep physiological relaxation which occurs in meditation is in itself healing. There is an access to deep inner resources for healing,, the mind, operating more effectively and helping to develop strategies, making sensible adaptive choices under pressure while coping with stress. One feels more engaged in life.
Meditation is a way of living which introduces us to that other part of our consciousness which is the common ground of all humanity. There we are not individuals; we are not separate entities with psychological content; where each one of us is actually the rest of humanity.As Guru of Dalai Lama explained, "anger, jealousy, hatred and aggression" thrive on concept of our inherent separate existence. Now all the recent researches in physics reveal that our separate existence is an illusion even if it is a stubborn one.In meditation we experience the emptiness of the concept of separate existence. This frees us from the qualities that separate us, and it generates in us compassion, love and altruism which unite us.
There are many ways to meditate. No one way is best for everyone. One thing common to all forms of meditation is the art of paying attention. We do a lot of different things at the same time.In order to meditate first pay attention breathing. Breathing is central to every aspect of meditation training. It is wonderful place to focus the mind. Breath is a rich experience. It connects us with the whole universe. When you try to pay attention to breathing, you notice that the mind starts wandering. The wandering of the mind is a normal state of mind.From the meditative perspective the normal state of mind is severely suboptimal. It is more asleep than awake.Its energy is frittered away in thoughts of past and future.It is rarely in the present moment. Human beings have a capacity of shifting their awareness wherever they wish. Normally individuals who have not been trained to meditate keep their awareness on the mind which has the habit of wandering.Cultivating and developing a capacity to keep the awareness in the present moment instead of the wandering mind is all what meditation is about. When you start focusing your awareness in the present moment instead of the wandering mind is all what meditation is about. When you start focusing your awareness on breathing, you begin to ride the waves of breath, in and out. At this moment, the awareness begins to wander to the thoughts. Willingly, gently and kindly bring it back to the breath.If it wanders a million times, just lasso it back to breath a million times.This will train the mind to settle at one place.When the mind is thus cultivated, you begin to feel that you are in the present moment-time slows down and might even seem to stop.You are in a Now, that is continually unfolding.The moment you are in touch with the present moment, almost everything will become more vivid and alive. The calm experienced in meditation brings about penetrative insight(into our experience in the present moment). From this insight comes greater understanding, and therefore greater freedom to conduct our lives. The way we feel would lead to greater wisdom and happiness. The deep physiological relaxation which occurs in meditation is in itself healing. There is an access to deep inner resources for healing,, the mind, operating more effectively and helping to develop strategies, making sensible adaptive choices under pressure while coping with stress. One feels more engaged in life.
Meditation is a way of living which introduces us to that other part of our consciousness which is the common ground of all humanity. There we are not individuals; we are not separate entities with psychological content; where each one of us is actually the rest of humanity.As Guru of Dalai Lama explained, "anger, jealousy, hatred and aggression" thrive on concept of our inherent separate existence. Now all the recent researches in physics reveal that our separate existence is an illusion even if it is a stubborn one.In meditation we experience the emptiness of the concept of separate existence. This frees us from the qualities that separate us, and it generates in us compassion, love and altruism which unite us.
Bathing, cleaning of body
It has already been mentioned that the intake of water should be between ten to twelve glasses within a period of 24 hours. Water is equally necessary for cleaning the body. During summer one should bathe twice and in water at least once. This is necessary for maintaining good health.. The human body has millions of hair and their roots lie deeper in the body. At the root of every hair there is a tiny hole which is not visible to the naked eye . The body discards sweat and impurities through these holes and takes in air, water, etc. into the body through them. As these holes are passages to and from the internal cells of the body for perspiration and absorption, they should always remain open and that can be better done by rubbing the whole body thoroughly.
Rubbing of the body during the bath can done in many ways. One can use palm, a sponge or a brush. Some use towel by soaking it in water, applying soap on it and then rubbing the body. It not only opens pores, the upper layer of skin also gets exercised.
While bathing one has to choose good quality soap. The market has been flooded with all sorts of soaps today. Some market has been flooded with all sorts of soaps today. Some have certain chemicals which harm the skin, cause rashes and make the skin dry and rough. Yoga preachers, though not against the use of soap, recommended some substitutes for it.
One of them is gram flour. One has to take a handful of it and make a paste of it with lukewarm water. The paste has to rubbed in the whole body with palms and then body has to be washed with water hot or cold. The paste does not only clean the body, ti invigorates it as gram contains proteins, minerals and vitamins. Gram flour is useful in curing skin diseases like itching, roughness, etc.
One can practice yoga exercise immediately after bath but should not bathe for at least an hour after exercise.
Shampooing hair: Healthy hair reflects the health of an individual. To keep them healthy one has to rub at their roots while bathing. Kneaded flour should be preferred to soap. One has to make a paste of it and put it in thin cloth and tie it up. Then he has to squeeze the paste in water till soft parts get mixed with water only rudiments remain in the cloth. Rudiments are thrown out and the liquid type taste is used for cleaning. . Then the head is washed the water. The hair has got to be dried before using oil.
