Yoga and I

Do you hear me?

“What changes are to be made in life to make it more positive and successful?”

Friends, the question is one that appeared in a famous social forum in the internet. To me that is one thing and one thing only, that is YOGA; the regular practice of it. I now speak to you from my own experience.  I was, from my childhood a person of poor health and mental makeup.  Yoga helped me to overcome several negative traits of my character and physique. I shall open up everything before you.

As a person I was,

1. One of recurring illness ---Apart from the common childhood diseases that were severe and recurring in my case, I was an established Asthma (breathing difficulty) patient too.

2. Highly nervous and hyper sensitive—When the teacher asked a question, even if I know the answer I shivered and stammered so much so that I even lost my sound at times. The whole class room watched me miserable and embarrassed which made me utterly shameful. As a result I became a regular absentee from the school.

3. Whimsical, frivolous and fretful. My poor father spent a good amount of money for my treatment, but not to any conspicuous results.

Somehow I finished my college degree with poor results and then joined Yoga classes of a well known Yoga teacher of that time who was conducting classes near our college. This was on my father’s insistence. In those days Yoga was not commercialized and there were only a handful of students to attend. A regular six months practice brought in unbelievable changes in me. I continued my regular practice for 2 years. In the meanwhile I could finish my post graduation with sufficiently good results.

But things changed altogether as I got a permanent bank job. I was picking up very well in my health and temperament. Asthma had almost disappeared.  But as days passed I could not continue my yoga practice primarily due to time constrained and gradually, my interest in yoga was also diminishing. I happened to be in the company of a group of drunkards and within one year I also became habitual and die hard drinker. My food habits also changed altogether. A once-a-while non-vegetarian; meat and eggs became a regular part of my diet. These habits continued for 15 years, enough to spoil my image in office and official circles. To turn things worst my heart also signaled danger. Medical checkup showed that 90% of my coronary artery was blocked and two times I must have passed through two minor attacks. But in the regular trance of liquor I didn’t even noticed that. Finally I underwent an open heart surgery in 2010, and by God’s grace I am here with you. As my body might have kept up the positive traits of my former practice, it was easy for me to overcome the malicious clutches of drinking and smoking habits. Now again I have started my yoga practice with ardent spirits and positive outlook and by retirement this year, I want to consecrate my life for yoga and be a practitioner of it. I strongly believe that a new generation with absolute control of mind and creative outlook can be cultivated through yoga only. It is the absolute necessity of present day world.

Why, you want to join me?

Come on the way of Yoga. The unique and marvellous cure of yoga has helped innumerable patients suffering from various diseases to come out of them successfully. It can fortify our body against the attack of any kind of fatal diseases. For all that we need not spend any money.

Here I give you a set of Asanas and Pranayama, which you can do yourself after a brief practise of I week at the most.The Basic Scripture followed here is “Hatayoga Pradeepika” written by Swami Swatmarama who is the proponent of this most important division of Yoga called HATAYOGA.

Pranayama (The Breathing Exercise)

A visitor once asked Ramana Maharshi a baffling question

“Guru, my mind is always wavering. How can I control it?”

The answer came smooth. “It can be done by controlling your breath”

Breathing is the process by which we take in ‘Prana’, the Vital Force from the air. This ‘prana’ pervades each and every single cell of our body supplying it with the Vital Energy. Our body accumulates a lot of impure substances inside during the metabolic activities, and these are removed as the ‘prana’ enters and occupy those places. Whichever body part where ‘prana’ cannot reach, the impurities are get accumulated and that part becomes diseased. In other words the more ‘prana’ we can take inside and retain, the more vital and healthier our body will be. ‘Prana’ is invisible and breathing is its visible manifestation.

Mind and breath are inseparably interlinked together. When one splutters the other one also does. When mind is calm the breath also takes place calm. But when mind goes distorted and turbulent the breath also becomes distorted. You can see and experience it yourself. This shows by controlling the rhythm and way of breath we can very well control our mind. This is what we achieve through “Pranayama” (Control of breath). The words of Ramana Maharshi connote this universal truth.

