The Chakras

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Chakra means wheel in Sanskrit. Chakras are vortices or whirlpools of pranic energy, within the pranic layer of the body. They store the cosmic prana and steps down the level of energy so it can be used in the body.   They also symbolize the different levels of awareness in man. The chakras represent the powers of consciousness that lie within the reach of every human being. The higher chakras show that man can transcend his limitations and go beyond himself.

 

Chakras are storehouses of pranic energy. They in turn distribute this the subtle pranic energy to the body systems in the area.

swadhisthana chakra energizes – urinary system

manipura energizes – digestive system

anahata energizes – respiratory and cardiovascular systems

vishuddhi – the ears, eyes, nose, throat

ajna chakra energizes – the brain.

 

Each chakra is associated with a specific pranic energy frequency. The chakras in the lower end vibrate at lower frequency. Thus they are responsible for lower levels of awareness. Chakras higher up vibrate at higher frequency; as a result they are responsible for subtler states of consciousness and higher intelligence.

 

If the prana in a particular center is manipulated, the state of awareness at that level will be affected. Likewise, a specific level of consciousness will affect the pranic energy of the specific chakra. The awakening of the chakras is related to both consciousness and prana. Physical or mental stimulation of these centers will also cause a change in the level of consciousness.

 

Chakras are not physical entities in our body. They are metaphysical representations because they belong to the auric body and not the physical body. They are situated in the spinal cord. Kirlian photography has enabled us to capture these chakras and prove their existence on the metaphysical plane. Chakras correspond to the nerve plexuses in the physical body.

 

In yoga, chakras are symbolized by lotus of different colors and number of petals. The lotus exists in three levels – mud, water and air. It grows in the mud, grows up through the water to reach the air and the sun. This is symbolic of man’s growth from low states of awareness through the chakras to higher states of awareness. This corresponds to the three stages in spiritual life – ignorance, sadhana or spiritual practice and enlightenment.

There are six major chakras in the subtle body corresponding to the spinal column. The seventh, and sahasrara is beyond the six.

 

All of man’s chakras represent points of intersection of mind (ida) and body (pingala) except the sahasrara chakra. The Ida and pingala nadis crisscross at the chakras as they spiral up the spinal column to end at ajna chakra.

 

Chakras are associated with a major endocrine gland near it. The chakra supplies energy to the gland and strongly influence the functioning and health of that gland and the region around it.

 

Each chakra has a particular focus point located on the front of the body. These points are easier to focus on than in the spinal cord. Awareness on these points during meditation helps in awakening the chakra. An element is associated with each chakra. The element at the base of spine is the most dense and becomes progressively more subtle towards the direction of the brain.

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Chakras

 

 

 

 

Dis-ease

It is only when our chakras are affected that disease happens in us. If our body and mind are at ease with each other, we feel this ease as a sense of wellbeing. If our body and mind are not at ease with each other, we feel the dis-ease, otherwise called disease. The state of the chakras reveal this level of ease or disease in us.

Muladhara chakra – root center

 

In Sanskrit, muladhara means “the root and basis of Existence”. It is the seat of“primal energy.

Focus location : In the male, it is behind the scrotum, in front of the anus in the perineum region. In the female, it is at the posterior rim of the cervix, where the vagina joins the uterus.

Emotion: Lust, desire, greed

Blocked/Locked by: fantasy and imagination. It flowers when you drop your fantasies and welcome reality

Associated gland: Adrenals

Associated with: Annamaya kosha and unconscious mind

Element : Earth

Deity : Ganesha

Bija mantra : Lam

Swadhisthana chakra – spleen center

 

In Sanskrit, swadhisthana means ‘where your being is established’

Focus location : At the level of pubic bone on the front of the body

Emotion: Fear

Blocked/Locked by : Fear, especially fear of death and can be made to flower by facing fear; by facing death itself.

Associated Gland : Testes in men, Ovaries in women

Associated with: pranamaya kosha,subconscious mind which is responsible for drowsiness/sleep

Element : Water

Deity : Subramanya

Bija mantra (seed sound) : Vam

Manipura chakra – Navel /digestive center, storehouse of prana

 

In Sanskrit, manipura means ‘The City of Jewels’.