Dress: tight dresses are not suitable for doing yoga exercises they will not allow free movements of the body . Swimming trunks or shorts for males and shorts and blouses for female suffice.
Rubbing of the body during the bath can done in many ways. One can use palm, a sponge or a brush. Some use towel by soaking it in water, applying soap on it and then rubbing the body. It not only opens pores, the upper layer of skin also gets exercised.
While bathing one has to choose good quality soap. The market has been flooded with all sorts of soaps today. Some market has been flooded with all sorts of soaps today. Some have certain chemicals which harm the skin, cause rashes and make the skin dry and rough. Yoga preachers, though not against the use of soap, recommended some substitutes for it.
One of them is gram flour. One has to take a handful of it and make a paste of it with lukewarm water. The paste has to rubbed in the whole body with palms and then body has to be washed with water hot or cold. The paste does not only clean the body, ti invigorates it as gram contains proteins, minerals and vitamins. Gram flour is useful in curing skin diseases like itching, roughness, etc.
One can practice yoga exercise immediately after bath but should not bathe for at least an hour after exercise.
Shampooing hair: Healthy hair reflects the health of an individual. To keep them healthy one has to rub at their roots while bathing. Kneaded flour should be preferred to soap. One has to make a paste of it and put it in thin cloth and tie it up. Then he has to squeeze the paste in water till soft parts get mixed with water only rudiments remain in the cloth. Rudiments are thrown out and the liquid type taste is used for cleaning. . Then the head is washed the water. The hair has got to be dried before using oil.
Dress: tight dresses are not suitable for doing yoga exercises they will not allow free movements of the body . Swimming trunks or shorts for males and shorts and blouses for female suffice.
Why meditation is developed?
From the very dawn of Indian history the Indo-Aryans gave a great deal of importance to the culture and development of the inner faculties of human life. As a result of long experience and experiment, they developed a special system of exercise for increasing the strength, purity and power of those faculties. Having established a fundamental theory that of being, they discovered various methods of feeding, strengthening, resting and re-energizing them.
The science of mediation was developed in India for the purpose of supplying the mind with the necessary nourishment and food, and for giving it proper exercise, rest and relaxation and also for furnishing it with the necessary conditions for growth. Therefore, meditation can very well be defined as the science of supplying the mind with food, exercise, rest, relaxation, and favourable environment necessary for the manifestation of its highest perfection.
Let us try to understand this analogy. In receiving the food for our physical body, the natural law is , that in the course of metabolism we undergo a process of disbursement and waste, which must be replenished by drewaing ina supply from some sources of nature. We eat because we need certain elements and vitamins which we have spent in the course of our work. But the food we eat is not the only kind which we supply to the physical body.The five senses also are drawing in food for its nourishment and development. In the selection of food we have to be very careful, as there can be harmful as well as beneficial foods. For the replenishment of our mental energy, too, we draw in naturally from various external sources. There is a special process of meditation which gives us the power of putting ourselves inconstant touch with these subtle sources from which we can so abundantly draw our spiritual food, without incurring any expenditure. Therefore, all the consideration we pay in selecting our physical food, must likewise be applied to the selection of the spiritual also.
The science of mediation was developed in India for the purpose of supplying the mind with the necessary nourishment and food, and for giving it proper exercise, rest and relaxation and also for furnishing it with the necessary conditions for growth. Therefore, meditation can very well be defined as the science of supplying the mind with food, exercise, rest, relaxation, and favourable environment necessary for the manifestation of its highest perfection.
Let us try to understand this analogy. In receiving the food for our physical body, the natural law is , that in the course of metabolism we undergo a process of disbursement and waste, which must be replenished by drewaing ina supply from some sources of nature. We eat because we need certain elements and vitamins which we have spent in the course of our work. But the food we eat is not the only kind which we supply to the physical body.The five senses also are drawing in food for its nourishment and development. In the selection of food we have to be very careful, as there can be harmful as well as beneficial foods. For the replenishment of our mental energy, too, we draw in naturally from various external sources. There is a special process of meditation which gives us the power of putting ourselves inconstant touch with these subtle sources from which we can so abundantly draw our spiritual food, without incurring any expenditure. Therefore, all the consideration we pay in selecting our physical food, must likewise be applied to the selection of the spiritual also.
Pranayama
Pranayama or breathing exercise means the control of inhalation(breathing air)and exhalation(and its breathing out).Breathing carries out the biochemical process of getting energy from digested food.As is well known cells and tissues of the body have to depend on their activity on the energy derived from oxidation of the digested food.And this process cannot go on without a regular supply of oxygen to cells and tissues.
Yogakundali upanishad has defined pranayama thus:"the prana is the air that flows in the body.Its ayama means kumdhaka(air retention in the body).It is of two types sahita and kevala."Yogic breathing has three steps:Rechaka(exalation),Puraka(inhalation)and kumbhaka(retention).When kumbhaka is accompanies by the first two,it is said to form sahita variety,but when it is devoid of the two,it is kevala variety.