When a person normally inhales he does not take air lung full, and conversely when he exhales the air already taken in will not go out full. This serious defect is rectified by doing Pranayama.

Hatayoga Pradeepika tells about 8 different types of Pranayamas. But some of these are to be studied directly from the Guru. Only 4 types are given here. 

Pranayama-I Deap Breathing

How to do?

                                               Deep Breathing

Sit in any one of asanas we use for prayer or Dhyana.  It may be Padmasana, Sukhasana or Swasthikasana (http://yogiuncle.blogspot.in). Hold the body and head upright at 90 degrees without giving tension on any parts. Stomach should be almost empty. Close the eyes. This is the formal way of doing it. Do it after Savasana (Dead Posture)

Expel all air that is remaining in the lungs through the nose. Now take in air slowly through both noses without break and making sound. Do not give any force or strain. As the air fills the lung, the chest slowly bulging out can be felt. When the lungs are full retain the air for some time (as much as you can).

Now slowly let the air out without break, taking more time than used to inhale. Exhale all air and remain one or two seconds without breathe and repeat. Do it 5 times in the first week and then increase to 10 times. You can do any number of times, the more the better.

Deep Breathing can be done in open spaces also where we get fresh air. It can be done standing, sitting or even lying down and your eyes open. Anybody can do it any time and it makes your mind calm. Do it whenever you are over-stressed and emotional.

Benefits:- Air enters every alveoli of the lungs. Lung capacity increases. Opens up the hitherto unopened parts of the lung. In fact all pranayamas do this. As more ‘Prana’ enters, the body becomes more vital and energetic. Mind cools down. Regular practice gives sound sleep. 

Anuloma Vilomam (Nadeesodhana Pranayamam) (Alternate Breathing)

                                    Alternate Breathing

How to do

Sit straight (erect) in any one of the sitting asanas. (It may be Padmasana, Siddhasana or Swastikasana). Extend the left hand and place it with the palm covering the left knee. (Left Handers can place their right hand). Lift up the right hand and place the forefinger (Index finger) and middle finger at the centre of the forehead, so that the thumb and ring finger and small finger remain on either side of the nostrils. Exhale all air that remains in the lungs. Close the eyes and concentrate on the breathing.

Now close the right nostril with the thumb (left handers left nostril) and inhale deep and steady through the left nostril till the lungs are full. Hold for one second and close the left nostril with the ring and small fingers. Exhale the air through the right nostril deep,slow and steady, taking more time than used to inhale.

Now inhale as before through the right nostril, hold for one second, close it with the thumb and exhale through the left nostril. Now one Pranayama is complete. Do the alternate process 5 times in the beginning. By practice you can easily pick up. It is very simple. After one week you can do it 10-20 times. Do it in the morning and evening. In any Pranayama while doing it do not keep the mouth open. The inhalation and exhalation should take place through nose only.

Benefits:-

This Pranayamam removes all unwanted thoughts from the mind and it becomes calm. The air reaches each and every part of lungs. It is extremely good for the circulatory system. It cleanses up the brain cells. As the Prana enters the Ila, Pingala nerves become toned up. Gives sound sleep.

Yoga and Circus

Yoga goes on changing its stature, style, form and manners as time psses by. She has been embellished with newer costumes and make-ups, and the semi clad Yoga Beauty struts on the ramps; while the good old spectators watch her cat-walk awestruck.

Some of the modern Yoga Acharyas have made yoga a Circus. They make their students twist, turn, writhe, roll into a ball like a Porcupine, place both legs on the shoulders and roll over the ground, so that the younger generation has taken it as yet another form of ’Circus’ or as a preparatory course for their newer art form, the ‘Rock'. (true that a yogi can make all possible movements and postures with his body)

What I have to advise is that, Yoga is not a Circus or Gymnastics even though all these involves body movements. Yoga is a ‘Sasthra’’(Science) proclaimed by the ancient Rishis for the physical and mental wellbeing of mankind.So it is always better to study it in the 'traditional form' so that we can enjoy the full benefit of it.

Why do ladies do Yoga?

YOGA and Religion