Roots Of The Term ‘Yoga’

To understand the yoga positions, it is necessary to understand the roots of the term ‘yoga’.

Anglicized from the Sanskrit word ‘joga’, it means union. Therefore, ‘yoga’ is the union of the human body and mind – a synthesis of these two important aspects of the human body through the deliberate manipulation of the heart and the breathing processes.
‘Yoga’: Indian Cultural Heritage

The yoga positions have been handed down to the present generation from the days of the yore. The media were the written treatises on barks of particular trees and also through schools (ashram/tol/pathsala) and teachers (gurus) carrying on the glorious tradition.

In fact, all the ancient Indian tomes point to the popularity of the yoga positions among the Indian sages. Any painting or representation of the Indian mendicants will invariably show the yogi or the person in a typical yoga position.

Among certain Indian Hindu communities, the human body is buried in an upright posture which is in the form of a yoga position.
How Yoga Should Be Performed

The yoga positions need to be performed with the right bent of mind to enjoy the best results.

All the yoga positions are practiced in a calm and peaceful environment.

Benefits Of Regular Yoga Schedules

Researches have proved the immense beneficial yield arising out of a dedicated schedule of yoga positions.

The body achieves suppleness and elasticity; the joints loosen up; blood circulation functions normally even as the heart resumes the vibrant muscularity.

The yoga positions are designed in such a way that the practitioner’s psychology or mental buildup undergoes a positive metamorphosis. The practitioner of the yogic meditative positions rarely loses his cool.
Start Young To Stay Young

Though some of the yoga positions appear to be rather complex and apparently tough to perform, yet the fact remains that they are very easy for the regular practitioner of the yoga positions.

The various yoga positions are commonly termed as ‘asanas’. However, examined from a wider angle, the yoga positions include not just the physical exercises but also the mental and the breathing techniques. A combination of these three aspects of the yoga positions aids the complex but still natural process of a synthesis of the practitioner’s mind, heart and body.

What Exactly is Breathing?

The breathing process is a combination of the inhalation process which uses the ingressive (breathing in) air as well as the exhalation (breathing out) process which includes the egressive air.

Just think for a while. How many people really consciously bring about a synthesis between his physical activities and his mind? Very few! They do their day-to-day chores â breathing in and breathing out. This is because without breathing or without taking oxygen we cannot live.

But the moot point is: Do we control breathing?
No, we don’t!
The next poser: Can we at all control breathing?
Yes, we can!
The next natural queries should be: Why should we control breathing? Or for that matter, how do we control breathing?

Controlling Breathing

A yoga practitioner (yogi) of Pranayama yoga has total control over his breathing process. What’s more, such a practitioner can use his breath to do wonders for his body. By performing the Pranayama yoga tactics, he/she makes use of deliberate and conscious attempts to bring about a synthesis of the human body and the mind.

Yoga Versus Other Exercises

Yoga pranayama tactics would appear to be certain physical movements or postures to the uninitiated. Hence, many erroneously assume that pranayama yoga is akin to other physical exercises.

However, the fact remains that yoga is not merely gymnastics, nor is it simply a set of exercises to stretch the body. Yoga is a way of life, and Pranayama yoga is the catalyst that makes the mind and body of the practitioner immune to attacks â psychologically as well as physically.

Pranayama yoga is a set of age-old proven tactics to stimulate the body and mind of the Kundalini yoga practitioner.
The yoga techniques require total concentration of the yogi. Such dedication is brought about through controlled breathing and chanting of mantras to bring about a focal point.

Word of Caution

The yoga Pranayama asanas complement regular treatments. Yoga is not a substitute for any medical schedules.

To gain the maximum benefits from the regular practice of yoga, you must reveal to the yoga trainer or ‘guru’ the physical antecedents or the history of diseases in your family. Certain illnesses are hereditary. Hence you should take care.

The yoga asanas should be done only after you take the advice of an expert yogi practitioner.

None of the yoga asanas is a substitute for medical advice or care. It is important to remember this primarily because certain yoga postures are not meant for some people suffering from particular ailments.

SEAT SELECTION

• Yogic accessories are simple
• You need just a rug, or a mat or a blanket. But do cover it with a cotton cloth.
• You can also use a cotton cloth. Fold it two or four times.
• If the seat is made of wool, ensure that it is clean and exposed to sunlight before and after use. There should not be any dust.
• The seat must be comfortable and not slippery.
• Remember the seat must provide you with support while doing the balancing exercises.
• The rug must accommodate your entire body.
• Never share your seat with anybody.
• A bed or a sofa are not at all ideal seats. You won’t be able to balance yourself as your body sinks in those places.
• Don’t do asanas on bare floor, sand or grass. You may catch cold.

