Yoga: Saint Pathanjali, who lived five thousand year ago, gave a shape to this ‘yoga art’, which is time immemorial. The mankind owes to saint Pathanjali for whatever knowledge one has now in yoga culture. Saint Pathanjali is the father of yoga arts. The Sanskrit word ‘Yoga’ means concentration and coordination. The coordination between body and soul; soul and mind and everything to merge with the divine force. With the clear understanding of the Divinity leaving a serene life in consonance with the Law of Naturethe divine force – is called yoga. Asana helps succeed in achieving the life described above. Saint Pathanjali divided the Yoga art into eight disciplines as:
1. Iyamam
2. Niayamam
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Prathyagara
6. Tharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi.
The third discipline is yoga and it helps the body to prepare for the meditation practices and also prevents from diseases providing the necessary immunity. Asana keeps the body flexible and relaxed. Also meditation after yoga makes concentration possible.
General Advantages of Asana:
1. Provides the required tranquility to the soul to reach the state of Holy Grail.
2. Flexibility in the body at age is maintained.
3. Self-confidence, success in life and more importantly peace and happiness become a possibility to all.
4. Asana provides required immunity against all kinds of diseases.
5. Respiratory system, blood circulation system, digestive system, nervous system functions normally.
6. Asana refurbish the body and mind rejuvenating all nerves
7. Endocrine glands get activated, nerves get toned up and youthfulness prevails.
8. Makes the body glow and brightens up the face.
Conducive Conditions for Asana:
1. Time: Early in the morning with empty stomach and in the evening (four hours after meal) one can practice asana. It is very effective if one does in the mornings before tea.
2. Place: Clean, calm and airy place is an ideal place for doing asana. One should use a soft floor spread (carpet) to do the asana.
3. Dress: Loose fitting, comfortable dress for men and women will be ideal.
4. Age: From 8 years to 100 years people can practice asana. Concentration of mind is the most important requisite to practice Asana. Pregnant ladies should avoid doing complicated asana and ladies should not practice asana during their menstruation. People with high blood pressure (hyper tension) and heart related diseases should avoid sarvangasana and halasana.
5. Diet: Sathvic (Vegetarian) and balanced diet one should have while practicing asana.
6. Breathing Style: Breathe through the nose only. Breathe out while bending forward breathes in while bending backward. Breathing style is common for yoga and Asana activities. People with heart diseases and hip joint pain avoid bending backward. Those with neck pain and back pain should avoid bending forward.
7. Eyes: At the learning stage eyes can remain open. But, when start practicing close the eyes and concentrate.
8. Mind: Consciousness and concentration will bring out the best results.
9. Preparing the body: Before doing asana so some simple physical exercises to make the body flexible to make it ready to use it anyway one likes. Asana and leg exercises will be suitable.
10. Method: Use both the sides of the body (left -right) alternatively while doing some asana. When one begins it is quite natural that joints and muscles may feel some pain. But continuous practice will set these alright in due course. After completing the asana in lying position while getting up turn to the left press the right hand get up.
11. Alternate Asana: While doing as asana some parts of the body get rigid. The nerves and muscles become tight. Blood circulation heat and air circulation will be more in there parts. To equate the force one has to don an alternate asana.
12. To make it perfect: Practice every asana tow or three times daily. This chapter contains very simple asana. Practicing these asanas can make a person healthy in body and mind.
