About yoga and their benefits

Yoga: A Spiritual Discipline for Harmony

• • Definition and origin:

    “Yoga, which is essentially a spiritual discipline, comprises a complex science that aims to bring the mind and body into harmony. The Sanskrit root “Yuj,” and which signifies “to join,” “to burden,” or “to join together,” is where “yoga” begins. As per yoga texts, doing yoga works with the association of one’s own cognizance with that of the universe, implying a profound concordance between the body, brain, and universe.” Yoga practice cultivates awareness and attention, which can enhance memory, concentration, and cognitive function. Hence, yoga promotes presence of mind, mental clarity, and awareness of ideas and sensations, which can translate into better academic or work performance and overall cognitive health.

  • All-Unity Oneness:

    From the standpoint of contemporary science, everything in the cosmos is viewed as an expression of the same quantum essence. A person who understands this web of interconnectedness is referred to as being in a state of yoga, or being a yogi. They have accomplished freedom, which is additionally called mukti, nirvana, or moksha. Thus, self-realisation—a path that transcends all types of suffering and ends in the condition of liberation or freedom—is the essence of yoga (Moksha). Living a free life in all aspects and putting health and harmony first are the main goals of yoga practice.

  • Transcending the Self by Inner Science:

    The word ‘yoga’ also refers to an internal science that includes a variety of techniques that help people realise this oneness and take control of their own destiny. Many people consider yoga to be a lasting cultural heritage, dating its origins to the prehistoric Indus Saraswati Valley civilization, which flourished about 2700 B.C. It has continuously shown itself to be a tool for improving humankind, taking care of both the material and spiritual aspects. The fundamental humanistic principles that underpin Yoga Sadhana are what give it its distinct character.”

  • Shatkarma: Yoga’s Purification Techniques: Definition and History

    Ancient yogis developed shatkarma, a set of six preparatory exercises, to cleanse the body from the inside out. This set the stage for more advanced exercises like asana and pranayama. “Shat” means “six” in Sanskrit, and “karma” means “action performed to achieve desired results.” This is where the phrase originated. It is also referred to as Shat Kriya in Hindi.

    Relevance of Yogic Writings:

    • Gheranda Samhita:

      Shatkarma is ranked as the first branch of yoga by Maharishi Gheranda in the Gheranda Samhita. He believes that the first step towards a successful yoga practice is the cleaning and purification of the body. He expresses that without starting purging, improvement in different areas of yoga becomes troublesome.

    • Hatha Pradipika:

      Hatha Pradipika’s author, Swami Swatmarama, has a unique viewpoint. Hence, shatkarma is mainly advised by him for practitioners who have extra fat and Kapha in their bodies.

    Shatkarma Sequence:

    Sage Gheranda asserts that the order of the six Shatkarma practices is not the same as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP) routine.

    1. Dhauti: Methods of cleaning
    2. Basti: Clearing the colon
    3. Neti: Nasal cleansing
    4. Nauli: agitation of the abdomen
    5. Trataka: Eye movements
    6. Kapalbhati: Purifying the breath

    Together, these poses aim to improve overall health, purify the body from the inside out, and prepare the practitioner for more challenging yoga poses.

    Dhauti: Cleansing Techniques in Yoga

    Dhauti Overview:

    By and large, a progression of yoga asanas called dhauti are intended to purify specific body regions. There are four essential types of Dhauti, with every assortment focusing on specific organs and locales. However, these behaviours enhance general health and wellbeing.

    1. Danta Dhauti: Cleaning of Mouth and Head Parts

    • Danta Mula Dhauti, In order to maintain dental health, danta mula dhauti entails cleaning tooth roots.
    • Jhiva Dhauti, or washing of the tongue, is believed to prolong life.
    • Karna Dhauti: Cleaning your ears to enhance your hearing.
    • Kapalu Randhra Dhauti: thumb massage of the head in front.

    2. Antar Dhauti (internal Dhauti):

    • Vatsara Dhauti entails consuming air to cleanse the interior.
    • Varisara Dhauti (Shankhaprakshalana) uses water to thoroughly cleanse the whole digestive system.
    • Agnisara Dhauti utilizes fire to support the navel locale’s intensity energy.
    • Bahiskrita Dhauti: Uses trapped air to cleanse the intestines.

    3. Hrid Dhauti: External Organ Cleaning

    • Danda Dhauti: Clears the oesophagus of bile and mucus.
    • Vastra Dhauti: Washes the top piece of the stomach with a towel.
    • Vamana Dhauti: retching is actuated to dispose of mucus, water, and undigested feasts.

    4. Moola Shodhana Dhauti: Rectal Cleaning

    • Rectal cleaning is done using a soft turmeric root.
    • It facilitates the rectum’s removal of excess faces.

    Basti: Large Intestine Cleaning

    • Second in the Shakkar series; treats stomach issues.
    • Shala basti and Jala basti are the two assortments.
    • It entails bringing in water through the anus, agitating the muscles in the abdomen, and then releasing water.

    Neti Kriya: Nasal passage cleaning

    • Involves clearing contaminants out of nasal canals.
    • There are two types: Jala Neti (water-based) and Sutra Neti (rubber thread-based).

    Trataka Kriya, Cleansing of Eyes:

    • Eye exercise involves steady gazing at a reference point.
    • While external Tratak makes use of exterior objects, internal Tratak concentrates on the third eye.

    Nauli Kriya, Cleansing of Abdominal Organs:

    • Digestion fire is stimulated by the action of lower abdominal muscles.
    • There are three variants of Nauli: Madhya Nauli, Vama Nauli, and Dakshina Nauli.

    Kapalbhati, Cleansing of Frontal Lobes:

    • It focuses on enhancing brain function by using a particular breathing technique.
    • Places a focus on actively exhaling to remove pollutants.

    Overall, through fostering both physical and mental health, these purification techniques support the practitioner’s overall well-being.

    Similarly, people may explore and process their emotions, let go of repressed sentiments, and develop self-awareness and acceptance in a safe place provided by yoga. Therefore, yoga is not only a physical workout for many practitioners; it’s also a spiritual path that involves self-transformation, self-discovery, and connection to something more than oneself. Yoga philosophy places a strong focus on values that can lead people on a journey of self-realisation, spiritual awakening, and personal development. These values include compassion, gratitude, and non-attachment.

    For instance, people can get a variety of physical, mental, and emotional advantages by practicing yoga on a regular basis, all of which lead to a happier, healthier, and more balanced existence.

    By easing the symptoms of insomnia, soothing the nervous system, and easing the body and mind before bed, yoga can improve the quality of your sleep. Focusing on specific yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation methods can help prime the body for sound sleep and enhance general sleep hygiene.