Why do we need to practice "Yoga"?

“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.]

                  A skill to calm down the mind is called yoga.

* Yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cestasya karmasu|
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 ||

(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