Yoga means Union. It is the merging of the individual with the universal. It is the oneness of all Consciousness. People are rediscovering this. Yoga is a path that assists people in knowing in their being this universal Truth.
The word Yoga comes from Indian philosophy, it literally means union, and in this context refers to the union of the individual's soul with the universal.
Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life as well as a system of exercises that encourages the union of mind, body, and spirit. In the words of Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, "yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction." Yoga is a physical discipline; it uses the body and breathing to develop self-awareness and mental clarity.
Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life as well as a system of exercises that encourages the union of mind, body, and spirit. In the words of Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, "yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction." Yoga is a physical discipline; it uses the body and breathing to develop self-awareness and mental clarity.
“A disease-free body, quiver-free breath, stress-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma free memory and sorrow-free soul are the birth right of every human being.” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar(Art Of Living). Such a state of balance empowers the body to naturally heal itself of any problem. The techniques used to bring the body, mind and breath in harmony is called yoga.
A serious practitioner of Yoga (someone pursuing the higher spiritual and religious goals of Yoga) takes upon themselves a life of austere self-discipline common to nearly all forms of mystical and religious life.
Patanjali's writing also became the basis for a system referred to as "Ashtanga Yoga" ("Eight-Limbed Yoga"). This eight-limbed concept derived from the 29th Sutra of the 2nd book, and is a core characteristic of practically every Raja yoga variation taught today. The Eight Limbs are:
- Yama (The five "abstentions"): Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (Truth, non-lying), Asteya (non-covetousness), Brahmacharya (non-sensuality, celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
- Niyama (The five "observances"): Shaucha(purity), Santosha(contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul), and Ishvara-Pranidhana (surrender to God).
- Asana: Literally means "seat", and in Patanjali's Sutras refers to the seated position used for meditation.
- Pranayama ("Suspending Breath"): Prāna, breath, "āyāma", to restrain or stop. Also interpreted as control of the life force.
- Pratyahara ("Abstraction"): Withdrawal of the sense organs from external objects.
- Dharana ("Concentration"): Fixing the attention on a single object.
- Dhyana ("Meditation"): Intense contemplation of the nature of the object of meditation.
- Samadhi ("Liberation"): merging consciousness with the object of meditation.
Health Benefits Of Yoga
The health benefits of Yoga are so enormous that you come to experience immediately after a Yoga session. In fact, your life begins to move more smoothly when you maintain up a steady discipline than when you don't. Yoga increases your understanding of life, changes your view of life, and subsequent to entering the Yoga fold you find yourself with a broader perspective of life.
As far as the specific health benefits of Yoga are concerned, it has proven itself in contributing to overall health. Besides, the therapeutic benefits of Yoga are also manifold. Yoga ashramas, centers and studio, the world over are now using Yoga to combat the following diseases and ailments successfully:
- Acne
- Alcoholism
- Allergies
- Alzheimer
- Amnesia
- Anemia
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Arteriosclerosis
- Backache
- Blood Pressure
- Bronchitis
- Cholesterol
- Colds
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Cough
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Eating Disorder
- Female Sterility
- Flatulence
- Gastritis
- Gout
- Headaches
- Heart Disease
- Heartburn
- Hysteria
- Impotence
- Indigestion
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Low Blood Sugar
- Menopause Problems
- Menstrual Problems
- Migraines
- Mood Swings
- Neck Pain
- Neuritis
- Obesity
- Panic Attacks
- Peptic Ulcer
- Pregnancy Problems
- Phobias
- Piles
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Prostate Problems
- Sciatica
- Rheumatism
- Sinusitis
- Stress
- Ulcers
- Varicose Veins
Sun Salutation(Surya Namaskar)
Surya means sun and Namaskar means salutation or worship. Sun Salutation consists of a beautiful set of asanas that massages, detoxifies, and stimulates almost every organ of the human body and brings suppleness to the spine. Sun Salutation is a wonderful way to warm up and stretch at the same time.
One complete round consist of twenty four positions. To complete the second half of Surya Namaskar, the same twelve positions are repeated with opposite leg.You have completed half a round of Sun Salutation. To complete the round, repeat from the beginning, moving the left leg instead of the right in the lunge positions (steps 4 and 9).
You can also perform Surya Namaskar with the different mantras (names of the sun) to add a profound spiritual and meditative aspect:
Om Mitraaya namah
Om Ravaye namah
Om Suryaaya namah
Om Bhanve namah
Om Khagaaya namah
Om Pushnehe namah
Om Hiranyagarbhaaya namah
Om Marichaye namah
Om Adityaaya namah
Om Savitre namah
Om Arkaaya namah
Om Bhaaskaraaya namah
Surya Namaskar has a subtle influence on you which may perhaps be more important than physical benefits. It depends on your attitude. If you are aware and totally involved with the intonation of the mantras, the breathing and movement, it will make you very peaceful and completely relaxed. Doing the Surya Namaskar is like meditating. It also helps reduce emotional conflict and deal with stress, and depressions, anger, and hate. Surya Namaskar is a great way to start the day and helps you prepare in every way to face new challenges with physical and mental strength and confidence.
