HALASANA (THE PLOW POSE)
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HALASANA IS ONE OF ADVANCED YOGA POSE, SIMPLE TO PRACTICE AND CONTAINS LOTS OF BENEFITS. "HALA" MEANS "PLOW" AND "ASANA" MEANS "POSE" . THE BODY TAKES SHAPE OF A PLOW IS A MOST POPULAR AGRICULTURE INSTRUMENT USED TO PREPARE THE SOIL FOR SOWING SEEDS. LIKEWISE PLOW, HALASANA REJUVENATE THE INNER PART OF YOUR BODY AND MAKE IT HEALTHY AGAIN.
METHOD : LIE ON THE CARPET WITH BACKSIDE DOWN AND JOINT THE LEGS TOGETHER. RAISE THE LEGS AT ANGLE OF 90 DEGREE. THRUST THE PALMS, RAISE THE WAIST AND LEGS, BENDING FORWARD CURVING THE BACK AND RESTING THE LEGS ON THE FLOOR ABOVE HEAD. LITTLE BY LITTLE TRY TO PLACE THE TOES ON THE FLOOR AND KEEP THE LEGS STRAIGHT BALANCE THE WHOLE WEIGHT ON THE SHOULDER BLADE, SHIFT BOTH THE HANDS OVER THE HEAD, JOIN THE FINGERS, HOLD THE HEAD WITH IT AND RELAX THE ELBOWS ON THE FLOOR. NOVICES SHOULD BE REMAINED IN THAT POSITION FOR MINIMUM 10 SECONDS. AFTER REGULAR PRACTICE, YOU CAN HOLD ON TO THE POSITION FOR AS LONG AS 2 MINUTES. THEN RELEASE THE FINGERS ABOVE THE HEAD, PRESSING THE PALS ON THE FLOOR TAKING BACK THE THUMB TOE GENTLY BRING THE BODY AND LEGS TO THE FLOOR. PRACTICE ONE TIME ONLY. AFTER FINISHING HALASANA YOU MUST DO SAVASANA TOO, FOR RELAXATION.
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BENEFITS : HALASANA STRENGTHENS THE NECK, SHOULDERS, ABS AND BACK MUSCLES. IT CALMS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, REDUCES STRESS AND FATIGUE. IT WORKS AS MAGIC FOR SKIN BY ADDING YOURSELF GLOW. THE ASANA IMPROVES VISION AND PROVIDES RELIEF EYE PROBLEMS. REGULAR PRACTICE WILL RETARD AGEING PROCESS AND ENHANCES THE FUNCTIONING OF THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS. IT HELPS WOMEN DURNG MENOPAUSE, CLEARS CONSTIPATION AND STOMACH DISORDERS. MENSTRUAL DISORDERS IN WOMEN WILL ALSO GET CURED. THE ASANA CAN HELP PATIENTS OF TUBERCULOSIS, ASTHMA, AND BREATHING DISORDERS. THIS ASANA S VERY HELPFUL IN THE AILMENTS PERTAINING TO LVER, SPLEEN AND STOMACH. IN HAIR GROWTH ALSO.
PRECAUTION : THOSE SUFFERING FROM LUMBAGO, NECK PAIN, HERNIA, HEART DISEASE, SPONDYLOSIS AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SHOULD NOT PRACTICE THIS YOGA POSE. ALTHOUGH THIS ASANA IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT, YOU MUST EXERICISE PATIENTLY WHILE PRACTISING IT. IT IS BETTER TO PRACTISE IT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF AN EXPERIENCED YOGA GURU. AVOID PRACTISING HALASA IF YOU HAVE INJUIRED YOUR NECK, SUFFERING FROM DIARRHEA AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
UTTANAPADASANA
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IN SANSKRIT, "UTTANA" MEANS "RAISED", AND "PADA" MEANS "FEET" . IN THIS YOGA POSTURE, THE FEET ARE RAISED UP.
