Comfort In Style Magazine by Yogacara » Spiritual yoga

UNDERSTANDING YOGA: Part 01

svetlana — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:50:27 +0000

What makes us different from other species that exist in parallel to us is that we possess the ability to answer questions related to us and our surroundings. But this intelligence has somehow stopped us from thinking that to get the right answers, the right questions need to be asked. Today many people can answer how yoga is beneficial for the body. But interestingly most of cannot answer what yoga truly is. Ok! Lets us begin with a small set of questions:

Where did yoga come from?
What is the meaning of the word yoga?
Which is the text that deals with the earliest elements of yoga?
Which language is the text written in?
How old do you think is yoga as a practice?

Well if you do not know the answers to the above questions then think a little!! are you among the thousands people who pack their bags, roll up their mats and practice yoga every day all across the globe just because it in vogue or because a lot of celebs do it?.Question yourself. Is it possible to bake a delicious cake without knowing the ingredients that go into making it? Is it possible to read this article if you do not know the language. Much in the same way it is important to understand the elements which combine to form this beautiful art called YOGA .The true essence of yoga lies in understanding and absorbing it mentally and spiritually. To categorize yoga as just a physical practice is a crime against the beautiful art. The reason for this line of thought is the various mutants of yoga that have cropped up in the recent years. One does not mean that forms like hip-hop Yoga or power yoga are in any way bad but if one does not understand the history purpose and aims of yoga in its simples and generic form then it is impossible to reap the benefits of the new and contemporary forms of it. To begin with one needs to know what yoga is. It is not just a medium to remain physically active or fit. Yoga should be perhaps seen as a key to unlock a world where physical health and mental tranquility are not mere dreams. It is generally believed that the birth and practice of rudimentary forms of yoga predates recorded history but the Indian text which is considered to be the source of this elixir is sage Patanjali’s YOGA SUTRAS believed to have been composed and compiled in 2^nd century BC. The work is divided into 4 Sections, called Padas in Sanskrit, which are as follows:

Samadhi pada: – this section is composed of 51 sub sections called Sutras. This section outlines the problems a person faces in life in the form of evils deeds, material enticements and other worldly desires. It focuses on ways to harness the inherent energies to be able to understand the next section.
Sadhana pada: – this section which is composed of 55 sutras deals with the dynamics of the obstacles mentioned in the first section. It identifies individual problems that do not allow one to reach the final stage and aim of yoga which isUNION.
Vibhuti pada: – this section of the text arrays around the reader the results of constant yoga practice. Vibhuti is a Sanskrit word which means “manifestation or residue”. Composed of 56 sub sections this section delineates the forms in which a person strives towards the ultimate union after practicing yoga.
Kaivalya pada: – this section is composed of 34 sub sections and deals with the ultimate goal of Yoga i.e. detachment. By detachment one does not refer to moral or emotional detachment but trying to free oneself from the pain that one feels after looking or experiencing the inevitable cycle of death birth and rebirth.

So it becomes very critical to know the secrets behind an art that we are following. What is being done in the world today is just a part of the entire process of yoga called “asana” which means positions. One should note that to understand yoga to its minutest details one should try to understand the elementary words of Sanskrit because the translation of a work to another language always results in a residual loss of essence which can make all the difference in understanding and adapting the work to the fullest. For more information about Yoga and its understanding watch out the same space. You will not have to search the internet or read inscriptions for the same. We will deliver everything to you. From the right yogic positions to the anecdotes which make yoga not only fun to do but great fun to read too!!

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Photo credits: asterix611 ( www.flickr.com)

Yoga: The Path to Enlightenment (Part-2)

noreen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Practice The 8 Limbs of Yoga to Spiritual Fulfillment

As we saw in our previous Post (Yoga: The Path to Enlightenment Part- 1) Yoga, is life changing way to spiritual consciousness and the greater unknown. The Path of Enlightenment through Yoga is not a difficult one but requires dedication, openness to change and continuous practice.

The path to enlightenment according to Patanjali, the sage of yoga, involves the practice of 8 steps also known as the 8 limbs of Yoga. These 8 steps are not mere temporary rituals but a complete lifestyle and if followed, leads to a person’s personal development that in time will achieve the harmony of the mind, the body and the spirit which leads to Samadhi or Enlightenment.

Here’s a closer look at the 8 Limbs of Yoga leading up to Samadhi/Enlightenment.

1. Yamas – (Moral behavior towards others). Yama comes from the root word ‘yam’ ‘to hold’ or ‘to rule’. Yamas represent behaviors that ‘control’ certain negative tendencies enhance our own our fundamental nature when it comes to compassion, generosity, honest and peace. Necessary to change one’s attitude towards others and the world around them for harmonious living. Yamas serve as guidelines to moral behavior towards others. They include -

