In Ayurvedic medicine, recitation of mantras, use of some formulas, yogic exercises etc., have psycho somatic utilities. They affect the total man, in both his psycho-physical and spiritual dimensions, favorably. An understanding is essential of these processes. Under the guidance of experts and gurus, reintegration of one's personality may also be achieved.
Yoga, the science of man, based on ancient Indian wisdom and culture, is an art of living a healthy, balanced, peaceful and contented life. Yoga, being a total integrated system, studies man in his wholeness - body, mind and spirit and is integrated to certain principles, ideas, values, attitudes and a way of life for personal and social benefits.
Conceived by the great sages in their quest for self-realisation, it has come to be recognised during its; long travails from the hermitages to the cities, as the science of man, a philosophy old life, a code of conduct, an attitude and an approach, as well as an art of living which is capable not only of ensuring physical well-being, mental peace harmony, moral elevation and spiritual uplift of man but also of transforming man from his gross animal existence to the sublime heights of divinity.
It must, however be kept in mind that it is a long and arduous journey calling for perseverance, persistence, dedication and total surrender.
It is not a question of merely closing one's eyes or of sitting in a posture. It involves cultivation of an attitude and approach to life. It must not only be a philosophy to be imbibed but a practical philosophy which must be lived. It is therefore, not enough to think of yoga but to do it and to live it in our lives. It is also necessary to understand that yoga is not a substitute for action. Human effort is indispensable. The transformation is not at the cost of action but to enable us to perform our duties more efficiently, more effectively and honestly.
Yoga had recognised and accepted the importance of the mind and the subconscious over the total human personality much earlier than modern psychology did in its present form. Yoga is a stepwise, stage wise eight fold path to final liberation from pain and suffering. These steps progressively take us to the highest state of creativity, of discriminative knowledge and towards attaining the desired perfection.
Of these, the first five, which border on the Psychosomatic Approach, are referred to as External (Bahiranga) yoga, popularly known as Hatha Yoga, while the latter three, which directly affect the psyche are known as internal (Antaranga) yoga, popularly known as Raja Yoga. It is almost impossible to try internal yoga (Raja Yoga) for the average man before accomplishing the external one (Hatha Yoga). The respective sequence of the eight steps as the standard methodology of yoga.
Yoga is based on a deep understanding of man and his position in this world and was the first system evolved in the world to recognise the connection and the interaction between body and mind. It studies in depth the very structure of the human personality, through analysis the psychological complexities and the cause of human pain, sorrow and suffering. It has laid down psychosomatic means through its various psycho-physiological processes for dealing with the body mind complex and tries to harmonize and integrate the human personality at all levels and stages of life.
Yoga is basically a way of LIFE which has been evolved as a system to go beyond the personality - complex and achieve absolute freedom-liberation of the spirit from the matter.
What is Yoga?
"The benefits of various yoga techniques have been professed to improve body flexibility, performance, stress reduction, attainment of inner peace, and self-realization. The system has been advocated as complementary treatment to aid healing of several ailments such as coronary heart disease, depression, anxiety disorders, asthma, and extensive rehabilitation for disorders including musculoskeletal problems and traumatic brain injury. The system has also been suggested as a behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and substance abuse (including alcohol abuse).
Yoga is for those searching for their greatest potential!
Yoga is a way of life. It is not a religion and does not exclude anyone from receiving its benefits. Yoga, like Ayurveda, is from India and is thousands of years old. Yoga means "union" of body, mind and spirit and teaches how to bring yourself in to alignment with your true nature of love and happiness. There are several paths of yoga (Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana yoga) each will lead you to your greatest potential; to be one with God.
How can it benefit you?
By studying yoga you learn about yourself. You learn about why you are here. One of the ways yoga teaches this is by showing you how to calm down the chatty mind so you are able to connect with your core. Yoga cleanses the body so you can hear the whisper of what your Higher Self is saying. That higher Self is your connection to God. In the beginning the Higher Self is only a whisper, but the more you cleanse the body and practice calming down the mind the louder the whisper becomes.
The Yogis follow 5 points that help keep them healthy while reaching their higher Self.
These 5 points of yoga are:
1) Proper exercise (Yoga Asana)
2) Proper breathing (abdominal breathing)
3) Proper diet
4) Proper relaxation
5) Positive thinking and meditation
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