The Essence of Yoga

Yama, the first stage in Ashtanga Yoga, represents the end of the old ways and the first positive stage in the practice of self discipline by the elimination of bad habits relating both to health and character. The practices are to clear the way and demand the application of physical methods for inner body hygiene as well as the eradication of any layers of emotional and mental stress that may inhibit one’s progress to health and happiness.

For eliminating stress we have the practice of relaxation which releases strain from the whole psyche. There are many and various methods used in teaching relaxation but in Yoga, traditional preparation for practising what is known as Yoga Nidra remains constant.

We first assume the body position or asana called Savasana by lying flat on the floor along the north/south polarity if possible, arms down by the sides with eyes closed. The asana translates as the ‘Corpse’ or ‘Dead man Posture’ in which we obviously assume an immobile pose. However, we remain aware and sensitive towards our surroundings, our body sensations and energies and also become more aware of our emotional and mental states of being.

To be comfortable and able to relax completely in stillness is regarded as the first stage in control of the body. It is a discipline of equal or greater importance and difficulty than skills in body exercise or movement. A passive peaceful body is required as a prelude to passive, peaceful states of mind known in the stillness of meditation.

Stillness of the body in Yoga Nidra is designed to help us become receptive, first to outward sounds and impressions and then free of the distractions of others, to become inwardly aware of our whole being.

Relaxation in classwork is generally limited to a specific period of time, such as fifteen or sometimes thirty minutes.

Relaxation rewards us by encouraging a state of freedom, even from our own thoughts, as we enter degrees of consciousness related to feeling awareness. We remain conscious of our surroundings, yet with a sense of acceptance, embracing the fact that although we are just a single life unit, we are able to sense life’s wholeness. It is a refreshing and pleasant experience. Various subtle states of consciousness are rediscovered, sometimes for the first time since our infancy, as we find refreshment in the magical realm between sleeping and waking.

Yoga offers an integral system aimed at total health and well-being – physical, mental and  spiritual.

Yoga practices range from health practices advised in Hatha Yoga through psychological readjustments and culture within Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, to techniques to aid spiritual states of consciousness in meditation through Raja Yoga. Each student selects for himself the self-disciplines that are required for his own growth and refinement.

It was recognized that although body and mind are intimately connected, it was wise to begin training with the physical disciplines of Hatha Yoga before attempting mind control. It is still common for a student to begin with Hatha Yoga which incorporates exercises, asanas, simple breathing exercises and other health practices before seeking further information.

Every student is introduced to certain exercises in pranayama which assist him to master respiratory function. It is considered as one of the most important of all the disciplines. Breath control is the means of increasing power and vitality and of helping to maintain a calm and balanced nervous system. Breath is also seen as the individual’s life line. By learning to control his breath, the yogi is encouraged to take responsibility for his own psychological health.

By vitalizing his body, emotions and his mind he is better able to become conscious of the deeper nature of his own soul and spiritual self.

However, good health and well-being is the result of all aspects of a person’s nature being aligned and integrated in harmonious co-operative functioning. Yogic techniques and methods are designed for this purpose. By these means, not only does physical vitality improve but one feels happier through learning to control and re-direct emotional energy.

Through relaxation, concentration and meditation the mental faculties are developed, resulting in freedom from stress and increased creativity of mind.

After serious attention to integration of all aspects of one’s nature and practising meditation for an unspecified time period, which can be months or years, the spontaneous great transcendental spiritual experience of Samadhi is anticipated. It exemplifies ‘success’ in reaching an expanded and elevated supreme state of consciousness of the Oneness of life and of the power and love which pervades the universe. It is the pinnacle of human experience in consciousness and brings with it a sense of total well being.

Although yogic practices of Hatha Yoga are principally used as a method of preventing disease, they extend into the area of self-help.  Most of the disciplines originate in the ancient Ayurvedic system known as Yoga Chikitsa with many similar practices being incorporated in western naturopathic medicine today.

The traditional manner of treating disease by the use of herbs and substances prepared according to Ayurvedic medicine in India has a scientific background with its logic shared by all who recognise the healing powers of herbs and the validity of the homoeopathic system of medicine.

