PRANAYAMA

It is regulation and centralisation of 'Prana' energy.
It can also be taken as a measure for Nadi shuddhi (Macro and micro channel cleansing). It rejuvenates Vital energy and provides longevity. Although it is performed through breathing exercises but it directly affects the physiological development and psychosomatic well being. Researches prove that it has positive effect on functional capacity of endocrine glands and metabolism of the body.

Time and Duration-
It includes these stages:  Purak (inspiration)--> Kumbhak (holding)--> Rechak (Expiration) -->Kumbhak
The duration of each of the above should be in the ratio of 1:4:2:4
According to duration of each cycle pranayama can be classified as:
Avara -  8 sec:32s:16s:32
Madhyam - 16s:64s:32s:64s
Pravara - 32s:128s:64s:128s

Agnideept or Malashodhak (while getting started)
Inspiring from left nostril, keeping right nostril closed by thumb. Then holding the breath till face becomes red. Then slow expiration of air through right nostril. It increases the digestive fire and purify the body of toxins.
Diet - One should take adequate quantity of milk and ghee during the beginning of pranayama practise for a few days.

Eight types of important pranayamas are-

1. Ujjayi - Chanting loudly sp. 'OM'.
2. Suryabhedan - Inspiration through right nostril only.
3. Sitakari - Making a specific sound while inspiration.
4. Sheetali - Inspiration with protruded tongue to feel cold.
5. Bhastrika - Forceful expiration.
6. Bhramari - Sound of buzzing bees while expiration.
7. Murchha - making brain unconscious.
8. Plavani - Breathing under water.

Precautions to be taken while practising Pranayama-

• It should be practised in a clean, ventilated and peaceful environment.
• It should be performed in one of the following postures: Padmasana, Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana. Spine should be kept vertical and straight.
• One should be on simple Satvic diet. Non veg, alcohol, smoking, tea, coffee, onion and garlic should be avoided.
• Always practise empty stomach.
• Practise after bathing and routine chores, one should not bath at least till an hour after pranayama.
• One should start patiently and gradually increase the duration and not be anxious and fast, it could be harmful.
• The ratio of inspiration: holding:expiration should always be 1:4:2.
• It could not be done in fever, indigestion, pregnancy and fatigue.
• People suffering from nervous disorders should practise seetkari, sheetali and plavani.
• Physically weak people should not do Bhastrika.
• Sheetali, Sheetkari should not be practised in winters.
• Ujjayi and Suryabhedan should not be done in summers.

YOGA

Yog means INTEGRATION.

DEFINITIONS- 'yogashchttavritti nirodhah' i.e.yoga is inhibition of all activities of 'chitta'(mind)- Patanjali yogasutra               

'Yogah karmasu kaushalam'. - Bhagwadgita.

'Dukh sanyogviyog yoga sangyitam'. - Bhagwadgita.

'Samatvam yogamuchyte'. - Bhagwadgita.

Types-

• Gyan yoga
• Karma yoga
• Bhakti yoga
• Mantra yoga
• Laya yoga
• Hatha yoga (physical aspect)
• Raj yoga (mental aspect) [BEST CATEGORY]

Whole literature of yog science is taken from Upanishads, Bhagwadgita and Patanjali yoga sutra.

According to common belief various aasanas practised are taken as yoga although they are just one of the eight levels of yog called Ashtang yoga. The eight levels are-

1. YAMA- It has to be practised in five ways:

• Ahimsa (nonvoilence by mind, action and words)
• Satya ( truth)
• Asteya ( lacking desire to own other's money, material and thoughts )
• Bhrahmacharya ( Abstinence from material pleasure )
• Aparigrah ( non accumulation of material possessions).

2. NIYAMA- It is done by following ways:

•  Shauch (purity, cleanliness- external and internal)
•   Santosh (contentment)
•   Tapa
•   Swadhaya (Self analysis)
•   Ishwar pranidhan (Prayer)

3.AASAN- Various physical postures and techniques.

4. PRANAYAMA- Controlled breathing exersises. It includes three parts: purak (inspiration), kumbhak (holding breath, rechak (expiration).