Focus location : Navel

Emotion : Worry

Blocked/locked by : Constant worrying and negative thoughts.

Associated Gland – Pancreas, adrenal gland

Associated with : pranamaya kosha, heat, vitality, dynamism

Element : Fire

Deity : Surya

Bija mantra : Ram

Anahata chakra -Heart center, seat of divine love

 

In Sanskrit, anahata means ‘unstruck’. It is the seat of anahad nada, the cosmic sound experienced only in the highest state of meditation.

Focus location : Level of the heart behind breastbone

Emotion: Love

Blocked / locked by : Attention need. When you seek attention and love from outside

Associated gland : Thymus

Associated with : Manomaya kosha -the mind and emotions

Element : Air

Deity : Venkateshwar

Bija mantra : Yam

 

Vishuddhi chakra – Throat center

 

the center for receiving sound vibrations, allowing one to tune into thoughts of others. Hearing becomes very sharp not only through the ears but the mind.

Focus Location: Base of the throat where there is a small depression

In Sanskrit, vishuddhi means ‘beyond purity and impurity’.

Emotion: Comparison and jealousy

Blocked/Locked by : comparison and jealousy. Flowers when we exhibit our individuality and express our capability fully, uniqueness and creativity without worrying about others.

Associated Gland : Thyroid and parathyroid

Associated with : Vijnanamaya kosha

Element: Ether or space

Deity : Devi Anandeshwari

Bija mantra : Ham

Ajna Chakra: third eye, center of intuition, cosmic browsing center,

command center

 

In Sanskrit, ajna means ‘will’ or ‘order’. Also called guru or command chakra. One enters into shoonya or void in deep meditation. Aspirant receives revelation and insight into nature of existence. Acquires psychic powers. Vision of light is usually first seen at ajna

Focus Location: Eyebrow center or bhrumadhya. The ida, pingala and sushumna merge here and become one to rise up to sahasrara .

Emotion: Ego

Blocked/Locked by :This chakra is locked by seriousness and ego. Flowers by innocence, simplicity, and by shedding all forms of ego.

Associated Gland – Pineal gland

Associated with : Vijnanamaya kosha

Element : Mind

Deity: Anandeshwara

Bija mantra : Om

Sahasrara chakra – seat of supreme consciousness

 

In Sanskrit, sahasrara means ‘thousand petalled’ – from the mystical experience of a thousand-petalled lotus blooming on the crown, when this chakra is activated. It is the seat of pure awareness, the highest point in human evolution. Not a psychic center as beyond it. Controls the awakening of all the chakras.

Focus Location: Crown of the head.

Emotion: Gratitude

Blocked/Locked by : Discontentment and the attitude of taking life for granted

Can be made to flower by overflowing gratitude and contentment!

Associated Gland : – Pituitary

Element : no element, no thought

Associated with : Anandamaya kosha.

Deity: Dakshinamoorthi

Bija mantra : none

 

 

Nadis

Nadi means “flow”. Nadis are subtle flows of energy. They are a dense network of of entirely subtle energy channels which provide energy to every cell throughout the entire body. Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Goraksha Samhita quote 72,000 nadis in the body whereas Shiva Samhita states 350,000 nadis arise from the navel center. These nadis are depicted like tiny threads hanging off the spinal cord very much like in the nervous system where nerves coming off the spinal cord transmit nerve impulses thrughout the body. Because they are subtle energy flow channels, you will not be able to see the nadis like you see the nerves when you dissect the tissues.

 

There are ten major nadis, out of which three are the most significant. The three are – Pingala, Ida and Sushumna. They are the three main channels for the distribution of energy throughout the entire pranic network. They are like high voltage wires.

 

According to yogic physiology and philosophy, they exist within the spinal column. Ida and Pingala are responsible for the two sides of human nature which exist in each human being. ida is the mental, introverted, receptive, feminine side, chandra -the lunar side, Pingala is the vital, extroverted, expressive, masculine side, surya -the solar side. Ida and pingala correspond to the parasympathetic, sympathetic and cerebrospinal nervous systems of medical science.

Pingala

 

Pingala nadi originates in the muladhara chakra and emerges from the right side of the chakra. From here, it goes in a semicircle, going back to the center to cross ida at swadhisthana, goes to the left then curves back to center to cross ida again at manipura. It intertwines in this way, crossing ida at each of the six chakras, the last one being ajna chakra. At Ajna, it goes straight up the sushumna to sahasrara at the crown of the head. Pingala governs the right side of the body .

