The Yogic Way of Proper living!
In their book,
‘Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy'
and based on the ancient wisdom of yoga, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm set out 5 principles of yogic living by closely observing the lifestyles and needs of people in our modern world, namely;
1) Proper Exercise - Asanas
2) Proper Breathing - Pranayama
3) Proper Relaxation - Savasana
4) Proper Diet - Vegetarian
5) Positive Thinking & Meditation - Vedanta & Dhyana
'The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With One Step' - Lao Tzu
1. PROPER EXERCISE
Proper exercise acts as a lubricating mechanism for the joints, muscles ligaments, tendons, and other parts of the body, by increasing circulation and flexibility. The fundamental difference between Yogic exercises and ordinary physical exercises is that physical exercises emphasize violent movements of the muscles, while Yogic exercises promote slow and conscious movements of the body, thus avoiding the build-up of lactic acid in the muscle fibres which causes fatigue. The main purpose of exercise is to increase circulation and the intake of oxygen. This can be achieved by simple movements of the spine and various joints of the body, with deep breathing, and without violent movement of the muscles.
Yogic exercises are in fact called yoga asanas, an asana being a steady pose. Yogic exercises, when done correctly, influence and positively energise all systems of the body: the circulatory system, the muscular and skeletal systems, the endocrine system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, and most importantly, the nervous system. In terms of muscles, Yogic exercises not only strengthen the muscles but also stretch them. There is a great emphasis on the flexibility and the youth of the spine. Swami Vishnu-devananda said: "flexible spine, flexible mind"
The correct postures are performed with awareness and concentration, accompanied by breathing and relaxation. Thus Yogic exercises affect not only the physical body but also the astral body, the energetic body and the mind. Through the systematic and rhythmic holding of the postures with breathing and concentration, and releasing the posture to come to a state of relaxation, the prana (or chi) is allowed to flow unobstructed through the nadis to all the organs, cells and parts of the body, revitalizing them. The body and mind are harmonized with each other, removing tension located in the different parts of the body and the mind. Also, in this process, the body and mind are put in alignment or in harmony with their ruler, the Inner spirit, thus giving to the practitioner a deeper sense of well-being and meaning. Yogic asanas prepare the body and mind to be strong for further practice of concentration and meditation.
Other exercises that can be complementary to the practice of Yoga are swimming and walking. Yoga doesn't promote any excessive exercise or the kind of exercise that develops only one aspect of the body to the detriment of other parts. For an exercise to be considered a Yogic exercise, it must be done with awareness. Yogic postures (asanas) are internally-oriented, non-competitive, and meditative, promoting calmness and helping the practitioner to transcend identification with the body, as opposed to our over-attachment to the body and external beauty.
'Nature Does Not Hurry, Yet Everything is Acomplished.' - Lao Tzu
2. PROPER BREATHING
Yoga emphasizes breathing correctly (the Yogic full breath using the diaphragm). We substantially increase the intake of oxygen through deep inhalation and release the toxins appropriately through our deep exhalation. Yoga teaches us to be constantly aware of our breathing patterns, and to breathe consciously in our daily life. Specific breathing techniques (pranayama) are devised to further purify the nadis, balance the breath and the energy in our system, and to store and channel the subtle energy (prana) for higher purposes.
The word Hatha is composed of the words Ha and Tha, which mean sun and moon, respectively. This refers to the balance between the prana vayu (the positive vital air) and apana vayu (the negative vital air). Prana (vital air) in the body of the individual is a part of the universal breath.
The regulation of the harmonized breath helps the Yogi to regulate and steady the mind. Pranayama needs to be practiced by all serious Yoga practitioners. Advanced practices should only be done by those already practicing a pure lifestyle, and it is recommended that they are done under the supervision of a teacher in a pure environment, like an ashram.
'Silence is a Source of Great Strength.' - Lao Tzu
3. PROPER RELAXATION
Relaxation techniques, such as Savasana, cool down the system like the
radiator of a car. When the body and mind are constantly overworked, their efficiency diminishes. Relaxation is nature's way of recharging the body. The state of our mind and the state of our body are intimately linked. If your muscles are relaxed, then your mind must be relaxed. If the mind is anxious, then the body suffers too. We can say that there are three levels of relaxation: physical, mental and spiritual. There are also three levels of tension, or stress: physical stress, mental stress and spiritual stress.