5. PRATYAHAR- (Self control) Detaching oneself from the outer world. Its a bridge between internal and external stages.

6. DHARANA- (Concentration) Concentrating at a point inside or outside the body.

7. DHYAN- (Meditation) Fixation of mind on desired subject.

8.SAMADHI- Disappearance of self awareness. integration of mind and soul. It is of two types: Sampragyata (Conscious) and Asampragyata (Unconscious).

LESSON

Loneliness gets stronger when we try to face it down, but gets weaker when we simply ignore it.
                                                                                                                         - Paulo Coelho

Chakra Healing in Ancient Indian Traditional Medicine

The history of the 'Chakras' lies back in the Vedas originated in India before 2500 B.C. The word 'Chakra' means wheel or disc. Six major Chakras and a crown are the main spinning vertices of energy which are part of subtle energy system which forms the basis of  ancient Indian approach to healing our physical, mental, emotional ans spiritual selves.
These moderators of subtle energy are depicted as lotus flowers embedded into the spinal column, each resonating at different frequencies corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
While anatomically undetectable, these Charkas arr metaphysically linked with a number of different systems within the physical body. They are related to the endocrine and the nervous systems direct.
The major chakras are-

• Root chakra called 'MULADHAR' (Between anus and genitals) connected to the adrenals.
• Sacral chakra called ' SVADHISHTHAN' (In the lower abdomen between the naval and the genitals) connected to the ovaries/testes.
• Solar plexus called 'MANIPURA' (At the naval) connected to the pancreas.
• Heart chakra called "ANAHAT' ( At the center of the chest) connected to the thymus.
• Throat chakra called 'VISHUDDHA' ( Centrally at the base of the neck) connected to the thyroid and the parathyroid glands.
• Third eye chakra called 'AGYA' (Above and between the eyebrows) connected to pituitary gland.
• Crown called the 'SAHASTRAR' (At the top of the head) connected to the pineal gland.

Each of these Ckakras are resonating at a definite frequency. Any imbalance in this state can cause physical, mental, emotional and spiritual disturbances  therefore balancing these chakras through various ways brings back the equilibrium state thus health.

MY FAVOURITE LINES BY SYDNEY SHELDON

"LIFE IS LIKE A NOVEL.IT IS FULL OF SUSPENSE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL YOU TURN THE NEXT PAGE".
                                                                                      

Natural forces

Natural forces that  balance the whole universe also exists inside the living beings.
They are mentioned in the traditional systems of the of all ancient cultures.
The forces that balance the world are are of two types which are opposite in directions and nature.
In the indian system this is very well illustrated, these forces exists in many forms but all does the same work i.e. maintining equilibrium in nature and body..
they are mentioned as life forces like -

• agni <-------->soma
• surya<------->chandra
• prana <------>apana
• sheet<-------->ushna
• aartava<------>shukra
• pitta<--------->kapha
• rajah<-------->tamah etc.

Ancient Chinese system also informs about the life energy "Qi" that is flowing all over.
The two opposite forces 'yin' and 'yang'act in equilibrium normally.
These tendencies can create and destroy everything in this universe.

• Yang is inward movement that creates contraction.
• Yin is outward movement that creates expansion.

Other opposite forces that work in nature are-

• Electromagnetic forces from south and north poles of earth, body, objects.
• male and female forces etc.

These life forces whatever they are called does only the same work i.e. balancing.
Our human body is also a part of nature, so all these are present here too.
When they are in equilibrium we are happy and healthy, but as the balance gets disturbed unhappiness and illness comes through.
So one must realize the presence of these forces, how they work and try not to disturb the equilibrium between them..............this is most important to lead a healthy and happy life!

Macrobiotics

It is a wholistis health system.It is an art of living a long and happy life in accordance to the principles of nature.
basic principles are -

• health is a natural condition
• illness and unhappiness are unnatural conditions
• health and sickness can always be explained in terms of natural laws
  they result from our own actions and thoughts
  
• food is the main factor that determines sickness
  
• natural and seasonal foods should be consumed.