What Is Yoga?

The word Yoga originates from the word “yuj” which means “to combine” “to join” or “to integrate into one”. Now, this integration can be taken to mean:

1. Integration of the soul with the Almighty;
2. Integration of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual aspects of the human personality;
3. Integration of the person and the society

Our ancient holy-men agree on presence of one common element  i.e. the sense of consciousness in both static and not-static (both living and nonliving). This element of consciousness is present in whole of the universe and is flowing continuously. In fact, the whole universe has originated from the flow of this element of consciousness. A person doing yogic exercises connects his own consciousness with that of the universe. With this, the energy of his body and soul multiplies manifolds. This process can be understood well with the following example:

Imagine that a pitcher is flowing in the ocean. The pitcher is half-full of water. Now, the water in the pitcher is separate and quite different from the water in the ocean. Any activity in the ocean will have its effect on the pitcher, but not on the water inside the pitcher. If the pitcher is sunk in the ocean, then the water inside the pitcher and the water of the ocean outside the pitcher will become one. Now , any movement in the water of the ocean will have effect on the water of the pitcher and vice versa.

Similar is the situation of the creatures of this world vis-à-vis this universe. If you take the creature (e.g. a human being) to be the pitcher, then his state of consciousness can be taken as the water inside the pitcher. Again, I you take the universe as the ocean then its enormous consciousness can be taken as the water of the ocean. Now, by applying the example in the preceding paragraph, you will be able to understand the whole yogic process.

According to the great sage patanjali, Yoga is detachment of the mind from running after material things and acquiring a peaceful state of heavenly bliss. According to Gita( a hindu holy book) skillful doing of anything is Yoga. In other words, whatever is done with the application of both the mind and the body, is Yoga. We may be students or businessmen, men or women, working women or a housewives – everyone is busy with one type of work (Karma) or the other this work is done with hands and with application o mind or by speaking out and the person always has an eye on the fruits of this labor., i.e. the reward that the person will get as a result of all his activities. Yoga tells us that we must do our work so skillfully and live our life so appropriately that fruit of our work should be the natural outcome of our efforts, as if it is bound to result by the efforts.

WHY ONLY YOGA POSTURES (ASANAS) FOR HEALTH?

There are a number of exercises to keep the body healthy, e.g. gymnastics, judo, karate, different sports, combat exercises, swimming, morning walk, etc. Then why Yoga? The arguments in favor of this question are as follows:

1. Yoga is a set of inexpensive exercises, requiring no equipment. Moreover, no lifting, pulling, pushing or pressing of equipment is required. You require neither a helping hand, nor open ground. Therefore, Yoga is a self-sufficient system for improvement and development of the body and mind.
2. Yoga can be performed by all- the poor, the rich, the old, the young, the strong, the weak, the married, the unmarried. There is no restriction of caste, race, community or nationality.
3. When one performs yoga postures (asanas), the parts of body are not over-worked. Similarly, there is no over-use of body power.
4. The primary objective of Yoga postures is to remove tiredness. In contrast, other exercises tire the body.
5. Yoga postures strengthen digestive system and cleanse the stomach thoroughly.
6. Yoga corrects eating habits and makes the mind restful. Therefore, both body and mind get complete and permanent health.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOGA LEARNERS AND PRACTITIONERS

• Always practice Yoga on a blanket or a wooden surface, so that the electrical charge generated in the body does not go waste.
• Do Yoga practice with ease – do not force your body.
• Always perform Yoga exercises four to five hours after meals, or two hours after consuming milk. In other words, there must not be undigested food in your stomach at the time you begin to perform these exercises.
• Always breathe regularly through your nose during these exercises.
• While you practice Yoga, you must wear appropriately fitting underwear.
• Always wear loose fitting cloths while performing these exercises, so that your clothes do not come in the way o these exercises.
• Always perform Corpse Posture (Shava Asana) before, during and after Yoga exercises so that your body receives adequate rest.
• For best results, try to concentrate your mind on appropriate energy centres (chyakras) during Yoga exercises.
• During Yoga exercises, you must pause  in the appropriate postures, only for a few seconds. As you become more comfortable and your body gets more used to these exercises with passage of time, you should then slowly increase the period of these pauses.
• One can practice Yoga postures in the morning or in the evening. These are the most appropriate times for Yoga. If you have sufficient time at your disposal, then you can practice Yoga in the morning and also in the evening.
• One must practice Yoga after attending to the call of nature and other daily routines like bathing. However, in winter, or in case of any other problem, Yoga can be practiced even without taking a bath.
• Yogic rituals like neti, dhoti which cleanse the body, must be done on an empty stomach. For added advantage, these activities should be performed before the sunrise.
• One must practice Yoga on an empty stomach (before eating or drinking anything). However, one can take a glass of water (warm water in winter). Water would do well with your digestive system and remove body toxins.
• Never do Yoga exercises at least four hours after a heavy meal Similarly, give a gap of at least two hours after a light meal.
• In Tratakas (Constant Gazing*) you can practice Jyoti trataka* after the sunset.
• To get best results from the yogic postures, one should make a habit of eating fruits, fruit juice, salad, green leafy vegetables and easily digestible food. Always eat a little less than your actual appetite. So far as possible, do not drink water along with meals.
• Do not take water immediately after Yoga exercises.
• Do not eat anything at least twenty to thirty minutes after Yoga exercises. If you want to reduce your weight, then do not eat anything until after one hour of these exercises. However, you can take a little honey and lemon juice dissolved in a glass of water.
• Yoga should be practiced for a period between half an hour to an hour. One can increase or decrease the duration depending upon his or her own need or ability of the body.
• While exercising, always think about positive things. Try to feel as if heavenly powers are entering your body and you are getting healthier and more optimistic about the life. Try to feel as if healthy energy is entering from each and every pore o your skin. One should connect one’s breathing with healthy and positive thoughts.
• One must be regular in yogic exercise. During these exercises, normally one should exhale (breathe out) while bending forward and inhale (breathe in) while bending backwards. Face should be smiling. Remember, that the good facial expressions send positive signals to your mind and all parts of your body. Scientific research has proved that chemical changes take place in the body when you do yogic exercises with a smile on your lips. Pleasant thoughts also help the body get rid of the harmful toxins generated by tension and anxiety. Thus, the body remains active.