Yoga is an ancient art of practice, that involves your mind, body, and spirit. Yoga was introduced by Swami Vivekanand, in the 20th century and was later followed by many Yoga Gurus. In India, Yoga is more than just physical postures. It is believed to have a spiritual core and form of meditative practice if practiced with determination. Yoga is a branch of science, in which the aphorisms of Patanjali are studied sincerely. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the first most translated ancient Indian collection of 196 Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. The sutras of Yoga- consist of various principles and ideas that guide towards the way of living. The science of Yoga aims the inhibition of the modification of the mind.
The science of Yoga- Way of Living, How?
Yoga is defined to be the way of living. Are we aware of this aspect of Yoga? Is it simply just the act of posing? Poses when you twist your head and bend your spine to the ground, adapting to different poses makes you expertise? So do gymnastics and Yoga make the same sense? What is Yoga all about?
The gradual practice of Yoga synchronizes the rhythm of your body to the rhythm of nature. As a person’s body synchronizes with the day and night cycle of nature, there is an automatic consciousness of natural instincts of the body and survival(living). The consciousness towards natural instincts like hunger, thirst, feeling of unwell being, etc. are the basis of living your life. The most important instinct of a human being is self-preservation. The practice of Yoga aims to the conservation of your physical and mental being.
The Sutras of Patanjali gives the ultimate explanation of why Yoga is said to be the way of Living. There are four chapters in the book. The first chapter explains the virtue of samadhi.
The second chapter deals with the practice and discipline of Yoga- details of Kriya Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga.
Kriya Yoga consists of Pranayama, Mantra, and Mudras. It aims to attain spiritual development. It comprises three of the Niyama that are part of Ashtang Yoga.
Ashtanga yoga is the eight components of yoga that describes the meaning of the practice.
- Yamas describes the various thoughts- Non-violence, Truthfulness, non- stealing, Chastity, no greed.
- Niyama describes the ways of behavior- clarity of mind and body, acceptance of others, perseverance, self- introspection, contemplation of self, contemplation of reality.
- Asana is the most practiced form, as it consists of the postures and poses.
- Pranayama is controlling of the breath, modification of one’s breath.
- Pratyahara is ceasing distractions off to one’s senses. It is shutting off the mind’s senses.
- Dharana is focusing on one point, focusing on one issue.
- Dhyana is the introspection of the point of focus.
- Samadhi is the state of trance when one loses his own identity in the process of contemplation, he is absorbed.
The science of Yoga! Asana- What does it mean?
We shall understand in more detail about the asana- Asana is attaining different forms of poses. The sole aim of the asana is to be comfortable, static, and relaxed in any form of posture for a considerable period, be it simple Sukhasan, Vajrasan, or Padmasan.
While performing the Asanas person’s attention should be either on the breath, naval, tip of the nose. He should be able to inhale and exhale with complete relaxation in the posture.
As a person practices the Asanas, there should be an effort to progressively achieve the ideal pose. This ensures the harmonious functioning of various systems of the body i.e. cardiovascular system, respiratory system, renal system, endocrinal/ hormonal system, etc. The science of yoga deals with the ideal principles by which a person can live his life with contentment and happiness. The science of yoga also ensures that the functioning of the body is harmonious within and with nature.
There are various asanas in which person can sit- Sukhasana, Sidhasana, Vajrasana, Padmasana.
Suryanamaskar
The most supremely practiced of all is Suryanamaskar. Surya Namaskara signifies paying homage to the Sun deity. It is a combination of 12 positions and should be practiced by all age groups. 25 such namaskars make 1 round. Suryanamaskar proves to be beneficial if practiced early morning, facing east direction in the open air with a serene mind.
- MEDICAL BENEFITS- It strengthens the MUSCLES and BONES.?
- It improves blood CIRCULATION.❤
- It boosts the IMMUNE SYSTEM.?
- It improves EYE ?sight.
- It helps in the maintenance of weight ?reduces fats.
- It maintains the ?laxity of ligaments and thereby flexibility of joints.
- It keeps you away from early OBESITY, AGING, and LIFESTYLE DISEASES.?
- Makes your legs, shoulder, spine, and back muscles strong enough. ?
- It improves your mental health?.
Yoga exercises for the upper limb
The upper limb consists of our fingers, hands, forearms, arms. It comprises joints of fingers, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder. Numerous muscles cross the joints and the tone of the muscles maintains the integrity of the upper limb. There are numerous nerve supplies done to the upper limb that arise from the brachial plexus which arise from the cervical spine.
The movements of the upper limbs ?-
- Movement of distal forearms(supination and pronation)
- Movement of Elbow joints(flexion and extension)
- 3) Movement of shoulder joints ( do at least 5 to 10 counts)
- Sit in Vajrasana, spine erect, and breathe slowly.
?Symptoms manifestation of complaints in upper arms-
? Tingling and numbness of arms
? Pain in the joints of wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints,
? Stiffness and restriction of movements.
?These exercises will relieve the stiffness, maintain the stability of the spine with the upper limbs and tone of the muscles.
Yoga for neck muscles and Joints
? CERVICAL SPINE PRESERVATION- (Pause for 2-3 secs after each particular position)
?5 NECK YOGA EXERCISES and MOVEMENTS-
- Lateral bending
- Flexion
- Extension
- Lateral rotation (movement of the complex atlantoaxial joint)
- Rotation in clock and anti-clockwise direction).
?The cervical spine comprises a pathway like a tunnel through which passes important nerve tracts, arteries, and meningeal fluids from the skull to the whole body.
✔Cervical vertebrae are affected due to a sedentary lifestyle, lifting heavy weights, and degenerative processes.
?Symptom manifestation of it ranges from-
? Tingling and numbness of the part,
? Pain and stiffness of the muscles of shoulders, neck, and arms, to
? Vertigo (fainting/dizziness) Accidental Injury to the cervical vertebrae can be the cause of cessation of breathing.
?Doing yoga shall make muscles of the neck toned and flexible, and thereby protect the joints and early degeneration.
Purpose of Yoga
Yoga maintains the state of health in an individual. Thus, a person should practice Yoga since the time he is healthy. If a person falls ill there are can Yoga cure the illness? Yoga helps the normal functioning of the systems in our body and ensures the least disturbance of the body by enhancing its stamina and immunity function. Once upon a time, there was a lesser proportion of the population falling prey to these chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, schizophrenia, etc. If a person’s body function is in synchronicity with nature, follows a healthier lifestyle there is low chances of frequent illness. Yoga plays a major role in boosting the natural immunity of a person.
