21st Century and Yoga
--By
: Mandar Samvatsar (Shivanand Yog Centre , Aurangabad )
21st Century
is called as “The DIGITAL AGE “ . Where only 1 and 0 exists . The combinations
of 1 and 0 are so fast and immense that this age has resulted in more
sufferings than blessings . This is true as far as the Physical and Mental
Health is concerned. The speed of data transfer has grown up many folds,
putting even more pressure on speed of our thoughts. The social media has
changed the socio-economic-political structure of society. Which takes you more
outwards than inwards. In this paper I see yoga as exact opposite force to take
you from outward to inwards to your real self (or Swa-rupam) . Newton’s
third law states For every Action there is Equal and opposite Reaction . Equal
in Magnitude and Opposite In direction. And Yoga is this force which protects
us from the harmful effects,side-effects when we enjoy the digital age.
What is 21st century Most
important Characteristics ?
Speed is the most important
characteristic of this century.
The real funny part of 21st century is
SPEED has increased of doing every work. And speed = distance /time . i.e speed
is inversely proportional to time . So if speed has increased then time should
decrease. So spare time available with you should increase . However it is not
the case. Spare time for you for resting , for family, for friends, for doing
nothing ,for meditation, for mantras chanting has decreased significantly or
reduced to zero.
This speed has both good and bad
sides. Depending on how you make use of it. But one thing is sure that this
speed has induced Huge Physical and Psychological Stress and huge options of
materialistic pleasures . This has brought down the satisfaction level.
Can we stop 21st Century ?
Obviously answer is NO
Can we get rid of this Physical and
Psychological Stress and ill effects of 21st Century ?
Yes By YOGA
Now the question arise how can we
achieve this ?
First of all it is important to
understand that mind and body should work properly and in harmony . Problem
starts when one system starts malfunctioning .This affects the harmony and
other system also gets affected. Yoga Helps to keep it intact. YOGA is not
Exercises or aasans . It is most misunderstood term. On the contrary YOGA
is complete package and aasans are one part of this package.
So what is YOGA ? What are are other
components of this package ? and how it affects physical and mental levels of
human being ? and what is the basis of what I am saying ? And how it is
relevant in 21st Century is explained further in this paper.
What is NOT YOGA ? and WHAT IS YOGA
?
Different Texts define it differently.
But definitely YOGA is not exercises. The the definition which I personally
like the most caters to Blocking of Vrittis as given by saje patanjali in his
Yoga Sutras.IT is the second sutra in first pada i.e Samadhi pada. It is
“YOGA Chitta Vritti Nirodhaah “
Now the question arises how can one
reach to this stage by performing aasans. The answer is no. Aasans are one of
the steps to achieve this. Patajanjali Yoga Sutras or Raj Yoga gives step
by step analysis to reach this stage.
YAMA->NIYAM->AASAN->PRANAYAM->PRATYAHAR->DHYAN->DHARANA->SAMADHI
MEDITATION-PRANAYAM-YOGA-EXERCISE-DIET-MANTRAS-SATVIK
FOOD are all integral to this .
Now common complaint in 21st Century s
WE don have time to do all this ?
You have a choice “run with the
faulty scooter in hand” because you have no time to repair or
repair scooter sit on it and enjoy the remaining journey. I have chosen the
second.
Yoga is a extremely powerful tool in
Health Management. It should be started in early age to get benefits at its
best. IT maintains good health both physical and mental, both muscular and
sketal, both heart and lungs and overall wholel body and mind. Other option is
medicines with so many side effects and so much contradicting research that you
will be always confused. Example earlier they used to say eat iodine salt now
they say eat normal salt . Earlier they used to say eat soya bean now they say
don’t eat soya bean. Earlier they used to say don’t eat coconut oil today it is
most preferred oil by health experts. Earlier they used to say statins should
be given for high cholesterol today they say otherwise sometimes they say
walking is better sometimes they say running is better . Sometimes they say
faster the better and other times they say slower the better. Confused ??
So from Aasans when we do Surya
Namaskar ,Then Pranayam , Then Bandhas and Mudras and then Shat karmas
and meditation and matra sadhna we move to different koshas to finally
reach a stage where vrittis are totally stopped and we start looking inwards
more than outwards. This is divine bliss. In 21st century this is not
achievable unless you practice yoga in its full spirit and word .
What is the basis to what I am writing
?
I have met so many modern doctors no
one denied that it’s a way of life for 21st century . Most of modern doctors
themselves do yoga. However in a capsue form by joining a small class of 1-2
hours. I would still appreciate this because something is better than
nothing.
All ancient texts from Shiv Samahita,
Gherand Samahita, Gorakh Samahita, Patanjali yoga sutras describe one or other
aspects of this in detail. Most detailed and systematic is Patanjali yoga
sutras. In the Book “Four Chapters of Freedom “ Swami Satyanand Saraswati has
gone in length and breadth to explain each of this sutras in so much detail
that each block falls in the right place and things become clearer and clearer.
YOG Nidra by Swami Satyanand Saraswati dvelves into psychic aspects , sleep,
relaxation and concentration and conscious, subconscious and unconscious nature
of human mind that it will clearly help in the mental peace in this speedy 21st
Century .
If all this basis was false why would
the world start looking at it seriously especially in 21st century. Why would
World declare 21st June as YOGA day.
Sage Patanjali himself says never
believe what is written even in Vedas or what you have seen by your eyes
or even what you have heard by your ears …… only you EXPERIENCE it
yourself.
Health BENEFITS of DOING YOGA in 21st
Century ?
Some of these experiences I have
personally felt some of them are discussed and taken from patients.
1. Pranayam : Nadi Shodhan Very
helpful in Asthama and Bronchitis . IT maintains good immune system
2. Pranayam : Kapal Bhati and Bhramari
: Very good for old age patients for memory loss issues . It triggers the
frontal lobe of brain and helps in good memory. It is also good for students
for exams for memory purpose. Also Positive effects are seen for acidity.
3. Pranayam : Surya Bhedan : When done
with khumbak increase BP. Hence recommended with patients for low BP.
4 Pranayam : Chandra Bhedan When
done with khumbak decrease BP. Hence recommended with patients for
high BP.
5. Dhyan or Chin mudra conserves
energy in our body and helps to concentrate.
6. Ujjai pranayam with kejri Mudra
helps for reducing pain and during fever.
7. Sukshma Vyaam : Helps in Bones and
Muscles toning up and maintain good health of them and prepares for next set of
aasans.
8. Inverted Aasans like sarvang
aasan,halasan,viparit karni aasan along with counter pose of matsyasan helps
for good blood circulation in the brain.
9. Resting aasans like Shavasan,
Matsya kridaasan helps in taking rest and concentrating on the body from
inside. Further after this if YOG Nidra is done then helps to reach higher
koshas for mental benefits. There are many many more benefits all cannot be
listed here …
In 21st century where time is limited
and targets are huge to get the best benefits one should practice yoga
especially Sivananda Form of Yoga which is more relaxed format. A small capsule
of 1-1.5 hours can make wonders ….
WELCOME TO 21st CENTURY YOGABHYASA …..