YOGIC PRACTICE

YOGIC PRACTICE
FOR A COMMON MAN
YOGIC PRACTICE FOR A COMMON MAN
Concepts and practices of Yoga originated in India. Several thousand years ago. The great yogis have rational interpretation to their experiences of Yoga and brought about a practical and scientifically sound method within every one's reach. Yoga today is no longer restricted to hermits saints and sages and it has taken it's place in our everyday lives and has aroused a world wide awakening and acceptance in the last few decades. The science of yoga and it's techniques now been reoriented to suit modern sociological needs and lifestyles. Experts of various branches of medicine including modern medical science are realising the role of these techniques in the prevention of disease, mitigation and cure of disease and promotion of health.
The practice of Yoga prevents psychosomatic disorders and improves an individual's resistance and ability to endure stressful situations. Yoga is one among the six system of Vedic philosophy - Maharishi Patanjli. He advocated the eight fold path of yoga, known as "Astanga Yoga" for allround development of common man. Common man enormously get benefit from the practice of yoga. Yoga is a discipline to improve or develop one's inherent power in a balanced manner. Patanjali advocated the eight fold path of Yoga. They are yama, niyama, Asana, pranayama, pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana and samadhi. These components advocate certain restraints and observances physical discipline, breath regulations, restraining the sense organs, contemplation, meditation and samadhi.
A set of Asanas, Mudra and Pranayamas practised with faith perseverance and insight rejuvenates the brain, heart, lungs, liver, pancrease, all nerves, muscles, tissues and glands of the body by ensuring oxygenated and balanced blood supply.
Surya Namaskar (Salutation to Sun) :
Surya Namaskar is the most useful and popular mode of Yogic exercise which briefly bestows the benefits of Asanas, pranayama and Mudras altogether. It consist of a series of 12 postures which are performed early in the morning facing the sun. Surya Namaskar energizes the entire neuro glandular and neuro muscular system of the body and it's regular practice ensures a balanced supply of oxygenated blood and perfect harmony to all the system of the body, thus invigorating the entire psychosomatic system of human constitution.
Asanas : These are special patterns of posture that stabilize the mind and body through static stretching. Their aim is to establish proper system in the neuromuscular tonic impulses and improve the general muscle tons. Two basic principles governing the performance of asanas are stability and comfort. This suggest that the nature of asanas is psychophysical and not merely physical.
Every asana should be performed effortlessly and maintained for a comfortable time. There should be no jerks and the performance of asana should not lead to under fatigue. Asana may be classified as –
1. Meditative
2. Cultural
3. Relaxative
Meditative Asanas are sitting postures, which maintain the body in a steady and comfortable condition eg. Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Padamasna etc.
Cultural Asanas involve static stretching which brings about proper tone of muscles they contribute to the Flexibility of the spine and render the back and spinal muscle stronger. They also innumerable varieties of cultural Asanas which are performed in sitting, lying and standing position. eg. Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Ardha matsendra asana, Paschimottanasana etc.
Sukshma Vyayama –
There are 48 practices described in Yogic sukshma Vyayama by Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari. These kriya starts from top of head and end at the toe. These kriyas have already proved their efficacy against a host of supposedly incurable maladies and thousands have been able to attain an unprecedented stability and purity of mind. By doing regular practice of these Kriya, human subtle body effected and get energised. All the joints of hand and feet get proper blood supply and proper movement as a result this help to keep body in healthy approach.
Pranayama –
These practices bring central over the respiratory impulses which form one of the channels of the flow of autonomic nerve impulses. Holding of the breath for a prolenged and comfortable time is an essential technique of pranayama. However, in the initial practice the breath holding phase is completely averted and emphasis is put on the controlled inspiration and expiration. The main purpose of pranayama is to gain control over the autonomic nervous system and through its influence the mental function is also controlled and regulated.
Nadhi Shodhan, Bhramari pranayama, Sitali pranayama, Sitkari, ujjayi pranayama can do a common man successfully.
Pratyahar – Withdrawal of senses from their objects.
It is a method for control of the mind. It is a practice for withdrawal of the senses from their respective objects. It is also a process for the prevention of mind wandering and indulgence to unhealthy thoughts and hence, can be considered as a psychological practices.
Dharma (Contemplation)
It attempts at fixation of mind on a single object or thought or sound at any place or spot external or internal of the body is Dharana. It improves power of concentration memory and intellect. Its regular practices results in peace, better mind-body co-ordination and balanced growth.
Dhayan (Meditation)
Continuous and un-interrupted flow of mind in the same direction where ever the mind is fixed is Meditation.
This is the practice involving control of the mental functions which start from the initial withdrawal of the senses from external objects to the complete oblivion of the external environment.
It is not always safer to start one's practice in meditation without preparing the adequately through asana and Pranayama.
By regular practice of meditation one acquires the power to concentrate deep resulting in main fold benefits such as increased physical energy, mental efficiency, creativity, calmness, memory, intellect, psychic power and intuitiveness. The basic principle of meditation is to develop internal awareness.

Shatkarma – Six cleansing act
These are Yogic purificatory techniques which are meant for the progressive all round development of healthy body and mind.
These techniques are classified into 6 division and therefore they are called Shatkarmas. These are Neti, Dhauti, Vasti, Nauli, Trataka & Kalalbhati, each one of which consists of many subsections. They increase the range of adaptability of tissue forming various organs and systems and raise the threshold of their reactivity. Kriyas bring control on different reflexes & establish psycho physiological balance. The modes of purification in the kriyas are air, water, friction and manipulating movements. The regions of cleaning involving in various kriyas are naropharyngeal, gastroesophageal, anarectal & intestinal.
Bandhas and Mudras
These are looks and holds of the semi voluntary and involuntary muscles in the body. They decongest the vital organs improve circulation and nutrition by pressure and contribute to general health and emotional stability.
Jalandhara, uddiyana and Mulabandha are important bandhas. Mudras are of different types.
Conclusions
A set of Asanas, Mudras and Pranayamas practised with faith perseverance and insight rejuvenates the brain, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidney, bowles, all nerves, muscles, tissue and glands of the body by ensuring oxygenated and balanced blood supply, bestows control over seminal fluid, senses and mind imparts increased vitality, vigour and longativity to the common man.