What is Yoga…??

Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. It is an exact science which aims at the harmonious development of the body, mind, and soul. Yoga is the discipline of the mind, senses and physical body which helps in the coordination and control of the subtle forces within the body. It brings peace and everlasting happiness.

Almost every corner of the world is now familiar with the world yoga. Though it has gained a lot of popularity, there are still many misconceptions remaining about yoga amongst the people. Basically, the yoga is getting popularity as an alternative means for a good health these days. As a result, only Asanas, Pranayamas and Meditation techniques are being popularized in the name of yoga as these are the therapeutic tools of yoga. Even to get a good health and to sustain a good health the proper understanding of the philosophy of yoga is important.

Generally, yoga is explained as a way of living. It is true but only when we are concerned about health. But yoga is not limited only to health aspect of life. It basically deals with our existence. Yoga is the answer for all the questions we get about our existence. It answers the fundamental questions of our life – what? Why? How? When? Every human being on the earth irrespective of cultural and religious background faces these fundamental questions as it is the basic nature of human being. So when these basic confusions or doubts get cleared one comes to know the reality of life, the reality of oneself, reality of existence. Then the person will lead a happy and satisfied life. And this is nothing but the purpose of yoga.

It is important to know that yoga is not a goal to achieve. Rather it’s a medium to achieve the goal. Thus a practitioner should keep it mind that gaining mastery over any asana (posture) doesn’t make him a yogi. The spiritual awareness brought through the practice of asanas can make him a yogi. The point is one should not consider the parts or stages of yoga themselves as goals to achieve. They are just the stages of yoga one by one which leads to the ultimate goal of human life i.e. moksha (salvation).

So it important to know what actually yoga is? What actually yoga says? What are the different traditions of yoga? What is moksha? What are the ways yoga explains for moksha? Which is further explained here in detail.

• meaning and definition of yoga

Pranayama is the technique of dealing with prana – the breath. Before moving to any of the pranayama techniques, let us first understand what prana is.

Prana is the total energy present in the universe. It is this prana that we and everything in the universe is composed of. It is the primary force and energy. which is responsible for keeping us alive. It is this prana by which we breathe and by which the circulation of blood goes on. it is the energy in the nerves and in the muscles; and the thought in the brain.

Our mind is like the ocean in which a wave rises, but even though the man notices the wave, he does not know how this wave came there.In the similar manner, in our human body, the actions of our hands, eyes, legs, can be easily perceived. The cause of these movements are the movements of the fine nerves which we cannot touch or see. These nerves movement, again, is a cause of still finer movements- our thoughts. And these thoughts are connected with breathing, as if we can get hold of this breathing and manipulate and control it, we will slowly get to know the finest movements into the realms of our mind.

Pranayama  is the path which leads us towards these finest movements and thus help us control our mind. The thought, much before rising, can be traced and controlled by us through pranayama; thus connecting us to our true inner selves.

The word pranayama means the ability to expand our life force by controlling the breath. There are various ways and positions to practice pranayama. All these ways include different types of breathing techniques. Pranayama, when practiced along with meditation can cure almost all ailments. This combination of pranayama and meditation can heal some of the very serious problems treatment of which is nowhere. This beautiful combination has proven to be very successful in curing eye problems, serious skin diseases, circulation issues, stress, anxiety, snoring and even diabetes.

Many of the times we get confused that breathing is something that we do daily, that too on a regular basis. Then why pranayama???? At this point, I would say that pranayama is slow, deep breathing, in a rhythm. The breathing that we do normally is not in a rhythm and is non harmonic. It is in pranayama that it gets a harmonic and it is then, we get connected to our inner selves.

In order to practice pranayama, sit down in padmasana, or if new to this practice, ardhapadmasana. Close your eyes. Place your hands on your knees or at your naval, whichever is comfortable for you. Take a deep breath in; hold it for some seconds till you are comfortable. Then release it slowly; and as you practice, feel the breath as it moves into and out of your body. With practice, try to hold the breath for as long as you can, comfortably. To practice Bhastrika, take the same position. The only variation is that the breath that you inhale and exhale, is of equal duration.

As best said, “Face is the index of mind and eyes are the windows of soul”. With pranayama, eyesight is improved dramatically as it induces relaxation in the brain. Pranayama, when combined with a few eye exercises, does wonders to the eyes. Cataract and glaucoma and even color blindness can be treated with pranayama. Pranayama with kapalbhati and meditation helps reduce stress in the eyes, thus curing dark circles around the eyes.

