apptya

"The yogi who has cleansed himself,has gained mastery over his mind and all his senses,who has become one with the atman in all creation,although he acts he remains unaffected. He who is established in yoga soon attains the Brahman.Anyone who successfully follows karma yoga becomes established in yoga.He who has become pure,he whose evil impulses have all been burnt away and become reduced to a burnt thread in which only the twists of the original material are visible,will act mechanically in everything he does.That of course does not mean that he pays no attention to what he is doing;it only meas that he has no egoistic feeling that he draws out will be as straight as that drawn by a machine.An unthinking person worked mechanically and the Lord's servant,too,does merely what he is asked to do.But he does not work for payment and,therefore,his work shines out,where as the hired laborer's work does not shie out as he works for money.No supervisor is required to keep watch o...

Yoga is the most ancient system of development of the body and the mind. It was practiced thousands of years ago in this country and is being carried out even today. Some say Lord Shiva was its innovator. Our ancestors practiced it with remarkable success to maintain good physic and to keep mind tranquil. Yoga has been an integral part of our Vedantic philosophy. Vedas, Upanishads and Ramayana talk about it. Lord Krishna also explained to Arjuna the secret of yoga in the Gita. The science of yoga was was coming down to us from one generation to another by the word of mouth. Among the earliest sages who contributed in laying the foundation of yoga system was Kapil who lived in 700 B.C . He authored Samkhya philosophy. He was of the opinion that the answer to human problem lay in acquiring ‘Samyak Gyan’ – proper knowledge. Men face sorrow, according to kapil , because they lack proper knowledge about the spirit9self) and prakriti(nature). Once they ac uire that knowledge,...

Yoga helps an individual to control his inner self and live in peace with himself and the surroundings. Although science has made tremendous progress and controlled the immediate environment, but has it given peace to mind? In fact its one- sided development may one day prove disastrous. On the other hand the problem of violence, aggression and war can find a solution only if peace within oneself exists and that is the way of yoga. It is a science of personality and anybody who has learnt to live in peace with the environment is a yogi – a perfect individual thus say our saints. But is it necessary to go through the yoga techniques t free oneself from the bondage of birth and death? Some very renowned personage have put a question mark on the futility of going through various yogic exercise and attaining knowledge to reach a state of freedom from bondage. The great Adi Shankaracharya who snatched back the ancient Hindu religinon from the clutches of Jainism and Buddhism ha...

It is at this point that yoga comes to our rescue. It is well known that one has to purify his mind and thereby his intellect before he can reach the state of self realization. Here it will not be out place to quote yoga sutra that an honest practice of eight parts of yoga removes impurities of mind an done proceeds to have atmadarshan. Once the mind is pure , attachment, running after mundane objects ,anger, jealousy, etc are gone and one can attain mukti. Although very, very few people one in thousands can attain the state of mukti , but still the importance of yoga cannot be dismissed altogether.

Our ancestors knew fully well that not only the human body be kept in healthy state but the mind should also be sound. That was why they developed a faultless system of techniques which takes care of all the tissues of the body and their functions in a superb manner. Body health depends on two factors supply of adequate nourishment to it and quick removal of waste materials which are produced in the tissues as a result of biochemical activity. This can be achieved only when every tissue functions properly. Each tissue gets the nutrients for its function form the blood flowing in the capillaries. A tissue cannot get proper nourishment if it remains inactive and waste materials are also not removed. The inactivitity of a tissue causes poor circulation of blood in it, and if such a situation continues for long , very little or no blood may flow through the tissue. Such a tissue loses its efficiency in due course of time. If a tissue is subject to exercise or movement , by ...

All those who have the desire to practice yoga techniques have to consider certain factors before proceeding. If those factors are ignored, the results may be harmful for the practitioner. For example if a person has been suffering from some bodily disorder , it will not be prudent to undertake yogic exercises. that might produce harmful effect.. Therefore, the foremost consideration is that the person must be having normal health. At the same time he has to be aware of the time of conducting exercises, the place, dress during the exercises, duration of practice, diet the intake of water, etc. Physical condition: As has already been mentioned above, yoga technique should not be undertaken if the body condition is not normal. Yogic exercises have heir effect n delicate organs of the body like heart, brain, lungs etc. they might get harmed if the physic is carrying some disease. Therefore, this factor should be borne in mind before practicing yoga. NO doubt yogic exercises...

Age is no bar to practice yoga so is sex or religion or faith or physic whether stiff, tense or overweight. Even children below the age of twelve can adopt simple poses but after consulting experts. Generally relaxing exercise can be undertaken by all. A word of caution; young and old should avoid undertaking exercises which result in too much stress on the body parts. Women, in particular,, should not practice some exercise during menstruation and pregnancy, although some of them could be carried out . Infact there are some exercises which correct disorders during menstruation and pregnancy. Time suitable for exercises. : Morning time between 4.am to 6.am before breakfast is the most suitable time for undertaking yoga exercises. In the evening it can be between 6.p.m and 8p.m. But exercise should be undertaken when stomach is empty. An interval of three to four hours should be given after eating. A gap of half an hour after drinking water, tea or juice is also a must. If ...

