Come
21st June and the world will be celebrating ‘Yoga Day’. All over the
schools and colleges of India there will be yoga activity, seminars etc. In our
campus at IITG we are also celebrating in our own unique way. The present
generation of life is becoming fast in terms of time spent in work, sitting near
computers etc. and the physical activities are rapidly decreasing. Due to which
we are becoming aware of so many new diseases that were unknown to people just
some years back. Earlier people use to walk a lot and their daily activities
were more manual work which uses to free them from doing planned exercises etc.
Hypertension, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. has become so widespread that we
are taking it for granted in our daily life. In our daily works of IITG
community much of the effort is on mental activity like reading, writing,
developing mathematical ability etc. and in pursuit of which we fail to give
importance to physical activity. The physical body without any exercises
becomes fragile and loses immunity which invites the invisible germs
surrounding us for a sumptuous meal there by causing diseases for us. In the
name curing the diseases we slowly become dependent on medicine which has many
side effects. Yoga as a physical activity will help us get back our sovereign
physical strength.
The
word ‘Yoga’ can be derived from two verbal roots, yuj (to yoke) or Yuj (to
concentrate). Hence ‘Yoga’ is that which helps a jiva or the individual soul to
attain concentration on Isvara and ultimate union with him. The ‘Yoga’ in its
several senses has been used in the Rig Veda and some of the Upanishad like
Katha and the Svetasvatara. The Bhagwad Gita contains much reference to yoga.
It is likely that there might have been a more ancient work on yoga attributed
to Hiranyagarbha and this work has influenced other works. Among the works
available now the Yogasutras of Patanjali is the most ancient one attributed
between BC 200 to AD 300. The Patanjali Yoga sutras prescribe a graded
discipline comprising eight steps, called the ‘astangas’ of yoga. Of the eight
steps “asana” with which we are much concerned comes third in the series of
steps. Before that there are Yama (restraint), Niyama (observances). The ‘Yama’
is non-injury, truth, continence etc. which contribute to social harmony and
‘Niyama’ which is cleanliness, contentment, austerity study of holy books, repetition
of mantras and devotion to God brings in personal purity.
The
third step which is Yogasanas is extremely popular all over the world mostly as
physical exercises and coupled with pranayama they act at three levels, the
physical body, the vital body and the mind. When perfected they help the physical
body to have strength and stamina, regulate the internal body chemistry and
assists in gaining control over mind.
Asana
means a posture. According to one view, by imitating the posture of an animal ,
one can get that animal agility or any other special capacity that is why quite
a few yogasanas are named after some animal or the other as in Mayurasana,
Mayura = peacock. Gheranda Samhita, a standard work of Hathayoga, more directly
concerned with yogasanas and pranayama mentions thirty two yogasanas which are
more important.
Yoga
asanas have certain advantages over the gymnastic exercises or other form of
exercises in that it can be practiced by all, irrespective of age & sex or
health conditions if specific instruction is followed. No other external
appliances like dumbbells’ or any other devices are needed. The yoga can reduce
the toxins in the body instead of increasing them as done by the other system.
Those who wish to practice yoga asanas are required to observe some general
rules. They are:-
- Organs of evacuation should be empty before practicing the Yogasanas.
- It is best to do the yogasanas after bath otherwise there must be gap of at least 30 minutes for bath after doing them.
- Early morning is the best time for doing the yogasanas.
- Drinking a glass of warm water before beginning will help.
- The place must be clean and airy. A blanket should be spread and yogasanas practiced on it.
- Breathing must be done through the nostrils only.
- At the end, sweat should be dried by spreading it with the bare hands and not with cloth.
Those
suffering from some diseases like hypertension should not practice topsy-turvy
postures. Women are advised to avoid some yogasanas during certain periods or
conditions.
Before
beginning the regular practice of the yogasanas, a few preparatory exercises have
to be done to loosen the joints and attain flexibility. Out of the several
yogasanas sixteen are very popular, some of them are Ardhamatsyendrasana, Baddhapadmasana,
Bhujangasana etc. It is best to learn these yogasanas directly from a competent
teacher. Through pictures and descriptions of them are often given in standard
works there is always a chance of going wrong or even getting into trouble.
When practiced properly these yogasanas have either cured or decreased the
effects of many aliments. In fact quite a few of them have been designed as
cures for specific diseases.
Coming
to the present we see that our school and colleges are much stuffed with books
and less importance to physical activity like yoga sports etc. With the active
role of P.M. Modi and recognition of ‘Yoga’ internationally may reverse the
trend. Although much has been said as yoga related to Hinduism and controversy
surrounding it, we cannot deny that every religion practices certain yogic
posture during their religious activity. India’s significance is that here in
our country yoga was first studied deeply and established in a firm rational
foundation. Taking yoga as way to remain healthy and also taking it as a lever
to reach our goal will help us enjoy more. In our campus we can have regular
community ‘yoga’ practice in a field and taught by an expert teacher. Having a
yoga community will give us enthusiasm to do it regularly and also help us
becoming healthy. Swami Vivekananda says, “The only test of good things is that
they make us Strong”. What harm is in recognizing and practicing it together.
We feel proud to study, Shakespeare, Willian Wordworth, Newton, Einstein, Penrose
although they are of foreign country. Also using Chinese made goods, technology
of USA, Cananda & Iran’s Oil does not deter our self-confidence then why
should something developed by ancients of our country make us shy to recognize
publicly in our institution. After all, our ancient Indian thinkers have
studied much deeply about the behavior of mind and how to keep it healthy and
happy by doing Yoga. Being an institute
of national importance we should take a lead in this direction by introduction
of community Yoga where yoga is practiced in the morning and evening and also try
bringing awareness to nearby areas, institution to introduce in their own way.
Happiness of the world is in the happiness of the healthy individual. If yoga
brings it, then why not?
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of Hinduism.
- Complete works of Swami Vivekananda.
