Yoga-an alternative medicine and a way of life
The word “Yoga” originated from the Sanskrit word of “YUJ” meaning “to join” or “to bind together”. The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to be the originator of this practice, some 2000 years ago. He compiled his teachings into 195 “sutras” or guidelines, which specify the methodology to be followed to attain the “supreme realization” or “Samadhi”. His work is divided into eight parts. In this work the sage explains the entire gamut of activities that an individual should practice in his routine life to attain spiritual, physical and mental well being.
Relevance of yoga in today’s life:
Although it seems like an abstract subject to many, yoga has assumed newer dimensions and greater relevance in today’s jet- set world because unlike a physical routine or an aerobic exercise, the aim of yoga is “Sampurna Arogya” or total health. The practises in yoga are designed to guide a novice systematically and progressively through the various stages for attaining the goal of a healthy and robust life. Yoga is the perfect method to fight both the congenital as well as acquired diseases, for which even modern allopathic medicines have only limited cure .Relevant examples being-Hypertension, high blood cholesterol(high levels of LDL and triglycerides in the blood), Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Diabetes, Cardiac problems etc.
Branches of yoga:
The eight branches or “angas” of yoga are:
1. “Yama”: The five abstentions to be practiced in one’s life namely -stealing, untruth, violence, illicit sex and greed.
2. “Niyama”:The five rules of life to be followed namely- learning, asceticism ,gratification, purity, and worship or prayer of god.
3. “Asana”: the sitting position in which the yoga practises are carried out.
4. “Pranayam”: The control of “Prana” or the “life force”, the vital energy that is the underlying cause for all the deeds of a person, both mental as well as physical.
5. “Dharana”: The focussing of your mind on a single point.
6. “Pratyahara”: The reversal of sense organs.
7. “Dhyana” : meditation in order to look within oneself.
8. “Samadhi”: The state of self realization and enlightenment.
The principle of yoga:
The eight limbs of yoga aim at making a person aware of his surroundings and how he reacts with the outer environment, to refine his behaviour, in order to bring them in sync with the external conditions, then look within him selves and carry out an impartial and unbiased self-evaluation, thus leading to the ultimate goal of self realization or enlightenment. Although this seems like a complicated and philosophical statement, its true meaning emerges only after one starts practising yoga and becomes aware of the positive changes that take place in his physical, psychological and social behaviour.
Conclusion:
More than a physical exercise ,yoga is to be considered as a holistic experience or homogenous alternate medicinal therapy which provides an all round understanding of the nuances of the functioning of ones body and mind and helps one to integrate one selves more homogeneously into ones surroundings. So come, experience yoga and live healthy.