According to vishnu purana,yogic breathing is "a technique which controls all that is connected with prana.Markandeya purana terms yogic breathing makes the prana and apana silent.Patanjali has decribed it as stoppeng inhalation and exhalation.Lord Krishna,in Gita,also says pranayama means stopping movements of prana and apana.
This process is connected with the external and internal environment.In the former case body takes in oxygen from the air and in the latter oxygen is available to cells and tissues.
Life can go only as long as air goes into the body.The air is called prana.Breathing is an effect of prana.Old masters of yoga have divided prana into ten forms and each form has different functions.Chief of them are prana,apana,vyana,udana and samana.Many books on yoga like Trishikhi-Brahman upanishad,Yoga yajnyavalkya,chhandogya upanishad,Amritanadopanishad have described the location and functions of the ten vayus.Ar\tharvuveda has also said the body cannot function with out prana and apana.
Prana is the universal store house of energy.It is a manifestation of spirit.It is because of it the sun shines,the earth and other planets move around the sun,rivers flow into the ocean and stars move along a fixed course.If prana departs,the mind and the senses also leave the body as mind is linked to the soul.
Pranayama(yogic breathing)may be called a technique of silencing the breath-control of the vital force through the regulation of breath.when the subtle prana is controlled through pranayam,the practitioner's mind comes under his control,is free from distraction,and he is able to control the desires of the sub-conscious.Thus when one attains control over prana he automatically gains control over mind,sex energy and subtle desires.When the subconscious mind is free from worldly Vasanas(subtle desired),one attains powers of the spirit.
Readers must have notices when the mind is not in sound form, a person's breath flows irregularly as the energy is wasted because of distraction of the mind but when the mind is calm,the breath is smooth and slow.A practioner of pranayama acquires enough energy,thinks in terms of a link between him and the entire cosmic life and acquires mastery over universal powers-even conquers death by mastering elements.
Pranayama is a boon for all of us.A normal human being breaths more than 21,000 times in 24 hours.If the breathing is normal, he lives for 100 years.but since we play,walk,run,,lose temper or are subject to anger or fear,life is cut short.By quick and irregular breathing life is wasted.Pranayama compensated the loss by retaining breath.Thus it prolongs life.Pranayama is the prolonging life and curing various diseases.
The process of inhalation and exhalation continues ceaselessly.This process takes only four seconds when one is in a state of rest.One respires 15 times in one minute.He breaths about 400 cc of air.While one is performing yogic breathing,the number of respiration per minute falls.
Yogakundali upanishad has defined pranayama thus:"the prana is the air that flows in the body.Its ayama means kumdhaka(air retention in the body).It is of two types sahita and kevala."Yogic breathing has three steps:Rechaka(exalation),Puraka(inhalation)and kumbhaka(retention).When kumbhaka is accompanies by the first two,it is said to form sahita variety,but when it is devoid of the two,it is kevala variety.
According to vishnu purana,yogic breathing is "a technique which controls all that is connected with prana.Markandeya purana terms yogic breathing makes the prana and apana silent.Patanjali has decribed it as stoppeng inhalation and exhalation.Lord Krishna,in Gita,also says pranayama means stopping movements of prana and apana.
This process is connected with the external and internal environment.In the former case body takes in oxygen from the air and in the latter oxygen is available to cells and tissues.
Life can go only as long as air goes into the body.The air is called prana.Breathing is an effect of prana.Old masters of yoga have divided prana into ten forms and each form has different functions.Chief of them are prana,apana,vyana,udana and samana.Many books on yoga like Trishikhi-Brahman upanishad,Yoga yajnyavalkya,chhandogya upanishad,Amritanadopanishad have described the location and functions of the ten vayus.Ar\tharvuveda has also said the body cannot function with out prana and apana.
Prana is the universal store house of energy.It is a manifestation of spirit.It is because of it the sun shines,the earth and other planets move around the sun,rivers flow into the ocean and stars move along a fixed course.If prana departs,the mind and the senses also leave the body as mind is linked to the soul.
Pranayama(yogic breathing)may be called a technique of silencing the breath-control of the vital force through the regulation of breath.when the subtle prana is controlled through pranayam,the practitioner's mind comes under his control,is free from distraction,and he is able to control the desires of the sub-conscious.Thus when one attains control over prana he automatically gains control over mind,sex energy and subtle desires.When the subconscious mind is free from worldly Vasanas(subtle desired),one attains powers of the spirit.
Readers must have notices when the mind is not in sound form, a person's breath flows irregularly as the energy is wasted because of distraction of the mind but when the mind is calm,the breath is smooth and slow.A practioner of pranayama acquires enough energy,thinks in terms of a link between him and the entire cosmic life and acquires mastery over universal powers-even conquers death by mastering elements.
Pranayama is a boon for all of us.A normal human being breaths more than 21,000 times in 24 hours.If the breathing is normal, he lives for 100 years.but since we play,walk,run,,lose temper or are subject to anger or fear,life is cut short.By quick and irregular breathing life is wasted.Pranayama compensated the loss by retaining breath.Thus it prolongs life.Pranayama is the prolonging life and curing various diseases.
