Yogi, Interrupted.

Systematic Breathing Exercises

Directing all your thoughts in just one direction is another name for meditation is a part of Yoga. Systematic Breathing Exercises (pranayamas) is one of important constituents of meditation. Maharishi Patanjali has termed pranayamas and meditation as Yoga. He has shown that rather than letting the thoughts wander in each and every direction, directing all the thoughts to the inner self is necessary to attain Yogic perfection. He and other great Indian sages have tried to draw the attention of the world to this fact. To take the soul to the greatest heights, Yogic exercises (pranayamas are a part of Yoga) are very essential.

Pranayamas are the fourth constituent of Yoga. When the Yoga practitioner is able to be in control of his body by Yoga Asanas, then to be in control of mind also, practice of pranayamas is very essential. Manu Smiriti has described the importance of pranayamas in the following words:-

“As the gold, silver and other metals

when heated on fire

become free of impurities

in the same manner,

the Pranayamas remove

all the ailments

Present in our body

and makes it perfect”

Yoga recognizes the fact that life-force and mind has a connections with the body. As the driver automatically stops when the motor-car stops or the ,motor-car automatically stops when the driver stops, in the same manner, when prana stops, mind also stops and when the mind stops, prana also stops. To stop unnecessary wonderings of the mind, one must practice pranayamas for some time daily.

The ancient sages believed that the number of breaths of every creature who has taken birth, is fixed. When a living-being unnecessary wastes his breaths in a disorderly manner, he is soon deprived of his live-force and dies and untimely death. On the other hand, if he concentrates on breathing in an orderly manner, then not only the duration of his breaths increases but he also increases his mental and physical consciousness, thereby increasing the quality of his life. Ordinarily, human beings breathe 18 to 20 times per minute. The fact that with the practice of pranayamas, this frequency can be decreased by four to ten breaths per minute has been scientifically established. Since the number of breaths that a creature will take in his life-time, is pre-determined and fixed by the Almighty Gog, short or shallow breathing will soon exhaust this number. On the other hand, deep and systematic breathing will increase life-span. The ancient sages used to live for a long time with the help of pranayamas. They also used to go into a Samadhi through the medium of pranayamas and during the duration of Samadhi, they would stop breathing. Hence their body and life-spam remained untouched by the ill-effects of passing time.

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After gaining control over body with the Yoga postures, gaining control over breathing with systematic breathing exercises and the pleasure-seeking organs with abstention, it is time to gain control over the mind. To gain control over the mind (mental concentration), there are three stages, the lowest stage being Dhaarna (Determined Mental concentration) and the highest stage is Samadhi (merging with God). To reach the Samadhi stage, one has to pass through Determined Mental Concentration and Meditation.

Dhaarna can be achieved in two ways-the External Means and the Internal Means. Taking the mind away from all worldly thoughts and concentrating on any deity, idol, mantra or word (like Om) are the External Means. In Internal Means, one forces the thoughts on any part of the body, like the Chakras (energy centers) lime swadhisthana, Manipooraka, Anahara, Ajna Vishudhi Chakras. This process continues in determined Mental Concentration. In other words, the mind continues to drift to other subjects and the practitioner with conscious and determined efforts, brings the mind back to the desired thoughts until he is able to stay in the desired thoughts for longer periods. To understand internal means, it is essential to know about the seven Energy Centers.

CHAKRAS-THE ENERGY CENTRES

In human body, there are seven plexuses which act as energy centers or centres of consciousness in the body. These are located at different places in the body. These are symbolized as lotus petals. That is why these have also been called and army of petals.

Mooladhara Chakra contains four petals. Swadhishthana Chakra contains six petals. Manipoora Chakra contains ten petals. Anahata Chakra contains twelve petals. Vishudhi Chakkra contains sixteen petals. Ajna Chakra contains two petals. The uppermost energy centre is located in the upper part of chakra. The practitioners must have detailed knowledge of these chakras.