- Pranayama
Pranayama is control of Breath". "Prana" is Breath or vital energy in the body. On subtle levels "prana" represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and "ayama" means control. So Pranayama is "Control of Breath". One can control the rhythms of pranic energy with pranayama and achieve healthy body and mind. Five types of prana are responsible for various pranic activities in the body, they are Prana, Apana, Vyan, Udana & Samana. Out of these Prana and Apana are most important. Prana is upward flowing and Apana is downward flowing. Practice of Pranayama achieves the balance in the activities of these pranas, which results in healthy body and mind. Prana flows through thousands of subtle energy channels called ‘nadis’ and energy centers called ‘chakras’. The quantity and quality of prana and the way it flows through the nadis and chakras determines one’s state of mind. If the Prana level is high and its flow is continuous, smooth and steady, the mind remains calm, positive and enthusiastic. However, due to lack of knowledge and attention to one’s breath, the nadis and chakras in the average person may be partially or fully blocked leading to jerky and broken flow. As a result one experiences increased worries, fear, uncertainty, tensions, conflict and other negative qualities. The ancient sages of India realized these breathing techniques. Some common pranayamas include Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, and Nadi shodan pranayama. Regular practice increases and enhances the quantity and quality of prana, clears blocked nadis and chakras, and results in the practitioner feeling energetic, enthusiastic and positive. Practiced correctly under the right supervision prananyama brings harmony between the body, mind and spirit, making one physically, mentally and spiritually strong.
Note:
Since the Pranayamas deal with the subtle force, it is important to practice them as
taught in class. Do not experiment with them.
- Yoga Centers In Kerala
In 1987 the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in West Fort, Trivandrum was opened as part of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres (ISYVC), a non-profit organization (this centre is now under re-construction). Swami Vishnudevananda synthesized the ancient wisdom of yoga into five basic principles that could easily be incorporated into one's daily lifestyle to provide the foundation for healthy living. The teachings at the centre are based around these 'Five Points of Yoga'.
We offer many courses in yoga and meditation for the beginner, intermediate as well as for the advanced practitioner. We follow the ancient discipline of yoga practice as taught by founder Swami Vishnudevananda, one of the foremost disciples of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh.
Harivihar or Abode of the Divine is where you can pause, reflect and restore the harmony and balance of your inner rhythms.
Situated in Calicut, part of the historic Malabar province, the gateway through which Europe, led by Vasco Da Gamma, entered the fabled Indies – Harivihar offers its guests the unparalleled experience of living in a heritage homestead surrounded by a verdant and serene landscape.
Our resort is a unique place where you can experience the best of ancient Indian traditions – Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation, Kalari– in an amazing location on the banks of River Kabani, in the middle of thousands of acres of forest, spanning through three Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
We invite you to come, to experience, to rejuvenate, to heal, and to transform your body and mind with Ayurveda and Yoga.
Bishop Kurialacherry Nature Cure & Yoga Centre
The Bishop Kurialacherry Nature Cure & Yoga center was established in 1980 to provide positive mental and physical health condition through Natural healing and Yoga. It imparts a scientific and wholesome lifestyle that is designed to prolong health and longevity. Well-qualified and highly experienced doctors and personnel handle recommended Treatments. Our center is situated in a beautiful place with silent atmosphere. Well-furnished AC Rooms with hygienic conditions are available here.
Santhi teaches traditional yoga in the spiritual way according to the Indian Gurukula System. The salient feature of this age old system is the total involvement of the Master in imparting knowledge to his disciples in an atmosphere of love and compassion. This is being done in small groups at the School of Santhi Yoga School in India and School of Santhi Yoga School in Sweden.
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God's Own Country, Kerala - India, is also known as the land of Ayurveda for it safeguarded and nourished this most ancient tradition of health care. Ayurpalana Ayurveda Hospital, Palakkad is one of the leading hospitals in Kerala, providing classical Ayurvedic treatment for chronic ailments. Ayur palana Institute of Integral Health conducts courses of Ayurveda Panchakarma, Ayurveda Nursing & Yoga, of various durations; varying from three months to one year. The centre is affiliated to Bharat Sevak Samaj, National development Agency, Promoted by Govt. of India. The aim of our courses is to promote Ayurveda by training efficient Panchakarma therapists, Ayurveda nurses and yoga instructors.
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Mundax is a unique Kerala Homestay with all modern facilities which combine as a Kerala Yoga Meditation Retreat. Guests are welcome to join the yoga classes or stay only to experience the hospitality of a traditional Kerala homestay. Your host is a qualified yoga teacher, who teaches introductory and intermediate yoga without any religious rituals with only a maximum of three students in each yoga class.
Nestled in a scenic mountain location overlooking beautiful hills and valleys, mundax homestay and yoga meditation retreat offers a tranquil and inspiring setting for retreat vacations, walks in nature and charming views of the surrounding mountains.
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