"A vast majority of us are suffering in some way,
physically, spiritually or mentally."
The practice of yoga, and by this I do not mean purely the asana
(posture) practice, helps us to keep the body as a temple so that
it becomes clean and pure like the soul. The body is lazy, the mind
is vibrant and the soul is luminous. Yoga practices develop the body
to the level of the vibrant mind so that the body and the mind, having
both become vibrant, are drawn towards the light of the soul.
Patanjali is considered to be the father of yoga. Although little
is known about the man himself, his yoga sutras are one of the most
direct and powerful pathways to enlightenment. As the Yoga Sutra
says,
Yoga means to control and still the swirling currents of thoughts
in the mind. If you can control the thoughts that arise, and still
them completely, you are able to observe the world clearly and directly
without the distortions of the ego. The ability to discipline the
chattering mind is what takes us to the state of yoga.
When the turbulence stops and the lake of the mind becomes
clear and still, our true essence, our Self, is reflected. Then
the Self
can abide in its own true nature. This is the goal, this is what
we want to attain.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras explain the theory behind the method
of all types of yoga, which Patanjali describes as an eight-limbed
or Ashtanga system. Each limb (like that of a tree or of a person,
a living, growing organism) constitutes one part of the practice
and in order to reach true enlightenment, all parts must be practiced
simultaneously.
The steps are as follows:
Yama – the practice of universal moral principles
Niyama – the practice of personal disciplines
Asana – the practice of physical postures
Pranayama – the practice of breath control
Pratyahara – the practice of withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – the practice of focused attention
Dhyana – the practice of meditation
Samadhi – self-realization. Enlightenment.
Why Practice Asanas?
To begin with our bodies feel only the outward physical experience
of the practice.
Every pose seems torturous
Our bodies shaking, sweaty and exhausted. |