Diet: diet has its importance in keeping the body fit. Any individual who does not take proper diet spoils himself physically and mentally. The ill effects of poor nourishment tell upon his behavior, thought and action. A vegetarian diet of milk, whet, vegetables, fruits and other nutritious products will be ideal for exercises. One should at the same time, avoid stimulants like tea, coffee, wine, smoking and drugs. One should avoid eating rajasi food fried, roasted, sweets and drinks. Such foods add to one’s weight, create heaviness after dinner and arouse passion. Tamasi food with too much spices, salt, peeper and chilies should also be avoided as that leads to a quarrel some an intolerant temperament. The food, infact should be prepared with the least amount of spices and should be fresh and cooked in a simple way. Important thing is one should eat a balanced diet. The items included in food should be salad, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits and raw nuts. Cucumber, tom...

It has already been mentioned that the intake of water should be between ten to twelve glasses within a period of 24 hours. Water is equally necessary for cleaning the body. During summer one should bathe twice and in water at least once. This is necessary for maintaining good health.. The human body has millions of hair and their roots lie deeper in the body. At the root of every hair there is a tiny hole which is not visible to the naked eye . The body discards sweat and impurities through these holes and takes in air, water, etc. into the body through them. As these holes are passages to and from the internal cells of the body for perspiration and absorption, they should always remain open and that can be better done by rubbing the whole body thoroughly. Rubbing of the body during the bath can done in many ways. One can use palm, a sponge or a brush. Some use towel by soaking it in water, applying soap on it and then rubbing the body. It not only opens pores, the upper...

Meditation is simply being in the present moment.The present moment frees the individual to change, explore new patterns, pleasures, and possibilities. It is a power way to heal isolation. There are many ways to meditate. No one way is best for everyone. One thing common to all forms of meditation is the art of paying attention. We do a lot of different things at the same time.In order to meditate first pay attention breathing. Breathing is central to every aspect of meditation training. It is wonderful place to focus the mind. Breath is a rich experience. It connects us with the whole universe. When you try to pay attention to breathing, you notice that the mind starts wandering. The wandering of the mind is a normal state of mind.From the meditative perspective the normal state of mind is severely suboptimal. It is more asleep than awake.Its energy is frittered away in thoughts of past and future.It is rarely in the present moment. Human beings have a capacity of shift...

Pranayama or breathing exercise means the control of inhalation(breathing air)and exhalation(and its breathing out).Breathing carries out the biochemical process of getting energy from digested food.As is well known cells and tissues of the body have to depend on their activity on the energy derived from oxidation of the digested food.And this process cannot go on without a regular supply of oxygen to cells and tissues. Yogakundali upanishad has defined pranayama thus:"the prana is the air that flows in the body.Its ayama means kumdhaka(air retention in the body).It is of two types sahita and kevala."Yogic breathing has three steps:Rechaka(exalation),Puraka(inhalation)and kumbhaka(retention).When kumbhaka is accompanies by the first two,it is said to form sahita variety,but when it is devoid of the two,it is kevala variety. According to vishnu purana,yogic breathing is "a technique which controls all that is connected with prana.Markandeya purana terms yogic breathing ma...

From the very dawn of Indian history the Indo-Aryans gave a great deal of importance to the culture and development of the inner faculties of human life. As a result of long experience and experiment, they developed a special system of exercise for increasing the strength, purity and power of those faculties. Having established a fundamental theory that of being, they discovered various methods of feeding, strengthening, resting and re-energizing them. The science of mediation was developed in India for the purpose of supplying the mind with the necessary nourishment and food, and for giving it proper exercise, rest and relaxation and also for furnishing it with the necessary conditions for growth. Therefore, meditation can very well be defined as the science of supplying the mind with food, exercise, rest, relaxation, and favourable environment necessary for the manifestation of its highest perfection. Let us try to understand this analogy. In receiving the food for ou...

The first consideration is to give the mind its necessary exercises. We all know that by lack of exercise our muscles and nerves degenerate and deteriorate; whereas, by regular exercise they can be developed to an almost infinite degree and amount of strength and efficiency. It has been demonstrated by many athletes and men of unusual physical strength, that by proper exercise the power of the muscles and other physical faculties can be developed to any degree of proficiency. The story is told about a farmer who used to carry a little pet calf across a narrow stream. This he did every day until the calf gradually grew up,but the farmer continued to carry it without being conscious of its physical development.. His attention being drawn towards this fact, he realized that it was a bull which he was carrying so easily. Although this might be only a story, it undoubtedly illustrates how by gradual exercise, one can develop the power of one's muscles to an unbelievable de...

