Introduction of yoga

The word 'Yog' has been used in Vedas, Upanishada,Gita and mythological scriptures etc.since ancient times .It is a very important term in the Indian context ,be it in devotion ,self-realization or in the day-to-day work arena,Yog deals extensively with every aspect of our life according to these classics.
Maharshi Patanjali defines 'Yog' as 'Chittavritti Nirodh'(eradiction of negative moods)Praman (Fact), Viparay (Transposition), Vikalp ( Alternate Option ), Nidra (Sleep),and Smriti (Memory) are the five moods.With the practice of Yog with dedication and devotion one eliminates these negative moods and the finds solace in merging with the soul - This is Yog .
Maharshi Vyas describes Yog as samadhi . The Sanskrit grammar shows that Yog is derived from the root 'Yuj'.In short we can say that the controlled practices which result in the meeting of Atma and Param-atma (Soul and super soul ) is Yog.
The sages believe that sole purpose of Yog is to merge with the Supreme Soul .When one eradicates all negative emotions by following yog , the detachment to momentary emotions and moods follows and control of one's life is achieved . The mind has five phases Kshipta , Mudha , vikshipta , Ekagra and Nirudha .The first three phases are not capable of reaching the high state of samadhi.The fourth and fifth phase of mind enable one to reach a state, wherein one loses the bondage of Karma and one can attain Sampradnyat Samadhi and Asampradnyat Samadhi.
When Samadhi is obtained with the help of an idea (that is,by fixing one's thought on a point in spaceor on an idea ) , the stasis is called samprajnata samadhi ('entasis with support ,' or 'differentiated enstasis') . When , on the other hand ,samadhi is obtained apart from any 'relation' (whether external or mental )that is ,when one obtains a ' conjunction ' into which no otherness ' enters,but which is simply a full comprehension of being one has realized asamprajnata-samadhi ('undifferentiated stasis').
Indian literature has a unique place of honour for 'The Bhagvadgita' . Contemporary saints of India have spread the message of Karmyog from Gita to the entire world .
Types of Yog :
The four types of Yog stated below have been described in the classic of 'Dattatreya Yogasutra' and 'Yog-raj Upanishad'. The characteristics of each type of Yog have been thus described in the elementary 'Yog tattvopanishad'.
1.Mantra Yog comprises of the chanting of the Matrukadi Mantra systematically over 12 years , which gives you 'Anima' ,it is Minuteness ( This is the power which the yogi possesses to become as small as an atom ,to identify himself with the smallest part of the universe , knowing the self in that atom to be one with himself .This is due to the fact that the anima mundi or soul of the world,is universally spread throughout all aspects of divine life ) and other spiritual power.
2.Laya Yog is constantly remembering God all the time,while performing daily activities.
3.Hatha Yog comprises the practices of various asana's , mudra's ,pranayama and Kriyas for the purification of the body and concentration of mind.
4. Raja Yog comprises the observance of Yama ( self - restrain) ,Niyama ( scriptural prescriptions )etc which help to purify the mind ,intellect and thereby enlighten the soul .


Effect of Yog on the Body
Yog gives am insight to know more about the self .The dormant inner power blossom to give complete bliss and an introduction to the true self .It enable one to meet the supreme soul and attain complete bliss.Indian sages have prescribed many methods to achieve this goal .We will mainly follow the asana's and Pranayama's given in Ashtang yog (Yam , Niyam ,Asan , Pranayam , Pratyahar ,Dharana ,Dhyan and Samadhi ) or the eight main aspects of Yog.We will also cover the six supporting action or shatkarma's or Hath Yog.
Practicing Yog revives our dormant energy.These exercises rejuvenate tissues and help new cell formation .Light Yogic exercises reactivate the nervous system ,and regulate the blood circulation .They rieinstate fresh energy in the body.According to the law of physiology,when the body contracts and expands, energy is developed and diseases get cured .This can be achieved with help of different Yogic asanas.With the practice of Pranayamas and Asans, the gland and muscles of the body contract and expand ,and diseases get cured naturally.
Yog also keeps the veins healthy.The pancreas become active and produce insulin in the right quantity , which helps in curing diabetes and related diseases.Health is directly linked with the digestive system.The improper functioning of the digestive system is the prime cause for most of the diseases.Even some serious problems like heart disease occur due to a faulty digestive system.Yog strengthens the entire digestion process, making every part of the body healthy, and active .Fresh air enters the lungs making them healthier which keeps diseases like asthama ,respiratory problems,allergy etc away.Fresh air also strenghtens the heart.Yogic exercises dissolve the fat deposits which make the body light, healthy and attractive .Yog is beneficial for thin n lean physique as well.Along with physical fitness , Yog also affects the subtle sense ,the intellect and the mind .Yog control the working of organs and helps the mind to detach itself.The follower of Asthang Yog passes with great ease from the darkness of ignorance towards a joyous ,peaceful and ever illuminated existence by connecting with the Supreme Being and attain physical ,mental ,intellectual and spiritual progress.

Daily routine of a healthy person
Good health is the key to happiness.Health is wealth.But who is healthy ? Sage Sushruta writes in the Ayurveda text 'Sushrut Samhita' :
" Samdoshah Samanishch Samdhatu Malkriyah
Prasnnatmendriymanh Swasth itymidhiyale"
This means , for a person who has al the three doshas- Vat , Pitta , and Kapha in equilibrium,the agni (power of digestion) of the stomach is normal (neither very less nor very high). The seven substance or dhatus in body ,Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood), Masa (tissues), Med (Fat), Asthi (bones), Majja (Bone marrow), and Virya (Semen) are in the required quantity ,urination and excretion is normal ,the ten senses ( ear, nose, eyes, skin, taste, rectum, genital organs, hands, legs, and tongue ), the mind and their ruler i.e. the soul remain happy. Such a person is said to be healthy .Sage Sushrut has given a broad and scientific defination to the word health.
Maharshi Charak has stasted that the three pillars to attain this health are diet, sleep, and celibacy.



