Yoga
Astanga Yoga>below
Yoga > union of Mind -Body - Soul
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Yoga represents a process through which one can learn how to live in a most integrated way. The science of Yoga and its techniques have been reoriented to suit modern sociological needs and lifestyles.
Today, there are hundreds of Yoga styles practiced; however, the popular styles include Bhathi Yoga, Karma Yoga, Gnana Yoga, Raja Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kundilini Yoga and Kriya Yoga.
India is in an advantageous position to tap the global opportunities in this sector. The tradition of Yoga was born in India several thousand years ago. Its founders were great saints and yogis.
Yoga has its origins in Vedas, the oldest record of India culture. We have the history of expertise in imparting the Yoga training since the ancient time.
The great Indian sage, Patanjali, systematized the Yoga practice in his Yoga Sutra. Although this work was followed by many other important texts on Yoga, his book is the most significant one as it has touched almost all aspects of human life.
Most of the popular Yoga institutions in the world have their parent institutes or governing bodies in India, and thus placing India in an advantageous position to tap the global opportunities.
Yoga, the art and science of maintaining physical and mental well-being, has its origin in India. Yoga is one of the most ancient, yet vibrant, traditions that are getting increasingly popular today.
A potent stress-buster, Yoga is an instrument to self evolvement and enlightenment, through physical and mental well-being. Broadly, Yoga, when performed with perseverance, precision, patience and 'shraddha', yield highly rewarding results.
They promote health and consequently beauty. But to derive maximum benefit, one has to embark on this daily practice or rather pilgrimage, with passion and commitment.
Yogasanas keep the spinal column supple, strong and healthy. This results in a steady erect posture, boosting self confidence. During Yogasanas, the alternate stretching and relaxation of muscles facilitates blood circulation and supply of oxygen, rejuvenating every cell of the body.
Various Yogic postures gently massage internal vital organs, keeping them in perfect condition. Cholesterol levels are kept in check and the blood pressure is normalized. This internal harmony cleanses and detoxifies the body and boosts the immune system.
Yogasanas make the body toned, strong and flexible. Standing asana like the Tadasana and Trikonasana result in perfectly toned and shapely legs and ankles.
Certain inverted postures - like the Sarvangasana - results in free flow of blood to the neck, face and hair. Facial skin becomes taut and wrinkle free, attaining a radiant glow. The hair becomes thick and glossy, and the eyes acquire a natural shine.
Yogasanas speed up metabolism, resulting in a slim figure. There is no accumulation of fat anywhere in the body. Forward-bending exercises result in flab-free abdomen.
This natural pampering of the body by Yogasanas result in slowing down of the ageing process, both physical and mental. This in turn leads to positivism in our thoughts, actions and
relationships.
Shri Pathanjali Muni's Ashtanga yoga
= 8 limbs
Yama - the five restraints or the "don'ts" - ethics/morals
- Ahimsa -
Non-violence
- Satya -
Truthfulness
- Brahmacharya -
Control of the senses and celibacy
- Asteya -
Non-stealing
- Aparigraha - Non-covetousness and
non-acceptance of gifts
Niyama - the five observances or the "do's"
- Saucha - Purity, cleanliness
- Santosha - Contentment
- Tapas - Austerity
- Swadhyaya - Self-study, study of scriptures
- Ishwara Pranidhana - Surrender to God's will
Asana - Steady posture
- Pranayama - Control of prana or life force
- Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses
- Dharana - Concentration
- Dhyana - Meditation
- Samadhi - Super-conscious state - contemplation
The Foundation
Just as building a foundation is an absolutely necessary phase to
building any structure, the most important aspect of the construction of the
spiritual edifice of raja yoga is constituted by the moral and ethical
practices called yamas and niyamas.
For the majority of aspirants, the main focus of their sadhana should be
the development of yama and niyama. More advanced practices such as meditation
should also be pursued, but one must understand that no substantial progress
will take place until the 10 practices of yama and niyama are tangibly
established.
1. The Five Yamas
It should be noted that all yamas should be practiced in the spirit and
by the letter. Furthermore they should be applied in deeds and words, as well
as thoughts. Perfection in any of them is for the very few but much progress
can be made in a given lifetime. Also they should each be practiced in relation
to each other. Sometimes they will seem to conflict and much soul searching
will be needed to know how to act righteously (according to dharma). Example:
telling the truth may harm people.
Ahimsa
Ahimsa, or non-injury, implies non-killing. But non-injury is not only
non-killing, it is much more than that. More comprehensively, ahimsa means
"entire abstinence from causing any pain or harm whatsoever to any living
creature, either by thought, word or deed. Non-injury needs a harmless mind,
mouth and hand. Ahimsa is not mere negative non-injuring. It is positive,
cosmic love."(Swami Sivananda, Bliss Divine)
Satya
Satya is truthfulness. It is more than just telling the truth. One's
actions should be in accordance with one's words and thoughts. God and man's
true Self are truth, and in order to tune in with that consciousness we need to
live truthfully at all times. Furthermore lying creates many thoughts in the
mind which go against the raja yoga objective of calming the mind.
Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya has two main meanings. In the broad sense it means control
of the senses or indriyas. More specifically it refers to celibacy or chastity.
Like all traditional spiritual traditions, yoga advocates restraining from
indulging in sensual gratification. One of the many reasons is that practicing
the higher limbs of ashtanga yoga - dharana, dhyana, samadhi - requires a
tremendous amount of energy or prana. This energy is built up through the
practices of yoga such as asanas, pranayama and japa but is dissipated during
sensual enjoyment. Of all the sensual activities, sex is the one that will be
the most depleting to the psychic and nervous system. Most people don't like to
hear this but, like the other yamas, everyone should practice brahmacharya to
the best of their ability. It is a fact that the more people gratify their
senses, the less energy they have and the less ability they have to meditate on
the absolute.
Asteya
Asteya is non-stealing. This one is pretty self-explanatory. However, it
is good to bear in mind that there are many subtle ways to appropriate what
does not belong to us. As for the other yamas, much self-analysis will be
necessary to catch the subtle lower tendencies of our mind.
Aparigraha
Aparigraha is non-covetousness. This involves being happy and content
with what we need and not always coveting unnecessary and luxury items. To
possess more than we need is a violation of this precept. Note that aparigraha
includes the notion of not accepting gifts that would bind us to the giver.
2. The Five Niyamas
Saucha
Saucha is purity. The deepest and most subtle aspect of Saucha is purity
of thoughts and feelings. But it also means cleanliness of the body, which for
hatha yogis includes the internal cleansing practices known as kriyas. A yogi
must also keep his surroundings (home, car, workplace, etc.) very tidy and
clean. Purity is the essence of the sattvo guna, of paramount importance to
meditate successfully.
Santosha
Santosha is contentment. This is the ability to recognize that although
it is important to try to better our environment and life situation through
proper effort, the world around you is never going to be perfect and absolutely
to our liking. Therefore the raja yogi should be happy with what he has and
endeavor to do the best he can with what he has got.
Tapas
Tapas is austerity. The luxury and comfort of our modern society, with
all its advantages, makes our mind soft and weak. To strengthen ourselves
physically and mentally we must practice austerities. The highest tapas is
meditation on God or the divine Self. Daily practice of yogic disciplines is
considered tapas. A very good practice is fasting.
Swadhyaya
Swadhyaya literally means study of the Self. The main practice is the
study of the yogic scriptures but it also includes japa (mantra repetition).
Not any yoga or spiritual book qualifies as proper material for swadhyaya. For
a vedantin the best scriptures are the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the
Brahma Sutras. There are also many other scriptures such as the Puranas, the
Ramayana, the Mahabharata, etc. Next come the books written by great mystics or
masters such as Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnu-devananda, or other saints from
all traditions. Also suitable are books written about these masters -
biographies.
Ishwarapranidhana
Ishwarapranidhana is surrender to God's will and devotion. All ethical
and moral precepts of yoga culminate here.
3. Asana
Keeping in mind that the objective of raja yoga is to calm the mind
down, this is only possible if one has control of the physical body. Body and
mind are intimately connected and if the body is agitated the mind will be
agitated as a result. In order to meditate successfully one must develop a very
steady posture. Furthermore the posture must be kept still for a long time and
therefore it needs to be extremely comfortable. When the meditator is not able
to control his mind, he is advised to practice the asanas of hatha yoga in
order to gain the needed mastery.
4. Pranayama
The raja yoga theory tells us that prana is animating the mind. Very
much like the wind creates the motion of the leaves, prana creates the motion
of the mind which gives rise to the vrittis. Air is the primary physical medium
of prana and breathing is our best method to gain control over the prana. To
meditate, the practitioner should calm his breath down until it is very shallow
and even. If this is not possible he should practice the different pranayamas
of hatha yoga.
5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the withdrawal of the senses from their objects. The
natural tendency of the senses is to go out towards the objects of the world.
In doing so they pull the mind out and away from the inner Self and create
powerful waves on the lake-mind. Therefore, the yogi must be able to pull the
senses within if he is to keep a balanced and peaceful mind.
The analogy given to us is that of the tortoise which, under perceived
danger, pulls in all its limbs and head.
6. Dharana
Concentration. One-pointedness. The meditator is fully focused on the
object of concentration, his mind as still as the flame of a lamp in a windless
room. When this state is maintained long enough, it will lead to dhyana.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana is translated as meditation. It is a natural flow of thought or consciousness between the meditator
and the object of meditation. It is a very joyous state and is compared to the
flow of oil from one vessel to the next. Very natural and effortless.
In dhyana there is still duality of consciousness which is the feeling
of separation between the meditator and the object of meditation. When
maintained long enough this state will lead to the highest rung of the ladder
of ashtanga yoga which is samadhi.
8. Samadhi
As described by Swami Sivananda this is "The state of consciousness
where Absoluteness is experienced attended with all-knowledge and joy; Oneness;
here the mind becomes identified with the object of meditation; the meditator
and the meditated, thinker and thought become one in perfect absorption of the
mind."
Much practice is necessary to attain this stage. Regular (daily
practice) of all these eight limbs is absolutely necessary.
