The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath (1903)

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Yoga sessions often end (and sometimes also begin) with a period of relaxation in corpse pose, Shavasana. The activity levels of all the body's muscles, and the motor neurons (nerve cells) that activate them, is reduced as relaxation is practised, except for the diaphragm which is used in breathing; and the breathing rate reduces also. [35] For many people today, the word “yoga” conjures up images of colorful mats, flexible bodies, and tight clothing. While these images may be great for posting on social media, they have little to do with actual yoga. In fact, yoga poses, or asanas as they are known in Sanskrit, are just a small part of the expansive system of yogic sciences that have been practiced for thousands of years. These sciences include the yamas and niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. You may be wondering why these are sciences, and not simply practices: like other sciences, countless testing has led to a series of steps that when followed correctly produce a replicable result. In the case of yoga, the result is a state of enlightened living. In this state, not only does your own life benefit, but also those of all with whom you interact, both personally and professionally. The 5 Yamas & 5 Niyamas a b c d Larson-Meyer, D. Enette (2016). "A Systematic Review of the Energy Cost and Metabolic Intensity of Yoga". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 48 (8): 1558–1569. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000922. ISSN 0195-9131. PMID 27433961. Yoga can be used as exercise to help maintain physical fitness. A complete yoga session with asanas and pranayama provides on average a moderate workout. [b] Surya Namaskar (the 12-asana Salute to the Sun sequence) ranged from light to vigorous exercise, depending on how it was performed. [c] The average for a session of yoga practice without Surya Namaskar was light or moderate exercise. [d] [P 6] [P 7] Cardiovascular health [ edit ]

Having trouble with your dhanurasana. Here's a comprehensive guide to the science of asanas, what you can do go deeper into your practice, and how you can reap the most out of one's practice. Enjoy! Making The Most of Your Yoga Practice Yoga helps to keep bones and joints in a healthy state. [20] In particular, it helps to maintain bone strength; [21] it also helps to maintain both joint mobility (range of motion), and joint stability. [22] [23] It improves posture, muscular strength, coordination and confidence (reducing anxiety), all of which reduce the risk of injury and bone fracture, and which may therefore be helpful to people with conditions such as osteoporosis. [O 6] On the other hand, yoga, like any other physical activity, can result in injury; headstand (Sirsasana), shoulder stand (Sarvangasana), and lotus position (Padmasana) are the asanas most often reported as causes of injury. [P 5] Ann Swanson offers three reasons why yoga may be safer than many sports, namely that it is often slow; it encourages awareness in the moment; and it stresses doing no harm ( ahimsa). [24] The American National Institutes of Health advise practising with a qualified instructor to reduce the chance of injury. [25] Muscles [ edit ] Any asana that is held for a period, like the arm-balancing Astavakrasana, builds muscle strength by isometric exercise. [26] Sadhguru says, “The word ‘Zen’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhyan.’ Gautama the Buddha taught Dhyan. Bodhidharma carried Dhyan to China, where it became Chan. This Chan went further down into Far East Asian countries, where it became Zen. The Saptarishis were sent in seven different directions to different parts of the world to carry this dimension with which a human being can evolve beyond his present limitations and compulsions. They became the limbs of Shiva, taking the knowing and technology of how a human being can exist here as the Creator himself, to the world. Time has ravaged many things, but when the cultures of those lands are carefully looked at, small strands of these people’s work can be seen, still alive. It has taken on various colors and forms, and has changed its complexion in a million different ways, but these strands can still be seen. To be a yogi means to live without the coffins that people build around themselves. Yoga means union. It means you have breached the boundaries of the physical and have the ability to touch and experience everything in the universe. Unless a human being acquires this quality, they are somehow trying to hide from life.

To be a Yogi

Complete Yogic Breathing includes all the good points of all the aforementioned types of breathing, with the objectionable features of each eliminated. It brings into play the entire respiratory apparatus, every part of the lungs, every air-cell, every respiratory muscle.

In Sanskrit, the word tapas means fire, and in the context of the niyamas it is the fire of discipline. It also relates to the heat that is generated through certain yogic practices. Put simply, daily dedication and practice is an essential component of progress on the yogic path. He proposed that 21 June be declared as the International Day of Yoga and that date was unanimously approved by the UNGA. What are the health benefits of Yoga? To find contentment no matter where you find yourself is a powerful skill. This is the kind of contentment that comes from within and is not based on external circumstances. The percentage of civilized men who breathe correctly is quite small, and the result is shown in contracted chests and stooping shoulders, and the terrible increase in diseases of the respiratory organs, including that dread monster, Consumption, “the white scourge.” Eminent authorities have stated that one generation of correct breathers would regenerate the race, and disease would be so rare as to be looked upon as a curiosity. Whether looked at from the standpoint of the Oriental or Occidental, the connection between correct breathing and health is readily seen and explained.

In 1970 Christopher Hills, his son John, and Kevin Kingsland organized the 'World Conference on Scientific Yoga' in New Delhi, bringing 50 Western scientists together with 800 of India's leading swamis, yogis and lamas to discuss their research and establish a network for the creation of a World Yoga University. [12] Scope [ edit ] Poosalar and Sadashiva Brahmendra were well-known yogis from South India, who are held in high regard to this day. The Yogi practices exercises by which he attains control of his body, and is enabled to send to any organ or part an increased flow of vital force or “prana,” thereby strengthening and invigorating the part or organ. He knows all that his Western scientific brother knows about the physiological effect of correct breathing, but he also knows that the air contains more than oxygen and hydrogen and nitrogen, and that something more is accomplished than the mere oxygenating of the blood. He knows something about “prana,” of which his Western brother is ignorant, and he is fully aware of the nature and manner of handling that great principle of energy, and is fully informed as to its effect upon the human body and mind. He knows that by rhythmical breathing one may bring himself into harmonious vibration with nature, and aid in the unfoldment of his latent powers. He knows that by controlled breathing he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but also practically do away with fear and worry and the baser emotions.

Unlike the conventional approaches to view Yoga as a predominantly body oriented discipline, Dr. King and Swamy Satyapriya [38], treat Yoga as a neuroscientifically rooted complete system of practices aimed at not only enhancing physical but also mental health, as well as spiritual upliftment. This form of yogic breathing is known as Clavicular Breathing, or Collarbone Breathing. When breathing this way, one elevates the ribs and raises the collarbone and shoulders, at the same time drawing in the abdomen and pushing its contents up against the diaphragm, which in turn is raised. We greet our students, with our most profound saalam, and bid them be seated for their first lesson in the Yogi Science of Breath. Alter, Joseph (2004). Yoga in Modern India: the body between science and philosophy. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-11874-1.Following the yamas, we find the niyamas. These can be thought of as a set of personal observances to prepare body, mind, and spirit for the more advanced practices that come next. Shearer, Alistair (2020). Story of Yoga: from Ancient India to the Modern West. C. Hurst. ISBN 978-1-78738-192-6. OCLC 1089012347. In a vivid narration from Sadhguru, we take a look at the being who introduced yoga to humankind, the Adiyogi, the first yogi.