The Path of Yoga

The International Day of Yoga is observed on the 21st of June of every year (Summer solstice day) to raise awareness about the many benefits of practicing yoga. Yoga is a holistic practice aimed at the wellness of the body, mind, and soul.

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word, “Yog” which denotes the solid cylindrical wooden part which is used to join or unite the two bullocks to a bullock cart. The purpose of this is to keep both the bullocks walking at a uniform pace so that the cart it pulls can have a smooth movement. Just like how the Yog, keeps both bullocks together, Yoga is a set of practices, which aims at uniting the body and mind, for a smooth movement of life.

Yoga has several components, that altogether make a Yogic way of life. However, we don’t have to be a Yogi to practice Yoga. We can be selective in choosing the components, that we feel will enhance our wellbeing. Let’s explore some components of Yoga, to have a better idea.

Yogic Breathing – Pranayama is a word, we often hear. It is one of the many Yogic breathing techniques, which involves breathing through one nostril and exhaling through the other, and vice versa. Similarly, there are different breathing techniques aimed at achieving and maximizing the benefits of breathing. There is a strong connection between our breathing and our emotions. By regulating our breath, we can regulate our emotions. So yogic breathing exercises have several benefits such as being able to focus, enhancing the breathing capacity of the lungs, and supplying more oxygenated blood to the body and brain, which helps a person to stay active and agile.

Yogic practices or lifestyle - Yogic practices consist of waking up in the early hours of the morning, before sunrise. The early hours of the morning which is generally between 4 am to 5.30 am called Brahma muhurtham. It is considered an auspicious time, as our mind is in a subliminal state, which aids one to engage in meditation and spiritual practices. The yogic diet consists of having pranic vegetarian food. It avoids the consumption of non-vegetarian food, drinking alcohol, and smoking. It involves sitting on the ground to eat food, lying on the floor without a mattress or pillow, using the Indian style of toilet for excretion, and so on. These are difficult to practice in the modern day, but a few yogis, still follow them.

Yogic Exercises: Yoga exercises are called Yog asanas. Each asana has a name. One of the popular asanas is called Surya Namaskar, which is the salutation to Sun God. All Yog asanas aim at increasing the flexibility of the body and strengthening the muscles, bones, and joints. In addition to the external parts of the body, some of the asanas are directed at strengthening and healing the internal organs, like the liver, kidney, spleen, lungs, heart, and so on.

Yoga Relaxation: Yoga has a set of relaxation exercises too. Santhi Asana is a pose of a person lying flat on the ground with hands open. This relaxation posture sometimes includes a guided visual imagery exercise of scanning the different parts of the body, where each part of the body is felt and made to relax.

Yogic Paths:  There are 4 Yogic Paths, and it is believed that any of the four yogic paths can lead to the neutralization of ego-directed feelings:

• Karma Yoga - The yoga of action, focuses on performing unselfish actions without being attached to consequences. In simple terms, it is like the philosophy of “Work is worship”.

• Bhakti Yoga -The yoga of devotion, emphasizes on one’s devotion to God, by chanting hymns, prayers, and mantras, in praise of the lord and expressing gratitude.

•  Jnana Yoga -The yoga of knowledge, involves gaining knowledge of the true self through self-study and analysis. It involves questions like “Who am I” and a pursuit in search of the eternal truth. 

•   Raja Yoga - The "royal" yoga path aims to train the mind, through meditation as a path to self-realization and spiritual liberation.

India proudly proclaims, that Yoga is India's greatest gift to the world and there are no second thoughts about it because it is an all-encompassing philosophy. It combines the best of both Eastern and Western wisdom, for one’s well-being.

Unfortunately, not many Indians know about Yoga or practice yoga in their daily life. As an Indian, it is important for us to know about Yoga, so that when we meet a foreigner, we will be able to say something about this Indian wisdom, to them.

Wishing you a happy International Yoga Day. This year, resolve to incorporate at least one of the above yoga practices, in your life.

   D. Senthil Kannan,

   CEO, PALMS Training & Consulting (P) Ltd., Tuticorin.

   Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

   Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com