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 .
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 .
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