Saturday, May 26, 2007

6-What is Hatha Yoga ?

Raja Yoga is the scientific psychological approach focusing on concentration and meditation . Hatha Yoga , is actually an aspect of Raja Yoga .It starts with the physical body and goes on to work with the energies of the astral body .The main components of Hatha Yoga are :1) Asanas ( Yogic Postures ) 2) Pranayama ( Yogic Breathing Exercises ) and 3) Kriyas ( Yogic Cleansing exercises ) .

In modern world, Yoga practice means mostly Hatha Yoga practice as everyone involved in Yoga are usually practicing Asanas and Pranayama .Hatha Yoga acts as a base for Raja Yoga and Raja Yoga acts as a base for Jnana Yoga .So the spiritual journey actually starts with Hatha Yoga and this is the following route :

Hatha Yoga leads to Raja Yoga leads to Jnana Yoga .

Friday, May 25, 2007

5-The Eight steps of Yoga

We saw last message that the science of Yoga had been codified into 196 sutras or short verses by Maharishi Patanjali in his work “Ashatnga Yoga or Patanjali Yoga “ .Maharishi Patanjali has divided the entire science of yoga in to 8 steps . They are :1) Yama ( External discipline ) 2) Niyama ( Internal Discipline )3) Asana ( Postures ) 4) Pranayama ( Breathing Exercies ) 5 ) Prathyahara ( Withdrawing the senses from outside ) 6 ) Dharana ( Concentration ) 7) Dhyana ( Meditation ) and 8) Samadhi ( Super conscious state )

These 8 steps are Universal and are applicable to every individual at any place and time .No matter which country / race / caste / language or religious beliefs a person belongs to he/she have to go through these 8 steps to progress on the spiritual path .This Universality of Yoga Sutras is what has made the Science of Yoga the most popular and respected science the world over .

Friday, May 18, 2007

4-Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is also called as Ashtanga Yoga / Patanjali Yoga . It is an 8 step process for preparing the body and mind for higher spiritual quest ( i.e Jnana Yoga ) . The entire science of Raja Yoga has been codified and systematized by Maharishi Patanjali 2000 years back in his work “ Raja Yoga Sutras “ also called as “Patanjali Yoga Sutras “ . All the instructions here are in the form of short verses called “Sutras” . The entire work consist of 196 Sutras divided in to 4 Chapters .Each Chapter is called a “Pada” and the 4 Padas are 1) Samadhi Pada 2) Sadhana Pada 3) Vibuthi Pada and 4) Kaivalya Pada . Maharishi Patanjali has wonderfully systematized these 196 sutras in an 8 step process called as “Ashtanga Yoga “ ( Ashta means eight ) . Each of these eight steps fits in wonderfully in to the other and are inter-related . Just like we have tools to measure any parameter these 8 steps offer and excellent tool to the Yoga practitioner as to where he stands in the spiritual journey .These steps are so scientific and universal that none can bypass the same and have to follow the same route . This universality of Yoga Sutras is what has made Yoga a very popular science world over and everybody looks to Maharaishi Patanjali’s sutras for their spiritual inspiration . Now what are these 8 steps ? We will look at it in the next message .

Thursday, May 17, 2007

3-The Five Basic Principles

By closely observing the lifestyles and needs of people in the West, Swami Vishnu-devananda ( founder Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre ) condensed the ancient wisdom of yoga into five basic principles ,which he felt could be easily incorporated into Westerner's living patterns to improve the quality of life .The five principles are 1) Proper Exercise 2) Proper Breathing 3) Proper Relaxation 4) Proper Diet 5) Positive Thinking and Meditation .All the teachings and activities of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre world over are based upon these Five Basic Principles of Swami Vishnu devananda .
They are explained below :

1) Proper Exercise - Asanas
In Yoga , the physical exercises , called asanas , are non-violent and provide a gentle stretching that acts to lubricate the joints , muscles , ligaments ,tendons , and other parts of the body .Asanas help to tone the nervous system , improve circulation , release tension , and increase flexibility .When performed in a slow and relaxed manner , they are designed to develop more than just the physical body .They also broaden the mental faculties and enhance the spiritual capabilities

2) Proper Breathing - Pranayama

Deep breathing helps to cleanse and nourish the physical body .As you inhale fully , you are supplying an abundance of oxygen , an element that is essential to every cell in the body .As you exhale the waste products are expelled .Breathing also helps to connect the body to its battery , the Solar Plexus , where tremendous potential energy is stored .When tapped through specific Yogic breathing techniques ( pranayama ) , this vital energy , or prana , is released for physical and mental rejuvenation .

3) Proper Relaxation - Savasan

When the body and mind are continually overworked and stressed ,their natural efficiency diminishes .Rest and relaxation are Nature’s ways of giving the body a chance to recharge .Like the radiator of a car , they cool down the system . Although relaxation is usually perceived as a mere physical condition , it actually has roots that extend in to the Astral ( Energy ) Body , and even more deeply in to the Casual ( Seed ) Body . This is why attempts to relax only the physical body with alcohol or drugs do not succeed . Proper complete relaxation comes only when the body , mind , and spirit are all at ease .This is possible through the Yogic relaxation - savasan .


4) Proper Diet - Vegetarian Diet

A meat-free diet enables the body to obtain the maximum benefit from food , air , water , and sunlight .The Yogic diet consists of foods that are pure , simple , wholesome natural vegetarian diet that are easily digestible and contains the fewest additives .Yogic diet takes in to account the subtle effect the food has on the mind and on the Astral ( Energy ) body .Followers of a Yogic diet find themselves attaining a high standard of health , a keen intellect , and serenity of mind .


5) Positive Thinking ( Vedanta ) and Meditation ( Dhyana )

To the Yogis , the term "Positive Thinking " refers to the ability to understand and live in accordance with Vedanta , one of the six main schools of Indian philosophy . The main teachings of Vedanta are to be found in ancient scriptures known as the Upanishads , meaning the "highest knowledge " .

Meditation is a state of consciousness that can be understood only on a direct , intuitive level .Ordinary experiences are limited by time , space , and the laws of causality , but the meditative state transcends all boundaries .When you meditate , past and future cease to exist .There is only the consciousness of I AM in the infinite , eternal ,NOW .

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

2-Why practice Yoga today ?

The vast technological progress that has been made in recent decades has resulted in the pace of our lives becoming tremendously fast .Stress relief is therefore the number one reason for the practice of yoga today .The simplicity of practicing yoga on a small mat on the floor offers an all-too-welcome contrast to the complexity of modern life , gradually allowing the body and mind to regain their balance .While many people are initially drawn to yoga to combat stress , to keep their bodies fit and flexible , or to seek relief from a specific complaint ,such as backache , many also end up experiencing subtle changes in their approach to life as they begin to understand the inner peace that is their true nature .
For beginners , the benefit of yoga are mostly felt as mechanical changes in joints and muscles ,increased blood circulation ,temperature changes and improved control of the nervous system through regulated breathing .According to yogic teachings , all of these are really changes in Prana currents ( shifts in the vital life energy that runs through every life form ), which , as practitioners become more rooted and sensitive in the exercises ,they will start to experience on a mental level as well as a physical one .Understanding and controlling Prana - the subtle energy in all life forms - is viewed as the key to healthy body-mind balance .