BENEFITS : THE ASANA IS VERY HELPFUL FOR INTENSTINES AND STRENGTHENS THEM. IT HELPS IN PROVIDING RELIEF FROM GAS, CONSIPATION, AND OBESITY. THE ASANA IS ALSO BELIEVED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASE, NAVAL DISLOCATION, STOMACH ACHE AND BREATHING PROBLEM. WHEN PRACTISED WITH ONE LEG EACH ALTERNATELY, HELPS IN LOW BACK PAIN.
PADAMASANA (LOTUS POSE)
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THIS IS SIMPLE AND EASY ASANA TO DO. IT HELPS MAINTAINING A STRAIGHT POSTURE AND IS A IMPORTANT POSITION FOR MEDITATION.
METHOD : SIT ON THE FLOOR IN DANDASANA AND STRETCH YOUR LEGS, YOUR LEGS SHOULD LIE STRAIGHT. HOLD THE RIGHT LEG IN BOTH THE HANDS, FOLD THE LEGS SLOWLY AND PLACE IT ON YOUR LEFT THIGH. ENSURE THAT YOUR FEET SHOULD TOUCH YOUR NAVEL. FOLD THE LEFT KNEE, AND HOLD IT WITH BOTH HANDS AND PLACE IT ON THE RIGHT THIGH CLOSE TO THE OTHER. AT THIS POINT, YOUR BOTH KNEES SHOULD TOUCH THE FLOOR AND THE FOOT SHOULD FACE UPWARDLY. YOUR SPINAL CORD SHOULD BE STRAIGHT AT THIS POINT. IF YOU FEEL SOME DIFFICULTY WHILE SITTING IN THE POSTURE FOR A LONG TIME, YOU CAN CHANGE THE LEGS AND THEN SIT ON THE SAME POSITION. YOUR SPINA CORD SHOULD BE ERECT, YOUR BOTH HANDS SHOULD BE TOGETHER BE TOGETHER OR PUT THE PALMS FACING UPSIDE ON THE KNEE JOINTS AND THE THUMB MUST TOUCH YOUR INDEX FINGER AND THE OTHER FINGERS SHOULD FACE UPWARD. DO THIS ASANA FOR 1 TO 2 MINUTES IN THE BEGINNING STAGE, ONCE YOU ARE USED TO IT THEN SLOWLY AND SLOWLY INCREASE THE TIME. STRICTLY AVOID BENDING YOUR BODY OR HEAD WHILE DOING THIS ASANA.
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BENEFITS : PADMASANA IS VERY USEFUL INCREASING THE FOCUS OF MIND AND CONCENTRATION. IT HELPS IN IMPROVING THE CONCENTRATION POWER AND IT CALMS THE BRAIN ALSO. THE ASANA IS HELPFUL FOR STUDENTS AS IT INCREASES CONCENTRATION POWER, MEMORY AND PROVIDES GOOD SLEEP.
PASHCHIMOTASANA
(FORWARD BEND POSE)
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THIS ASANA COVERS THE STRETCHING OF THE WHOLE BODY FROM HEAD TO HEELS AND STRENGTHENS ABDOMINAL MUSCLES. TEENAGERS SHOULD PRACTICE THIS ASANA AS IT HELPS INCREASING HEIGHT.
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METHOD : SIT DOWN IN DANADASANA POSITION WITH YOUR LEGS TOGETHER BY STRETCHING IN FRONT OF YOU. KEEP YOUR HEAD, NECK AND SPINE ERECT. PLACE THE PALMS ON YOUR RESPECTIVE KNEES. NOW BEND YOUR HEAD AND TRUNK SLOWLY FORWARD TO EATCH THE TOES WITH THE THUMB, INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS WITHOUT BENDING KNEES. TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND EXHALE SLOWLY. BEND THE ARM AND TRY TO SUPPORT THE ELBOW ON THE FLOOR. BEND THE ARM AND TRY TO SUPPORT THE ELBOW ON THE FLOOR. STAY IN THIS POSTURE FOR 1-3 MINUTES. EXHALE COMPLETELY AND COME TO THE NORMAL POSITION. AFTER THIS ASANA, YOU SHOULD PRACTICE BHUJANGASANA OR SHALABHASANA.
