Health is physical, mental, psychological, social and spiritual well being of an individual. India has given to the world, ASHTANG YOG to live a happy, healthier and long life. One of the fundamental principles of yoga says , “ A SMALL ACTION DONE REPEATEDLY CAN MAKE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE”. That is the reason we call this Yogabhyas (continuous practice of yog).
In the sixth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita, which is the most important authority on Yoga philosophy, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain & sorrow. It is said: ‘When his mind, intellect & self (ahamkara) are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a yukta- one in communion with God.
When the restlessness of the mind, intellect & self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfillment.
The Bhagavad Gita also gives other explanations of the term yoga & lays stress upon Karma Yoga (Yoga by action). It is said: ‘Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof. Never let the fruits of action be your motive; & never cease to work. Work in the name of the higher self, abandoning selfish desires. Be not affected by success or failure. This equipoise is called Yoga.’
Yogic practice is useful for:
- Correcting the disorders of the body including spine issues. Take care of your spine through yogabhyas (yog practice) and your spine will take care of your body
- Keeping the body in a healthy condition by practicing yog asanas and pranayama (Breath Control)
- Improving mental capacities and improving minds healing power to thousand times by practicing Dhyan (meditation)
- Developing the intellect
The Eight Stages of Ashtang Yoga
- Yama: Universal Moral Commandments/ Social Discipline
Yama has 5 commandments namely Ahimsa – Non Violence, Satya – Truthfulness, Asteya – Non Stealing, Brahmacharya – Continence (Sexual Control), and Aparigraha– Non Possessiveness
- Niyama: Self Discipline
Second limb of Ashtang Yog is to follow principles of self discipline and also contains five principles of self control namely : Shoucha – Cleanliness, Purity, Santosha – Contentment, Tapa – Austerity, Swadhyaya – Self Study, Ishwara Pranidhana – Surrender to Higher self.
- Asana (Posture):
Asana is the third limb of Ashtang Yog and offers hundreds of physical exercises and body posture to keep your physical body in balance.
- Pranayama:
Rhythmic control of Breath. Pranayam is one of the most important limb of Ashtang Yog as it trains you to control breath. In Indian traditional Yog, it is believed that every living organism has counted breaths and with breath control, one can increase the life span. Most of the medical universities all over the world has proved in their studies that breath control has tremendous positive effect on physical as well as mental health. Pranayam trains body to naturally go for deep breathing which means more oxygen to the cells and more lung expansion. Pranayam has proved to be useful in asthma, copd, other respiratory diseases and also a good heart health. If you practice pranayama, your chances of water getting into the lungs becomes very low and lung health remains good.
- Pratyahara:
Withdrawal of sense organs. As per the Indian Yog, life is a journey from outward to inward. Detachment from outside world and especially senses and move to higher self. Above four limbs were liked to karta (doer), we are doing the act consciously but next three limbs are focused on inner mind. Here you are not doer but an observer. In these stages you get connected to the higher self.
- Dharan:
Concentration of Mind. Buddha says nothing is impossible when you focus your mind at one point. Whether it is a spiritual mission, health mission, life goal or any other, focus and concentration is a must. Dharana is sixth limb of Ashtang Yog and trains to concentrate on your mission.
- Dhyana: (Meditation)
Meditation is advance stage of Ashtang Yoga. It is a stage of conscious withdrawal from thought world. No thoughts are running in your mind. When your mind becomes thoughtless, its healing power increases thousand times and this state of mind has tremendous health benefits. In Meditation, internal blocks of suffering such as fear, anger, despair and hatred gets removed and there is freedom and joy.
- Samadhi:
Union with Higher self. Samadhi is the last stage of Ashtang Yog where Yogi achieves union with higher self and becomes higher self itself. In other terms it is a stage where mission is accomplished.
Ashtang Yog is a way of life and help in achieving material as well as spiritual success. In India it is a way to achieve Dharma (Right life path), Arth (Resources), Kama (worldly desires), Moksha (Union with higher self).