The process of inhalation and exhalation continues ceaselessly.This process takes only four seconds when one is in a state of rest.One respires 15 times in one minute.He breaths about 400 cc of air.While one is performing yogic breathing,the number of respiration per minute falls.
Different types Pranayama
There are many types of pranayama followed by yoga practitioners. Here are some of them
Ordinary Pranayama
Ordinary Pranayama
An Ordinary Pranayama is simple. A person inhales air, exhales it or retains it for sometime. While inhaling he takes the prana to the anus and unites it with apana. When he exhales, apana is drawn up by prana. In the process of retention, the activities of prana are made to centralise near the region.The last method causes the mind to be free from thought and the practitioner suceeds in meditation and samadhi.
Sukha Purvak
How to do : Sit cross-legged, be relaxed and keep the head, body and spine straight, with the right thumb on the right nostril, with the ring and little nostril with the right thumb, draw prana inside through the left nostril.
Close left nostril also and hold breath as long as you can. Thereafter remove the pressure on the right nostril and breathe out slowly throught the right nostril.
This practice can be continued with the air being drawn in throught the right nostril and breathe out throught the left nostril.
Initially this exercise can be done only five times but can be increased to 20 or 30 times a day.
Think positive consider you are drawing peace, joy, mercy into the body.
If you take 10 seconds in inhaling, retain the breath for about 40 seconds(4 times) and exhale it grauallly in 20 seconds.
Close left nostril also and hold breath as long as you can. Thereafter remove the pressure on the right nostril and breathe out slowly throught the right nostril.
This practice can be continued with the air being drawn in throught the right nostril and breathe out throught the left nostril.
Initially this exercise can be done only five times but can be increased to 20 or 30 times a day.
Think positive consider you are drawing peace, joy, mercy into the body.
If you take 10 seconds in inhaling, retain the breath for about 40 seconds(4 times) and exhale it grauallly in 20 seconds.
Gains : This exercise gives energy and causes the face to shine, develops attractive personality and abovbe all brings in mental peace.
Kapala Bhati
This exercise is undertaken to improve the respiratory system of the body. If performedregularly, this causes the skull to shine.
How to do: The person who has to perform this exercise should sit comfortably as in Padmasan, inhale small quality of air, then exhale quickly.This will cause the muscles of the abdomin to go back and forth.
As is in other cases, initially one should perform this practice ten times. Later he should retain the breath as long as is possible. Then exhale slowly.
Gains: If performed on a regular basis, this leads to purification of lungs and blood and tones up the nervous system.
Bhastrika Pranayama
Shitakari Pranayama
Instead of keeping the tongue out in a tube like shape as told in Shitali pranayama, it should be bent towards the p0alate and air suck with a hissing sound. Then close mouth and retain the breathe with comfort. Then exhale throught both nostrils. Repeat sit times and increase the number gradually.
Gain :This exercise purifies blood.
Surya Bheda Pranayama
In this exercise right nostril is used every time for inhalation and the left one for exhalation. It give rise to heat in the body.
How to do: Close the left nostril and inhale deeply through the right nostril. Press the chin against the chest and retain as long as you can. Concentrate on Ajna Chakra(between the eyebrows). Then exhale slowly throught the left nostril. Practice five times to start with and then increase the number.
Gains :It corrects the imbalance caused by wind and phlegm. Purifies the blood, enhances digestive power, and aids the awakening of Kundalini Shakti.
Ujjayi Pranayama
In this exercise air is inhaled by both the nostrils but taken out throught the left one. Inhaling and exhaling is done by a sound produced by contraction of the throat.
How to do : Sit in a comfortable pose. Breathe in throught both the nostrils( a sound is produced of a mind and uniform pitch) . Retain the breath as long as one can with comfort exhale slowly.
The execise can be done five times to start with and then gradually increased.
Gains:Diseases of the stomach, dyspepsia, enlargement of spleen and live are removed. Throat, mouth and the lungs are purified.
Bhramari Pranayama
In this a sound like that of the bumble-bee is produced while breathing in and breathing out by the throat.
How to do : Breathe in slowly. Without retention, exhale. Practice five times and then breath in deeply. Exhale slowly.
Gains : The sound produced thrills concentrations. It increases circulation of blood, cools the brain and gives immense joy.
Kundalini Pranayama-1
This Exercise requires special mental effort - a visualization.
How to do : Breathe in throught the left nostril. Visualize that the Kundalini Shakti is ascending from Muladhara to Swadhishthana, from Swadhisthana to Manipura at the navel until it reaches the Sahasrara in the
How to do: The person who has to perform this exercise should sit comfortably as in Padmasan, inhale small quality of air, then exhale quickly.This will cause the muscles of the abdomin to go back and forth.
As is in other cases, initially one should perform this practice ten times. Later he should retain the breath as long as is possible. Then exhale slowly.
Gains: If performed on a regular basis, this leads to purification of lungs and blood and tones up the nervous system.
Bhastrika Pranayama
This is a combinatin of Kapalabhati and Suryabandana, in which 20 to 40 exhalations are made to preced each inhalations.