BENEFITS : THE ASANA STRETCHES THE SPINE AND BRINGS FLEXIBILITY. IT ALSO TONES THE ABDOMINAL PELVIC ORGANS. GOOD FOR CONSTIPATIONS AND DIGESTIVE DISORDER. ACCORDING TO HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ASANA THAT MAKES THE BREATH FLOWS TO THE SUSHUMNA (THE DEEP SPINE), AROUSES THE GASTRIC FIRE, AND REMOVES ALL DISEASES. THE NADIS GET PURIFIED AND HELPS TO ACTIVATE THE KUNDALINI SHAKTI.
IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR INCREASING HEIGHT. REGULAR PRACTISE CURE IMPOTENCY AND ENHANCES THE SEXUAL POWER.
ARDHABADHA PADMA PASHCHIMOTASANA (HALF BOUND LOTUS FORWARD FOLD)
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THE ASANA IS VERY HELPFUL IN STRENTHENING SPINE AND ABDOMINAL MUSCLES. IT ALSO PROVIDES MAGICAL RESULTS WITH THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
METHOD : SIT ON A MAT WITH BOTH LEGS STRETCHEDIN FRONT. BEND THE LEFT LEG AND PLACE THE LEFT FOOT ON THE RIGHT THIGH, TURNING THE SOLE OF THE FOOT UP AND HEEL TOUCHING THE ABDOMEN. LEAN FORWARD FROM THE HIPS, GRASP THE TOES OF THE RIGHT FOOT WITH RIGHT HAND FIGURES. USING THE ARMS, NOT THE BACK MUSCLES, SLOWLY PULL THE TRUNK FORWARD TO PLACE THE FOREHEAD RESTNG ON THE STRAIGHT KNEE. THIS IS THE FINAL POSITION. HOLD THE POSE FOR AS LONG AS IT IS COMFORTABLE. TAKE DEEP BREATHS.
BENEFITS : THE ASANA IS VERY HELPFUL IN KEEPING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM HEALTHY.
MARKATASANA (MONKEY POSE)
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MARKASANA IS EXCELLENT POSE FOR IMPROVNG FLEXBILITY OF THE SPINE AND IT BENEFITS THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM ORGANS. THIS POSE IS ALSO KNOWN AS MONKEY POSE AS MARKAT IS THE SANSKRIT NAME FOR MONKEY.
METHOD : LIE DOWN STRAIGHT ON THE GROUND AND SPREAD OUT HANDS WIDE APART. MAKE SURE THE PALMS FACE UP. WHILE INHALING, BEND YOUR LEGS FROM YOUR KNEES AND KEEP THEM AT THE BUTTOCKS. TRY TO TOUCH YOUR KNEES TO THE FLOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. LOOK TO THE LEFT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. HOLD ON TO THIS POSITION AS LONG AS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE. YOUR HANDS, ARMS AND SHOULDERS SHOULD REST FIRMLY ON GROUND AND SHOULD NOT MOVE WHILE TURNING YOUR KNEES OR NECK. NOW EXHALE AND COME BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION. NOW DO THIS ASANA TO THE OTHER SIDE.
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BENEFITS : IT ENSURES A FLEXIBLE SPINE AND PROVIDES RELIEF FROM CONDITIONS INCLUDING SPONDYLITIS, LOW PAIN, SLIP DISC, AND SCIATICA. IT GIVES RELIEF IN SPINAL DISORDERS. IT CURVES STOMACH ACHE, CONSTIPATION, GAS AND DYSENTRY, AND GIVES RELIEF TO THE STOMACH. MARKATASANA IS HELPFUL IN THIGHS' PAIN AND ARTHRITIS.
