Right Concept of Relevant Yoga

Yoga is one of the very important six systems of the ‘Indian Philosophy’.  Though basically it is the same but it is known through many names viz. Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Laya Yoga, Naad Yoga, Bindu Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Dhyan Yoga, Hatha Yoga etc. The methods through which they are practised are different but their goal is the same and that is “Liberation”, Eternal Peace, Bliss & Self-Realization. Here we shall mainly confine ourselves to and talk about “Ashtang Yoga” which is “Supreme” and  contains the rest. It yields definite results and it practice leads the individual towards perfect physical health, mental  peace & self-realization. It has eight subdivisions. They are Yama (restraint of passions), Niyama(religious observance), Asanas(Yogic Postures), Pranayama (regulation & control of breath), Pratyahara(withdrawl of senses from their objects), Dharna(concentration), Dhyana(meditation) & Samadhi(trance). It is  the science of soul and is  an art for living  an exalted blissful life full of vigorousity. People in all countries of the world, more especially the westerners, are being attracted and fascinated, for they feel confident that they would secure, without any doubt, eternal peace, pleasure, everlasting youth, spiritual uplift and  finally a state of self-realization through it.

Along with Ashtang Yoga, Yoga Acharyas have laid due emphasis on ‘Shat Karmas’(six processes); for these processes deal minutely with the functioning of various glands in the body. They assure proper working of nervous, respiratory system, digestive system, excretory system and various other systems in the body. This ‘Shat Karma’ include Dhauti((cleansing of the intestines and the stomach), Basti (cleansing of the rectum), Neti(cleansing of the nasal passage), Tratak(steady gaze), Nauli(moving the urethra right and left) and Kapalbhati(cleansing of the cranium with conscious  forceful exhalations of breath). These help in cleansing the body internally by eliminating the waste, poisonous and harmful deposits that the bodily systems could not assimilate properly. If not removed, these cause various diseases, reduce the span of life and prove fatal in the long run. Alongwith these we have Asanas (health giving body postures), mudras (symbolic seals), Bandh(body binds or locks), Pranayama(control of prana through breathing exercises), Pratyahara (abstraction), Dharna(concentration), Dhyana(meditation) and Samadhi(trance). Asanas are performed for muscular power, Mudras for steadiness through control of Nerves and Bandh for control of various muscles. Pratyahara is for ‘Will Power’ and Pranayama helps for internal purity. Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi are meant for attaining  true knowledge of the Self and the Eternal truth and finally the state of Self-Realization.