Asana - the great enabler

 कुर्वन्नेवेह कर्माणि जिजीविषेत् शतं समाः।

एवं त्वयि नान्यथेतोऽस्ति न कर्म लिप्यते नरे ॥

Aspire to live a hundred years doing your work till the very end

This is the only way to live without being effected by karma

Easier said than done right? The Ishopanishad here asks us to wish to live a 100 years and being active engaging in your duties till the very end, being of use to society. It purports that only this kind of commitment to your actions will finally give you deliverance

This can be achieved ONLY through exceptional physical and mental fitness till the very end. Of all the various means to achieve this level of holistic fitness, in my humble opinion, it is mostly and probably only Yoga or similar eastern practices that can bestow you with a long and fit life that encompasses not just the physical body but also the mind, the intellect, and the spirit or prana.

The role of Asana and Pranayama in enabling this clarion call of the Ishopanishad is unmistakable. I have been listening carefully to many people who call themselves as Yogis repeatedly belittling the role of Asana and focusing on relaxation. The serious mistake we all do when we fall for this line of thought is that we don’t realize that relaxation happens only when the effort has been fully put in. The farmer who grows our food relaxes only after a hard days work! 

Two of the main hurdles (of a total of 9) on the path of Yoga as enunciated by Patanjali are Ahlasya or laziness and hallucinations or Bhrantidarshana

Don’t hallucinate that “All will be well” without working for it as that is only laziness playing its role in the guise of great philosophy😅

Going back to the beautiful verse of the eternal life positive Ishopanishad, “Aspire to live a hundred years and be active doing your work till the very end”

Aspire to live a long and healthy life, in body and mind, and to enable this goal, do your Yoga Sadhana. Each and Everyday 🤗🤗🤗. 

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Psssst………. There is NO other way 😅

Asana - the ultimate panacea

Every asana changes the pranic flow in the body and helps in concentrating the same in certain parts of the body. This is when Asana is done as per instructions and the practitioner stays in the Asana, breathing deeply (observing the downward push given by the diaphragm when breathing in) and with awareness of the first 4 koshas, namely, the body (Annamaya Kosha), the Prana and its flow (Pranamaya Kosha), the mind and the thoughts that are flowing (Manomaya Kosha) and finally the intellect with its judgments (Vigyanamaya Kosha). Once this is accomplished the 5th Kosha or the Anandamaya Kosha, the eternal observer or witness shines through. 

Asanena Rujam Hanti says the Yoga Chudamani Upanishad. योगचूडामण्युपनिषद् Verse 109

āsanena rujaṃ hanti prāṇāyāmena pātakam।

vikāraṃ mānasaṃ yogī pratyāhāreṇa muñcati ॥

Meaning

By performing asanas physical ailments are destroyed, by performing pranayamas the various sins committed are destroyed. By performing Pratyahara mental illnesses are destroyed. 

It means that asanas kill all diseases. Now why do we say this? If we observe carefully, in every asana, certain parts of the body are concentrated with prana compared to what they would be manifesting at, in normal times. For example, the Matsyendrasana focuses completely on the visceral region which contains not just the viscera but also various endocrine glands and organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic elements such as the spleen. Prana plays a very pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of different parts of the body and the mind as well. Focusing more than the normal intensity of Prana on various parts of the body for reasonable periods of time each day has a deeply positive effect on those parts. A good Asana sequence covers all parts of the body and ensures that all organ systems in the body are benefited. 

Every Asana has it's very unique Pranic circuit or flow. Mudras are done to force certain pranic circuits using the position of the fingers. An Asana well performed is a Mudra in it's own right!

Pranayama is changing the pattern of breath and holding the breath says Patanjali in the Yogasutras. 

prachchhardanavidharanabhyan va pranasya (Mind is also controlled by regulating the breath. Source of pranayama is here. By forcefully changing the pattern of breath and holding the breath the state of mind can be changed) 1.34 

tasmin sati shvasaprashvasayorgativichchhedah pranayamah (Breaking the flow of inhalation and exhalation is pranayama. Pranayama is when the inhalation and exhalation is done consciously with counts) 2.49 . 

By doing the same the mind is controlled and the state of mind can be changed. The shloka from the Yoga Chudamani Upanishad very beautifully says that sins are destroyed by doing Pranayama and mental issues are resolved through Pratyahara. What is to be understood is that the negative impressions on the mind caused by acts of error (sin) are removed by the practice of Pranayama. In fact, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar calls Pranayama the greatest of Prayashchittas. Prayaschitta which is understood in English as repentance, is more about bringing the consciousness or Chitta back to its original state (Prayah). When various impressions caused by our actions and the events of life, form impressions on the mind, they are like creases on our clothes. Removing those creases in the mind by ironing them out, is our Yogic Sadhana.  