Congregations & Idea Sharing Fora

• Ideally, you should frequent yogic congregations. These meetings offer an excellent for a for exchanging of ideas.
• Idea sharing fora can be a good venue to clear doubts and also gain from the experiences of gurus and other veteran yoga practitioners and enthusiasts.
• Ideas and comments flow freely in such gatherings. Anybody can be benefited from such interflow of ideas and comments.

PLACE & VENUE

Especially because yoga involves breathing exercises, it is mandatory that they are done in a pollution-free environment.
Yogic results are the best when one does these exercises in a serene environment that is pollution free. So, shortlist such sites. It can be a park or a river bank ( about 150 feet away from the river).
But, don’t choose a place too near the sea.
Don’t exercise in an AC room.
But the best place for yoga is your sanctum sanctorum. It can be the bedroom or the parlour. Or any other room for that matter. But ensure that the ventilation is proper and there is silence all round.
The ideal location must be free of mosquitoes, insects, smoke, dust, draught, visual distractions or foul odors.
The place must be flat and firm. Such places provide a stable base as you execute your movements.
Avoid rocky surfaces.
The floor must not be slanting or uneven.
It mustn’t be wet or slippery as well.
Since some of the yogic asanas require your crown, nose, chin and face to come into contact with the ground, it is necessary that the chosen place is clean, hygienic, smooth and flat.

IDEAL TIME

But what if you stay in a busy locale? Then too you can usher in that ideal environment. This is how you can go about creating such a environment: Start yoga pranayam and asanas when the neighbors have not yet risen or the cars have not yet started plying on the road outside. The morning hours before sunrise or what we know as dawn is the most appropriate time to do yoga.
The best time is between 5-7 in the morning hours.
Spare just an hour in the dawn for yoga. Begin as the night bids adieu and the new day is approaching. The sky will still be starry. The moon would still be visible. At that time, the air is cool an fresh; the environment is silent and peaceful; your body and mind are relaxed after a good night’s sleep; and your tummy is empty after the toxic materials are purged as a part of the daily morning schedule.
And, you’ll finish the yoga schedule leisurely as the dawn welcomes the sun god – the appropriate moment for Surya Pranam.
The early morning joint stiffness syndrome will disappear as you do the Surya Namaskar asanas along with a few of the easy ones.
Don’t exercise if the weather is too cold or hot.
Avoid windy locations as well as polluted places.
Don’t do the yogic exercises in places where the sun rays fall directly on your body.
Never exercise when your body is cold.

Insulate yourself if the weather is too cold; and if it is too hot, seek out an airy room.

Go to bed early and rise early

But, what if you happen to miss the morning schedule?

Well, it’s precisely because of such contingencies that we have asked you to fix up an alternative schedule as well.

Even if you’re really short of time, at least practise the 12 Surya pranam asanas in the morning.

They would take at the most 30 minutes. (You can skip the other exercises for the day.)

You would be the gainer as those 30 minutes asanas will make you ready – physically and mentally – for the long and busy day ahead!

But, if you have no means to contact such a personality, don’t worry! This site is especially meant for people like you!

Simply follow the guidelines!

Go slow but steady.

First, read the entire manual first to last.

Then, copy, underline or jot down the portions you deem are important or are applicable for you!

Next, pick up those important sections and go through them one at a time. Clear up any confusions you may have.

You can also contact us for additional queries. We are always there for ensuring your health and peace of mind.

After that, choose the asanas.

Your wish list can depend on several considerations. There are asanas for improving concentration, there are others to cure ailments, and there are yet more to correct your postures while there are also asanas that combine two or more benefits.

Finally, you are at that stage when you have already chalked out the asanas for you. Now is the moment to fix the schedules – main and an alternative one.

Yoga cannot bring you magical results within the night. It’s not a magic wand or a tablet.

Success of yoga exercises depends on the close interaction of various faculties. The mind, body and internal organs along with the limbs will have to work in close concert.

When a person has never attempted to carry out this vital act consciously, obviously it will take some time for that person to get adjusted to the correct means of attaining that ideal stance of the body, bent of mind and ensuring that the vital organs do respond to the positive impulses at the right time in the correct manner.

To achieve that state, one will have to dedicate oneself to yoga.

One will also have to persevere.

Dedication and Perseverance will help the yoga practitioner to easily and quickly master the positions and postures required in the different mudras, asanas and pranayams.

So, don’t let your mind waver, practise the meditation (breathing and mind control exercises) asanas just like that and see the differences that have in your mindset.

The most interesting thing about the breathing exercises is that one can do them even while traveling or walking or while idly lying anywhere.

