Yoga is no more a hidden secret for us. Our great sages and yoga guru’s like “Patanjali” have provided us with enough information.
Now a days it is being used as a tool to improve mental well-being of various societies.
Yoga offers a custom and tailored made solutions for modern societies problems.
Being a certified Yoga Instructor, myself have experienced the miracles of yoga.
Types of yoga
- Vinyasa Yoga.
- Hatha Yoga. …
- Ashtanga Yoga. …
- Yin Yoga. …
- Iyenger Yoga. …
- Prenatal Yoga. …
- Aerial Yoga. …
- Hot Yoga.
The list is endless.
While practicing “Ashtanga Yoga” I realised that it’s so simple and easy to follow. By saying easy I mean that it was easy for me. As we all know the yoga is not limited to postures only. It incorporates various other dimensions. One can with practice explore these dimensions. But be careful before exploring because
- It requires guidance from a mentor
- Regular practice of your “Sadhna” is very crucial
- You should be able to connect with your mentor mentally.
- It’s a process which has to followed with correct steps.
- Anytime you feel discomfort you should immediately talk to your mentor.
‘Ashtanga Yoga’ means ‘eight limbed yoga,‘ and it is an authentic practice that can lead to liberation and greater awareness of our spiritual potential. The eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga can be described as eight disciplines.
ASTANGA YOGA :
1.1 Introduction about Yoga / Yoga Definition
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses
on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living. The
word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to Join’ or ‘to Yoke’ or ‘to unite’.
As per yogic scriptures the practice of yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness
with that of the universal consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and
body, man and nature. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a
manifestation of the same quantum firmament. One who experiences this oneness of
existence is said to be in yoga and is termed as a yogi, having attained to a state of freedom
referred to as ‘mukti’, ‘nirvana’ or moksha’. Thus the aim of yoga is self-realization, to
overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to ‘the state of liberation’ (Moksha) or ‘freedom’
(Kaivalya). Living with freedom in all walks of life, health and harmony shall be the main
objectives of yoga practice.
1.2 Introduction about Astanga Yoga
In Sanskrit “Ashta + anga” is ashtanga. “Ashta” means Eight and “Anga” is limbs so it means
Eight Limb path, Ashtanga yoga is based on Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali. The asanas,
Pranayamas or the dharana which we have studied earlier or the yam and niyam are based
on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Hence, we will acquaint ourselves with the fundamentals as
stated by Patanjali first.
Ashtanga Yoga is the eight-limbed path of conscious living and spiritual practice that guides
one towards Self-Knowledge, liberation and cessation of personal suffering. It is presented in
the Yoga Sutras which was compiled around 200 BCE by the great sage Patanjali.
1.3 The Eight Limbs are as follows:
1. Yama – Restraints
Ahimsa – non violence
Satya – truthfulness
Asteya – non stealing
Brahmacharya – sublimating sexual energy
Aparigraha – non greed
2. Niyama – Observances
Shaucha – purity within & without
Santosha – contentment
Tapas – discipline
Svadyaya – Self / scriptural study
Ishvarapranidana – surrender
3. Asana – Posture
4. Pranayama – Control of breath and prana
5. Pratyahara – Directing the senses inwards
6. Dharana – Concentration
7. Dhyana – Meditation
8. Samadhi – Unified consciousnessYogas
1.4 Chitta vritti nirodhah |
This means that yoga means controlling the thought waves of the mind. The thoughts,
feelings, emotions arising in the mind are vrittis (nature), which should be controlled. This is
called yoga. The broader perspective is expected and the word Chitta here means Individual
consciousness, which covers all states conscious, sub conscious and unconscious.