Pratyahara is giving the various senses that are looking outwards, a different food or Ahara. The different Ahara that they are given is the taste of the inner world. When the senses are withdrawn from the outer world the mind is given deep rest and the various impressions that have got jumbled up causing pain and confusion, are then removed.  Every Asana has its unique breath pattern that is distinctly different from normal breathing patterns. The time taken to breathe in (Puraka), holding the breath in (Kumbhaka), breathing out (Rechaka), and then holding the breath out (Bahya Kumbhaka or Shunyaka), is distinct for each and every Asana. The Pranayama thus triggered off, has its own distinct benefits that affect the mind positively and calm it down. 

Every Asana has its own unique pranic flow and distinct breathing pattern. We ensure that pranayama happens when we do Asana. It is impossible that Pranayama can be skipped. Though we have many Pranayamas with minimal Asana (just sitting!), they are also an integral part of every Asana. Each Asana has its own flavor of meditation and subsequent experience of Samadhi. 

The Asanas have for long been thought of to be queer contortions whose basis is simply NOT there in the Patanjali Yogasutras. Patanjali's work is epoch-making but not a final word on the subject of Yoga. It simply cannot be since the subject of study is Infinity! Though Asanas and Pranayamas that we know of today are NOT explained in the Yogasutras, the framework for Yogis to build the same has been laid in the 3rd chapter or the Vibuti Pada of the Yogasutras where the means to enhance our individual physical and mental abilities have been explained as Samyamas. Asanas are the means by which the sages and Yogis of yore, implemented the Samyamas. Samyama is the simultaneous application of the last 3 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga which are Dharana Dhyana and Samadhi. 

Dharana is single pointed attention to any particular object.

Dhyana is the continuous flow of mind attention to that point. As per the beautiful science of Swara Yoga, the equalization of the breath from both the nostrils results in meditation

Samadhi is the dissolution of the mind resulting in unconditional acceptance of the moment

Samyama can be accomplished through asana and the rishis, siddhas and sages of yore invented the various Asanas to implement Samyama. The asana sequences that we perform today are the gifts of these great souls which we as Yogis should realize and cherish.

Let us take some examples here. Moordha Jyothishi Siddhadarshanam (Chapter 3.33). This means that when Samyama is done on the fontanelle or the central point of one's head (This point can be identified by placing the base of the palm at the point where the nose starts from the forehead and pressing the tip of the middle finger where it touches the top of the head. That point is the Moordha), one gains the vision of the Siddhas. This could be understood as visitations from the great Siddhas or perfected beings of yore, or could also be understood as experiencing the perfection in one's own self. The way to practically implementing this Samyama is through the practice of Shirshasana or the headstand. Here the pressure of the entire body on the Moordha or the fontanelle creates the required Dharana or single-pointed attention, Dhyana or the flow of the mind to that point gets accomplished when the force of the breath from both nostrils equalizes. This is a very important mechanical understanding of what happens when meditation is achieved. The breaths can be equalized by the practice of many asanas prior to performing Shirshasana and some of these are Surya Namaskars, Ushtrasana, Shalabhasana, Bhujangasana, and many more. Once the breaths equalize, one can get into Shirshasana. Samadhi is like the brightness of the flame. The flame and its light can never be separated. If meditation has happened, just being there will automatically result in the expression of Samadhi. 

Similarly the Samyamas of 3.30 Nabhichakre Kayavyoohajnanam which says that doing Samyama on the navel chakra or the Manipuraka chakra one can attain the knowledge of the constitution of the body. This could be accomplished by the performance of Vipareetha Shalabhasana or what is popularly known as the Superman pose! One can go through chapter 3 of the Yogasutras and understand how the various Samyamas explained there could be accomplished through different asanas. 

3.27 bhuvanajnanan soorye sanyamat - By making Samyama on the sun, (comes) the knowledge of the world. The above can be accomplished through the practice of Surya Namaskars. Also through the practice of Asanas that engage the solar plexus. Examples could be Paschimottanasana. 

3.31 kanthakoope kshutpipasa nivrittih - Samyama on the hollow of the throat (comes) cessation of hunger and thirst. The meaning of Nivritti is to move the mind inwards whereas Pravritti is the opposite which means moving the mind outwards. This sutra can also be understood as the directing of hunger and thirst to the inner world. Sarvangasana can be done to accomplish this Samyama. 