1.  Mooladhara Chakra-Root Plexus:

This plexus may also be called sacro-coccygel plexus. This energy centre is located approximately two inches above the anus, i.e. the place from where the spinal column begins. In this lotus flower, there are four petals and its color is red. The deity who controls this chakra is lord Ganesha. The job of this energy center is to control and regulate the body from toes to the anus. The dormant powers of a person, when not awakened, lie in this energy centre. This is the gateway to reach the sahasrara chakra. Without passing through it, one cannot enter other energy centers. Perfecting this chakra cures the following diseases: warts, dysentery, passing blood in stool, constipation, leg pain, etc.

2.  Swadhisthana Chakra- The Prostatic plexus:

This energy centre is located between the Mooladhara Chakra and the navel. This is a lotus with six petals and there color is yellow. Lord Brahma is its deity in control of this plexus. The job of this energy center is passing urine and controlling sexual ejaculation and urges perfecting this energy centre results in curing the following diseases: diabetes, impotency etc.

3.  Manipoora Chakra-The  navel plexus:

This energy centre is located in the navel (belly-button) which is also known as the great junction of nervous. This lotus contains ten petals and their color is blue. Lord Vishnu has command over it.  The job of this energy centre is to control digestive system. Perfecting this posture cures all ailments of the digestive system like gas, constipation, loose motions, stomach ache, abdominal spasms, stiffness of the stomach and other ailments like eczema, blackheads, pimples, etc.

4.  Anahata chakra-Cardiac Plexus:

This energy centre is located near the heart. This lotus has twelve petals of white color. Lord Shiva has command over it. This energy centre controls the emotions like love, hate anger, greed, etc. perfecting this energy centre cures diseases like high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart attack, cough, asthma, arthritis, etc.

5.  Vishudddhi Chakra-Laryngeal plexus:

This energy centre is located near the throat. This lotus has sixteen petals of brown color. The life forces itself control. The life forces itself control this energy centre. The job of this energy centre is to give knowledge about words and power to speak. It is through this energy centre that we are able to express through our lips what is in our mind. Perfecting this energy centre cures the following ailments: unclear voice, sore throat, deceases of the wind pipe and the food pipe.

6.  Ajna Chakra-Cavernous Plesus:

This energy centre is located in the middle of the eyebrows. This lotus has two petals or orange color. This is controlled by the light. The job of this energy center is to provide sight to the eyes. Perfecting this posture cures all mental diseases.

7.  Sahasrara Chakra-The Supreme Plexus:

Also known as the Zero or supreme plexus, this energy centre is located in the uppermost portion of the head. This lotus petal has thousands petals of different colors and almighty God has command over it. The job of this energy centre is to recognize different tastes. After entering through the above six energy centers, the practitioner concentrates his life forces in this seventh energy centre. This energy centre is concerned with all the parts of body. This can be said as the head quarter of the body from which instructions to all the body organs are issued.

Now the question arises how to do determined mental concentration. For this one has to try to mentally ‘see’ these chakras. We begin with the rood plexus. First of all, we should visualize (see through mind’s eye) that lotus of red color (specific color assigned to this chakra) is lying upside down at the center of the place assigned to it. Then we mentally try to correct the position of this lotus. Then, we think about the respective deity in command thereof. After having done this mental exercise, then we again mentally turn this lotus upside down and shift to the next higher chakra. We do the same mental exercise with this lotus and the deity. Like this visualizing all these chakras, we ultimately reach the Sahasrara Chakra. This was, we are able to practice mental concentration and stop the mind from drifting to other things. This is the position of determined mental concentration, which prepares the practitioner for mediation.

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In Yoga literature, abdominal washing has been described to be of two types abdominal cleansing by air and Abdominal Cleansing by Water. With the help of Nauli pulling the air inside and then throwing it out in the posture of the peacock (described under Yoga Postures) is known as Pawan vasti. When Pawan Vasti has been fully practiced, then Jala vasti becomes easier to perform.

In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, its method has been described as follows:

Take a hollow bamboo tube about six inches ling, the whole of which is o large to accommodate the little finger in its hollow. Smear one end of it with refined butter or edible oil and insert about four inches of the lubricated end inside the anus, taking care that the two inches of the bamboo remain outside. Now sit in a tub filled with water in Utkasana (on your heels), so that the water level comes up to your navel. The weight of the entire body should be on the feet. Now contract the muscles of your abdomen. The water of the tub will start rising inside your large intestine. Thereafter, get rid of the water by performing nauli. With the water that comes out, the excreta, worms and toxins collected in the large intestine will come out. Washing the abdomen by this process is called Vasti.

