Yoga The Science YOGA Yogi – A yoga practitioner practicing yoga in caves in the Himalayas; i.e. far away from common life. But Yoga can be practiced by

Yoga The ScienceYoga The ScienceYOGAYOGA

Yogi – A yoga practitioner practicing yoga in caves Yogi – A yoga practitioner practicing yoga in caves in the Himalayas; i.e. far away from common in the Himalayas; i.e. far away from common

life. life.

But Yoga can be practiced by everyone.But Yoga can be practiced by everyone.

Two Extreme Views:Two Extreme Views:

• Yoga is highly difficult & complexYoga is highly difficult & complex•Yoga is too SimpleYoga is too Simple

YOGA IS TO BE STUDIED IN ITS TRUE FORMYOGA IS TO BE STUDIED IN ITS TRUE FORM

Yoga The ScienceYoga The Science

• Yoga is a highway for happiness & prosperity.Yoga is a highway for happiness & prosperity.

• Material pleasures cannot give true satisfaction or joy.Material pleasures cannot give true satisfaction or joy.

• There is no limit that our expectations & desires can There is no limit that our expectations & desires can fulfill.fulfill.

• Continue doing your duties without expectations.Continue doing your duties without expectations.

• Such impartial attitude towards the duties of life is Such impartial attitude towards the duties of life is YOGA YOGA

Yoga The ScienceYoga The ScienceYoga means to JOINYoga means to JOIN

To join Atman with ParamatmanTo join Atman with Paramatman

PARAMATMANPARAMATMANThe controller of the universal energyThe controller of the universal energy

ATMANATMANThe controller of the selfThe controller of the self

If Paramatman is the ocean, Atman is a drop of its water, kept If Paramatman is the ocean, Atman is a drop of its water, kept separate in a container (Body)separate in a container (Body)

Atman is confined to the body mind complex, and has its own Atman is confined to the body mind complex, and has its own separate identityseparate identity

When Atman merges with Paramatman, it looses its own identity.When Atman merges with Paramatman, it looses its own identity.This is the aim of Yoga!This is the aim of Yoga!


Tools AvailableTools Available

• Body (Perfectly Healthy)Body (Perfectly Healthy)• Mind (Totally Purified)Mind (Totally Purified)

• Intellect (Properly Trained)Intellect (Properly Trained)

Present ConditionPresent Condition

• Body (Not Healthy)Body (Not Healthy)• Mind (Not Purified)Mind (Not Purified)

• Intellect (Not Trained)Intellect (Not Trained)

Yogic Practices help in this EvolutionYogic Practices help in this Evolution


Yogic practice can be used for:Yogic practice can be used for:

• Correcting the disorders of the bodyCorrecting the disorders of the body

• Keeping the body in a healthy conditionKeeping the body in a healthy condition

• Improving mental capacitiesImproving mental capacities

• Developing the intellectDeveloping the intellect

Yoga The ScienceYoga The SciencePatanjali Yoga Patanjali Yoga Ashtanga YogaAshtanga Yoga(Eight Limb Yoga)(Eight Limb Yoga)

• Yama : Social DisciplineYama : Social Discipline• Niyama : Self DisciplineNiyama : Self Discipline• Asana : PostureAsana : Posture• Pranayama : Breath controlPranayama : Breath control• Pratyahara : Withdrawal of sense organsPratyahara : Withdrawal of sense organs• Dharana : Concentration of MindDharana : Concentration of Mind• Dhyana : MeditationDhyana : Meditation• Samadhi: Union with GodSamadhi: Union with God


Yoga is a science of personality developmentYoga is a science of personality development