 

Pingala is known as the surya or solar nadi as the pranic energy flow has attributes   associated with heat, masculine qualities, physical and mental exertion, physical vitality,   tension. The effects of pingala coincide with the functions of the sympathetic nervous system.   Pingala predominates during the day hours although ida also flows then.

 

The processes of the left t hemisphere of the brain is related to pingala; the left cerebrum controls the processing of information in a logical, linear manner. It is also responsible for rational, analytical, mathematical thinking. Thus pingala and the left cerebrum enable daytime work and thinking.

 

Pingala controls the annamaya and anandamaya koshas. The awareness in the deepest state of meditation and in samadhi is pingala energy. Physical vitality is pingala energy.

Ida

 

Ida also originates at the muladhara chakra at the base of the spine. It exits from the left side from muladhara, curves in a semicircle to swadhisthana where it crosses pingala there. It’s path is similar to pingala’s path except on opposite sides. It ends at Ajna chakra on the left side and goes straight up the sushumna to sahasrara.

 

Ida is representative of mental energy flow (manas). Ida nadi is also known as chandra (moon) nadi due to its association with feminine attributes, introversion, coolness, quietness, receptivity. To counterbalance pingala’s predominance in the day, ida predominates at night, is active while relaxing, reading, thinking, sleeping.

A predominance of Ida energy gives a calming effect on the body and mind. This is similar to the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

 

Ida is connected to the right side of the cerebrum of brain. The right side of the cerebrum is used more for visual and intuitive processing. Hence, ida will stimulate creative, artistic, musical abilities, mental, psychic and extrasensory perception.   Ida controls the manomaya and vijnanamaya koshas. Desires, thoughts, emotions and, feelings are in the mental dimension until they become physical.   Psychic and intuitive knowledge, extrasensory powers are in the ida range or energy

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Sushumna

 

Sushumna nadi also originates from the base of the spine at muladhara chakra but follows a straight path up the spinal column. Sushumna represents spiritual awareness. It is the pathway which the kundalini rises. In most people, this nadi is mostly dormant with no flow or minimal flow. Prana is induced to flow in sushumna nadi only when ida and pingala, the mental and vital sides of the personality, are in perfect balance, when there is balanced flow of breath in the nostrils. The sushumna flow is dormant till a higher state of evolution or consciousness is reached.   -Pingala is likened to positive change, ida, negative charge and sushumna, neutral charge.

Link between flow of breath at the major nadis

Ida and pingala dominance is directly related to the flow of breath at the nostrils. When the flow of breath is stronger in the left nostril, it means that ida is dominant and when the flow is stronger in the right nostril, pingala is predominating. When one is active, the left nostril flow will be stronger.   When sushumna is active,        breath flows through both nostrils simultaneously and the entire brain is active. Sushumna flows after the practice of pranayama, prayer and meditation.   Only half of the brain is active in ida or pingala follow. Yogis have come up with breathing techniques to regulate the flow of ida and pingala in order to intensify the experience of the pranic body.

 

Sushumna represents the balance of the opposites at all levels.   When energy flows in the sushumna, feelings of steadiness and, meditative states arise. New states of consciousness are experienced.

 

Blocks in the nadis

Blockages in the subtle nadis may be caused by   the energy waves of disease, tension, mental patterns, unconscious and subconscious, negative thoughts, tamas and rajas. These blockages are subtle just like the nadis.   Blockages in the nadis often manifest as disease in the annamaya kosha. The affected areas become weak due to depletion of prana in the area due to the blockage.

 

All yogic practices purify the nadis, through pranayama is the main technique. Pranayama purifies at the pranic level but its effects will be reflected also in the physical and mental levels. Even if one is unaware of the blocks, regular practice of pranayama clears it up and keeps the pranic circuit flowing freely

 

 

 

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

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Introduction to Ayurveda

Ayurveda is translated as ‘ayur‘ (life) and ‘veda‘ (knowledge of or science). It is commonly known as the ‘Science of Life’. Ayurveda is the natural healing system which originated out of India over 5000 years ago. Ayurveda is a healing gift that has been given to us from the ancient enlightened Vedic culture. It is the system for maintaining optimal health through adherence to natural rhythms and cycles. Ayurveda employs a variety of natural means to bring harmony to the physiology including diet, herbs, spices, minerals, exercise, meditation, yoga, mental hygiene, sounds and smells.