This kriya consists of rapid and successive forcible inhalations and exhalations. To start with ten inhalations and exhalations will do. There after one should breathe in deeply, reatin the air and exhale slowly. Three to four rounds will do. The number of times of inhalations and exhalations of each round should be increased slowly.
Gains : It not only removes astma and catarrh, but improves the condition of the throat. It awakens the Kundalini Shakti.
Shitali Pranayama
This kriya consists of rapid and successive forcible inhalations and exhalations. To start with ten inhalations and exhalations will do. There after one should breathe in deeply, reatin the air and exhale slowly. Three to four rounds will do. The number of times of inhalations and exhalations of each round should be increased slowly.
Gains : It not only removes astma and catarrh, but improves the condition of the throat. It awakens the Kundalini Shakti.
Shitali Pranayama
Shital means cooling.
How to do: Pull out the tongue and fold it like a tube. Breathe in air throught the mouth and retain as long as possible with comfort, keeping the mouth closed. Then exhale slowly throught the nostrils. Repeat six times.
Gains : Thirst and hunger goes. It purifies the blood and destroys chronic dysepsia and other diseases.
How to do: Pull out the tongue and fold it like a tube. Breathe in air throught the mouth and retain as long as possible with comfort, keeping the mouth closed. Then exhale slowly throught the nostrils. Repeat six times.
Gains : Thirst and hunger goes. It purifies the blood and destroys chronic dysepsia and other diseases.
Shitakari Pranayama
Instead of keeping the tongue out in a tube like shape as told in Shitali pranayama, it should be bent towards the p0alate and air suck with a hissing sound. Then close mouth and retain the breathe with comfort. Then exhale throught both nostrils. Repeat sit times and increase the number gradually.
Gain :This exercise purifies blood.
Surya Bheda Pranayama
In this exercise right nostril is used every time for inhalation and the left one for exhalation. It give rise to heat in the body.
How to do: Close the left nostril and inhale deeply through the right nostril. Press the chin against the chest and retain as long as you can. Concentrate on Ajna Chakra(between the eyebrows). Then exhale slowly throught the left nostril. Practice five times to start with and then increase the number.
Gains :It corrects the imbalance caused by wind and phlegm. Purifies the blood, enhances digestive power, and aids the awakening of Kundalini Shakti.
Ujjayi Pranayama
In this exercise air is inhaled by both the nostrils but taken out throught the left one. Inhaling and exhaling is done by a sound produced by contraction of the throat.
How to do : Sit in a comfortable pose. Breathe in throught both the nostrils( a sound is produced of a mind and uniform pitch) . Retain the breath as long as one can with comfort exhale slowly.
The execise can be done five times to start with and then gradually increased.
Gains:Diseases of the stomach, dyspepsia, enlargement of spleen and live are removed. Throat, mouth and the lungs are purified.
Bhramari Pranayama
In this a sound like that of the bumble-bee is produced while breathing in and breathing out by the throat.
How to do : Breathe in slowly. Without retention, exhale. Practice five times and then breath in deeply. Exhale slowly.
Gains : The sound produced thrills concentrations. It increases circulation of blood, cools the brain and gives immense joy.
Kundalini Pranayama-1
This Exercise requires special mental effort - a visualization.
How to do : Breathe in throught the left nostril. Visualize that the Kundalini Shakti is ascending from Muladhara to Swadhishthana, from Swadhisthana to Manipura at the navel until it reaches the Sahasrara in the
crown of the head. Then bring the energy in the space between the eyebrows. Close both nostrils and retain the breath, keeping the mind focused on Ajna Chakra, mentally repeating Om. After retention breathe out throught the right nostril visualizing that the Kundalini retraces from Ajna Chakra to Sahasrara in the crown of the head, form Sahasrara again to Ajna chakra from behind the head, from Ajna Chakra to Vishudi Chakra, Fom Vishudi Chakra at the throat to the centre in the heart, from heart to navel, from navel to Swadhishtrana Chakra and from Swadhishthana Chakra to the Muladhara at the anus.
This can be done five times to start with and then gradually increased.
Gain : This awakens the mystic Kundalini and bestows various psychic powers.
Kundalini Pranayama-2
How to do: Sit comfortably. Breathe in air throught the mouth, visualize the movement of Kundalini from the Muladhara Chakra to the Sahasrar and from Sahasrara to the ajna Chakra. With out retaining , exhale througg the mouth. Visualize the retracing of the Kundalini Pracice five time to start with and then gradually increase the number.
This cleanses Sushumna and awakens the Kundalini Shakti.
Kevala Kumbhaka
In this, there is no inhalation or exhalation. It is pure retention. When a yogi advances in the practice of pranayma, he can hold the breath by his mere will suspendin inhalation and exhalation. With the control of subtle Prana the breath stops. A yogi conserves abundance of energy throught this.
Kevela Kumbhaka is not retention with force, but spontaneous retention of breathing due to mastery over the subtle prana.
Nadi-shodhana Pranayama
This for the purification of the naids or the astral nerves through which the subtle Pranas flow. Without the purification of the nadis one cannot acquire success in Kundalini yoga.