• Physical ConditionPhysical Condition

• Mental ControlMental Control

• Emotional BalanceEmotional Balance

• Intellectual DevelopmentIntellectual Development

Yama – Social DisciplineYama – Social Discipline

YamaYama

1.1. Ahimsa – Non ViolenceAhimsa – Non Violence

2.2. Satya – TruthfulnessSatya – Truthfulness

3.3. Asteya – Non StealingAsteya – Non Stealing

4.4. Brahmacharya – Sexual ControlBrahmacharya – Sexual Control

5.5. Aparigraha – Non PossessivenessAparigraha – Non Possessiveness


YamaYama

• The first component of Ashtanga YogaThe first component of Ashtanga Yoga

• Rules for Social DisciplineRules for Social Discipline (Guidelines on how to behave in society)(Guidelines on how to behave in society)

• These are universal laws respected everywhereThese are universal laws respected everywhere (Laws of Nature)(Laws of Nature)

• These are natural instinctsThese are natural instincts

• These are easy to followThese are easy to follow


Ahimsa – Non ViolenceAhimsa – Non Violence

* Means of behaviour towards all living creatures* Means of behaviour towards all living creatures

* Absence of harmful intentions or thoughts* Absence of harmful intentions or thoughts

* To be followed on three levels* To be followed on three levels i) Physicali) Physical ii) Verbalii) Verbal iii) Mentaliii) Mental

* Control your actions, words & mind* Control your actions, words & mind

* Generate love & compassion towards all living creatures* Generate love & compassion towards all living creatures


Satya – TruthfulnessSatya – Truthfulness

• Fact is factFact is fact There is no other way than to accept itThere is no other way than to accept it

• We try to hide the factsWe try to hide the facts

• We do not accept the factsWe do not accept the facts

• One lie requires many more lies to support itOne lie requires many more lies to support it

• Untruthfulness in all its various forms creates many types of Untruthfulness in all its various forms creates many types of unnecessary complications in lifeunnecessary complications in life

• Truthfulness is absolutely necessary for the unfoldment of Truthfulness is absolutely necessary for the unfoldment of realityreality


Asetya – Non StealingAsetya – Non Stealing• Stealing means to take anything without Stealing means to take anything without

the permission of its ownerthe permission of its owner

• Yoga sadhaka should not take anything, Yoga sadhaka should not take anything, which does not belong to them.which does not belong to them.

• They should not even take intangible or They should not even take intangible or highly prized things, such as credits for highly prized things, such as credits for something they have not done.something they have not done.


Brahmacharya – Sexual ControlBrahmacharya – Sexual Control

• In its real sense means the abstinence from sexual In its real sense means the abstinence from sexual indulgence to obtain a higher yogic level, no indulgence to obtain a higher yogic level, no compromise of this discipline is possiblecompromise of this discipline is possible

• One cannot get real bliss realised by the One cannot get real bliss realised by the transcendent knowledge of higher yogic life, whilst transcendent knowledge of higher yogic life, whilst having sexual pleasures at the same timehaving sexual pleasures at the same time

• One may not be required to give up sexual One may not be required to give up sexual activities straightaway, but must completely activities straightaway, but must completely abstain before commencing serious practice of abstain before commencing serious practice of Yoga on a higher level. Yoga on a higher level.


Brahmacharya – Sexual Control (cont.)Brahmacharya – Sexual Control (cont.)

• A real yogi should be prepared to completely give A real yogi should be prepared to completely give up, not only physical indulgence in sexual activities, up, not only physical indulgence in sexual activities, but also thoughts & emotions concerned with itbut also thoughts & emotions concerned with it

• In a wider sense Brahmacharya means a freedom In a wider sense Brahmacharya means a freedom from cravings of all from cravings of all sensualsensual enjoyments enjoyments

• The attitude of the mind is responsible for these The attitude of the mind is responsible for these cravingscravings


Aparigraha – Non PossessivenessAparigraha – Non Possessiveness

• The tendency to accumulate worldly goods is The tendency to accumulate worldly goods is considered a basic instinct in human lifeconsidered a basic instinct in human life

• Necessities – comforts – luxuries Necessities – comforts – luxuries (These are subjective & limitless)(These are subjective & limitless)

• One needs to satisfy its childish vanity & desires, to One needs to satisfy its childish vanity & desires, to appear superior to others appear superior to others

• One must spend time & energy in accumulating One must spend time & energy in accumulating these things, which are not really needed.these things, which are not really needed.

