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Yoga :
योग
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Explore Asana, Pranayam,
Mudra, Bandha & Kriya
INDEX
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અનુક્રમણિકા
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Yoga (Sanskrit: योग), which literally means
'union' is a group of ancient Indian spiritual practices or
disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are thought to lead to
spiritual experience and profound understanding or insight into the
nature of existence. Major
Hindu texts discussing different aspects of yoga include the
Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the
Hatha
Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita.
However, the philosophies of yoga are universal. It is not confined to
any religion, nor does
not it require any specific belief system to participate.
Yogic techniques and practices are
aimed at integrating mind, body and soul and achieving a state of
enlightenment or oneness with the supreme truth. What is normally thought
of as yoga in the West is really Hatha Yoga, one of the many paths
of yoga. Different approaches
and techniques of yoga lead to the same goal of unification and
enlightenment or achievement of samadhi, a trance state
in which the separation between the yogi (performer), the practice of Yoga, and
the focus of concentration merge into one, a state of bliss.
Outside India, Yoga is mostly associated with the practice of asanas
(postures) as a form of exercise.
Yoga's history
can be traced back to over 5,000 years, but some researchers think
that it may be up to 10,000 years old. Due to its oral transmission of
sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings, it is
difficult to trace roots of Yoga. The early writings on yoga were
transcribed on fragile leaves (bhoj patra). The word yoga was
first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda. Yoga was slowly refined and
developed by the Brahmins and Rishis who documented
their practices and beliefs in the Upanishads.
Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras, the
first systematic presentation of yoga, were written some time in the second
century. Patanjali organized the practice of yoga into an
'eight limbed path' (astang Yoga) containing the steps and stages towards obtaining
Samadhi. Patanjali is considered the father of
yoga and his Yoga-Sutras still influence
modern yoga.
A few centuries after Patanjali, yoga masters created a system of
practices designed to rejuvenate the body and prolong life. They
rejected the teachings of the ancient Vedas and embraced the physical
body as the means to achieve enlightenment. They developed techniques to cleanse the body and mind to break
the knots that bind us to our physical existence. This exploration of
these physical-spiritual connections and body centered practices led
to the creation of yoga in the West: Hatha
Yoga.
Asana is defined as 'posture', its literal meaning is 'seat'.
Originally, the asanas served as stable postures for prolonged
meditation. More than just stretching, asanas open the energy
channels, chakras and psychic centers of the body. Asanas purify and
strengthen the body and control and focus the mind. Asana is one of
the eight limbs of classical Yoga, which states that asana should be
steady and comfortable, firm yet relaxed.
Pranayama is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force,
or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and āyāma, to lengthen or
extend. In Yogic language, it means control of the life force (prana) but
in popular terms it can be described as 'breath control'.
Bandhas are energy locks achieved by contracting or
constricting certain internal muscles of the body resulting in
reorientation of energy flow. These locks are used in various pranayama
and asana practices to tone, cleanse and energize the interior body and
organs. There are three bandhas - Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and
Jhalandara Bandha.
Mudras are
gesture or position, usually of the hands, that locks and guides
energy flow and reflexes to the brain. By curling, crossing, stretching
and touching the fingers and hands, we influence a certain part of the
mind or body.
Kriya are cleansing techniques for body.
Neti,
Dhuati,
Basti, Kapalbhati, Nauli and Trataka are popular shat-kriya (six
kriya).
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IMPORTANT NOTE
The purpose of this information is not to turn
readers into yoga masters, but rather impart basic knowledge of what
it mean, how it is performed and what are its benefits. It is highly
recommended to seek counsel and direct guidance of an experienced master
before performing these yogic exercises.
Readers are forewarned that if performed in
improper manner, yogic exercises create serious implications of mind
and body. When holding a yoga posture, make sure you can breathe
freely. Go to your edge in the
posture, holding where you feel a good stretch and/or your body
working, but don't feel pain, strain or fatigue.
Respect your body's limitations and inner
wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your healthcare practitioner before starting a yoga,
Pranayam or other exercise program. |
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