YOGA---A treasure of health.

                                      YOGA---A Treasure of Health.

It is my pleasure to write articles on yoga and healthy living.It is my sincere attempt to help at least few people to  gain benefit out of yoga and some tips on health.Prevention is better than cure.If we are cautious about our health from the beginning,we can prevent many diseases.Disease means "dis--ease",.the body is in discomfort..

The ancient Indian sages had given a tremendous treasure of knowledge,"YOGA".Yoga is a science of right living,which enables the physical,emotional,mental,psychic and spiritual well being of a person practicing it.It emphasizes the relationship of body mind and breath .Yoga brings stability to the body and wavering mind. Its positive effects on the health and mind are visible over time, if one practices it regularly. It is a medication without the actual use of medicines.

The science of yoga was originated  in India  thousands of years ago.Several thousand years ago, on the banks of the lake Kantisarover,in the Himalayas,Adiyogi.conveyed this profound knowledge to the Saptarishis or " seven sages" .The sages carried this powerful yogic knowledge to different parts of the world including Asia,the Middle East,North Africa and the South America.,.There is mention about yoga in  Rigveda, one of the sacred  texts of Hinduism.Later sage} PATANJALI codified all the yogic practices and techniques in to a treatise "Patanjali Yogasastra'.

The word, Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "union'. Union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness  Yoga is a path towards total harmony of body mind and spirit.It integrates body ,mind and spirit to achieve a state of enlightenment or oneness with the universe.

Yoga is wrongly interpreted as physical exercises or postures ,by some people.It is not confined to physical exercises only.It comprises of eight stages known as" Astanga yoga"They are ===

1.  Yama [social discipline]         : It  contains 5 moral practices ---

                                                                                                          

               1.Non violence      [Ahimsa   ]                                                                                            

               2.Truthfulness       [Satya      ]                                                                                           

               3.Non stealing       [Asteya    ]                                                                                           

               4.Celibacy             [Brahmacharya]                                                                                                            5.Non acquisitiveness [Aparigraha]               

         

Non violence is not to hurt any creature physically or mentally,Truthfulness is not to lie or presentation of truth,Non stealing is not to covet other's possessions,Celibacy is moderation in sex between married couples and Non acquisitiveness is abandoning wealth and sensual pleasures.

2. Niyama [individual discipline]  It  consists of  5 rules of conduct-

                                                                                                              

                1.Cleanliness  [Shaucha   ]                                                                                          

                2.Contentment[Santosha  ]                                                                                             

                3.Austerity      [Tapas       ]                                                                                           

                4.Self-study     [Sadhyaya ]                                                                                               

                5.Surrender

                    to God         [Iswar pranidhana]                                                                                                                         

   Cleanliness is internal and external purification of the body and mind,Contentment is a state of mind by which one lives happily and satisfied,Austerity is penance to conquest all desires and sensual pleasures,Self study is introspection of self and Surrender to God is pure devotion to God.  

  

3.Asana   [postures]  Asanas are the postures of the body to bring stability and flexibility to the body and poise to the mind. 

4.Pranayama [breath control] Pranayama is regulating breathing to stimulate and harmonize the vital energy of the body.It also purifies and calms the mind. 

5.Pratyahara [discipline of the senses] Pratyahara is drawing the senses inwards from the worldly objects to wards the source of existence.In other words putting the senses under restraint. 

6.Dharana [concentration] Dharana is practicing concentration of mind. 

7.Dhyana  [meditation]     Dhyana is meditation.It is deep concentration on the inner source of existence. 

8.Samadhi [self-realization ] Samadhi is the final stage of yoga where one's identity merges with the Divine or ultimate reality.It is achieved through deep meditation.

But unfortunately today yoga and physical exercises are the two terms used interchangeably. Yoga is very often mistook for physical exercises or postures.Actually ,this part of yoga called" Asanas " are a set of body postures designed in a scientific way to help achieve sound health.

In my next article I will discuss few of these 'asanas' to improve overall health.

Oom......... Asathoma Sadgamaya
Tamasoma Jyothirgamaya
Mrutyorma Amrutangamaya

Om.... Shanthi......... Shanthi.......... Shanthi hi......

Meaning of the above Shloka -

Lead me from Untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, (from ignorance to enlightenment), from Mortality to Immortality, Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                         

"