Yoga- a soulful living

||Shree||

Every year, June 21 is recognized as International Yoga Day. Due to social distancing measures to fight the COVID19 pandemic, theme set for this year is- “Yoga for Health, Yoga at Home”. Yoga is mostly misinterpreted as Yogasan. However, the term Yoga is a big entity and Yogasan is a part of it. योगः चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः| Yoga indicates unity of mind and body, thought and action. In holistic approach, it is a unity of जीवात्मा and परमात्मा. It is a way to discover oneself, a perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are. Yoga is a Lifestyle modification that one should practice for living a Healthier, Happier and Longer Life. There are several different types of Yoga and many disciplines within the practice like हटयोग राजयोग भक्तियोग कर्मयोग तंत्रयोग ज्ञानयोग. Among them अष्टांग योग is simpler and more practiced which comprises of 8 अंग that is 8 sections. They are यम नियम आसन प्राणायाम प्रत्याहार धारणा ध्यान समाधि.

1. Yama (यम) is abstinences • Ahimsa (अहिंसा): Nonviolence • Satya (सत्य): truthfulness • Asteya (अस्तेय): no stealing • Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य): chastity (marital fidelity or sexual restraint) • Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह): non-possessiveness 2. Niyama (नियम) are observances • Shaucha (शौच): purity, clearness of mind, speech and body • Santosha (संतोष): contentment, acceptance of others, acceptance of one's circumstances as they are in order to get past or change them, optimism for self • Tapas (तपस्): persistence, perseverance, austerity, asceticism, self-discipline • Svadhyaya (स्वाध्याय): study of Vedas, study of self, self-reflection, introspection of self's thoughts, speech, and actions • Ishvarapranidhana (ईश्वरप्रणिधान): contemplation of the Ishvara (God/Supreme Being, Brahman, True Self, Unchanging Reality) 3. Asana (आसन) are postures Asana is a posture that one can hold for a period of time, staying relaxed, steady, comfortable and motionless. Yogasan is not an exercise. स्थिरसुखमासनम्| The meditation posture should be steady and comfortable. 4. Pranayama (प्राणायाम) is controlled breathing After a desired posture (आसन) has been achieved, then Pranayam is recommend. It is the practice of consciously regulating the breath (inhalation (पूरक), the full pause (अन्तः कुम्भक), exhalation (रेचक), and the empty pause(बहिः कुम्भक). Pranayama looks extremely easy and very beneficial but if not properly, can create health issues. Thus, Pranayam should be always performed under expert guidance. 5. Pratyahara (प्रत्याहार) is withdrawal Pratyahara is drawing within one's awareness. Pratyahara is not consciously closing one's eyes to the sensory world, it is consciously closing one's mind processes to the sensory world. Pratyahara empowers one to stop being controlled by the external world, fetch one's attention to seek self-knowledge and experience the freedom innate in one's inner world. 6. Dharana (धारणा) is concentration Dharana means concentration, introspective focus and one-pointedness of mind. The mind is fixed on a mantra, or one's breath/navel/tip of tongue/any place, or an object one wants to observe, or a concept/idea in one's mind. 7. Dhyana (ध्यान) is meditation Dhyana is contemplating, reflecting on whatever Dharana has focused on. Dharana is a state of mind, Dhyana the process of mind. Dhyana is distinct from Dharana in that the meditator becomes actively engaged with its focus. 8. Samadhi (समाधि) is absorption Samadhi is that spiritual state when one's mind is so absorbed in whatever it is contemplating on, that the mind loses the sense of its own identity. The thinker, the thought process, and the thought fuse with the subject of thought. There is only oneness, samadhi. If one understands this deep concept of Yoga, he could understand that Yoga is not merely Postures, Breathing or Meditation but Yoga is group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices. It is all about harmonizing the body with the mind and breath through the means of physical postures (योगासन, मुद्रा), breathing techniques (प्राणायाम) and meditation (ध्यान). Ayurved, the science of Life and Yoga are complementary practices that offer us transformative tools for earning greater health and vitality. For the beginners, Yogasan and pranaym should be done under expert guidance. Though this year it is not possible to do that, at least beginners should avoid extreme poses and difficult techniques, such as headstand, lotus position, and forceful breathing. When using yoga to manage a condition, do not replace conventional medical care with yoga or postpone seeing a healthcare provider about pain or any other medical problem. Yoga can help support a balanced, active lifestyle. Today on this International Yoga Day, lets pledge to live soulfully a healthy Life with Yoga and Ayurved by going beyond looking and feeling good. ... It is about being able to tune in to your own inner compass and determine what feels right for you. It is easier said than done, but the result is the ability to live abundantly and create your life as you dream it. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy. Dr. Vibhuti Salvi M.D. Ayurved