“Doc… I wake up at 5 by every morning regularly. Always
begin my day with a walk of 30 minutes, sometimes in the evening too. Well… washing
clothes, sweeping at home is done by me itself. That’s why I get maximum of
physical activity. So… Why do I need to practice Yogasana, Pranayama etc.?” The
common question is that most people always shoots at me in meets. Fine.. This
is a bit enough to say about physical activity. But to the mind? The body does
not continue without the mind.. Right?
*Manah prasamanopayah yoga ityabhidhiyate|| (Yoga Vasistha)
[Manah = mind; Prasamana upayah =calming down skill; Yoga = yoga; Iti abhidhiyate= (it is) so called.]
[Manah = mind; Prasamana upayah =calming down skill; Yoga = yoga; Iti abhidhiyate= (it is) so called.]
A skill to calm down
the mind is
called yoga.
* Yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cestasya karmasu|
yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha||
yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha||
(Bhagavdgitha,
Chapter 6, Verse 17)
[yukta=regulated; ahara=eating; viharasya=recreation;
yukta=regulated; cestasya=of
one who works for maintenance; karmasu=in discharging duties; yukta=regulated; svapna-avabodhasya=regulated
sleep and wakefulness; yogah=practice of yoga; bhavati=becomes; duhkha-ha=diminishing
pains.]
He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping,
working and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga
system. Not only just walking or jogging, but also eating meals at
regular intervals plays a role in health. Otherwise, there will onset of acidity
and indigestion problems. Limiting daily travel for hours. If not, there will
begin of back pain, slip disc.. Sure!!!
And our fun / work tasks must be "STRESS" free. We are well aware of
the consequences of stress. Right? The irregular sleep habits and the
overwhelming awakening is the root cause of all types of hormonal disorders.
But when we start a yoga practice, all these things can be corrected. Physical
/ mental disorders can also be avoided
* Hathasya prathama-angatvad asanam purvam uchyate |
kuryat tad asanam sthairyam arogyam changa-laghavam ||
kuryat tad asanam sthairyam arogyam changa-laghavam ||
(Hatha
Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 1, Verse 19)
[Hathasya=out of hatha yoga practice; Prathama=among the
first; angatvad= being limb; asanam= posture; purvam= prime; uchyate=
practiced; kuryat tad=by that as well; asanam=posture; sthairyam= stability; arogyam =health; changa-laghavam=and lightness
of body]
Being the first accessory of Hatha Yoga, asana is described
first. It should be practised for gaining steady posture, health and lightness
of body.
Benefits of Yoga Practice:
*Vapuh krshatvam vadane prasannataa
Naadasphutatvam nayane sunirmale|
Aroghata bindujayoaghnideepanam
Nadivishuddhirhathasiddhilakshanam||
(Hatha
Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 2, Verse 78)
[Vapuh= body; krshatvam=
gains leanness; vadane=face; prasannataa=glows
with delight;Naada = inner sound ;sphutatvam= manifested; nayane=eyes;
sunirmale= becomes clear; Aroghata= free from disese; bindujaya= conquer over
bindu/ eternal energy; aghnideepanam = increase in digestive power; Nadivishuddhi=
cleansed energy flowing channels i.e. Nadis; hathasiddhilakshanam= symptoms of
gain of success]
The body becomes leaner, the face glows with delight,
Anâhatanâda (internal sound) manifests, and eyes are clear, the body is healthy
(immunized), Bindu (eternal energy of the body) under control, and appetite
increases are the symptoms of gain of success then one should know that the
Nâdîs are purified and success in Hatha Yoga is achieved.
So friends… can you expect these many benefits just by
walking, jogging or any physical exercises? Want to apply yoga practice in our everyday
life? Good… It is best to do yoga practice daily. Not only be limited to
"June 21”!!!!
- Dr. Puneeth Raghavendra Kuntukadu, BNYS, MD Yoga Clinical