One of the major issues faced by people these days is the circulation problem. You will be glad to know that varying blood pressures, the root cause of all heart related problems, has its cure in Yoga. The anulom-vilom pranayama cures it within a maximum period of 3-4 months. To practice anulom-vilom pranayama, sit in padmasana and rest your hands on your knees. Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale slowly and deeply through left nostril to full your lungs. Then holding your breath, close your left nostril with your middle and index fingers of the same hand. Exhale through the right nostril slowly, emptying the lungs completely. Repeat this pranayama  to as many times as you can do comfortably. Practicing this pranayama  daily gives significant results in a period of 3-4 months only. All you need is to be patient and consistent. As that is the key.

While breathing in pranayama, instead of keeping a count, you can chant ‘Om’. The vibrations produced in the pronunciation of Om, calms and relaxes the mind. Om is considered as the basic sound of universe; so by chanting it we acknowledge our connection to every living thing in the universe. The meaning of Omis characterized by creation, preservation and liberation. It has been shown in a study by Dr. Alan Watkins (senior lecturer in Neuroscience at Imperial College London) , that even  listening to chants normalizes adrenalin levels, brain wave patterns  and lower cholesterol levels. Using chants in your daily Yogaroutines can also help loose weight significantly.

On 21^st June, The International yoga day was celebrated worldwide. And it makes India proud because the origin place of yoga is India.

But still many people thinks yoga is just a physical exercise, and many people do yoga for physical fitness, but yoga beneficial in both physically and mentally.People have different- different views regarding yoga. But in our view yoga or Yog is not just a physical exercise, it’s a simple way of living healthy life, it is a lifestyle. The meaning of the word Yog is “to add”, “to meet”.

• To Add: – I use the word “To add” for the meaning of yog, because by doing yoga good health is added to our body, Positive thoughts is added to our mind.

• To meet:- By the help of yog or yoga we gain the capability to know ourselves very well (self -actualization). It is the best way for Inlightment and for Moksha also, Moksha is the last stage of yog, In Today’s world’s its very tough to meet the state of Moksha.

The word yoga is made from the Sanskrit word “Yujir yogey”, which means to yoke,join, or Unite. Meaning of the word yoga in Hindusim, Buddhism, and Jainism is spiritual discipline. The historical background of yoga is very ancient, in sindhu ghati, and Haddapa sanskriti  many evidences were fond regarding yoga.

Maharishi Patanjali is known as the father of yoga, he compiled his thoughts and all knowledge regarding yog  into his comprehensive work in the book “Patanjali yog sutras”. In this book He wrotes everything about yoga, in simple words.

Yoga has Eight parts, it is follow:

1. Yam

2. Niyam

3. Asana

4. Pranayama

5. Prtyahaar

6. Dharna

7. Dhyan (Meditation)

8. Samadhi

These eight parts is known as Ashtanga yog.

• Yam: – It includes moral codes, lovable and discipline behavior to the society. Non- violence, non-stealing, truth, no lust and non possessiveness are the moral principles of social behavior.

• Niyama: – In this self-purification and study of scriptures is take place. Self purification means inner discipline which includes purity, contentment, austerity and awareness of the divine.

• Asan: – Doing different body postures.

• Pranayaam: – Control of breathing. Prana is the energy which is present everywhere, by which we can breathing.

• Pratyahaar: – Control and take over the human senses (Eyes, nose, ear, Tongue, skin are called senses or Indriyas in term of yog). This occurs by meditation, practicing yoga (doing different body posture) and breathing exercises.

• Dharna: – focusing or concentrating on a particular object or point to keep the mind free of distraction.

• Dhyan: – Doing meditation in an order to gain a state of heightened awareness.

• Samadhi: – This is the last and higher state of being or bliss in which the ego ceases to exist and the true, pure nature of an individual emerges.

Yoga has many branches, Hath yoga, Karm yoga, Raj yoga, Bhakti yoga, Iyengar yoga, Bikram yoga e.t.c.

World is like a big ocean of sorrow and problems, and yog is like a boat by which we can cross the ocean of sorrow and problems. Today’s world is a world of technology, every Men-Women wants to be successful in their life, for this they continuously work hard, even late night.Now a days people totally ignore the rule of nature. Nature and yoga said  “Early to bed early to rise makes a person healthy and wise”, this is simple lines and the most important and the basic rule of nature.