USTRASANA (CAME POSE)
THIS YOGASANA IS VERY HELPFUL IN CURING A VERIETY OF HEALTH PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY BREATHING PROBLEMS. REGULAR PRACTICE OF THIS ASANA WILL ENHANCE YOUR CHEST AREA AND STRAIGHTEN THE BACK.
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METHOD : SIT IN VAJRASANA POSITION. KNEEL ON THE YOGA MAT AND PLACE YOUR HANDS ON HIPS. BEND YOUR LEGS BY THE KNEES AND SIT ON YOUR HEELS PLACING THE BUTTOCKS BETWEEN THE HEELS, THE RIGHT BIG TOE OVERLAPPING THE LEFT. KNEE ON FLOOR KEEPING YOUR KNEES IN LINE WITH THE SHOULDERS AND SOLE OF THE FEET FACING THE CEILING. KEEP YOUR HANDS PARALLEL TO THIGHS. INHALE AND ARCH YOUR BACK AND PLACE YOUR PALMS ON THE HEELS OF THE FEET. KEEP YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT. BREATHE OUT AND SLOWLY COME TO THE NORMAL POSITION WITHDRAWING YOUR HANDS FROM THE FEET. REPEAT THE CYCLE AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES.
BENEFITS : THIS ASANA IS VERY HELPFUL FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. IT STRENGTHENS LUNGS WHICH FURTHER HELPS ASTHMA PATIENTS. IT STRETCHES AND OPENS THE FRONT OF THE BODY. IT ALSO STRENGTHENS THE BACK AND SHOULDERS. THE ASANA IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY OF THE SPINE, ENHANCES POSTURES AND CURVES ALL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SPINE INCLUDING CERVICAL, SPONDYLITIS, AND SCIATICA. THYROID PATIENTS CAN ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE ASANA.
THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS
OF YOGA
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YOGA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION. MANY MYTHS AND SPECULATIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH YOGA SINCE AGES. ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS BEHIND THIS IS INCOMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG PEOPLE ABOUT YOGA. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN YOGA WAS CLASSIFIED AS A MIRACULOUS TECHNIQUE INVOLVING PRACTICES SUCH AS WALKING ON BROKEN PIECES OF GLASS, FIRE, BREAKING IRON CHAIRS, BURYING ONESELF ALIVE IN THE GROUND, EXTINGUISHING FIRE WITH BARE HANDS, ETC. HOWEVER, THESE WERE JUST SUPERSTITIONS SPREAD BY PEOPLE DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS NOT ALL. YOGA WAS ALSO CONSIDERED AS A FORM OF PHYSICAL EXPERIMENT MEANT ONLY FOR SAGES. SO, THERE WERE LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS FOR YOGA.
THANKFULLY, GREAT MEN OF INDIA LIKE SWAMI VIVEKANANDHA, SWAMI KUVALYANANDA, SWAMI SHIVANANDA, MAHARISHI YOGI, ACHARYA SHRI RAJNEESH, DR.ISHWAR BHARADWAJ (PROF. AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF YOGA, GURUKUL KANGRI UNIVERSITY), MORARJI DESAI YOGA INSTITUTE DELHI, BABA RAMDEV ETC. HAVE BUSTED ALL THE MYTHS ASOCIATED WITH YOGA. THESE AMAZING PERSONALITIES HAVE ALSO REVEALED THAT ALL OF THE SPECULATIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH YOGA ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG. THEY HAVE MADE DEDICATED EFFORTS TO ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE ABOUT THE HOLISTIC EFFECTS OF YOGA, TODAY, PEOPLE ARE MORE AWARE OF YOGA AND ITS BENEFITS.
