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😊🙏