Yoga is a centuries-old practice that comprises several mental and physical disciplines. Its origin can be traced back to India 2500 years ago. Today, it remains a powerful tool for promoting total health and well-being for anyone who practices it regularly.
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit verb Yuja, which implies joining, concluding, or coinciding. It is the union of mind and body, or the union of Jiva and Shiva (soul and the universal spirit). It is also a synthesis of Purush and Prakriti (Yin and Yang).
Yoga has a broad definition and is divided into numerous schools or systems. These include Dnyanayoga (Yoga of Knowledge), Bhakti yoga (Yoga of Devotion), Karmayoga (Yoga of Action), Rajayoga (Royal or Supreme Yoga), and Hathayoga (Yoga by balancing opposite principles of the body). These schools are intertwined with one another like threads of the same garment, and they serve the same aim: self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment.
The methods through which they achieve this goal may vary slightly. In this article, we will be using the word Yoga with the same meaning as the most popular form of Yoga, Hathayoga.
Let’s take a closer look at the two key components of Hathayoga: Asana and Pranayama.
Asana is the practice of establishing and maintaining a bodily position for as long as one’s body permits.
When performed correctly, Asana provides significant physical and psychological benefits. It is regarded as the first step towards Pranayama and results in the balance of opposing principles in the body and mind. The benefits of Asana increase when it is practiced for a longer period.
Asana should be stable, consistent, and enjoyable. Here are some basic guidelines for doing Asana:
- Regular breathing
- Targeted stretching
- Stable and pleasant postures (thiram sukham asanam)
- Requires little effort (Prayatnay shaithilyam)
- No comparisons or rivalry with others
- No jerks or sudden movements. Maintain a calm and consistent pace.
Each Asana has its own unique advantages, such as stability, flexibility, improved hormone production, and a sense of being refreshed and invigorated. A common misconception is that an Asana (Yoga stretch) must be difficult to do to be effective. However, even the most basic Asanas can provide significant benefits. The beauty of Yoga is that even at a less-than-perfect level, most of the benefits are still accessible. Therefore, a novice can benefit from Yoga just as much as an expert.
The founders of Yoga discovered some of their answers in nature while searching for a cure for the ills of the human body and mind. They observed birds and animals extending their bodies in certain ways to overcome lethargy and sickness. Based on their findings, they developed Yoga stretches and named them after the birds, animals, or fish that inspired them. Some examples of these stretches include Matsyasana (fish posture), Makarasana (crocodile stance), Shalabhasana (grasshopper pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Marjarasana (cat pose), Mayurasana (peacock pose), Vrischikasana (scorpion pose), Gomukhasana (cow’s mouth pose), and Parvatasana (mountain pose).
Yoga’s History and Origins
Yoga is an ancient science comprised of several mental and physical disciplines. It originated in India 2500 years ago and is still helpful in promoting total health and well-being in anybody who practices it daily. Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit verb Yuja, which implies joining, concluding, or coinciding. It is the union of mind and body or the union of Jiva and Shiva (soul and the universal spirit). It is also a synthesis of Purush and Prakriti (Yin and Yang).
Yoga has a very wide definition and is divided into numerous schools or systems. Dnyanayoga (Yoga of Knowledge), Bhakti yoga (Yoga of Devotion), Karmayoga (Yoga of Action), Rajayoga (Royal or Supreme Yoga), and Hathayoga are the four types of Yoga (Yoga by balancing opposite principles of the body). All of these Yoga schools are not necessarily dissimilar to one another. They are entwined in one another like threads of the same garment.
Yoga has been regarded as an excellent method of self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment for thousands of years. These systems basically serve the same aim; the methods through which they do so vary slightly. The name Yoga has come to be associated with the last of these schools, Hathayoga, in its most popular form. However, when it comes to Yoga Philosophy, which is discussed after this article, the word Yoga will have a greater definition.
In most cases, the proportion of the four components of Pranayama to each other is 1:4:2:4, a ratio that is supported by several texts, including Patanjali’s Yogasutra. Practicing the first three sections of Pranayama is sufficient for maintaining overall well-being. However, a spiritual practitioner usually practices all four sections, including the last one called Bahya Kumbhaka, and performs more repetitions for general health and well-being. The Abhyantara Kumbhaka is the Pranayama component that is most closely associated with it, while the Keval Kumbhaka occurs spontaneously.
Bandhas, also known as locks, play a crucial role in Pranayama practice. The four locks used during Pranayama are Mulabandha, which involves locking the anus, Jalandharbandha, which involves locking the neck region or jugular notch, Udiyanabandha, which involves locking the belly or diaphragm, and Jivhabandha, which involves locking the tongue. The choice of which locks to perform is determined by the goal of the Pranayama practice, whether it is for spiritual or general health purposes. Mulabandha, Jalandharbandha, and Udiyanabandha are the most commonly performed Bandhas, while Jivhabandha is primarily required for spiritual reasons.
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