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UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENTIFIC CONNECTION OF YOGA WILL HELP ONE ACHIEVE ITS TRUE BENEFITS. IN INDIA, THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOGA AMONG PEOPLE IS RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN ASANAS AND A SET OF PRANAYAMA. THE MODERN AGE HAS EMERGED AS A PARAGON FOR ADVANCED HEALTHCARE, MEDICINES AND RESEARCH. RECENT STUDIES AND RESEARCH HAVE PROVED THAT YOGA CAN CURE MANY DISEASES. HOWEVER, YOGA IS NOT JUST ABOUT STAYING HEALTHY AND ENJOYING A DISEASE FREE LIFE. YOGA CAN BE INTEGRATED TO ONE'S LIFESTYLE AS A COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY. AFTER ALL, EACH TYPE OF HEALTH THERAPY AND TREATMENT METHOD HAS ITS OWN VALUE. THE TRUE GOAL OF YOGA IS TO FACILITIATE CONNECTION WITH THE ALMIGHTY AND FREEING ONESELF FROM THE CHAIN OF DEPRESSION.
YOGA - A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
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DIFFERENT STYLES AND TYPES OF YOGA ARE PREVALENT AMONG PEOPLE THESE DAYS. SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR ONES INCLUDE:
- JNANA YOGA
- KARMA YOGA
- SANYAS YOGA
- HATHA YOGA
- MANTRA YOGA
- TANTRA YOGA
- KUNDALINI YOGA
- BHAKTI YOGA
NOW THE QUESTION THAT ARISES IS WHICH OF THE ABOVE LISTED CAN BE CATEGORISED AS SCIENTIFIC APPROACH OF YOGA?
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A NUMBER OF LITERARY WORKS BELONGING TO THE ANCIENT AGE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN THIS RESPECT INCLUDING "GORAKHSASHATAK" AND "SIVA SAMHITA". THESE LITERARY TREASURES EXPOSES THE POWER OF YOGA, THE COMPLEX PHYSIOLOGY, DIFFERENT ASANAS, ABSTRACT YOGIC PHILOSOPHY, MUDRAS, AND A LOT MORE. "RAJA YOGA" IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF ALL YOGIC PHILOSOPHIES MENTIONED IN THESE ANCIENT BOOKS AS IT IS INCLUSIVE OF ALL YOGAS, AND ITS PHILOSOPHY GOES BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE MANY SYLES OF YOGA TODAY. "RAJA YOGA" IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MAHARISHI PATANJALI'S "ASTANGA YOGA".
MAHARISHI PATANJALI IS OFTEN REGARDED AN INNOVATOR OR PIONEER OF "YOGA DARSHAN". "PATANJALI SUTRA" OR "YOGA SUTRA" IS THE PRINCIPLE ANCIENT INDIAN TEXT COMPOSED AND COMPILED BY MAHARISHI PATANJALI. "ASHATANGA YOGA" IS A COMBINATION OF TWO DIFFERENT TERMS IN SANSRIT "AHTA" (MEANING EIGHT) AND "ANG" (LIMB) . TOGETHER , THE TERM MEANS, "YOGA THAT COMPRISES OF 8 DIFFERENT LIMBS (BRANCHES) . THE EIGHT LIMBS OF "ASHTANGA YOGA" INCLUDE:
- YAMA
- NIYAMA
- ASANA
- PRANAYAMA
- PRATYAHARA
- DHARANA
- DHYANA
- SAMADHI
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THE ABOVE LISTED 8 LIMBS OF YOGA TOGETHER MAKES FOR THE COMPLETE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF YOGA. FOLLOWING AND PRACTICING THESE BRANCHES IN ORDER AND RIGHT WAY EXPLAINS YOGIC SCIENCE. ALL LIMBS OF "ASHTANGA YOGA" ARE CO-RELATED. THESE EIGHT STEPS BASICALLY ACT AS GUIDELINES ON HOW TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL AND PURPOSEFUL LIFE. THEY SERVE AS A PRESCRIPTION FOR MORAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, THEY DIRECT ATTENTION TOWRD ONE'S HEALTH, AND THEY HELP US TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF OUR NATURE. MOST PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE INTEGRATED THIRD AND FOURTH LIMB INTO THEIR LIVES. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ONE FOLLOWS "ASHTANGA YOGA" AS A COMPLETE YOGA PRACTICE ACCORDING TO THE ORDER MENTIONED BY YOGA GURUS TO BE ABLE TO REAP MAXIMUM BENEFITS OUT OF THE REGIME.
