Not just about asan, Yoga imperatively is inclusive of other aspects, like Yama and Niyama which are far more integral
Ajay Bhardwaj
As the International Yoga day comes around, it is pertinent to revisit Yoga as a concept or as a philosophy. For the simple reason that this word manifests itself in varied dimensions in the Bharatiya scriptures.
It would be a misnomer to limit Yoga to couple of physical exercises or Asans and Pranayaam (breathing exercises) as has become the wont. How often we would say, “I have done some yoga today” or that “I do Yoga every day”. By which all that we mean is performing some Asans etc.
In it real sense Yoga is far beyond that as Maharishi Patanjali’s Yog Sutra at the very outset puts it explicitly.
?????????????????????: ?
yoga?-citta-vr?tti-nirodha? ?
(Yoga is to contain thought waves of mind)
Yoga is to reach a state of equanimity and poise in mind, something that Lord Krishna would describe in Bhagvadgita as samatvam yoguchayte. It is a state of mind where one is not wavered by the consequence of actions, be it positive or negative. Yogastha kuru karmani as Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvadgita. (Chap 2, 48)
Which simply implies stay firm in Yoga and devote yourself to action. Give your maximum to any action that you perform and then dedicate it to the Almighty. Thereafter,be detached to the result or the consequences.
Sangam tyaktva dhananjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoh samobhutva
(Perform your duties established in Yoga, renouncing attachment, and be even-minded in success and failure) Young students might ask how is it possible? “We work so hard for an examination and if the result is in accordance to our ambition should we not feel disturbed and upset? And thrillled if the result is excellent?”
This is where equipoise comes around. Because, instead of getting bogged down with the result, the call is to move on and devote yourself to the next course of action.
Kripanah Falhetavah (Poor and wretched are those who are trapped in result of an action), says Lord Krishna.
In the sweat and toil of life it is this state of mind which would elevate you to become Yogic. All this had been part our life till the foreign invasions started taking place and the society fell asunder. Bharat had by far touched the acme of civilisation, in all aspects, during those times.
And how to attain that Yogic state of mind? Maharishi Patanjali lays down eight cardinal steps : Yama, Niyam,
Asan, Pranayam, Pratyahaar, (Abstinence) Dharan, (Concentration) Dhyan (Meditation) and Samadhi.
So in the order of priority one can observe that asan is the third stage, whereas Pranayaam is fourth. Both are intergral part of the composite exercise of reaching the ultimate stage of Samadhi, but not the first step, as has become the popular practice.
Before taking to Asan and pranayaam the two important steps of Yama and Niyam must not be overlooked altogether. Both address the day to day conduct of a person.
The five Yamas being; Ahimsa (Non-violence), Satya (Truth), Asteya (Non-stealing), Brahmcharya (Celibacy) and Aprigrah (non-greediness).
Similarly, five Niyams are; Shauch (cleanliness), Santosh (contentment), Tapa (penance), Swadhayay (self study) and Ishwar Pranidhan (surrender to God).
The crux is that unless Yama and Niyam are observed, Asan and Pranayaam may not deliver the best of results.