How to do : Inhale throught the left nostrtil, mentally repeating the Bijakshara(root-letter)LAM of the earth element and fixing the mind on Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine. Repeat it eight times. Then close both the nostrils and mentally repeat LAm thirty two times.Exhale repeating the Bijakshara sixteen times. Then inhale throught the right nostril and practice the same. Repeat Vam at Swadhisthana chakra, Ram at Manipura, Yam at anahat, HAm at Vishudi and Om at Ajna Chakra.
The nadis are also purified by selfless service of humanity, cultivation of divine virtues, development of devotion to God and by deep enquiry pertaining to the nature of the Self.
All these modes of Pranayama aim at one common goal and that is of bringing the mind under one's control. The Physiological effects that go with these varities, however, show some variations.
This can be done five times to start with and then gradually increased.
Gain : This awakens the mystic Kundalini and bestows various psychic powers.
Kundalini Pranayama-2
How to do: Sit comfortably. Breathe in air throught the mouth, visualize the movement of Kundalini from the Muladhara Chakra to the Sahasrar and from Sahasrara to the ajna Chakra. With out retaining , exhale througg the mouth. Visualize the retracing of the Kundalini Pracice five time to start with and then gradually increase the number.
This cleanses Sushumna and awakens the Kundalini Shakti.
Kevala Kumbhaka
In this, there is no inhalation or exhalation. It is pure retention. When a yogi advances in the practice of pranayma, he can hold the breath by his mere will suspendin inhalation and exhalation. With the control of subtle Prana the breath stops. A yogi conserves abundance of energy throught this.
Kevela Kumbhaka is not retention with force, but spontaneous retention of breathing due to mastery over the subtle prana.
Nadi-shodhana Pranayama
This for the purification of the naids or the astral nerves through which the subtle Pranas flow. Without the purification of the nadis one cannot acquire success in Kundalini yoga.
How to do : Inhale throught the left nostrtil, mentally repeating the Bijakshara(root-letter)LAM of the earth element and fixing the mind on Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine. Repeat it eight times. Then close both the nostrils and mentally repeat LAm thirty two times.Exhale repeating the Bijakshara sixteen times. Then inhale throught the right nostril and practice the same. Repeat Vam at Swadhisthana chakra, Ram at Manipura, Yam at anahat, HAm at Vishudi and Om at Ajna Chakra.
The nadis are also purified by selfless service of humanity, cultivation of divine virtues, development of devotion to God and by deep enquiry pertaining to the nature of the Self.
All these modes of Pranayama aim at one common goal and that is of bringing the mind under one's control. The Physiological effects that go with these varities, however, show some variations.
Exercises for mind.
The first consideration is to give the mind its necessary exercises. We all know that by lack of exercise our muscles and nerves degenerate and deteriorate; whereas, by regular exercise they can be developed to an almost infinite degree and amount of strength and efficiency. It has been demonstrated by many athletes and men of unusual physical strength, that by proper exercise the power of the muscles and other physical faculties can be developed to any degree of proficiency. The story is told about a farmer who used to carry a little pet calf across a narrow stream. This he did every day until the calf gradually grew up,but the farmer continued to carry it without being conscious of its physical development.. His attention being drawn towards this fact, he realized that it was a bull which he was carrying so easily. Although this might be only a story, it undoubtedly illustrates how by gradual exercise, one can develop the power of one's muscles to an unbelievable degree of proficiency
It is not hard to demonstrate the fact, that by means of exercise we can develop the strength of our physical body to an inconceivable extent. The same is true regarding the development of our mental faculties. But through lack of exercise our spiritual and mental powers have pitifully degenerated. Consequently we have lost control over our mind; we have lost our memory; we have lost the power of discrimination, foresight and many other subtle manifestations of mental power. Since these faculties have been exercised and cultured by many to an amazing degree of proficiency, it proves that anyone can do so by regular scientific exercise.
There are people who have cultured their power of concentration to such an extent that they can read any book, page by page, at a single glance. The psychology behind this is not very difficult to understand. We know that when a child learns to read he does so, letter by letter. He must spell each word before he comprehends its meaning. As he grows up, he can read word by word; when he advances further he can even read a whole sentence at a glance. Developing the same faculty still more, a whole thought or a paragraph can be read at a glance. By developing the focus of the mind a whole page can read just as easily as a sentence or 0paragraph
Very often certain problems present themselves to us in our lives. Because we do not know how to bring the mind, to a state of peace, pose and tranquillity, we do not arrive at any definite and constructive decision. But a concentrated mind can probe with ease into any deep problem, finding the most wonderful solution which would be impossible for a disturbed mind even to apprehend.
Many other illustrations could be given in order to show the benefits which a fully developed and concentrated mind can bring even to ordinary daily life. The culture and attainment of a very healthy condition of the mind is absolutely necessary for every person, no matter what he or she wants to achieve in life.