THE THREE TYPES OF YOGA
JNANA YOGA, BHAKTI YOGA, AND KARMA YOGA
JNANA YOGA
JNANA YOGA IS THE YOGA OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE. IT AIMS AT THE REALIZATION OF THE ONENESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SELF AND THE ULTIMATE SELF. USE OF ONE'S INTELLECT TO REALIZE THE ULTIMATE POWER, TRUTH, AND ESSENCE AND REACH TO A DECISION ONLY AFTER APPLYING THE FACTS IS PRECISELY WHAT CULMINATES INTO JNANA YOGA PRACTICE. HERE, THE YOGI EMPHASISES ON KNOWING A SPECIFIC THING THAN ADOPTING. FOR A YOGI, THE TRUTH IS ONLY THE KNOWLEDGE HE ACQUIRES AND EXPERIENCES HE GAINS. THE KNOWLEDGE OF A GYANI CAN BE CATEGARISED INTO TWO TYPES - TAKE OFF ONE'S ATTENTION FROM SOMETHING THAT IS NOT "HIM OR A REFLECTION OF WHO "HE" AND REALIZING / BEING DETERMINED TO GET SOMETHING THAT "HE" IS - THE ONE AND ONLY SACHIDANANDA PARMATMA. JNANA YOGA IS NOT TECHNIQUE TO LEAVE OR RENOUNCE THE WORLD BUT STAYING DETACHED LIVING IN THIS WORLD. GYANA YOGA FAVOUS USING WISDOM.
THOSE WHO SEE WITH EYES OF KNOWLEDGE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE KNOWER OF THE BODY, AND CAN ALSO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF LIBERATION FROM BONDAGE IN MATERIAL NATURE, ATTAIN TO THE SUPREME GOAL. GYANA HAS TO DO WITH KNOWING BY EXPERIENCING . IT IS UNIQUE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE ALWAYS. KNOWLEDGE THAT ALSO CENTERS THE INDIVIDUAL IS GYAN YOGA. THE YOGA LOOKS INTO THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. THE FULL REALIZATION OF THIS TRUTH BRINGS ENLIGHTENMENT. IT OFFERS A DIRECT ROAD TO ENLIGHTEMENT IF FOLLOWED FULLY.
BHAKTI YOGA
FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOST EMOTIONAL AND SENSITIVE, BHAKTI YOGA IS RECOMMENDED. IT IS THE PATH OF DEVOTION, THE METHOD OF ATTAINING GOD THROUGH LOVE AND THE LOVING RECOLLECTION OF GOD. MOST RELIGIONS EMPHASIZE THIS SPIRITUAL PATH BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST NATURAL. AS WITH OTHER YOGAS, THE GOAL OF THE BHAKTA, THE DEVOTEE OF GOD, IS TO ATTAIN GOD-REALIZATION - ONENESS WITH THE DIVINE.
BHAKTI YOGA IS ONE OF THE TYPES OF YOGA MENTIONED IN THE ANCIENT INDIAN SCRIPTS WHICH DENOTES THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF LOVINGLY DEVOTING ONESELF TO A PERSON FORM OF GOD. BHAKTI IS A SANSRIT TERM FOR DEVOTION. ACTUALLY, BHAKTI YOGA IS THE SCIENCE OF EXTREME LOVE.
IN DEVOTION, ONE CAN EXPERIENCE TOTAL FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WORRY. A DEVOTEE TRANSCENDS WORLDLY SORROWS AND PAINS. A TRUE DEVOTEE HAS NO SELFISH DESIRES, INCLUDING THE DESIRE FOR LIBERATION. DEVOTION IN ONE'S HEART IS KINDED BY THE GRACE BY THE GRACE OF THE GURU, BY BEING IN THE COMPANY OF OTHER DEVOTEES AND BY READING AND LISTENING TO THE STORIES OF OTHER DEVOTEES.