I come back to the great understanding of Ashtanga Yoga given by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar who explains that the 8 aspects of Yoga explained by Patanjali are 8 limbs or Angas of the body of Yoga and NOT 8 steps as is widely mistaken to be. Holding on to any one Anga or limb of Yoga will bring the entire body with it. It is like holding onto any one leg of a table and pulling it, would bring the entire table with all its other parts. The growth of a Yogi who focuses on any one limb of Yoga, would result in the overall accomplishment of Yoga across all other limbs as well in an equal fashion. My love for Asanas over the years has resulted in my approach to attaining the ultimate goal of Yoga, using Asana as the path. 

Jai Guru Deva

AUM AUM AUM

The Art of Meditation - Guiding Prana through the Sushumna

Prane Bhutam Cha Bhavyam Cha

Prane Sarvam Pratishthitam

Prano Hi Bhagawan Matarishwaram

Prakarshena Aanayati Nayati Iti Pranah - That which brings life energy in and out of the body is Prana

The Ida Pingala and the Sushumna are the three main nadis of the 72,000 nadis in the human body through which Prana flows. Ida is on the left side of the central plumbline of the body and represents the moon's energy. When Ida is predominant, the left nostril is more prominent in the breath than the right. Sometimes you won't even be able to feel the breath coming out of the right nostril. Pingala is on the right side of the central plumbline of the body and represents the sun's energy. When Pingala is predominant, the right nostril breath is more prominent than the left. It is said that whenever we are more analytical in thought, it is the Pingala that is predominant and when we are arty in thought, it is the Ida that is predominant. When the breath in both the nostrils are equally prominent, the prana starts flowing through the central plumbline of the body which is known as the Sushumna. This is when meditation "Happens". A lot of the Yoga Sadhana is built around bringing in the prana into the Sushumna or equalizing the breath in both the nostrils. 

Some of the very good Pranayamas and Asanas that help in bringing the Prana into the Sushumna are 

1. Anuloma Viloma Pranayama

2. Asanas that have a left-right and finally a central application. Examples are Pavanamuktasana (Left-Right and Both legs), Janu Shirshasana (Left and Right) followed by Paschimottanasana, Upavishtha Konasana, Shirshasana (These two bring the prana into the Sushumna i.e. equalizes both the right and left nostril breaths on their own)

The left side applications activate the right nostril and the right side applications activate the left nostril. Even when sleeping, if we sleep on the right side, the left nostril gets activated and vice versa.  Every time we come out of the above-mentioned Asanas and come to the seated position, the Pranic circuit realigns to how it resides in the seated position, and this process of pranic realignment, when observed, is deeply therapeutic, restive, and meditative. Practitioners should NEVER miss out on observing the Pranic Realignments from one Pranic Circuit (created when performing an Asana) to another. Every Pranic circuit has its unique breathing patterns and Pranic Flow that is concentrated in specific regions of the body. It reaffirms the deep understanding given by Gurudev that all the limbs of Yoga are attained when any one limb is pulled well. Like how the entire table comes along when any one of its legs is pulled. 

Change of breathing patterns is Pranayama says Patanjali in the Yogasutras 

प्रच्छर्दनविधारणाअभ्यां वा प्राणस्य*

pracchardana-vidhāraṇa-ābhyāṁ vā prāṇasya

Breaking the natural rhythms of the breath and holding the breath, sustaining the breath in different rhythms

Observing how the flow of breath starts moving towards the left or the right or through both the nostrils is very essential, coupled with the deep experience of meditation when the nostrils are equalized and prana is guided into the Sushumna. 

So in Asana, we experience Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. I have explained these in great detail in my earlier blog https://kaivalyaanubhavayoga.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-table-with-eight-legs.html 

Janushirshasana

Paschimottanasana

Upavishtha Konasana (Side View)

Upavishtha Konasana (Front View)

Shirshasana

Other ways to achieve this state is the presence of the Guru as well as visiting great temples, where automatically the breathing pattern changes to the meditative state with Prana flowing through Sushumna. 

AUM 

What humanity knew all the while - the chakras!