The philosophy behind the science is a respect for all life. It concedes that even the tiniest expression of natural life has its design and purpose within life’s evolution, even the smallest atom, or ion. Within its basic philosophy and in common with the Chinese system of medicinethe natural elements – Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether are considered. The traditional physician is seen as attempting to orchestrate the harmonious function of all the elements which requires wisdom, skill and insight. We can also help ourselves.

Self-Help

However there are many yogic practices that can be used in self correction and most of these are generally introduced in yoga classes, including -

Art of Relaxation – to be cleansed of muscular and nerve tensions and stress

Kriyas – additional hygiene to be internally clean

Fasting- to eliminate toxins from the blood

Purification –of psyche by eradication of character faults and bad habits undermining  health

Nutrition – building a health body with quality food and herbs and a vegetarian diet

Building a strong body with appropriate exercises including the Surya Namaskar

Building character through cultivation of good qualities and nobility of character

Asanas – body postures, both in passive stance and in specific remedial postures

Pranayama – controlling energy through breathing exercises and awareness of breath 

Pratyahara – cultivating and controlling the senses with no neglect, over use or sensory abuse

Dharana – concentration in creating the self image one desires of perfect health 

Dhyana - meditation which brings about a peaceful and elevated spiritual level of consciousness whereby states of dis-harmony may be corrected.

Subtle Therapies provide additional aids in therapy by soothing and harmonizing the soul –including music, colour, perfume, mantra, and prayer.

 Although traditional methods of healing may be employed in Indian ashrams and hospitals and suited to their cultural needs and conditions, we must not try to fashion our ways by artificially adopting customs foreign to our own culture.

 Principles and health practices, which seem reasonable and natural to us, are best to follow and the safest customs and therapies are those which apply safe, non-invasive methods.

 Refer to the methods which seem natural and offer you relief from any personal health problem.  Remember, it takes time to build total health.

                                                            …………

Although yogic practices of Hatha Yoga are principally used as a method of preventing disease, they extend into the area of self-help therapy or Yoga Chikitsa.  Most of the healing disciplines originate in the ancient Ayurvedic system share many similar practices being incorporated in western naturopathic medicine today.

 The philosophy behind the science is a respect for all life. It concedes that the tiniest expression of natural life has its design and purpose within life’s evolution, even the smallest atom, or ion. Within its basic philosophy and in common with the Chinese system of medicine

it is aware of the natural elements – Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether. The traditional physician is seen as attempting to orchestrate the harmonious function of all the elements. This requires wisdom, skill and insight.

 Self-Help with Yoga Chikitsa

There are many yogic practices that can be used in self correction and most of these are generally introduced in yoga classes, to ease any physical symptoms including -

Art of Relaxation – to be cleansed of muscular and nerve tensions and stress

Kriyas – additional hygiene to be internally clean

Fasting- to eliminate toxins from the blood

Purification-of psyche by eradication of character faults and bad habits undermining health

Nutritional – building a health body with quality food, herbs and a vegetarian diet

Building a strong body with appropriate exercises including the Surya Namaskar

Building character through cultivation of good qualities and nobility of character

Asanas – body postures, both in passive stance and in specific remedial postures

Pranayama – controlling energy through breathing exercises and awareness of breath 

Pratyahara – cultivating and controlling the senses with no neglect, over use or sensory abuse

Dharana – concentration in creating the self image one desires of perfect health 

Dhyana - meditation which brings about a peaceful and elevated spiritual level of consciousness whereby states of dis-harmony may be corrected.

Subtle Therapies provide additional aids in therapy by soothing and harmonizing the soul –including music, colour, perfume, mantra, and prayer.

 Although traditional yogic methods of healing may be employed in Indian ashrams and hospitals and suited to their cultural needs and conditions, we must not try to fashion our ways by artificially adopting customs foreign to our own culture.  Principles and health practices, which seem reasonable and natural to us are best to follow as long as we choose to avoid artificial chemicals and drugs in favour of natural and non-invasive methods.