A mind uncultured and uneducated in meditation and concentration fails to understand clearly the benefits or disadvantages of certain surroundings; whereas a meditative mind can at once accommodate and make the best use of any environment in which it is placed. If a need for change should arise, such a mind knows unmistakably the practical, mental and spiritual processes necessary for making it
It is not hard to demonstrate the fact, that by means of exercise we can develop the strength of our physical body to an inconceivable extent. The same is true regarding the development of our mental faculties. But through lack of exercise our spiritual and mental powers have pitifully degenerated. Consequently we have lost control over our mind; we have lost our memory; we have lost the power of discrimination, foresight and many other subtle manifestations of mental power. Since these faculties have been exercised and cultured by many to an amazing degree of proficiency, it proves that anyone can do so by regular scientific exercise.
There are people who have cultured their power of concentration to such an extent that they can read any book, page by page, at a single glance. The psychology behind this is not very difficult to understand. We know that when a child learns to read he does so, letter by letter. He must spell each word before he comprehends its meaning. As he grows up, he can read word by word; when he advances further he can even read a whole sentence at a glance. Developing the same faculty still more, a whole thought or a paragraph can be read at a glance. By developing the focus of the mind a whole page can read just as easily as a sentence or 0paragraph
Very often certain problems present themselves to us in our lives. Because we do not know how to bring the mind, to a state of peace, pose and tranquillity, we do not arrive at any definite and constructive decision. But a concentrated mind can probe with ease into any deep problem, finding the most wonderful solution which would be impossible for a disturbed mind even to apprehend.
Many other illustrations could be given in order to show the benefits which a fully developed and concentrated mind can bring even to ordinary daily life. The culture and attainment of a very healthy condition of the mind is absolutely necessary for every person, no matter what he or she wants to achieve in life.
A mind uncultured and uneducated in meditation and concentration fails to understand clearly the benefits or disadvantages of certain surroundings; whereas a meditative mind can at once accommodate and make the best use of any environment in which it is placed. If a need for change should arise, such a mind knows unmistakably the practical, mental and spiritual processes necessary for making it
Mudras for enlightenment
We had so far seen mudras for health and curing disease in my previous posts but there so many mudras beyond for health to enlightenment mudras. Literally the meaning of mudras is a seal. It is called so because it seals the mind with the soul. Exercises falling under mudra are associated with retention of breath. Infact bandhas and mudras go together. Mudras control the vital forces(pranas) and thereby the mind in order to awaken the hidden mystic powers.
Once the potentialities of the spirit are unfolded before the performer, he can conquer all diseases and move towards God-realization.
Mudras helps the striver to awaken Kundalini to check the distractions of the mind and to sublimate vital energy into Ojas Shakti or spiritual energy. With the help of this Shakti he can explore the mysteries.
Once th yogi attains spiritual energy, his personality blooms; he is able to attract men, his will power becomes strong and his mind balanced.
But in order to draw maximum benifits of Bandhas and mudras one must purify heart by selfless service of humanity and by developing virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, purity. etc. Mere performance on any yoga exercises will not lead to the attainment of powers.
There are so many nudras that are in vogue and practiced, we had seen so far around 26 mudras for health and personality .
Here are some important mudras for enlightenment.
Maha Mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra
Yoga Mudra
Matangini Mudra
Ashwini Mudra
Kaki Mudra
Shambhavi Mudra
Unmani Mudra
Viparita Karani Mudra
Once the potentialities of the spirit are unfolded before the performer, he can conquer all diseases and move towards God-realization.
Mudras helps the striver to awaken Kundalini to check the distractions of the mind and to sublimate vital energy into Ojas Shakti or spiritual energy. With the help of this Shakti he can explore the mysteries.
Once th yogi attains spiritual energy, his personality blooms; he is able to attract men, his will power becomes strong and his mind balanced.
But in order to draw maximum benifits of Bandhas and mudras one must purify heart by selfless service of humanity and by developing virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, purity. etc. Mere performance on any yoga exercises will not lead to the attainment of powers.
There are so many nudras that are in vogue and practiced, we had seen so far around 26 mudras for health and personality .
Here are some important mudras for enlightenment.
Maha Mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra
Yoga Mudra
Matangini Mudra
Ashwini Mudra
Kaki Mudra
Shambhavi Mudra
Unmani Mudra
Viparita Karani Mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra
In Maha Vedha, press the Kanda with the left heel. Perform Mula Bandha . Place the riht foot on the left thigh. Then perform Jalandhar Bandha by pressing the chin against the chest. Place both palms on the ground and then balancing the body on the hands raise the buttocks with the left heel pressing against the Kanda, then bring it down on the ground(gently). Perform inhalation of breath in the beginning of the practice and after few times of striking, exhale.
This exercise is a great purifier of the body and the mind. It also awakens Kundalini Shakti and tleads to the attainment of Samdhi.
This exercise is a great purifier of the body and the mind. It also awakens Kundalini Shakti and tleads to the attainment of Samdhi.