Yama – Social DisciplineYama – Social DisciplineAparigraha – Non Possessiveness (cont.)Aparigraha – Non Possessiveness (cont.)

• Maintaining & guarding the accumulated itemsMaintaining & guarding the accumulated items

• Constant fear of loosing themConstant fear of loosing them

• Feeling of pain if actually lostFeeling of pain if actually lost

• Feeling of regret to leave them behind, when bidding Feeling of regret to leave them behind, when bidding goodbye to this world.goodbye to this world.

• We spend our valuable time & resources to accumulate, yet We spend our valuable time & resources to accumulate, yet they generate a constant source of disturbance to us.they generate a constant source of disturbance to us.

• Hence minimise your needsHence minimise your needs

Yama – Social DisciplineYama – Social Discipline• Yamas are to be followed fully irrespective of place, time, caste Yamas are to be followed fully irrespective of place, time, caste

without exceptionwithout exception

• It is necessary to follow the Yamas 100% to attain a level of It is necessary to follow the Yamas 100% to attain a level of higher yogic practicehigher yogic practice

• When you undertake yoga practice, try to follow Yamas as much When you undertake yoga practice, try to follow Yamas as much as you canas you can

• If you follow Yama & Niyama you will be able to perform Asana If you follow Yama & Niyama you will be able to perform Asana & Pranayama better& Pranayama better

• If you practice Asana & Pranayama better you will automatically If you practice Asana & Pranayama better you will automatically start following Yama & Niyamastart following Yama & Niyama

• Following Yama & Niyama will help to attain the goal of yoga:Following Yama & Niyama will help to attain the goal of yoga:

““CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAHA”CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAHA”

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self Discipline

NiyamaNiyama

Shoucha – Cleanliness, PurityShoucha – Cleanliness, Purity

Santosha – ContentmentSantosha – Contentment

Tapa – AusterityTapa – Austerity

Swadhyaya – Self StudySwadhyaya – Self Study

Ishwara Pranidhana – Surrender to GodIshwara Pranidhana – Surrender to God

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self Discipline• Second component (Anga) of Ashtanga YogaSecond component (Anga) of Ashtanga Yoga

• Rules for self disciplineRules for self discipline

• Yamas are moral & prohibitive, whereas Niyamas are Yamas are moral & prohibitive, whereas Niyamas are disciplined & constructivedisciplined & constructive

• Yamas provide ethical foundation & Niyamas provide Yamas provide ethical foundation & Niyamas provide physical & mental foundation for furthering studies of physical & mental foundation for furthering studies of YogaYoga

• Yamas can be practiced only within a society, but Yamas can be practiced only within a society, but Niyamas can be practiced anywhere irrespective of Niyamas can be practiced anywhere irrespective of societysociety

• Yamas are reactive & Niyamas are activeYamas are reactive & Niyamas are active

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self DisciplineShoucha – Cleanliness, PurityShoucha – Cleanliness, Purity

• Purity of body, mind & intellectPurity of body, mind & intellect

• These instruments become impure when things are added to These instruments become impure when things are added to them. Shoucha helps to eliminate these additions.them. Shoucha helps to eliminate these additions.