Ahimsa (Non-violence): Ahimsa involves not causing any sort of harm to creatures or any person. It includes not having harmful thoughts towards others too. More than just the lack of violence, Ahimsa teaches us to practice acts of kindness and compassion for the world around you.
Satya (Truthfulness): Satya is the Moral code for honesty. While satya means “to speak the truth” is can entail a negative consequence for another person and since this conflicts with the Yama – Ahimsa, it is best not to say anything. Constant vigilance of what one says, how it is said and the consequence of one’s words and actions is all a part of the Yama- Satya.
Asteya (Non-stealing): Steya means ‘to steal’ while Asteya is it’s opposite which means never to steal or take what does not belong to us. It doesn’t only concern objects or material things but also ideas and other forms of possession. The practice of Asteya includes not misusing what is given to us by others including their time and energy. We have to be conscious of our actions and behavior that may result in demanding someone’s attention even though it’s not freely given.
Brahmacharya (Non-lust): Bramacharya means to move toward the essential truth responsibly. It concerns achieving self-control through abstinence or moderation regarding sexual activity. Brahmacharya does not necessarily imply celibacy, but not doing anything in excess by giving in to our ego’s desires as that would hamper our goal.
Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): This yama means doing with only what is necessary and living a life free from greed. It involves not taking advantage of anyone, anything or any situation, using our power appropriately for good and not exploiting it. It also calls for not attaching ourselves to things and understanding that impermanence and change are the only constants in our lives.

2. Niyams – (Moral behavior towards oneself). Observances or actions regarding one’s attitude towards himself or herself. They are not exercises but your attitude and how treating yourself can change that. It is necessary for achieving a balance within oneself.The Niyams include:

Saucha (Cleanliness): This niyam includes aspects of inner and outer cleanliness and purity. Detoxifying and cleansing the physical body first are necessary to achieve inner cleanliness. This is done through the practice of asanas (yoga poses) which tones the entire body and removes toxins and pranayamas (breathing exercises) that cleanse our lungs, oxygenates our blood and purifies our nerves. Apart from just our body, the mind must also be kept clean or pure by eliminating negative thoughts and emotions such as anger, lust, greed and pride. Outer cleanliness, on the other hand, means keeping a clean environment and surroundings.
Santosa (Contentment): Being content with what you have and who you are completely. Cultivating an acceptance to whatever happens is an important part of Santosa. To find contentment one must practice humility, modesty and acceptance.
Tapas (Austerity): This Niyama refers to keeping the body in good condition. This involves disciplined use of our energies, both physical and mental like for example- eating only when hungry, maintaining a good posture, attention to breathing patterns etc.
Svadhyaya (Study of Sacred texts and one’s self): Using self-examination, self-awareness and self-reflective consciousness to get to know one’s self better is part of Svadhyaya. The deeper you know yourself, the closer you get to your union with all things and ultimately the higher power.
Isvara pranidhana (Awareness of the Divine): Letting go of ourselves and the sense of control in order to connect with the Divine. Recognition that there is a force larger than man omnipresent that guides and directs the course of our lives is what this niyam teaches us.

3. Asana – (Practice of Yoga postures and exercises). This is the most commonly known aspect of yoga around the World. But, the understanding and reasoning behind the practice of Yoga Asanas is often lost. More than just health, strength, balance and flexibility, asanas meaning “staying” or “abiding” in Sanskrit, are used as a tool to calm the mind and move into the inner essence of being. They are designed to free our mind from tension, stress and to detoxify. It aims at bringing about a harmonious balance and union between the body and mind. Strengthening more than just muscles, yoga asanas strengthen our will, determination, alertness and energies through it’s discipline. It also quietens the mind, relaxes the body in preparation of meditation and important step to spiritual enlightenment.

4. Pranayama – (Practice of breathing exercises and breath control). In Pranayama, by controlling our breathing it is said to control the energy or life force (prana) within the us. This restores and maintains one’s health while promoting evolution. When you learn to control your breathing- i.e the duration of inhalation, retention and exhalation of air within your body, it strengthens and cleanses the nervous system thus increasing a person’s source of life energy. It also helps calm the mind and makes it more focused for other tasks. Pranayama breathing goes hand-in-hand with Yoga Asanas.

5. Pratyahara – (Withdrawal of the senses). Pratyahara means withdrawal. It happens in meditation when one is so focused and immersed in breathing and meditating that the senses become completely unaware of everything else. In other words, the whole world around you just moves away and you can focus solely on your inner self without any distractions whatsoever.

6. Dharana – (Concentration). Dharana means training the mind to concentrate on sheer nothingness. No external nor internal distractions. This is practiced by learning to focus intensely on one object and then letting go of that one.

7. Dhyana – (Meditation). The transition of Dharna (focus on an object to nothingness) leads to Dhyana which is an uninterrupted flow of this concentration and consciousness that is no longer focused on a single thing but is all encompassing. Achieving Dhayna heightens one’s awareness and oneness with the universe upto the extent that you feel one with the universe…it is the final step to the Goal- Samadhi or Enlightenment.

8. Samadhi – (Enlightenment). It is the result of the practice of the previous 7 steps. It’s a state of Super-consciousness. Detachment of your body and all worldly things. The merging of the self with the universe. Bliss. Peace. Ultimate awareness. In other words, Enlightenment.

The 8 steps of Yoga are not necessarily to be practiced in progression, they are in fact an integrated process that works together (hence, called limbs), leading to the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Limbs 1 and 2 are to be practiced in everyday life all the time. Most people start with 3 the physical postures and poses of yoga meant to energize the body and relax the mind. After regular practice of this, along with step four, breath control – you will notice other changes start taking place. These eight principles if practiced regularly and adopted as a lifestyle will lean to deeper self-knowledge, love and respect towards other people and creatures and Spiritual fulfillment.

* Photo credits: photos by adhiwus.com Photography – Bali, Oude School, milopeng, Claude Morcos on flickr