[10] Yoga The primary aim of Yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity and peace, to free it from confusion and distress. This sense of calm and clarity comes from the practice of yogic asanas [poses] and pranayama [breathing]. Unlike other forms of exercise, which strain muscles and bones, Yoga gently rejuvenates the body. By restoring the body, Yoga frees the mind from the negative feelings caused by the fast pace of modern life. The practice of Yoga fills up the reservoirs of hope and optimism within you. It helps you to overcome all obstacles on the path to perfect health and spiritual contentment. Yogic 'Asanas', or poses, can cure physical ailments and redress unsteadiness in the body. Un-even respiration an indication of stress is alleviated by the practice of yoga. Asanas tone the whole body. They strengthen bones and muscles, correct posture, improve breathing and increase energy. This physical well-being has a strengthening, and calming impact on the mind. Practicing asanas [poses] cleanses the body. Asanas, by increasing the circulation of fresh blood through the body, purge it of diseases and toxins which are the consequences of an irregular lifestyle, un-healthy habits and poor posture. Regular practice of the stretches, twists, bends, and inversions the basic movements of asanas restores strength and stamina to the body. Asanas, together with pranayama, or 'control of breath', rectify physical, physiological and psychological disorders. They have a positive impact on the effects of stress and disease. Yoga is not just a set of esoteric exercises to keep physically fit. It is a complete system of life, with our bodily afflictions and mental fluctuations under control by the practice of 'concrete' rules of conduct. These are universal rules, applicable to every human being, irrespective of creed or colour. For if you are Australian, Chinese or African or Indian, whether you are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or Jew, you have the same physical and mental organs as everyone else. Patanjali the Sage of Yoga, upon who's teachings and wisdom it is that Yoga is based described his advice as "the eight limbs" [ashtanga yoga]. These are the steps towards the goal, not sequential, but fully interrelated each reinforcing the other. [1] Yama moral commandments [2] Niyama observances of conduct [3] Asana posture [4] Pranayama breathing exercises [5] Pratyahara withdrawal of the senses [6] Dharana concentration [7] Dhyana meditation [8] Samadhi the settled mind or 'total absorption' [1] Yama [5 Universal Laws for moral conduct] Ahimsa or non-violence ; extends way beyond its usual physical connotation. True non-violence, which is really freedom from fear and anger, is an inner state of quietude, producing pure, un-prejudiced action. Satya is truth in thought, word and deed. Asteya means 'not stealing', which in a wider sense, is not claiming anything that does not belong to us. To put it differently, we, as fully evolved spiritual selves should not hanker after mundane objects. Bramacharya is again misunderstood as just physical celibacy. It is much more than that. It is the transcendence of all desires, thus leading to an enormous store of energy that has not been dissipated. Aparigraha is living in a state of non-attachment, without coveting anything.
[2] Niyama [5 Rules for living] Saucha is cleanliness or purity, both physical, to maintain the body and mind at their optimum best, and spiritual, to achieve a simple and un-sullied awareness. Santosa is contentment. The contented person knows what he wants and how to achieve it, and, therefore, is undisturbed by internal and external factors. Tapas means blaze or fire. It is the burning commitment or desire to reach the pristine state. It is often described as the purification of desires by self discipline and austerity. Swadhyaya is the study of oneself, not in any narrow narcissistic manner, but as being conductive to reaching ones inner spiritual being. Ishwarapranidhana is total, unconditional devotion and surrender to a higher infinite power. The manifestation of the higher forces takes place only if there is total humility and surrender.