                                                            …………

When viewed from a materialistic standpoint it would seem that substance is our first need in the form of food. Viewed from the spiritual, the first requisites would be the subtler forms of nourishment gained by breathing fresh air, bathing in sunshine, and drinking pure water. The priorities alter with one’s perception but certainly the argument that food is top priority is flawed when we can exist in good health for weeks without food, only days without water, only minutes without air.

Nevertheless, although it may reasonably lose its place as top priority, nourishment through food is certainly top of the list for many of us and to assume a very important part of daily life and often daily indulgences.

The yogi chooses food which is fresh and natural as he sees the natural product as the measure of quality. He judges for himself the degree of prana which foods contain, calling the most vital of them the sattwic, or highest grade food. Consequently he is vegetarian in his eating habits.

Manufactured commercial foods are avoided as much as possible as most of them contain little life or prana – and seen as dead food by comparison with vital fresh foods. In addition, commercial foods often contain chemical additives and stimulants and this classes them as tamasic or rajasic foods. Commercial and carbonated soft drinks, coca cola and others, along with alcoholic drinks are either avoided altogether, as in the diet of children, or very limited in their consumption.

It is because of their love of animals as well as their judgement of food quality, that meats and flesh foods are considered devoid of life breath and prana so that the yogi rejects them completely. By comparison, plants are still able to breathe, and have the capacity to revive or to propagate through their seeds – they still have a flow of prana. Although in India raw milk is considered of great value, dairy products in our country are made from pasteurised milk and are advised only in limited quantity, particularly as these products involve the deprivation or suffering of infant animals.

In our country we are fortunate to have an abundance of healthy foods and a wide range to choose from, including fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, sprouted seeds, nuts, seeds, grains, honey, golden syrup, maple syrup, wholegrain breads, seaweeds, sprouted seeds, herbs and spices. Fungi and mushrooms are considered of value in limited quantities providing they are eaten when very fresh.  Herbs, beans, and other vegetables and fruits are of course included in their dried form, as are seaweeds. As far as possible, the diet should be eaten raw. Foods that require cooking should be only lightly cooked as overcooking destroys much of its nutritional value.

A last reminder about food is to consider the importance of chewing food well. It is in the mouth that the pranas are first released at the first stage of digestion. The stomach has no teeth, and relies upon the food being broken down through mastication as much as possible. We are reminded of the cottage wisdom with its advice to take 32 chews to the bite. Not only does it help digestion, it allows us increased enjoyment of flavour!

Fresh food is laden with prana!

The natural simplicity of yoga teachings attracts the attention of many who are searching for guidelines that will direct them to a more satisfying, healthier, more meaningful way of living.

Yoga as a system developed as natural laws became known and applied. We know it as one of the branches of Indian Philosophy of the Vedas that became an established a system with traditions, some of which are echoed in the modern application of yoga teaching.

The ancient customs and physical health methods of Hatha Yoga, so popular in the western world at the present time retain the principles of Ayurveda and offer a range of benefits, physical, mental and spiritual. The healing methodology practised in India is called Yoga Chikitsa, offers a unique range of therapies for utilization by the individual. It has close correspondence and is compatible with the philosophy and modern attitudes of the naturopathic profession and the increasing number of doctors specializing in preventative medicine.

However the yogic system considers the total nature of man and seeks to employ natural methods to not only maintain health but to correct difficulties of function in the body, emotions and mind and uses physical , psychological and spiritual healing practices to restore well being. In addition to those methods that are in accordance with the western approach, there are many additional and subtle ways employed to correct imbalances in the psyche or to reduce suffering, and to ensure the future health of the person concerned.

Where once the diametrically opposed attitudes in the eastern and western approach to psychology were once very clear, there is no longer a stark dividing line. The body remains the predominant western focus as the basis for human individuality and the soul and spirit the priority for eastern scholars. However, in the encouraging signs of becoming more universal in our thinking and our lifestyles there is a growing general consensus that to blend the best of all possible worlds of thought will provide inspiration for a better future for all.