Physical stress comes from poor eating habits, sedentary living, repetitive movements of the body, and poor posture. Modern life, especially in big cities, is full of stress as modern working and living conditions are full of pressure, and devoid of prana and relaxation.
Mental and emotional stress comes from a hectic lifestyle, highly demanding jobs, distractions of the mind, low vitality due to lack of prana, and negative emotions such as anger, hatred, jealousy, fear, and anxiety. Spiritual stress comes from existential anxieties, from living with questions without answers, such as "what is life and death?", "what is love?", "what is the nature of our connections with God?", "is there a God?", "why are there inconsistencies and unrighteousness?", "how can one find stability in the ever-changing phenomena of life?", "why are we suffering from disillusions?", and "why can't we achieve enduring peace?"
The solution is to achieve the three levels of relaxation: Physical relaxation is achieved through the systematic practice of conscious relaxation (Savasana) and correct posture. Mental relaxation is achieved through correct breathing, concentration of the mind and positive thinking. A distracted mind is always anxious. A mind concentrated on a positive object is more relaxed and recharged. Spiritual relaxation is a deeper type of relaxation, when we become content, a detached witness of the body and mind. Swami Vishnu-devananda states that being free from identification with the body, the mind, and ego-consciousness is the only way to reach a state of complete relaxation.
Through complete relaxation we live in the solid present, overcome our fears of death and of the future, and welcome life's demands with strength and courage, able to guide our mind, control our desires and choose better priorities.
'Very little is needed to make a happy life.
It is all within yourself,
in your way of thinking.' - Marcus Aurelius
4. PROPER DIET
Correct nutrition and diet gives proper fuel for the body and the mind without creating toxins and digestive problems. Optimum utilisation of food, air, water and sunlight is essential. There is medical evidence that a balanced vegetarian diet is extremely healthy and provides everything the body needs. The Yogic vegetarian diet is sattvic (pure), and helps to calm the mind, and to reveal the spirit as well as nourish the body.
The body needs food for two purposes: as fuel to supply energy, and as materials to repair body tissues. For repairing and building tissue, the body needs: 1. protein; 2. carbohydrates; 3. fats; 4. minerals. These elements are found in larger proportions in vegetable tissue than in animal tissue. Nuts, peas, beans, soy bean products like tofu, and milk contain protein. Wheat, oats, rice and other grains are mainly carbohydrates. All protein foods and vegetable oils provide the fats, and the main supply of organic minerals and vitamins comes from fruit and vegetables. A vegetarian diet is a natural diet, fresh and wholesome, full of fibre and alkaline in nature, energy-producing, and easy to absorb and to eliminate. To maintain a sattvic diet, free from rajasic and tamasic influences, avoid stimulants and depressants such as caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs of all kinds, overly spicy food, on ions, garlic, overcooked food, old food, frozen food, canned food, sodas and processed foods, as well as all meat. Yogis advocate "ahimsa", the principle of non-violence, non-injury and respect for life. Everything our body and mind needs for growth can be provided from the vegetable kingdom. By avoiding eating animal flesh we nourish ourselves in a natural and healthy way.
The vegetarian diet helps in the performance of asanas as the body and the joints becomes more flexible. It is a wonderful way to prevent heart disease, arthritis, obesity, and a good remedy for many chronic disease
Changing to a vegetarian diet can be gradual and life-transforming. It consists not only in deciding to stop eating meat, but in learning a new way of life, by being conscious of how you nourish yourself. It includes not only being aware of what you eat, but also how you eat. Yogis promote taking time to cook, and to eat consciously in a regular manner with appropriate intervals between meals to allow the digestive fire to activate and digest the food. Blessing meals is also encouraged to sanctify the act of eating and for offering thanks to the Creator. Proper diet includes periodic fasting as well, to give a break to the digestive system, purify body and mind, and to make the mind more perceptive, more sattvic, and more conducive to concentration, contemplation and meditation.
'Patience is the Key to Joy.' - Rumi
5. POSITIVE THINKING AND MEDITATION
Just as the driver of a car manages to bring himself to his destination without accidents and setbacks, so the yogi learns to manage his mind and emotions in order to keep himself positive at all times. Positive thoughts are energizing and facilitate growth, while negative thoughts are draining and inhibit growth. Only with a positive outlook about oneself can one maintain a meditative life which will ultimately lead to intuitive knowledge and inner strength.
Reference:
‘Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy'
by Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm