Bangkok Post

 " YOGA"  is an art of living. EXPERIENCE IT!
NAMASTE!!!
The practice of YOGA begins from time immemorable. The exponent -Sage Patanjali (300BC) has passed down this legacy to us in the form of his disciples, Shri Krishnacharya ji, teacher of BKS Iyengar guruji and Pattabhi jois.
This art of living was accepted by the ancient sages as a means of living,they practiced Yoga to the core. Believe me or not but being an Indian I am proud to say that when even the world was not sure whether the world was flat or round, the ancient sages in India knew that exactly on the other part of the world there is another city which is experiencing night, the city none other than Mexico. The intensity of meditation was so deep that one could connect with the supreme being. This basically the study of the chakras within our body. Indeed YOGA is an experiencing SCIENCE, we shall never know what lies within if we never take the step which leads towards it.
Now, understanding YOGA, one should first know the eight limbs of Yoga ie: 8 aspects of Yoga.
Yama: Social discipline
This emphasis on ones role in the society include the universal laws of non violence, freedom from desire, and self restraint from negativity.
Niyama: Individual Discipline
In order to grow into a healthy individual, one should have control on one self.
Asana: (Postures)
The whole world presently practices asanas that is the third aspect of Yoga. Asanas are the various poses which depict nature. We are the part of nature and we have deviated from this truth by making nature a slave to us, thus in yogasanas we go back to the basics and acquire the benefits of nature by performing various postures depicting nature: Example: We do the Tree pose (Vrikshasana) helps in bringing about stability, endurance and grace within. As we practice this pose we will experience the logivity and bountifulness of the tree.
Pranayama: Breath control
Breath is life. We practice the rythmic breathing technique, which helps in rejuvenating our whole self.
Pratyahara: Withdrawal and control of senses.
Desire is the root cause of misery in our lifes. We desire and crave for things which are not within our reach and alas! ruin our lives to reach to it, but of no avail since when we reach it we realise we really dont need it. Pratyahara is the path towards renouncing worldly pleasures which mean nothing in the long run.
Dharana: concentration
This focuses on the mind, since our body is ruled by our mind. The longer the mind remains in the state of focus the more powerful it becomes.
Dhyana (Meditation)
uninterrupted focus on dharana results in Dhayana. here te body, mind and breath emerges as one single entity.
Samadhi: Salvation
This the final stage in yoga, there is total surrender of one self to the eternal salvation. The feeling of elevation and freedom from all misery is attained in this stage.
for any queries in regard to the philosophy or practice of yoga, be free enough to mail:
pearlyoga@gmail.com