This article describes the basic knowledge required to adopt Swami Ramdevjis five (5) principles to attain good health and well-being, namely, Pranayam (breathing exercises), Yog Asans (physical exercises), Ayurved, Acupressure, Naturopathy, and Balanced Living.
Yog is a complete philosophy of life based on scientific principles and can be used effectively for Self Healing and Self Realization. Yog is not a mere exercise technique, but, it is a tool that unites mind, body, and soul assisting one on a journey to reaching the profound state of Self Realization. It brings discipline in life and work upon our system rather than the symptoms. The therapeutic use of Yog helps in removing toxins from the body and nourishing it with the support of right food.
Benefits of Yog can be divided into two parts: Physical and Spiritual. First, we bring the physical body in perfect shape by performing Yog Pranayam and Asans thus making the muscles flexible and getting more energy into the body. Second, through a regular practice of Yog, Ayurved, and having a balanced living a complete integration of body and mind is achieved which would help in an improved quality of life. Thus, we achieve complete physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being by balancing our reproductive, excretory, digestive, skeletal, respiratory, nervous, and endocrinal systems.
General Rules for doing Pranayam and Yog Asans:
1. Should be done on Empty Stomach preferably in the morning after usual morning activities.
PranayamÂ Controlled Breathing:
Pranayam is based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the human body and when it is controlled, it makes you disease free and prepares the mind for the higher level of awareness to Meditation. Thus when an individual attains this meditating state one finds the door to one’s sukshama sharira and inner soul. It is only by practicing Yog everyday that the eight energy centers (Chakras) are activated in our body. Three main nadis: Ida, Pingala and Sushumna – connect these energy centers to the brain.
Posture – Sit in a comfortable position either on the floor or on a chair. Close your eyes to increase concentration. Do not strain yourself. Breath into your lungs from the diaphragm upwards and do not perform abdominal breathing.
Mudras – are the developed form of Yog Asans. The five fingers in our hand represent the five elements, such as, Thumb – Fire, Index Finger – Air, Middle Finger – Space/Ether, Ring Finger – Earth, and Little Finger – Water. These five elements control the internal glands, body parts, and their functions. The body remains healthy, if the five elements are in balance. Mudras generate powers to provide all around development of mind and body. Some Prominent Mudras are:
Below is a set of Pranayam exercises and their timing/ frequencies as recommended for the beginners:
Yog Aasans – Physical Exercises:
A complete set of Aasans for a beginner has been described below:
(Note: for an increased benefit, Surya Namaskar and Sarvaang Asan should be added.) Shuksham Vyayams – Light Exercises:
1. Hands and Wrists
Ayurved – Its principles and Philosophies
Ayurved is the traditional medical system of India dating back over five thousand years. It acknowledges the holistic approach to medicine whereby the equally important roles of mind, body, and spirit is enunciated in achieving good health. Ayurved is not only a system of medicine, rather, it teaches how to remain fit and disease free by simply following a daily routine using wholesome foods and taking precaution of having a healthy diet depending upon the seasonal changes.
Acupressure can be used as an effective tool to benefit in minor or serious ailments. There are main pressure points of acupressure locations on the hands and feet.
According to Naturopathy, healing comes from within the body. Disease is an offshoot of an accumulation of waste matter, due to imbalanced diet and exercise. Naturopathy involves living with Nature. It is a scientific and eco-friendly way in keeping the body fit and healthy. The finest element of Nature is our body, its Bio-energy, and one can easily use it to heal oneself. Nature cure treatment gives importance to eating habits, fasting, dieting, baths, using sunlight, mud, water, massage, enema, Yog, and exercise.
(1) Develop a positive attitude.
(This article is cross posted from Patanjali Yog Peeth’s Chicago Chapter Blog.)