The Essence of Yoga

Physical exercise hardly needs explanation as a discipline that makes demand upon conscious control of the body musculature through movement.

However, there are differing approaches to the style of movement preferred in various cultures and amongst different individuals.  This we observe in the western world in the numerous sports that prevail. Most are approached as competitive sports as we are challenged to greater effort through an ambition to better the next person. Those who are less assertive, and find competition unattractive, find alternatives that include the eastern exercise programmes of tai chi and in yoga.

Yoga, as a system of self culture, aims at self mastery without the challenges of competition. Each exponent focuses upon his or her own body, making new advances in self control by gentle command over the physical body by kindly persuasion and for a particular purpose, beyond the sheer muscular action.

The classic and mosot advanced example of this is in the Surya Namaskara or Sun Exercise sometimes called the Salute to the Sun. In this exercise of twelve movements (12 being the number directly related to the Sun) each offers a particular stimulation to physiological organs and processes. Further than health benefits to maintain youthful body or to aid rejuvenation, the series of movements help to psychically open out to expand one’s feelings of self confidence and vitality. The spiritual keynote is added by the repetitions of sacred mantra or in the case of Christians, the Lord’s Prayer.

However, as with most exercises, systems are developed by the individual teacher as there are few traditional exercises that are known or have been revived. The principles in Yoga, nevertheless are firm.

Any yogic exercise system is based upon ahimsa (non violence) and upon application of what is known in western exercise as the isometric principle that uses a person’s use of resistance to build muscle without external tools and aids. This is the preferred option although  others choose to follow western gym training, in addition.

In Hatha Yoga the approach to exercise follows the philosophy in recognition of the natural differences between the sexes and the different psychic energies that are released or stimulated by different movements. For example a tough, demanding exercise based upon muscle contraction and strength cannot help but generate male energies and feelings as a gentle rhythmic one will result in feelings of feminine softness and grace.

As exercise or movement is needed to build any body structure, the aim is particularly to build strength is particularly applied to male students and the exercises they practise. The desire for a lithe and graceful body influences the choice of more rhythmic movements of females. And there is a group of exercises that can be incorporated in all programmes to act as general balancing movements, ideal for both sexes.

Perhaps the most interesting factor in Yogic approach to exercise is the attitude towards the degree of difficulty. Here there is reversal of western ambition for speed. An exercise that is performed at some pace is considered to be the easiest. As the timing is slowed down it becomes more and more difficult until slow motion is judged as the most challenging in self control of the body, and the mind.

The Classical Yoga Exercise is called Surya Namaskara – better known to Western students as the ‘Sun Exercise’ or ‘Salute to the Sun’. This physical exercise is traditionally performed as a daily discipline in order to assist health by stimulating the major organs and glands of the body. It is usually executed as a continuous flow of twelve movements and, as with all yogic exercise, a slower pace is considered more complete approach, allowing better mental concentration.

The twelve positions each have an attendant thought focus upon the twelve universally accepted qualities of the Sun which when blended, offer a concept of perfection, or completeness. Although these are associated with inner recitation of the classical Sanskrit, it is modified appropriately in keeping with say Christians who may use the movements combined with the Lord’s Prayer just as other non-Hindus will apply their appropriate modifications.

Some who understand the astrological principles believe the twelve fold division of the Sun Salute may also be directed towards the zodiacal signs. This is recommended as a very satisfactory concept to use.

The following gives the Sanskrit and an indication of the meaning of each invocation or prayer best known to scholars of Sanskrit.

OM Mitraya Namaha                      Oh friend of all, I bow down to you

OM Ravaye Namaha                       Praised by all, I bow down to you

OM Suraya Namaha                        Guide of all, I bow down to you

OM Bhanave Namaha                     Bestower of Beauty, I bow down to you

OM Khagaya Namaha                     Stimulator of the senses, I salute you

OM Pushne Namaha                        Nourisher of life, I salute you

OM Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha     Promotor of Vitality, I salute you

OM Marichaya Namaha                  Destroyer of disease, I bow to you

OM Savitre Namaha                        Begetter of Life, I bow to you

OM Arkaya Namaha                        Inspirer of All, I salute you

OM Aditaya Namaha                        Inspirer of Love, I bow to you

OM Bhaskaraya Namaha              Oh Holy One, I surrender to you

………………….

By tradition all yoga teachers employ this as a physical exercise and teach it in their classes, to be repeated several times at each session.

It is used to represent a student’s personal choice of twelve values or virtues chosen as a focus for personal self culture or Sadhana.

In healing tradition in Indian ashrams it is used with patients in order to stimulate the flow of blood to the whole body and is directed to be continued until increased perspiration and other indications advise cessation. It is claimed that by many repeated cycles of Surya Namaskara all diseases can be cured.

A twelve-fold cycle is considered a fine health measure for western students.