 There is a way of saying how we say things without actually saying them explicitly. And that phrase is "Words betray the fact" or "In common lingo"

The 7 chakras in the Yogic system are understood to generate different emotions. We may not be knowing about the chakras in the detail that Gurudevas explained, but we always referred to the various emotions to these specific points across different cultures and languages. Here I detail a few of them. Please do add on more if you know of them! Colors depicted here are the colors that are attributed to these various chakras

Muladhara Chakra: The base of spine or the sacrum is the location of the first centre called the Muladhara Chakra. When the Muladhara Chakra is activated, what happens? One experiences enthusiasm in life. When it is dormant, then one experiences dullness and inertia. One does not feel interested in anything. This is the first Chakra. - In Common Lingo- "Shake your booty!" an expression used to ramp up enthusiasm, specially at parties😆

Swadishthana Chakra: The same energy moves upwards to the second Chakra which is located behind the genitals and it manifests as procreation or creation – meaning in the form of any creative activity or as sex drive. - In Common Lingo No prizes for guessing.😁

Manipur Chakra: The same energy moves upwards to the navel region and manifests in four forms or feelings. What are they? They are jealousy, generosity, joy, and greed - In Common Lingo "Belly full of laughter" depicting joy. In Kannada we speak of jealousy as "Hotte Kicchu" which means a wringing sensation in the stomach! 😊😂

Anahata Chakra:The heart is associated with three emotions: Love, fear and hatred. - In Common Lingo "Striking fear into the hearts of the enemy" or "I love you from the bottom of my heart" or "I hate him from the bottom of my heart"💗

Vishuddhi Chakra: When the same energy moves to the throat Chakra, what is the sensation you experience? You feel gratefulness, and you have a sensation in the throat region when you experience grief. - In Common Lingo "My throat is choked with gratitude/grief"😢

Ajna Chakra: When the consciousness moves to the centre of the forehead, it manifests as anger, awareness or alertness. - In Common Lingo - "Where are you looking? Pay attention". Most of the times whenever we are in a deeply attentive state, we are looking straight at the object of attention with the stress being felt clearly between the eyebrows. 😠

Sahasrara Chakra: When the Consciousness moves to the top of the head, then one experiences only bliss.😇 In Common Lingo - "I am on top of the world"

What is the source of Yoga?

 The debate on the source of Yoga is intense with many people strongly making the point that it is Hinduism's gift to the world. Though controversial I would as a practicing Yogi, like to make a different point.

The more one goes into Yoga, the more one realizes the oneness in infinite diversity, the critical role that "Prana" or life force plays on the state of mind (whether the calm, not so calm, or the ultimate ZERO state), and, the essential realization that the external manifestation of human behavior is 100% a function of the internal state of the mind. There is a need to implement this knowledge for the wellbeing of humanity in a skillful way taking into consideration the various types of people we encounter. From the religious believers to the non-believing atheists and agnostics. 

When we look at the way any religion has been designed, it essentially has aimed to calm the restless mind through prayer, meditation, etc. In Hinduism the restless mind is compared to a monkey that is drunk, bitten by a scorpion, and then occupied by a ghost! What takes the mind outside are the 5 senses of touch taste smell sight and hearing. Making use of these very 5 faculties to bring the mind within and calm it even for a few moments is the reason why the great yogis thought through and designed the many temples of India. The sense of belief in an almighty parent called God with an image sculpted in the form of an idol is very essential for this aim to be accomplished. 

1. The sight or "Darshana" of the main "vigraha" or idol, which has undergone the regular process of "Prana Pratishtha" or imbued with life force using a lot of technical sophistry like the use of precious gems buried deep under the main idol as well as the use of water subjected to the recitation of certain mantras (watch this amazing video to understand how water is effected by human emotions and the vibrations of certain words https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moz82i89JAw) flowing onto the idol from atop, brings the mind to calmness

2. The smells of ingredients like "Tulasi" or Holy Basil, Sandalwood, Camphor or "Karpooram" all bring the mind to calmness

3. The taste of the "Teertha" or holy water which has Holy Basil, Sandalwood, Camphor etc heightens the Prana and brings the mind to calmness

4. The sounds of the bells and mantras chanted bring the mind to calmness. The ragas in classical Indian music each have a very different effect on the mind

5. The touch of cool floors and walls of the temple brings the mind to calmness

One of the core aspects of Yoga is meditation or Dhyana. When we look at all religions, they are meditative revelations. Whether it was the Vedas that were revealed to the sages of yore, the Quran that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) when he meditated in a cave, or the fact that Jesus fasted and meditated for 40 days in a desert. 

So coming back to the main question. Did Yoga come from Hinduism or was it the other way around?! The answer to this question is the same as whether space came from matter or the other way around? :) 

AUM AUM AUM

Why Asanas? Some thoughts (post the practice :D)

 Firstly hope everyone got what that title meant!

The very goal of Yoga is to stop all modulations of the mind, so that, we reside in the state of the observer. This is what meditation is truly all about

There are 8 ways to achieve this and one of the ways is Asana or physical poses. How would contorting into different stretches, twists, bends, and squeezes help in quietening the restless mind?

The state of mental quiet is less about preachings and instructions and more about enabling certain states in the body that have a definitive effect on the mind. 

