Living A Yogic Lifestyle: Tools for Yoga

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

This week I am dedicating my writings to the power of yoga! Yoga has

been a huge influence in my life and has given back to me in so many

ways! So this week, I am introducing the power of yoga and how it may

have an influence over you.

 

Living A Yogic Lifestyle: Tools for Yoga

 

Hatha Yoga has four divisions or limbs: Asana (bodily postures),

Pranayama (regulation of breath), Mudra (arrangement of fingers

denoting mystic signs) and Nadanusandhana (hearing the inner sound).

Practice of asanas increase muscle flexibility and tone while

improving circulation, as they boost the immune system. After the

practice of asana, pranayama and other processes of yoga are taken

up. Hatha yoga is one of the best-known yoga practices of western

society. Practicing yoga is associated with establishing harmony,

equanimity, balance. It has been well-publicized in mainstream media,

recommended to patients by their doctors, and praised by its many

practitioners.

 

 

Pranayama

 

Hatha is composed of the syllables Ha and Tha. The breath that rises

from the heart and goes out of the body, is called the Prana and is

denoted by the syllable 'Ha'. It is always warm and is, therefore,

also called the sun. The breath that is taken in, is the Apana and is

denoted by the syllable 'Tha'. It is cool and is therefore also

called the moon. The right regulation of the action of these, sun and

moon, or Prana and Apana is Hatha Yoga.

 

Breath is life! Exchange of electrons. Flow of energy. Air is the

primary nutrient. Survival without it is measured in minutes. It is

so important that you do it without thinking. Your breathing is the

voice of your spirit. It's depth, smoothness, sound, and rate reflect

your mood. If you become aware of your breath and breathe the way you

do when you are calm you will become calm. Yogic breathing techniques

are a vocabulary for communicating between the higher cerebrocortical

(mind) brain, and the lower limbic and hind-brain autonomic

structures. Conscious breathing initiates autonomic healing

mechanisms.

 

 

Asanas

 

Asanas (yoga postures) are based on the sanskrit word " asana " which

is derived from the root as which means to be present, to dwell in,

to sit quietly, abide, to inhabit. Asana literally means to sit down

or sit in a particular position. In the context of yoga, asana refers

to the various postures or positions that are commonly identified

with the practice of yoga such as the headstand (sirsha-asana) or the

lotus (padma-asana), for example. In order to perfect the postures,

stretching is done. Regular practice at approximating the asanas and

using breath and gravity to allow you to relax further into the pose.

This is Hatha Yoga.

 

 

The Magic of Mudras

 

'Mudra' means hand and finger postures. Like yogic body postures, it

is also a discipline, to rejuvenate the body. Mudras are symbolic or

ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mudra is a 'spiritual

gesture' and energetic 'seal of authenticity' used in yoga and

spiritual practices of Indian religions and Taoism. Such finger

postures not only have a therapeutic effect on the mind-body system

but also accentuate mental keenness and acuity.

 

The most well-known mudras are probably the ones performed while

meditating. Sit in lotus position (or with crossed legs) and either

put both hands on the knees, the tips of the thumb and index finger

joining, or in the lap, the fingers of the right hand resting on the

left palm.

 

Examples of everyday mudras include the Christian crossing of the

fingers for prayer, as is the Indian greeting gesture (that is also

used while praying), where the hands are held in front of the chest,

the palms touching. The Thai greeting of holding the palms of the

hands together and bringing them to the tip of the nose with a bow

in 'Sawadi ca' is a mudra.

 

You can find a wonderful mudra meditation here:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/meditationvillage.htm

 

 

Nadanusandhana

 

To hear our 'inner sound' is considered the practice of listening.

 

The human energy field is a symphony of sound, frequencies and

energetic matter. From our auric field and Chakra centers, bones, and

organs in the body, all possess a different resonant frequency. When

an organ or part of the body is vibrating out of tune or non-

harmoniously, it is called " dis ease " or disease. A body is in a

healthy state of being when each cell, each organ creates a resonance

that is in harmony with the whole being.

 

You can find a intersting information on vibrational tuning here:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/music_therapy.htm

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/yoga_therapy.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit