YOGA FOR JOY-LIVING
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a divine education to realize our own self “Athmasaksthkara” in all 64 main divine related Arts which is given in Vedas. It gives us a knowledge of who we are, Where we come from, where we are going and what is our real goal of life. This knowledge is taught by Rishi to gain physical, mental, spiritual well being and to attain complete health happiness and peace of mind through God realization. Yoga was taught by Lord Shiva (Adhinatha )to his wife Parvathi and later it came to Mathsendranatha and other yogis like Patanjali. It was the system called Astanga yoga comprising of Yama ,Niyama,Asana ,Pranayama,Prathyahara ,Dharana ,Dhyana ,Samadhi. Communication with God brings eternal Bliss and light in life. Yoga is a system of integral education of the body, mind and spirit.
What is Meditation?
The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best of conditions.If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we will experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually, we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Sun Salutaion
Sun salutation or Surya Namaskar limbers up the whole body in preparation for the asanas.It is a graceful practice of twelve positions performed as one continuous exercise. Each position counteracts the one before, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing. Practiced daily, it will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints and trim your waist. You will always be energetic. Do 6 to 12 rounds to get the great benefits.
YOGASANAS
According to yoga sastra, there are number of postures which are taken by living creatures in this universe. In this universe, there are 84 of creatures and that many number asanas according to the bodies sitting and standing in different modes. Out of this 84, 34 are the best ones. Out of 34 have been found very useful for mankind.Asanas can be divided into two divisions. Meditative pose and poses for health and strength of the body. Meditative poses are Padmasana,Siddhasana,Svastikasana and Sukhasana.
WHO CAN PRACTICE ASANA?
After the age of ten or twelve one can practice up to any age limit. Ladies also should practice asanas.If ladies practice a course of asanas systematically with interest and attention, they will have wonderful health and vitality. If mothers are healthy and strong, children also will be healthy and strong. Regeneration of the young ladies means the regeneration of the whole world.
THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF YOGIC EXERCISE
Asanas keep the muscles supple & the spine elastic, develop mental faculties and improve lung capacity. It also strengthen the internal organs and bestows longevity. The blood is charged with abundant oxygen, the accumulation of venous blood is stopped. Body will be filled with abundant energy. The Brain centers and the spinal cord are strengthened and renovated. Memory is improved. Intellect is sharpened and intuition is developed. Remove diseases and makes the body light, firm steady.
Sirsana(Head stand) is useful in foggy brain. It bestoves brain-power and develops the intellect and memory. It helps the storage of Ojas-sakti in the brain. It is useful in maintaining Brahmacharya. It cures many diseases. It improves eyesight and hearing capacity through extra circulation of blood in the brain box.
Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) develops the thyroid gland, strengthens the lungs, heart and makes the spine elastic. Increased vitality prevents old age. It also gives elasticity to the spine, revitalizes and rejuvenate the entire system. The pituitary glands are also toned and energized.
You will always look young and beautiful. Hence it is named as sarvanagasana.
Matsyasana (Fish Pose): is good for the development of the lungs, the brain ,eyes, tooth. It also strengthens the upper part of the spine. Asthma and breathing problems can be cured by this asana.
Paschimottana (Forward bend) Mayura Asana increases the digestive fire and improves digestion.This asana reduce the belly and is ideal for waist reduction & weight loss.
Bhujangasana,Salabhasana & Dhanurasana increase the peristaltic movement of the bowels, removes constipation and cures the diseases of the abdomen. Rolling from side to side in Dhanurasana gives a very good abdominal massage.
Agnisara Kriya, Uddiyana Bandha and Mayurasana also help in digestion and improve appetite. Ardhamatsyendrasana is good for the liver and the spleen.
Tadasana, Trikonasana,Garudasana increase the height of the body.
Savasana relaxes the body and the mind and gives perfect poise and rest.
You are not practicing asanas and pranayama for developing muscles.Muscles do not mean health.The healthy and harmonious functioning of the endocrine glands, the internal viscera, the nervous system and the mind is what you need and what the regular practice of Yoga Asanas and Pranayama will bestow upon you –Swami Sivananda.