THE BENEFITS OF BHATI YOGA ARE IMMENSE, AS SWAMI SIVANANDA WRITES, "BHAKTI SOFTENS THE HEART AND REMOVES JEALOUSY, HATRED, LUST, ANGER, EGOISM, PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. IT INFUSES JOY, DIVINE ECSTASY, BLISS, PEACE AND KNOWLEDGE. ALL CARES, WORRIES AND ANXIETIES, FEARS, MENTAL TORMENTS AND TRIBULATIONS ENTIRELY GET VANISHED. THE DEVOTEES IS FREED FROM THE CYCLE OF REBIRTHS AND DEATHS. HE ATTAINS THE IMMORTAL ABODE OF EVERLASTING PEACE, BLISS AND KNOWLEDGE".
THE ULTIMATE GOAL IN THE PRACTICE OF BHAKTI YOGA IS TO REACH THE STATE OF RASA (ESSENSE) A FEELING OF PURE BLISS ACHIEVED IN THE DEVOTIONAL SURRENDER TO THE DIVINE.
KARMA YOGA
KARMA YOGA IS THE PATH OF "ACTION", PUTTING IN 100 PERCENT EFFORT, WITHOUT BEING ATTACHED TO THE OUTCOME. KARMA YOGA CAN BE APPLIED TO EVERYTHING YOU DO, FROM THE MOST TRIVIAL, ORDINARY TASKS TO GREATER, MORE CHALLENGING WORKS. WHEN ACTION IS PERFORMED SELFLESSLY, WITH FULL FOCUS AND ATTENTION, IT BRINGS FULLFILLMENT AND FREEDOM. ACTING WITHOUT BEING ATTACHED TO THE FRUITS OF ONE'S DEEDS - THIS ALONE CAN LEAD TO UNION WITH THE SELF, WHICH IS THE GOAL OF YOGA.
YOGI IS A HOUSEHOLDER, HE WILL ACCEPT THAT ROLE AS MUCH AS HE WOULD ACCEPT THE ROLE OF A SERVANT TO ANY IN NEED, WITHOUT SEEKING ANY REMUNERATION IN THE SHAPE OF WEALTH, SATISFACTION, NAME OR FAME.
KARMA MEANS ACTION, INCLUDING ALL ACTS DONE BY THE INDIVIDUAL FROM BIRTH TO DEATH.
KARMA PERFORMED BY RIGHT MEANS DOES NOT HARM ANYBODY AND IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF DHARMA. THAT IS KARMA YOGA. TO DROP THE DOER FROM THE ACTION IS KARMA YOGAM. TO SEE ONESELF AS A MERE TOOL OF THE DIVINE AND TO OFFER THE FRUIT OF OUR ACTIONS TO THE DIVINE, IS KARMA YOGA. KARMA YOGA IS AN EXPRESSON OF DIVINE LOVE, OF THE UNITY OF EVERYTHING THAT IS YOGA. KARMA YOGA MEANS TO HELP, HEAL, AND SHARE.
DOING SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU WITH TOTAL INVOLVEMENT IS WHAT BREAKS THE KARMIC STRUCTURE. KARMA MEANS ACTION. IF ACTION HAS TO BECOME YOGA, ACTION SHOULD BE LIBERATING. IF YOUR ACTIVITY HAS BECOME A PROCESS OF BINDING YOURSELF, IT IS KARMA. SO THE QUESTION IS NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH ACTIVITY YOU DO. HOW YOU ARE PERFORMING THE ACTIVITY IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. IF YOU ARE DANCING THROUGH YOUR WORK, THAT IS KARMA YOGA. EVEN HE ACCEPTS HIS FAILURES TOO, BECAUSE HE LEARNS A LOT FROM THEM.
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