For becoming successful and well known person people working hardly and ignore their physical health and mental health, they are running and running, by this they totally exhausted by their mind, frustration, tension, depression and smoking habbits is automatically added to him.This is totally opposite to the nature.

if we follow the basic and important rule of Nature and yoga and change our lifestyle and habbit also then tension, depression e.t.c. is automatically kicked out from our mind, and we feel more relax. If we really want to become excellent in our work then read this slok carefully: –

Buddhiyukto jahatiha ubhe sukritadushkrite l
Tasmadyogaya yujyaswa yogah karmasu kaushalam ll 2/50ll

This slok is taken form Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, from chapter 2 verse 50. In this, Lord Krishna talks to Arjuna about “yogah karmasu kaushalam” (yoga is excellence at work).

• This islok or Verse advices us to perform our work or duty in an excellent manner.
• The word Kaushalam signifies doing work with devotion and without becoming workaholic.
• Such type of detached attitude boosts its values and improves the concentration and skill of the worker.
• If we work with patience, elegance and with skill our Body-Mind-soul will co-operate with our hands.
• By becoming a tool in the hands of Supreme one has to perform the work.
• Any kind of work becomes more valuable if carried out with full concentration, dedication, capabilities and abilities and also helps us to become valuable to others as well as to society.
• We should never worry about the Fruit of action.

By implementing above words we find excellence in our work, and we are always happy for doing work without the thought of what we earn from this. But Now ga days incentives, bonus is motivating for doing work.

The Ultimate Goal of yoga

Doing or imitating the yoga posture for physical fitness is not only the goal of yoga; What I think, the real Goal of yog is teach the people- how can we live our life simply and healthy with joy and happiness.

For living simple, peaceful, happy and healthy life, we have to keep our Body-Mind-Soul relax and healthy. How this can is possible? My answer for this question is one and only Yoga or yog. If we include Yog in our lifestyle then this can happen easily. Yoga helps one attain the absolute knowledge of the difference between the spiritual which is timeless, unchanging, and free of sorrows, and the material which is not. This and this alone can guarantee peace. For living tension free and healthy life with joy and peace then follow and include yoga in your habbit.

Now a days every people have a hectic schedule, they even have a single minute for relaxing. I will tell some simple tips for those people who are busy and not a spare time for yoga.

1. First of all try to change your habbits, wake up early in the morning and drink 4-5 glass of water, slowly- slowly try to increases the glass of water. This is the first thing you have to do after wake up. If you are not able to wake up early in the morning around 5”O clock, then try to wake up 5 minute earlier before your daily wake up time. Slowly – slowly change 5 minute into ten minutes.
2. If you feel like vomiting after drinking water, not to worry about this, just go to bathroom and vomit. Vomiting is useful because undigested food particles come out through vomiting.
3. After that Do Asans like suryanamaskar, Tadasan, Trikonasan e.t.c.

4. In the beginning or early stage (when you are trying to start yoga) do Asan for five minutes and five minutes pranayaam also. In pranayaam you can try Anulom- vilom, kapalbhati, Udgeet (chanting the word Om). And try to do Meditation after pranayaam atleast 3 minutes.
5. Try to avoid fast food, in breakfast take fruits daily, and dry fruits also.(Almonds, nuts)
6. If you are in an office, then take 3 or 5 minutes break in every 1 hr, in this 3 or minutes just close your eyes and thinking about the funniest and happiest moment of your life, after that splash your eyes with water and get back to your work.
7. Again after one hour just close your eyes and move your neck in clock wise and Anticlock wise for few minutes, than rotate your wrist same as neck, repeat these steps with your foot also. You can do this on your working office chair. Friends these simple steps can change your life, and you never bore in doing your work.

Note: – Do yog Asans and Prayanam under a specialist person.

we are trying to make your life happy by these simplest steps, please try these rules and steps daily. And remember one thing “early to bed early to rise make a person healthy and wise”. Add love, discipline to your life, enjoy the every single moment of life. Give Respect to your elders. Remember one thing Almighty gave you only one chance to survive. If you are waste your life in hate others, adoptating bad habbits, then this is your fault. Live your life with confidently and smartly by doing yoga. Don’t take yoga as only the Physical exercise, atleast try once, it’s not costs you not harm you. It does only make your life healthy and peacefull.