• Hatha Yoga prescribes many practices for the purification of Hatha Yoga prescribes many practices for the purification of the internal bodythe internal body

• The cleansing practices are divided into six major categories:The cleansing practices are divided into six major categories:

ShatkarmasShatkarmas

1) Dhouti1) Dhouti 2) Basti2) Basti 3) Neti 3) Neti 4) Tratak 4) Tratak

5) Nouli5) Nouli 6) Kapalbhati6) Kapalbhati


ShatkarmasShatkarmas

1.1. Dhouti – Cleaning of the digestive tractDhouti – Cleaning of the digestive tract2.2. Basti – Cleaning of the rectumBasti – Cleaning of the rectum3.3. Neti – Cleaning of the Nasal passageNeti – Cleaning of the Nasal passage4.4. Tratak – Cleaning of the eyesTratak – Cleaning of the eyes5.5. Nouli – Improving the digestionNouli – Improving the digestion6.6. Kapalbhati – Cleaning of the lungsKapalbhati – Cleaning of the lungs

&&For purification of the mind – Mantra SadhanaFor purification of the mind – Mantra Sadhana

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self DisciplineSantosha – ContentmentSantosha – Contentment

• This is a mental attitude that keeps the mind in a condition of This is a mental attitude that keeps the mind in a condition of equilibriumequilibrium

• Circumstances impact on the mind & cause it to react. These Circumstances impact on the mind & cause it to react. These reactions disturb the equilibrium of the mind & in turn disrupt the reactions disturb the equilibrium of the mind & in turn disrupt the physical condition of the bodyphysical condition of the body

• To avoid these disturbances train your mind to react with To avoid these disturbances train your mind to react with contentmentcontentment

• Always say “Very nice Very nice!”Always say “Very nice Very nice!”

• A continual practice of Ashtanga Yoga along with training the mind A continual practice of Ashtanga Yoga along with training the mind through Mantra Sadhana, is necessary to develop this attitudethrough Mantra Sadhana, is necessary to develop this attitude

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self DisciplineTapa – Austerity, Self DisciplineTapa – Austerity, Self Discipline

• This includes various practices, the object of which is to This includes various practices, the object of which is to purify the sadhakas body mind complex for further study purify the sadhakas body mind complex for further study of Yogaof Yoga

• Practices include fasting & observing various vows. Practices include fasting & observing various vows. These are performed to control the functions of the body These are performed to control the functions of the body & mind& mind

• A systematic practice begins with simple exercises, to A systematic practice begins with simple exercises, to exert control of willpower & in progression more difficult exert control of willpower & in progression more difficult practices are performed. This practice loosens the practices are performed. This practice loosens the association of the consciousness with the body mind association of the consciousness with the body mind complexcomplex

Niyama – Self DisciplineNiyama – Self DisciplineSwadhyaya – Self StudySwadhyaya – Self Study

• Study is the process of acquiring knowledge, both Study is the process of acquiring knowledge, both theoretical & practicaltheoretical & practical

• The explanation given by Patanjali of study is as follows:The explanation given by Patanjali of study is as follows:

Deerghakaal – for long periodDeerghakaal – for long period

Nairantarya – continued, uninterruptedNairantarya – continued, uninterrupted

Satakarasevito – with full unconditional faithSatakarasevito – with full unconditional faith

• The style of study will depend on the individual selfThe style of study will depend on the individual self


Ishwarpranidhana – Total surrender to GodIshwarpranidhana – Total surrender to God

• The progressive practice of Ishwarpranidhana will lead to The progressive practice of Ishwarpranidhana will lead to samadhi, the state of unionsamadhi, the state of union

• Ishwarpranidhana is a process of transformation from human Ishwarpranidhana is a process of transformation from human to Godto God

• Ishwarpranidhana is the concept of loosing the identity of the Ishwarpranidhana is the concept of loosing the identity of the self & merging it with that of Ishwara the Godself & merging it with that of Ishwara the God

• This effort may take many forms according to the This effort may take many forms according to the temperaments & the previous Sanskaras of the sadhakatemperaments & the previous Sanskaras of the sadhaka

• Ishwarpranidhana is explained in detail in Bhakti YogaIshwarpranidhana is explained in detail in Bhakti Yoga

Documents

Yoga The Science YOGA Yogi – A yoga practitioner practicing yoga in caves in the Himalayas; i.e. far away from common life. But Yoga can be practiced by