[3] Asana - Asana or posture is what everyone generally takes yoga to mean. However, asanas are not just a set of exercises or positioning's of the body. They are the complete relaxation of the cells of the brain, and activation of the cells of the bodily organs. It takes years of sustained effort to master asanas and the concentration and balance needed to make the mind razor sharp. When once the asanas have been perfected, being becomes effortless and the yogi loses himself in the pose. [4] Pranayama Prana means all forms of energy, cosmic energy, mental energy, sexual energy and physical energy. It is loosely translated as breath. 'Ayama' is control ; so pranayama is control, or discipline of breathing. If the breath is controlled and calm, the senses are stilled and the mind is settled. Pranayama raises the practitioner to that state of silence rarely experienced in normal everyday life. [5] Pratyhara The withdrawal of the senses, is the link between yama, niyama, asana and pranayama, and the last three steps/stages dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Following the rules of living, and practicing asanas and pranayama, the yogi finds himself able to turn his senses inward and achieve complete quietude. He/She is now ready for the ultimate in yoga. [6] Dharana Dharana is 'one-pointedness', the state of total absorption. The longer the mind remains in this state of focus, the more powerful it becomes. [7] Dhyana - Dhyana is the stage of meditation, the culmination of uninterrupted concentration. The meditative mind lives in the eternal present, in a state of choiceless awareness and sureness, in which there are no ambiguities. [8] Samadhi Samadhi is the peak of yogic achievement, a true sense of communion and peace. This setting of the mind is the heart of Yoga, where the senses have been transcended by complete refinement of the body and mind. It may be argued that all human beings can not fully follow the advice of Patanjali, and evolve into perfect yogis. This is, naturally, an impossible expectation. But his guidelines can be structured to suit our lifestyles, in our daily lives we can practice 'yama', 'niyama', 'asana', and 'pranayama', keeping ourselves healthy in body and mind. We would then be able to give the best of ourselves, with concentration and commitment, to whatever field we are involved in as a sports person, a professional, a business executive, a teacher, a partner, a mother, an artist. The world would surely be the better for it ! Yoga is a way of life and is meant for everyone, not just as a fashion, but as fulfilling a real need in life. The need for yoga in daily living was realized AGES ago. The seed of future liberation or suffering is in our present actions. Yoga has for 1000's of years been a preventative science and artform, both for the body and for the mind. Asanas and pranayama protect the body and mind. Meditation and right action protect us from the laws of cause and effect : KARMA. The unbroken flow of right discriminating awareness will bring forth [7] states of knowledge.
The 7 states of wisdom ;
[1] right knowledge [2] seeing the false as false [3] right attainment [4] reaching the right goal [5] right action [6] becoming a 'gunatita' [spiritual teacher] [7] achieving liberation Another way of perceiving this is ; [1] through thorough knowledge of the body [2] through understanding energy [3] understanding the mind [4] steady will [5] right awareness [6] awareness of good aesthetic values [7] realization that we are part of the divine The 7 states of ignorance ; [1] meanness, feebleness, smallness [2] fickleness [3] living with misery [4] living with association of pain [5] excessive body consciousness [6] self-created conditions for misery [7] no belief in realization. Transformation of consciousness occurs by awareness of the self, which is so subtle that it is aware of the functioning of the layers of the psyche from moment to moment. By sustained refinement of this self-study, the light of 'samadhi' [complete refinement of the mind and body] dawns. The yogi gradually attains super-natural powers. He can understand any language, has knowledge of previous lives, and understands the minds of others. By control over the subtle body, the yogi, can, at will, suspend the light rays emanating from his body and make himself invisible. The yogi develops the strength of an elephant. Concealed things near and far, are revealed to him. He will also have thorough knowledge of the stars and the solar system. He acquires perfect knowledge of the human body. He can master and overcome any physiological malfunction in the body. He gains visions of enlightened beings. He can leave his body and enter others at will. In a nutshell, the yogi can understand everything in a moment, without time as a factor. However, these powers should not interest the yogi for their own sake but only as a means towards realising the infinite. They cannot, anyway, be performed with any negative or base intent, as such super-human abilities can only be achieved by a mind which has been purified to this fine level. The yogi has now reached the ultimate state of pure existence, when the purity of the soul and his intelligence are the same. All afflictions are washed away. He is a perfect being in the state of Kaivalya. This stage of liberation comes when the yogi has fulfilled the four aims of life and transcended the [3] gunas. THE FOUR AIMS OF LIFE ; [1] Dharma the science of duty [2] Artha the meaning of life [3] Kama enjoyment of life [4] Moksa freedom from worldly pleasures
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