Rules useful for the Asanas
1. Time : Asanas may be done in the morning and evening . If one cannot do them at both the times ,then morning time is better.The mind remains calm in the morning . Asanas can be done in morning after performing daily chores, on an empty stomach, or in the evening ,5-6 hours after lunch. If there is a problem of constipation then one should drink water kept in copper or silver utensil, in the morning and take a stroll.This help in clearing the system. If it is a case of severe constipation, one should take triphala powder with warm water before going to bed.
2.Place: A clean, calm and secluded place is the best for performing asanas. Places like greenery of trees, park, garden, pond or river side are the most suitable places. Adequate amount of oxygen is available in open spaces and near the tree, which is good for health. If asanas and pranayama are being performed at home , a lamp( diya ) or guggulu should be lit to fill the air with aroma.
3. Cloths : while during asanas ,clothes should be minimum and comfortable. Males can wear half-pant / shorts and a vest . Ladies can wear salwar blouse ,etc.
4. Surface and duration : It is appropriate to spread a soft mat or blanket on the ground. Do not do asanas directly on the floor/earth. Perform all the asanas according to your stamina. Complete practice of the asanas takes about one hour ,medium practice about 30 minutes and brief practice in about 15 minutes.Every person should preferably do these exercises for at least half an hour ,daily.
5.Age : Practice should be according to ones own capacity, physical strength, age and with a happy and enthusiastic disposition and full concentration of the mind. Only then can the person achieve the benefits of Yog.Weak and old people should not practice too much of asanas and pranayam. Children above the age of 10 can do all the exercises.Pregnant ladies should not attempt difficult exercises. They should only undertake deep breathing and pranavnad slowly, chanting Gayatri-mantra and other sacred mantras while meditating.
6. Stage and Precautions : Asanas and pranayama can be done in all situations. They enable healthy people become healthier. Such a person does not fall sick, whereas an unhealthy person will become alright.There are a few asanas which a sick person should not perform or those who have discharge from ears, who have redness in eyes, who have a weak nervous system and heart, should not perform Sirsasana. Weak hearted people should not perform heavy exercises like full Salabhasana and Dhanurasana. Persons suffering from hernia should bot do asanas that put pressure on the lower part of the body, below the naval. Patients of high blood pressure should not do Sirsasana and women should not perform exercises during the 4-5 days of menstrual period. Those who have pain in neck and back should not do exercises , while require bending forward.
7. Food : Food should be taken at least half an hour after performing of asanas. Food should be simple. Consumption of fried and spicy food level leads to stomach disorder.Consumption of tea once destroys around 50 cells of liver and other delicate glands. You can yourself imagine the harmful effects of tea consumption. Tea is a bitter enemy of health, which deform the whole body. Tea consumption has an addictive effect, which makes it habit forming.It affects the digestive system causing acidity, gas , constipation and several other problems. Tea and allopathic medicines are the two main factors causing deformation of the liver.
8. Inhale-exhale rules : While doing asanas , it is common rule to exhale while bending forward and inhale while moving backward . Breathing should take place through nose only , not through mouth ,as the air inhaled through nose gets filtered automatically.
9.Sight : Asanas done with eyes closed ,help increase concentration of the mind, and thus help in eliminating stress and instability of the mind. Normally asanas and pranayama can also be performed with eyes kept open.
10. Sequence : Some asanas are performed on one side only .If an asanas is performed in one direction then it should be repeated in the opposite direction also . In addition , decide the order in which the asanas should be done so that performing the succeeding asana provides exercise of the muscles and joints in the opposite direction also.For example ,one should do Matsyasana after Sarvangasana and Ustrasana after Mandukasana. The beginners will experience pain in the muscles and joints during the first 2-4 days , however they should continue to practice .The pain will subside by itself. Whenever you get up after doing the asanas in the lying position , you should turn leftwards while getting up . At the end of practice, Savasana should be done for 8-10 minutes so that the body parts are relaxed.
11. Rest : whenever one feels tired while doing asanas, one should perform Savasana or Makarasana to provide rest to body . When tired , one may take rest in between also.
12.Guru : Gurupadishtmargen Yogmev sambhayset
Yog is accomplised with the grace of the Guru and by following the path shown by him. Therefore, Yog-asanas , pranayama and medition ,etc. should be performed under the supervision of the Guru.
13.Yam-Niyam : Yog practitioners must follow the principle of Yum-Niyam with ful commitment. Without them nobody can become a Yogi.
14. Temperature of the body : If the person is ill or the environmental tempreture is high, which rises further while doing the Yog-practice, then inhale through left nostril and exhale through the right nostril repeatedly, to bring the temperature back to normanl.
15. Cleaning the stomach : If the bowels are not regular or there is a problem of constipation or indigestion, take 'harad' or 'TripHala' etc., before going to bed, for a few days in the begining. If the bowels are not clear, one may face problem relating to eyes, mouth, head or weakness in the nervous system. Therefore, it is essential to have clear bowels, no constipation and good digestion, sufficient sleep, appropriate food and proper living conditions.
16. Difficult Asanas : Any person who has fractured his bone(s) any time previously, he/she should never undertake difficult asanas, otherwise the concerned bone(s) may be damaged again at the same place.
17. Sweating : If one sweat while perfoming asanas, the sweat should be wiped with a towel. This refreshes the body, makes the skin healthy and prevents germs from entering the body, through the skin.Yogasanas should be undertake preferably after a bath. One can take a bath after 15-20minutes of exercises, when the body temperature becomes normal