A lot of exercises like steam bath, spinal wash, navel bath, etc are prescribed under the Water therapy system of energizing the body parts and maintaining beauty. In the same manner, vasti cleanses the intestine and stomach from the inside. According to Hippocrates, out of all the systems of medicines, Vasti Karma is the best in Ayurueda (traditional Indian herbal system of medicine) also. Vasti Karma has been stated to be the best of the six Yoga Rituals.

People often complain of lack of time to perform this Ritual. However, a simple instrument (Known as ‘vasti Yantra’) is available in market, with the help of which vasti Karma can be practiced at home or even while traveling in a train.

How to Use Vasti Yantra

After excreting in the morning, attach one end of this instrument with the tap and open the tap. Water will start flowing out with force from the catheter located at the other end of the instrument. Open the tap in accordance with the pressure you like. Now insert the catheter end of the instrument (with the water still flowing) inside the anus. If required, this end may be lubricated with any edible oil. Hold the catheter with the left hand. Water will soon enter the anal region. Soon, a pressure will build up inside your bowels and the water will automatically stat flowing out of the anus and with the water, will come out excreta. This process may more than five minutes and is painless process. You can either take out the catheter when the water starts flowing out or take out the catheter when the entire bowels are cleaned. Thereafter, perform the Nauli Karma and rid of the water inside the body. This will cleanse the intestines and the internal organs.

Another Method of Using Vasti Yantra

First of all, attach this instrument with the water tap and open the tap. This way the air inside the tube of the instrument will come out. Thereafter, put some oil on the other end of the instrument or on the anus, hold it with your thumb and a finger, and insert it inside the anus slowly. Remember that this has to be done while the water is still running. Let the water rise within your body. After sometime, when adequate pressure is built up inside your body, the water will start coming out. Let the tube is still inside. This will thoroughly cleanse the internal organs and the excreta trapped inside the large intestine will be seen coming out. Continue this activity for about ten minutes and then take the tube out, wash it with soap and water for use next time.

Another instrument, known as High Vasti Yantra has been made, which costs about Rupees 6500. Instead of it, we have made this simple and cost effective instrument which has been successfully used by thousands of persons. Earlier, proper training of Uddiyana Bandha was very essential before doing Vasti Karma, which was not possible for many weak bodied patients. However, with the help of this instrument, which has been successfully used by thousands of persons. Earlier, proper training of Uddiyana Bandha was very essential before doing Vasti Karma, which was not possible for many weak bodied patients,. However, with the help of this instrument, one can clean one’s abdomen from the inside, even while sitting inside the toilet, by drawing 10 to 15 liters of water directly from a tank.

One of the main roots for all the ailment is constipation. It will not be an exaggeration to call constipation to be the mother of all the ailments. This is such a disease which results into many other ailments due to the rotting of the excreta trapped inside the intestines acting as a breeding ground for bacteria, besides producing toxins and gases. If one is not constipated, one will be free from many diseases.

Many drugs are available in the market to get rid of constipation which agitate the anal region, as a result of which stool can be passed easily. However, frequent use of these drugs is just like beating the   tired intestines with a stick. Soon the drugs lose their effectiveness. Therefore, vasti Karma is a boon to cleanse the heap of waste products tapped inside the body without causing any harm to the body organs.

In addition to cleansing the inner side of the abdomen, this Ritual will also cool the internal organs and you will feel very easy and fresh. Laziness will go away. When the stomach is clean, there will be no gas formation. There will be no chance of diseases like piles, fissure, etc.

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Trataka

Fixed Gazing

This Yoga ritual is concerned with meditation. The main aim of yoga is not Yoga postures but meditation. A Yoga posture is a position of the body in which meditation is done. Trataka is concerned with one of the parts of Hatha Yoga. This Ritual resembles Yoga Mudra. Regular practice of this ritual increases concentration power of the mind. When power to concentrate develops, many hidden powers which are otherwise dormant are awakened.

