YOGA?
Yoga is a science of
mind & helps to control mind, desire and reaction to stress; skillful-
rather than a brutal, mechanical technique – Maharshi Patanjali
Yoga is the skill to
calm down the mind…
Manah Prasamana Upayah
Yogah- Vasista
Yoga is a technique
for total personality development at Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual
levels-Aurovindo
Ability to maintain
inner peace- at all times calmness is the secret
Yoga is a special
skill in action; Yogah Karmah Kausalam- Bhagvad Gita
ACCORDING TO
YOGA PHILOSOPHY
·
Reality is unchanging and unmoving
·
The world as we perceive it- with its perpetual
flux- is therefore an illusion(maya)
·
Originally there was only one SELF:
undifferentiated energy, infinite, unchanging, formless
·
Then process of differentiation occurs: - split
between subject & object or individual self and universal SELF
THE AIM OF
YOGA
·
To see through the illusion(maya) and perceive the true reality- the reality that is unchanging
and unmoving-
·
To re-establish the union between individual and
universal SELF
·
This can be achieved in the state of
Enlightenment
·
It will bring liberation from all pain and
suffering
·
And therefore lead to lasting happiness
THE 4 PATHS
OF YOGA
·
Karma Yoga-
Yoga of Action
·
Bhakti
Yoga- Yoga of Devotion
·
Jnana Yoga-
Yoga of Wisdom
·
Raja Yoga-
Yoga of Physical & Mental control
HATHA YOGA
It is the physical dimension of Yoga philosophy…In order to
attain God; one has to cleanse their Mind & Body… It enables a soul to have
a perfect hold on the body…
Hatha Yoga, if practiced thoroughly can cure or prevent any
disease/ ailments including cancer…
KARMA YOGA
The whole essence of Bhagvad Gita preaches Karma Yoga…It is
the Yoga of Action…
Do well and be good…Do your job with complete dedication
& don’t expect anything in return…Dedicate entire work to the Supreme
Being, God…
BHAKTI YOGA
It is the yoga of devotion…
Here one make strong bond with the God…After a certain
stage, his intensity crystallizes the image of God…At this stage, the person
can touch, and feel and experience the Supreme Being…Tears of joy out of
compassion & ecstasy is experienced at the highest state…
JNANA YOGA
It is the Yoga of true knowledge…
One experiences the highest spiritual consciousness through
acquiring knowledge…
Here the person has to gather immense discrimination
capability…One has to know ‘What is & what is not’…The person stops
believing in materialistic sense and concentrates on the reality, Soul, the Atman/Brahman…
RAJA YOGA
It is the Yoga of Mind control…
One experiences the intensity of highest spiritual
consciousness by controlling the mind…Also called Asthanga Yoga (8 limbs of Yoga)…
Stages:
1.
Yama;
Universal morality
2.
Niyama;
Personal observances
3.
Asanas;
Body postures
4.
Pranayamas;
Breathing exercises
5.
Pratyahara;
Control of the senses
6.
Dharana;
Concentration
7.
Dhyana;
Meditation on the Divine
8.
Samadhi;
Union with the Divine
THE 3 BODIES
·
Physical body:
Food sheath
·
Astral body:
-Pranic sheath -sensations
-mental sheath-thoughts & emotions
-intellectual sheath-decision
making-residence of ego
·
Causal body:
Bliss sheath-seed body
THE SYSTEM
OF CHAKRAS & NADIS
There are Seven Chakras,
72,000 Nadis and three main Nadis; Ida, Pingala and Shushumna…
HEALTH
BENEFITS OF YOGA
·
Good health requires the free flow of prana (life force) in the nadis and the proper balance in 7 chakras
·
Regular practice of meditation, pranayama(breathing exercises), and asanas(yoga poses) helps to balance,
re-align and cleanse the chakras as
well as nadis
·
The practice of yoga has shown to decrease
stress levels, to lower blood pressure, and to slow down the aging process
·
The various yoga asanas exercise the entire body
·
Yoga asanas
and pranayama help to remove physical
and cellular waste, to improve muscle tone, and to protect, strengthen, and
repair joints and ligaments
·
The regular practice of Yoga(asanas, pranayama, meditation) increases mental, emotional, and spiritual
clarity and well-being and improves focus, discipline, balance, intuition,
imagination, creativity and understanding
Yoga is a way of life. It is about the union of mind and
body. It considers the body and mind as one entity.
According to experts, Yoga creates a deep impact not only on
your physical and mental forms but also on all aspects of your life, including
your behavior and thoughts.
RESEARCH STUDY
SHOWS
- Short
term Meditation training improves attention and self regulation.
- Improvement
of glutathione and total anti-oxidant status with yoga.
i.e.,
yoga enhances anti-oxidant levels
- Yogic
practices can be useful to manage the stress after natural disasters.
Cyclic meditation:
- Alternate
stimulation and relaxation leads to deeper relaxation.
- Increased
performance in
-Task
selective attention -Visual
scanning
- CM
enhances cognitive process underlying the generation of P300 waves.
- Alternate
stimulation and relaxation (CM) gives better physiological rest than only relaxation
(Shavasana).
OM meditation:
- Reduced
sympathetic tone after OM meditation.
- Brings
relaxation with awareness
Trancedental meditation:
- Reduces
blood pressure, stress, and atherosclerosis; hence reduces risk of
cardio-vascular disorders and mortality.
- Can
be used for primary and secondary prevention of CVD.
- There
is restful alert state of mind during TM practice.
- There
is reduced sympathetic activation in TM practitioners.
- Lowers
cortisol and CVD in post-menopausal women.
Sirsasana:
- There
is sympathetic arousal after the practice of head stand, with or without
wall support.
THE BEST WAY TO
UNDERSTAND YOGA TRY IT OUT YOURSELF
Dr. Om P. Khaniya, BNYS(rguhs,
banglore)
Naturopathic & Yoga Physician
Vice-President
Yoga & Naturopathy Doctors’
Association, Nepal
Note: Always do consult registered yoga practitioner for better practice for your
health and wellness…
