The practical aspect of yoga
Patanjali an authority on yoga gives a concise definition on yogasanas
"STHIRAM SUKHAM ASANAM"
that means the posture should be comfortable .In this context asanas are
practiced to develop the ability to sit comfortably in one position for
an extended period of time. When the body is steady and comfortable the
mind automatically becomes steady. The mind is connected with the body
or vice versa as it is called psychosomatic. If any thing happens in the
body then the mind is affected and any thing happens in the mind then
the body is affected. Mind is more dissipated than the body and since
they are psychosomatic therefore if we learn to sit steadily then the
mind also becomes still and when the mind is still then you can tame it
in accordance with your will. Asanas are designed to control the mind
through body and meditations are designed to control the body through
mind. If you can bring your mind, thoughts and emotion under control,
there is literally no limit to what you can do, since it is our own illusions
and pre conception that hold us back and prevent us from fulfilling ourselves.
Very often we think that the asanas are form of exercise. It is not true.
Actually asanas are techniques that keeps the physical body in position
that cultivates relaxation, concentration and meditation. Through the
asanas the pranic channels and internal organs stretched, massaged and
stimulated. By the way these asanas should be done as per the instruction
of a guru because some times if they are not done correctly they may create
problems. Although asanass are not exercise it is complimentary to exercise.
But before the difference in between the asanas and exercise can be understood
it is necessary to know about the later. Exercise imposes a beneficial
stress on the body. Without it the muscles waste, the bones become weak,
the capacity to absorbed oxygen decreases, insulin insensitivity can occur,
and ability to meet the physical demand of sudden activity is lost. There
are several differences in the way asana and exercise affect body mechanisms.
When yogasanas are performed respiration and metabolic rate slow down.
The consumption of oxygen and body temperature drops. During exercise,
however the breath and metabolism speed up oxygen consumption rises and
the body gets hot. Yoga postures tend to arrest catabolism where as exercise
promotes it. In addition asanas are designed to have specific effect on
the glands and internal organs and to alter electrochemical activity in
the nervous system. The yoga postures or the asanas exercise every part
of body. Any one who consumes with regular practice becomes aware of a
subtle change in their approach of life -For through persistently toning
and relaxing the body and stilling the mind, you begin to glimpse a state
of inner peace that is your true nature. It is then that constitute essence
of yoga this is self realization what we are all seeking.
To understand the nature of asanas you need to experience their effects
for yourself. Asanas are postures to be held, rather than exercise and
are performed slowly meditatively combined with deep abdominal breathing.
These gentle movements not only reawaken your awareness and control of
your body but also have a profound effect spiritually freeing you from
fears and helping to instill confidence and serenity. At the end of yoga
session you will find yourself, relaxed and full of energy quite unlike
after other forms of physical exercise which cause fatigue through exertion.
An asana can be performed in three stages 1.coming in to a pose 2.holding
it 3.come out of it. The real work of an asana is done while you hold
the position try keep still while you maintain the pose and breath slowly
and deeply, concentrating your mind. Once you are able to relax in a pose
you can adjust your position to achieve a greater stretch. Always release
your body from an asana with as much grace and control as you used to
come into it. At first it will be the physical experience of the asanas
that affects you very strongly. But as you continue progressing you will
grow more and more aware of the flow of prana,the vital energy and of
the importance of correct breathing. Pranayama the ultimate purpose of
both asanas and pranayama is to purify the nadis or nerve channels so
that prana can flow freely through them, and to prepare the body for the
raising of kundalini, the supreme cosmic energy that leads the yogi to
a state of god consciousness.
For most people yoga is simply a means of maintaining health and well
being in an increasing stressful society. Asana removes the physical discomfort
accumulated during a day at the office sitting in a chair hunched over
a desk. Relaxation techniques help maximize the effectiveness of ever
diminishing time in the age of mobile phone, computers, Internet etc,
24 hours shopping. Yoga practice makes a great personal and even business
sense. The principal of yoga provides a real tool to combat social malaise
at a time when the world seems to be at loss, rejecting past value with
out being able to establish the new ones. Again yoga has solutions to
all these problems.The hatha yoga can be divided in to few groups according
to the need of an individual.
Pawan Mukta Asana series
It has three parts
A. Anti rheumatic group,part
1
B. Digestive/abdominal group,part 2
C. Shakti Band group,part 3
Pawan means wind and can be understood by two things the intake (oxygen)
and output exhale or the gas, which is a very important part of life and
Pawan Mukta series is one of the most important series for understanding
the meaning of asanas by developing awareness of the bodies movements.
It is very useful as a preparatory practice as it opens up all the major
joints and relaxes the muscles of the body. Part 1 is useful for eliminating
energy blockages in the joints. Part 2 is concerned specifically with
strengthening the digestive system. It is excellent for those who are
suffering from indigestion constipation, acidity, excess wind or gas,
diabetes, disorders of the male or female reproductive system and varicose
veins etc. It also eliminates energy blockages in the abdominal area.
Part 3 improves the energy flow within the body and breaking down neuro
muscular knots, especially in the region where energy tends to stagnate
this series is very good for those who reduce vitality and a stuff back
and menstrual problem in women. These asanas also eliminate energy blockage
in the spine activate the lungs and heart and improve endocrine function.