Maha Mudra
How to do: One has to first perform Mula bandha and press the Kanda(space between anus and the generative organ) by the right heel.Keep the left leg straight. Bend down and hold the big toe of the left foot with both hands. Bring the head down until it touches the knee. This position is also known as Janu-Shira-Asan. In Maha mudra, Janu Shira Asana is associated with the Bandhas, and pranayama. Inhale and while retaining the breath performUddiyan Bandha Bandha . Then Exhale while performing Uddiyan Bandha (taking the navel forcibly towards the back). Perform the pranayama as long as you can.
The same can be repeated by keeping the right leg straight and by pressing the Kanda with the left heel.
The gaze should stay between the eyebrows(bhru-Madhya Drishti). Meditate upon the Ajna Chakra.
duration :This mudra can be done as long as one can.
Maha mudra should be followed by Maha Bandha and Maha Vedha.
Benefits: This exercise enables the combined forces of Prana and Apana to pass through Sushumna, which awakens the Kundalini. This cures Hemorrhoids or piles, gastritis, constipation, consumption and various morbid conditions of the body thereby augmenting digestion and toning up the nervous system.
The same can be repeated by keeping the right leg straight and by pressing the Kanda with the left heel.
The gaze should stay between the eyebrows(bhru-Madhya Drishti). Meditate upon the Ajna Chakra.
duration :This mudra can be done as long as one can.
Maha mudra should be followed by Maha Bandha and Maha Vedha.
Benefits: This exercise enables the combined forces of Prana and Apana to pass through Sushumna, which awakens the Kundalini. This cures Hemorrhoids or piles, gastritis, constipation, consumption and various morbid conditions of the body thereby augmenting digestion and toning up the nervous system.
Yoga Mudra
The perfect way of practising yoga mudra is to be in the lotus first. But it is not easy and everyone cannot do it initially.
How to do: sit in Padmasana-the right foot placed on the left thigh with the sole facing up and the left foot on the right thigh. Keep both the knees well on the ground, the body bent forward without raising the hips form the seat and the forehead back, holding the left wrist in the right hand. Inhale through both the nostrils and perform Jalandhar Bandha (pressing the chin against the chest0. Hold the heels with your hands.
Slowly bend down until the head touches the ground. Then release the Jalandhar Bandha(chin-lock) and exhale. One may bend down without the chin-lock slowly exhaling the breath. Hold the breath, and inhale.
The duration may be about 10 seconds to a minute.
Benefits : This mudra improves memory, gets rid of excess fat(loose weight mudra), awakens Kundalini Shakti and tones the nervous system.
How to do: sit in Padmasana-the right foot placed on the left thigh with the sole facing up and the left foot on the right thigh. Keep both the knees well on the ground, the body bent forward without raising the hips form the seat and the forehead back, holding the left wrist in the right hand. Inhale through both the nostrils and perform Jalandhar Bandha (pressing the chin against the chest0. Hold the heels with your hands.
Slowly bend down until the head touches the ground. Then release the Jalandhar Bandha(chin-lock) and exhale. One may bend down without the chin-lock slowly exhaling the breath. Hold the breath, and inhale.
The duration may be about 10 seconds to a minute.
Benefits : This mudra improves memory, gets rid of excess fat(loose weight mudra), awakens Kundalini Shakti and tones the nervous system.
Viparita Karani Mudra
This Viparita Karani word means Sanskrit inverted. One has to lie down relaxed. Gradually raise both the legs and the hips. Support the waist with hands more or less in Sarvanga Asan pose.
By tis practice, the positons of the Sun and Moon are reversed. Hence it is called Viparita Karani.
It is the opinion of yoga masters that sun dwells in the navel and moon in Sahasrara. The nectar that flows from the moon is consumed by the fire at the navel. This leads to decay and death. But by the constant practice of this mudra the nectar of the moon is perserved.
Duration recommended is a few minutes to start with but can be gradually increased to two hours or more. After a few weeks the face shines with spiritual lustre, wrinkles are removed, eyes become healthier, and digestion becomes keen.
By tis practice, the positons of the Sun and Moon are reversed. Hence it is called Viparita Karani.
It is the opinion of yoga masters that sun dwells in the navel and moon in Sahasrara. The nectar that flows from the moon is consumed by the fire at the navel. This leads to decay and death. But by the constant practice of this mudra the nectar of the moon is perserved.
Duration recommended is a few minutes to start with but can be gradually increased to two hours or more. After a few weeks the face shines with spiritual lustre, wrinkles are removed, eyes become healthier, and digestion becomes keen.
Unmani Mudra
This Unmani mudra can be practiced by only those who have reached a higher state in yoga.
How to do : In this one has to sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the eyes half open. Then he has to fix mind on the space just a few inches from the eyes. Meditate upon the Self that is formless, nameless and Infinite, without any thought in mind and mind in calm meditation.
Benefits : This gives peace of mind and unfolds inner glories of the Spirit through Samadhi.
How to do : In this one has to sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the eyes half open. Then he has to fix mind on the space just a few inches from the eyes. Meditate upon the Self that is formless, nameless and Infinite, without any thought in mind and mind in calm meditation.
Benefits : This gives peace of mind and unfolds inner glories of the Spirit through Samadhi.
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