 

The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedic scriptures and contains the main concepts regarding Ayurveda. It speaks about three cosmic powers associated with Wind, Fire and Earth and how these primal forces relate to the three psycho-physiologic constitutions of man known as Vata,Pitta and Kapha.

 

From the five elements, the three doshas are derived—Vata,Pitta, and Kapha. Known as mind-body types, the doshas express particular patterns of energy—unique blends of physical, emotional, and mental characteristics.

 

In Ayurveda, health is defined as the dynamic state of balance between mind, body, and environment. It is possible for each of us to achieve and maintain a vibrant and joyful state of health by identifying our mind-body type and then creating a lifestyle that sustains and nurtures our unique nature.

 

Sculpting Enlightened Bodies

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You are about to experience the most astonishing and holistic fitness program in the world! eN-FitnessSM is a unique approach to integral fitness, combining modern weight-training with traditional Hatha Yoga techniques and the eternal truths of yoga. This fitness program is designed to prepare you for the Inner Awakening, to prepare your body to experience and radiate your innermost potential energy, your inner bliss, Nithyananda. In today’s world, our minds are extremely agitated, and strongly impacted by the stressful environment. Our sedentary bodies are used to diets containing unnecessary fats, sugars, chemical substances and hormones. Modern human beings have evolved into a completely new species, with obesity, diabetes, heart diseases becoming prevalent in the general population. Rishis, Masters, and enlightened beings throughout the ages have all tapped into an unlimited reservoir of energy through time-tested techniques of meditation, yoga, kriyas, mantras, worship, prayers and so on. These enlightened beings have designed thousands of ways to connect consciously with the higher energies of the Cosmos. Again and again, enlightened souls happen on the planet to revive and update the science of enlightenment. eN-FitnessSM is a body-based spiritual practice specially designed by Paramahamsa Nithyananda to meet the needs of today’s society. With eN-FitnessSM, you will reclaim your yogic body, focus the mind on higher achievements, and establish your inner space in a deep fulfillment and bliss!

Harnessing the Kundalini Energy for self healing

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Energy flows throughout the body through the 72,000 nadis. If there is a disturbance in some part of the energy flow at some part of the body,  there is an impedance to the energy flow forward. That is when you start developing disease, disorders, disturbances in the particular organ. Nithyakriyas are powerful tools which help remove these energy blockages and restores the Life energy flow.

 

Kundalini is the tremendous potential energy that lies latent in each of us. Kundalini can be described as every individual’s hotline to the infinite cosmic energy. Once awakened by appropriate yogic practices, and the guidance and grace of the guru, Kundalini showers a host of blessings on the practitioner, including a big boost in energy levels, physical well-being, the falling away of negative mental patterns, true inner fulfillment and a deep connection to the universal Source.

 

When the body is aligned in certain postures during the kriya practice, the energy block gets removed. Putting the body in certain asanas makes the circuit free. Once the block is removed, the kumbhaka part of the pranayama pumps in kundalini energy.  Only through kumbhaka the energy gets pumped into the circuit.  If the energy circuit is even aligned for a few seconds, and the energy is pumped in, you are free, you are out of the disorder or disease.  When energy flow is reestablished, the disease or disturbance is healed.

 

These kriyas are not just ordinary asana, kumbhaka, pranayama. It is like different chemicals.  Separately, they may take ten years to cure a disease or disturbance.  Mixed properly in certain combinations, they remove the disease in two days.  They are a unique contribution to the world.

 

NithyaKriyas involve the combination of these components: –

1.         Yoga Asana

2.         Kumbhaka

3.         Visualization

4.         External Sound – chanting

5.         Internal sound –  hearing of mantra chant

 

Whatever is needed for the body to heal from any disease,  can be derived from combinations of the above five components. The healing achieved by Nithyakriyas is permanent as it works on the cellular bio-memory level. It generates natural steroids and therefore has no side-effects.