There are many types of pranayama followed by yoga practitioners. Here are some of them Ordinary Pranayama An Ordinary Pranayama is simple. A person inhales air, exhales it or retains it for sometime. While inhaling he takes the prana to the anus and unites it with apana. When he exhales, apana is drawn up by prana. In the process of retention, the activities of prana are made to centralise near the region.The last method causes the mind to be free from thought and the practitioner suceeds in meditation and samadhi. Sukha Purvak How to do : Sit cross-legged, be relaxed and keep the head, body and spine straight, with the right thumb on the right nostril, with the ring and little nostril with the right thumb, draw prana inside through the left nostril. Close left nostril also and hold breath as long as you can. Thereafter remove the pressure on the right nostril and breathe out slowly throught the right nostril. This practice can be continued with the air being drawn in throught the rig...

We had so far seen mudras for health and curing disease in my previous posts but there so many mudras beyond for health to enlightenment mudras. Literally the meaning of mudras is a seal. It is called so because it seals the mind with the soul. Exercises falling under mudra are associated with retention of breath. Infact bandhas and mudras go together. Mudras control the vital forces(pranas) and thereby the mind in order to awaken the hidden mystic powers. Once the potentialities of the spirit are unfolded before the performer, he can conquer all diseases and move towards God-realization. Mudras helps the striver to awaken Kundalini to check the distractions of the mind and to sublimate vital energy into Ojas Shakti or spiritual energy. With the help of this Shakti he can explore the mysteries. Once th yogi attains spiritual energy, his personality blooms; he is able to attract men, his will power becomes strong and his mind balanced. But in order to draw maximum benifits...

How to do: One has to first perform Mula bandha and press the Kanda(space between anus and the generative organ) by the right heel.Keep the left leg straight. Bend down and hold the big toe of the left foot with both hands. Bring the head down until it touches the knee. This position is also known as Janu-Shira-Asan. In Maha mudra, Janu Shira Asana is associated with the Bandhas, and pranayama. Inhale and while retaining the breath performUddiyan Bandha Bandha . Then Exhale while performing Uddiyan Bandha (taking the navel forcibly towards the back). Perform the pranayama as long as you can. The same can be repeated by keeping the right leg straight and by pressing the Kanda with the left heel. The gaze should stay between the eyebrows(bhru-Madhya Drishti). Meditate upon the Ajna Chakra. duration : This mudra can be done as long as one can. Maha mudra should be followed by Maha Bandha and Maha Vedha. Benefits : This exercise enables the combined forces of Prana and Apana to pass throu...

In Maha Vedha, press the Kanda with the left heel. Perform Mula Bandha . Place the riht foot on the left thigh. Then perform Jalandhar Bandha by pressing the chin against the chest. Place both palms on the ground and then balancing the body on the hands raise the buttocks with the left heel pressing against the Kanda, then bring it down on the ground(gently). Perform inhalation of breath in the beginning of the practice and after few times of striking, exhale. This exercise is a great purifier of the body and the mind. It also awakens Kundalini Shakti and tleads to the attainment of Samdhi.

The perfect way of practising yoga mudra is to be in the lotus first. But it is not easy and everyone cannot do it initially. How to do: sit in Padmasana-the right foot placed on the left thigh with the sole facing up and the left foot on the right thigh. Keep both the knees well on the ground, the body bent forward without raising the hips form the seat and the forehead back, holding the left wrist in the right hand. Inhale through both the nostrils and perform Jalandhar Bandha (pressing the chin against the chest0. Hold the heels with your hands. Slowly bend down until the head touches the ground. Then release the Jalandhar Bandha(chin-lock) and exhale. One may bend down without the chin-lock slowly exhaling the breath. Hold the breath, and inhale. The duration may be about 10 seconds to a minute. Benefits : This mudra improves memory, gets rid of excess fat(loose weight mudra), awakens Kundalini Shakti and tones the nervous system.

This Viparita Karani word means Sanskrit inverted. One has to lie down relaxed. Gradually raise both the legs and the hips. Support the waist with hands more or less in Sarvanga Asan pose. By tis practice, the positons of the Sun and Moon are reversed. Hence it is called Viparita Karani. It is the opinion of yoga masters that sun dwells in the navel and moon in Sahasrara. The nectar that flows from the moon is consumed by the fire at the navel. This leads to decay and death. But by the constant practice of this mudra the nectar of the moon is perserved. Duration recommended is a few minutes to start with but can be gradually increased to two hours or more. After a few weeks the face shines with spiritual lustre, wrinkles are removed, eyes become healthier, and digestion becomes keen.

This Unmani mudra can be practiced by only those who have reached a higher state in yoga. How to do : In this one has to sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the eyes half open. Then he has to fix mind on the space just a few inches from the eyes. Meditate upon the Self that is formless, nameless and Infinite, without any thought in mind and mind in calm meditation. Benefits : This gives peace of mind and unfolds inner glories of the Spirit through Samadhi.