Dedication to yoga will ultimately award you with a controlled personality. Anger will disappear, patience will be your forte, and you will have peace of mind. All these will help you to consciously purge your body of the toxic matters and give you sound health.

A healthy mind in a healthy body will be yours.

You should commence the yoga session in a sitting position.

The asanas that fall in this category are the Padmasana, Sukhasana and Siddhasana. *

Remain in that position for some minutes. Relax. Be composed.

Now condition your mind while remaining in that comfortable position.

You can concentrate on a round object positioned on your brow. You can also imagine your navel in that position. Total concentration is pinpointed towards this point.

After some time, the mind will become totally blank. No outward subjects or extraneous problems will trouble after some time That is the blast-off stage — the absolutely serene moment for you to commence your breathing yogic exercises.

Remember, the yoga asanas must be done when you are in good spirits. That blows away all the blues: your laziness vanishes, as your mental tension and the overall result is enthusiasm.

A positive attitude is must. Don’t exercise reluctantly!

The yogic exercises should be slowly, steadily and calmly.

There should not be any tension or haste.

To get the optimum results, you must have endurance, patience and lots of will power. All these will, of course, emanate from the meditation session.

What now remains is the proper conditioning of the person’s mind.

Since our mind is involved with multitude of issues, problems and varieties of tensions, it is mandatory that mind is first purged of all such extraneous thought strains.  That ideal mental state can be easily ushered in through the meditation postures.

Just as we warm-up before any exercise sessions, so also the meditation asanas are prepare us for the main yoga sessions.

Practised regularly, the meditation state of the mind can be brought in by anyone anytime and anywhere.

Above all, the mind conditioning session preceding the other yoga sessions improves the concentration faculty.

Notably, one can also opt to do only the meditation session to chalk out his thought processes.

Practise the meditation stance(s), juxtapose it with the breathing asana(s); and se how you get over the ‘butterflies in tummy’ syndrome.

Nervousness vanishes. Confidence takes over.

Hence, a short meditation session wedded to the mind control and breathing techniques can do a world of wonders especially before one commences a task. It is ideal before exams, interviews, group discussions, debates and any other competitive tests.

Setting the Stage for Yoga

To get the optimum benefits from yoga, one will have to follow the following 15-fold guidelines: They help to set the stage most ideal for an individual for practicing yoga.

A. Ensuring physical endurance for the yoga schedule;
B. Mind conditioning.
C. The right moment for the breathing asanas.
D. Dedication & Perseverance
E. Proper yoga guidance.
F. Learning the accurate yoga methods.
G. Setting up a fixed schedule.
H. Chalking out an alternative schedule, just in case.
I. Adherence to the roster.
J. Selection of time and place;
K. Exact venue;
L. Costume & Seat;
M. Selection of a congregation.
N. Sharing of experiences and ideas,
O. Exchange of views and comments;

As you can see, one stage simply merges into the following stage thereby preparing the stage for the subsequent stages. Proper adherence to the above 15 rules will bring out a concrete whole. All in all, the 15 afore-mentioned guidelines are akin to the road-signs that guide the traveler as he sets on the road to achieve mental peace and sound health

Let’s analyze the points one by one.

Ensuring Physical Endurance

Prior to beginning the journey, it’s rather important that the student first seek due counseling from the experts.
Simultaneously, go for a medical examination. You should start the yoga schedule only after getting the nod from the physician. Some exercises are not meant for people suffering from certain diseases. So, it’s of utmost importance that you undertake a medical check-up at right at the beginning.

Remember that if a person is suffering from some severe ailments, he/she should first have himself/herself cured to be able to go ahead with the yoga schedule.

Heart patients must invariably consult their physicians and the yoga therapist before doing any exercise, especially strenuous ones.

The inverted yoga positions are also not recommended for the people having sinus (nasal) infection or problems.

If you’re suffering from blood pressure problems, then you will have to first bring the blood pressure to the normal level.

Such patients must never attempt those asanas where they have to balance their bodies on their heads. Such ‘topsy-turvy’ positions force blood to flow into the brain. Nonetheless, for such patients as well as those suffering from any kinds of organizational disorders, the best asana is the savasana. There are certain other asanas too appropriate for them. But these should be taken up only after discussion with the yoga therapist.

Of course, one can opt for curing the ailments entirely through the yogic method of asanas.

Notably, people of weak constitution must proceed through two steps prior to exercising. First, seek medical advice; second, take up a preliminary set of simple yoga asanas at least for five months. They can go for the advanced yoga postures once they regain full strength, have no complicacies in the functioning of their internal organs and are experience no strain or pain while moving their limbs.