There are many ways to perform trataka. Yoga literature has mentioned about Trataka as under:

Looking at a small object with full concentration

Without batting the eyelids,

Till tears come into the eyes,

And then touching the palms with the eyes lightly,

Is known as trataka.

BENEFITS:

This Yoga Ritual cures all ailments of the eyes. It cures insomnia and mental tension. Trataka is very important for mental concen-tration. With practice of this Ritual, power to hypnotize others is also developed.

KAPAL BHATI

Cleansing the Respiratory System

There are many methods to do Kapal Bhati. It can be performed in a sitting or standin position. Breathing in and out quickly and forcefully is Kapal Bhati. This Ritual must be performed after the Jala Neti.

First Method

Stand with your feet apart and bend forward at an angle of about 90 degrees. Take your hands behind your back and hold one of your wrists with the other hand.

Thereafter, breathe in and out quickly through the nostrils. Remember to move the neck to the left, to the right, up and down while breathing in and out. This ritual is performed after the Jala Neti so that the water, which is held up inside the nostrils, can come out easily. Practice this for twenty to twenty five minutes.

Second Method

Sit in a comfortable Asana and close one nostril by applying pressure of your thumb. Then breathe in and out from the other nostril quickly. After some time, change to the other nostril. You may breathe through both the nostrils as well. When you feel tired, rest for a while and do this Ritual again. Initially, this Ritual should be practiced for a very short time, gradually increasing this time. After this, relax in Shava Asana.

BENEFITS:

Practice of this Ritual removes obesity quickly. Respiratory ailments are cured and memory increases.

BAGHI

The Ritual of the Leopard

In addition to the six Rituals, some Yoga practitioners also practice Baghi and shankha parkashalana, which are described below:

Baghi ritual has been adopted from the leopard which is called ‘bagh’ in Hindi. That is why this has been named after the animal. As the leopard takes out the flesh out of his mouth, two three hours after he has eaten the same, similarly, in the Baghi Ritual, the undigested food is thrown out of the mouth two three hours after eating the same.

BENEFITS:

Within three hours of consuming a meal, so much of its nutritious elements, as are required by the body, are absorbed by the body. The body organs and intestines have to work extra to digest the food that remains undigested even after this time. When Baghi Ritual is performed, this extra effort of the intestines is saved. This Ritual increases appetite & thins the waist and widens the chest. It brings a renewed energy in the body. The obese must perform this Ritual. This throws out waste products that are trapped inside the body. This Ritual brings a glow on the face.

SHANKHA PRAKSHALANA

Cleansing the Food Canal

In Yoga literature, this ritual has also been mentioned as Varisar Karma. As there is a coiled in a sea-shell, our food pipe is also coiled in shape. In Hindu temples, blowing a sea-shell is a part of prayer. To clean the sea-shell, water is poured on one end of it and comes out from the other end. In the same manner, in this Yoga Ritual, water is drunk from the mouth and thrown out from the anus, thereby cleansing the food canal. That is why this method is called shankha Prakshalana or cleansing the Sea-shell.

BENEFITS:

With this Ritual, diseases like pyorrhea, tonsillitis, headache, leucorrhea, irregular periods, appendicitis, ulcers and inflammation of the intestines are cured. Ailments of the eyes and ears also get cured. This Ritual also benefits the patients of sexually transmitted diseases.

Shankha Prakshalana cleanses the body. This Ritual should be done once in fifteen days. This will keep the body clean and disease free.

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Raja Yoga is a subject of self-test. It involves seeing the different levels o consciousness and go to the depths o seeing oneself. Patanjali, the great sage, has described eight parts of Yoga, which are the paths to insight into oneself i.e. yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharna, dhyana and Samadhi. These have between described in detail in succeeding paragraphs of this book.

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The Serpentine Energy Centre (Kundalini) is one of the energy centers (chakras) which are also known as plexus. These energy centers concern our spinal cord, which is the center of life power and which manages and controls the entire body. Thus, these different energy centers relate to our consciousness and astral tubes (nadis) and the entire body (In yogic theory, there are 72000 nadis or subtle tubes in body. They are equal to the acupuncture meridians.) Various types of energy centers have been described in Yoga, which can be awakened through practice. This awakening of energy centers results in mental concentration in human beings.

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