While trying to control the vrittis (thoughts, emotions, feelings), certain disturbances are
created which stop or divert the growth. Patanjali has addressed them as
“Antaray(Disturbances) creating chitta vikshepa”. These are described as under :
Vyadhistyan sanshay pramad alasya virati bhranti darshanalabdha bhoomi
katvanavsthitatvani chittavikshepasteantarayah |
1.5 Discus about Physical, Mental, Social & Spiritual Aspects:
Physical aspect – The important benefit of yoga is physical well being. The aging process,
which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self poisoning, can
be slowed down by practicing yoga. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated
we can significantly reduce the catabolic process of cell deterioration. To get the maximum
benefits of yoga one has to combine the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation.
Regular practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation can help such diverse ailments such as
diabetes, blood pressure, digestive disorders, arthritis, variocose veins and heart conditions.
Laboratory tests have proved the yogi’s increased abilitities of consciously controlling
autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure.
Research into the effect of yogic practices on HIV is currently under way with promising
results. According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance
created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems
and organs of the body. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very
essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed
state of living and harmony is relationships.
Mental aspect: Many people who practice yoga speak of freeing the mind from mental
disturbances ‘calming the spirit’ or ‘steadying the mind : Reduction of nervousness, irritability
and confusion, depression and mental fatigue and some of the benefits experienced. Yoga is
said to result in the reduction of a variety of mental ills. These may range all the way from
vague feelings of frustration, persecution, insecurity, on the one hand, to acute and specific
types of insanity, on the other. Yoga helps us to be relaxed and handle stressful situations
more easily. It teaches us how to quiet the mind so we can focus our energy where we want
to go into a difficult yoga pose. It always encourage positive thoughts and self-acceptance.
Social aspect: Yoga impresses upon discarding violence and corruption which are the
polluters of social life. Violence is intentional persecution whereas Ahimsa is its avoidance.
Ahimsa is not the repudiation of ‘otherness’ but it is the sacrifice of that persecution which
can be held valid in the presence of the other. Likewise truth being avoidance of deceit
through gullible words is execution of altruism through valid and secret words. Asteya in the
form of avoidance of others possession and Aparigraha in the form of no amassing of the
riches creates a social balance from economic point of view. Out of these, the former
indicates about the wrongs of consumption without producing anything and the latter
declares the hoarding, exploitation and artificiality created scarcity to create imbalance in the
social life is improper. Thus these principles educate us to ‘produce more and accumulate
less’ or ‘Maximum production and minimum profit’. Maitri, Karuna, Mriduta and Upeksha
which have been accepted in Patanjali’s yoga, can be implemented only in the social context
and these feelings gradually soften the behavior towards commonly hard, hit people,
progressive individuals and the enemies.
Spiritual aspect – Yoga builds awareness of our body, feelings, the world around us, the
needs of others. It promotes an interdependence between mind, body and spirit. Apart
physical and psychological benefits of yoga the major impact of yoga on the spiritual energy,
self consciousness and mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to focusing our attention on what we
are experiencing in the present movement without judging ourself. The scientist has found
that by regular practicing of Dhyana many parts of brain got activated and release the
neurotransmitters enzymes which increases mindfulness and mind awareness.
1.6 Conclusion:
Yoga is a subject which can be looked at intellectually and some useful and beneficial ideas
imbibed. Yoga can be imbibed by adopting certain attitudes which alter the nature of the
samskaras. Yoga can be imbibed by living in an ashram environment and trying to be aware
of the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions at the same time. Yoga can be learnt in a
classroom environment as science, as psychology, as an applied subject, with the aim of
providing new understanding and insight into the life process, into areas where karmas are
performed, into areas which shape the inner being in terms of awareness, inner development,
the experience of harmony or balance, eventually culminating in the experience of samadhi
and the fullness of wisdom, prajna.
A state of yoga can be attained when wisdom is established. This has been the vision of the
seers who brought forth Satyananda yoga. This yoga is presented in the form of a lifestyle,
understanding and attitude. It is presented as an integral part of the day-to-day activities, of
understanding one’s dharma and kartavya, obligations and responsibilities, and trying to see the whole world as one slowly evolving and unfolding unit.