Yoga

One of the most profitable industries today, a reason to attract thousands of foreigners to this ancient land, a path to inner calm and serenity, Yoga has its roots in the ancient India. Yoga is a tool for attaining inner peace and serenity. It’s a treasure humanity has ever received. It’s an art of restructuring of the body and the spirit.

It’s a matter of pride to know that it is the sages of India who first invented this art of Yoga. Human life on this earth, moves through the mysteries of pain and suffering. The search that began to understand the mystery of life and to find a way to overcome inevitable suffering led to the invention of yoga. It may be surprising to know that through the methods of concentration and physical discipline and controlling the mind, one can, not only attain inner peace, but also understand the hidden mysteries of the universe
and control the supernatural happenings. The practice that began in the little hermitages of Himalayas has today place in top international enterprises.
Among the several world famous yoga Gurus, Patanjali finds a unique place for his yoga sutras. He proposed an eight fold path for the attainment of bliss.
Yama: Invites to control one’s own self and actions through
-non vilolence,
-non lying,
-non stealing,
-non sensuality,
-non attachment.
This stage aims at liberation from egoistic inharmony.
Niyama: provides rules for self control and to come closer to one’s own self through
-cleanliness,
-contentment,
-austerity,
-introspection
-devotion to the supreme Lord.
Asana: Means posture which is essential for deeper meditation. Body should be still and relaxed. The check for perfection at this stage is that the person should be able to sit, without moving a muscle for three hours.
Pranayama: Prana mean breath; it also means energy. Pranayama is energy control. This stage aims at reserving the bodily flow of energy to divine self.
Pratyahara: aims at interiorization of the mind. Here one must interiorize one’s own consciousness and focus on deeper mysteries of indwelling soul.
Dharana: aims at deeper contemplation and concentration.
Dhyana or Meditation or Absorption: Person , meditating on the good of perfect reality, gets absorbed in the ocean of consciousness, of which his consciousness is a part.
Samadhi: having lostone’s own ego, it’s a stage of oneness- a stage when I Thou become one. Self and divine become one and there lies perfect bliss.

Some immediate benefits of Yoga are
Stress Relief: In a world of quick life, junk food and over stress, yoga helps in relaxing one’s mind and refreshing one’s spirit.
Long life: Yoga( Pranayama) stresses on longer, deeper breathing, which will strengthen respiratory muscles, clears the digestive system and yields long and healthy living
Increases strength and self control: Yoga helps in strengthening muscles , joints and controls negative emotions and calms down brain cells.
Controls blood pressure and pulse rates
Yoga also helps in enhancing memory power, helps in reducing reaction and increases concentration.
Reduces overweight and increases flexibility.
Peace and serenity: it provides ultimate yearning of every human –peace serenity and happiness.

No doubt, yoga is one of the most precious pearls humanity has ever received. We need not look out for the happiness and peace that we so often crave for. We need not unnecessarily. Practicing of this art would take care of all the essentials and create a happy and a healthy living.

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