One of the important reasons which disables individuals from reaching a calm and meditative state is the inability of the body to get rid of waste or Aama (Sanskrit). Ordinarily, we would think that this refers to digestive waste. This is 100% true, What is also equally true is the ability of the body to get rid of wastes at the cellular levels as well. Our cells too eat, drink, breathe, egest and involve in dozens of other activities before finally dying. The cellular waste as well as dead cells collect in the Lymphatic system. 

The Lymphatic system unlike the circulatory system which has a heart to pump the fluid, has only our physical activities to enable its optimum functioning. The optimal functioning of the Lymphatic system ensures that the body is free of cellular waste. 

Asana is a fantastic approach to enable this optimum Lymphatic functioning. The various stretches, bends, twists, and squeezes performed with deep diaphragmic breathing over a period of time (some Asanas can be held for a few minutes as well depending on the experience of the Yogi), have a salutary effect on the Lymphatic System. 

The continuous buildup of waste in the Lymphatic system has a corresponding ill effect on the organs and glands that surround them. 

The Prana (https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598734235874609373/5022012620229752242?hl=en-GB) flows freely when the body is free of Aama and is enabled to flow unimpeded. The role of Asana in cleansing the body at the cellular levels and thereby ensuring the free flow of Prana, as well as the increased flow of Prana in the body, is primal and pivotal. 

The quietening of the mind happens only when the levels of Prana in the body are increased. It won't happen with preaching and reading books! Yes, it also happens in the presence of a Guru who operates at elevated levels of Prana :)

What is Sri Sri Yoga?

 What makes Sri Sri Yoga, Sri Sri Yoga!

The differences in the various Yoga systems and schools are mostly based on which are the core books of Yoga that are looked up to and the interpretation of the Sanskrit verses that are contained in them

The Art of Living has its Yogic roots firmly rooted mainly in the Patanjali Yogasutras. A book whose aphorisms were explained in selected details by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar over 25 years ago

Apart from His interpretation of the Yogasutras, His own understanding of various aspects of life and especially the mind, have brought about over the years, a distinctive and immensely beautiful perspective to what has now emerged as Sri Sri Yoga

Some of the core focus areas have been

1. The concept of Prana. Gurudev has often said that doubts creep in the mind only when the Prana levels are low. This is a very deep understanding. If we stretch this, we understand and realize that it's not just doubts that come when Prana levels are low, but the higher realizations that come in, when prana levels are high!

2. Stretching in the asana is done by breathing out

3. Smile when you do the Asana. Sthiram Sukham Asanam is a sutra that we at AOL have always adhered to. The only way we can express the Sukha in the Asana is when we can smile when doing the Asana!

4. Payathna Shaittilya Anantha Samapattibhyam - to let go of all efforts after having done the asana. To let go of efforts, first, the efforts must have been put! We all run only till we get onto the train. Running thereafter does not help us reach our destination faster. Similarly we ut in our efforts only till we attain the Yogasana the way it has to be. Once attained, we rest in the Asana and let the Infinity flow through!

5. Doing the Asana with all awareness and attention - Satu Dheerga Kaala Nairantarya Satkara Sevita Dridha Bhumi. Satkara Sevita is, doing Yoga respectfully. Respect means what? Giving your 100% attention to something is respect. This definition of respect was given by Gurudev. Respecting the body is Asana. Respecting the breath is Pranayama!

6. Sadhana is Sah Dhana, your "own" wealth that you carry on from one life to another.

7. Speaking about Ashtanga Yoga that the sage Patanjali explains in the Yogasutras, He explained that these are NOT 8 steps or Ashtha Pada but 8 parts of the same body or Ashtanga. A table may have four legs but if you want to pull the table getting a grip on just one of its legs is good enough. The other 3 legs come along with it. Similarly going deep into just one part of Yoga will ensure that you attain the other 7 as well

8. Jnana Yoga Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are all interwoven. Just like, to prepare Gulab Jamun one needs to know how to do it (Jnana Yoga), once knowing how to do it, one needs to execute the job (Karma Yoga) and both Jnana and Karma have to be executed with lots of love and devotion in order for the end result to stupendous success. This is Bhakti Yoga. Those who feel that Bhakti Yoga is something that needs an individual (either God or Guru) need to relook. It can be even in preparing a Gulab Jamun. Probably it is the complete Yoga of Jnana Karma and Bhakti that makes mother's food simply so delicious! Similarly Knowing how to do the asana, doing it regularly and with love and devotion, enables the culmination of all three aspects of Yoga are enabled.

AUM AUM AUM😊🙏