YOGA - A System of Physical
excercise and Natural Healing
Yoga as a system of physical
exercise has been in existence in India since very ancient times.
According ot our ancient sages, there are eight stages of Yoga,
namely Yama (Social Discipline), Niyama (Individual Discipline),
Asana (Postures), Pranayama (Breath Control), Pratyahara (Mental
Discipline), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and
Samadhi (Self-realization). If an aspirant, after observing
the disciplines of Yama and Niyama, practises Yogic exercises,
his tubular channels are cleansed, he achieves excellent health
and his mind becomes alert. This enables him to experience mental
ecstasy.
INTRODUCTION TO
YOGA
Man has made tremendous progress in almost
every walk of life. We have now achieved objects once considered
impossible to be achieved. What we have achieved and accomplished
today could not have been imagined in their dreams by our past
generations. Modern scientists and researchers have absolutely
changed our life-style. Science has beenincessantly pouring
on us new materials and devices to make our physical life more
happy and comfortable.
However, pollution of
air, water, body and mind is also the result of science. We
witness despair and disappointment on the faces of our young
generation. Signs of restlessness are apparently visible in
the dry and dull eyes of our young men and women. Sloping shoulders,
flat chests and bulging stomachs have become their characteristics.
Why?
Today, we can claim that we are
modern and civilized but cannot claim that we are genuinely
happy. We, today, use tranquillizers for sleep, pills for purgative
and tonics for vigour. Tranquillizers and sedatives are in vogue
in our modern society. Charmed by and then, addicted to intoxicative
drugs, our youth is led to the path of disgrace and self-destruction.
Longing for material wealth has
hardened our heart. Human values are declining. Work to time,
competition and commotion have made us suffer from stress and
strain. Mental tension or strain produces undesirable consequences.
Stress and strain are the causes of physical as well as psychological
diseases such as diabetes, cancer, acidity, ulcer, migraine
and hypertension.
How can we prevent ourselves
from being strained and degenerated? Should we return to the
cave-life and live as the aborigines lived?
As a matter of fact, to do this
is neither practical nor necessary. Yoga has the surest remedies
for man's physical as well as psychological ailments. Yoga makes
the organs of the body active in their functioning and has good
effect on internal functioning of the human body. Yoga changes
for good man's views on, and attitude to, life.
The word yoga is derived from
the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind the yoke. It is the true
union of our will with the will of God.
Our ancient sages have suggested
eight stages of Yoga to secure purity of body, mind and soul
and final communion with God. These eight stages are known as
Ashtangayoga.
The eight stages of Yoga
are as follows :