 

Besides the healing, the NithyaKriyas have a powerful permanent effect on your very brain functioning. They awaken the non-mechanical parts of the brain. Certain parts of the brain are responsible for our day to day bodily functions like digestion, respiration, walking, sitting, etc. But this constitutes only a small percentage of the brain. This is what we refer to here as the mechanical parts of the brain. Most of our brain power is actually untapped; these untapped areas when activated, are responsible for the manifestation of many extraordinary powers. This is what we refer to here as the non-mechanical parts of the brain. Awakening all the non-mechanical parts of the brain, can be done just by adding the right chemicals, enzymes and hormones to the body. Since your higher consciousness is already reflected on the body, the body naturally experiences the peak conscious coherence.

 

Scriptural roots of NithyaKriya

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NithyaKriya is soundly anchored in the sacred yoga scriptures, including the legendary Patanjali Yoga Sutras, as well as the three classic texts that form the base of yoga – Hatha Yoga Pradipika, GherandaSamhita and Shiva Samhita. Patanjali Yoga Sutras is the foundational text of yoga, written by the father of yoga, the enlightened sage Patanjali. This esoteric yet highly practical text, based on Sankhya Yoga, is said to date back to the 2nd century BC, although it is believed to be far more ancient. Patanjali Yoga Sutras emphasize the value of yoga as a lifestyle through ashtanga yoga (8-limbed yoga).

 

Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a 15th century Sanskrit hatha yoga text, written by Swami Svatmarama, a disciple of Swami Gorakhnatha. The book is dedicated to Adinatha or Lord Shiva, who is said to have revealed the secrets of hatha yoga to his divine consort Devi Parvati. Hatha Yoga Pradipika contains four major upadeshaas (teachings), which reveal the correct understanding and practice of asanas, pranayama, chakras, bandhas, kriyas, shakti,

nadis, mudras and kundalini.

 

GherandaSamhita is a highly practical and effective yoga manual said to have been taught by the sage Gheranda to ChandaKapali. GherandaSamhita advocates a sevenfold yoga, including shatkarma (cleansing processes), asana (postures), pranayama (controlled breathing), mudra (finger locks), pratyahara (mind control), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (the fruit of all the above).

 

Shiva Samhitais a complex text that spans the entire spectrum of human experience, from health to liberation. Starting with a treatise on spiritual liberation, this text goes on to reveal 84 beneficial asanas, pranayama, meditation and visualization techniques, mantras, subtle energy channels (nadis), kundalini and the importance of the guru on the path.

 

The other texts that NithyaKriya draws from include the KumbhakaPaddhati of Raghuvira, Trisikhibrahmanopanishad, Yogakundalay Upanishad, Yogachudamany Upanishad and Yoga Taravali, JogaPradipika, Yogasana Mala Sachitra, among others.

 

For more information on NithyaKriyas, please watch the following video explaining the

science of kriyas:

http://youtu.be/GBwrXrFyeE8

The complete list of NithyaKriyas is available online for free to the world:

,www.nithyananda.org/nithya-kriyas

 

The Science of eN-Fitness

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eN-Fitness has been carefully designed with minute detailed research down to the cell level. So every motion, every action of the different parts of the body has been researched thoroughly. Which actions, gym exercises directly contribute to the kundalini awakening, cellular energy increase, has been individually studied by Paramahamsa Nithyananda personally on himself as well as the hundreds of program participants who hail from various countries worldwide. eN-Fitness thus clearly outlines which gym exercises, which of the thousands of asanas give the maximum and quick benefit to the practitioner.

Every cell of the body has a powerhouse of energy called mitochondria. It is directly related to the body’s health and aging process. If the mitochondria energy production is increased, it leads to significant physiological and psychological transformation, including anti-aging, healing, permanent cure for depression, expand creative power, increased productivity, awakening the non-mechanical parts of the brain, and ultimate Inner Awakening.

eN-FitnessSM- updates the age-old tradition of Yoga with a modern approach. Developed by Paramahamsa Nithyananda, a Supreme Yogi with a deep understanding about the reality of our lifestyles today, eN-FitnessSM is the ideal physical practice for enlightened living.

Whether you are young or senior, eN-FitnessSM can rejuvenate your whole body, mind and being and allow you to experience health, higher energy levels, and the deep fulfillment of inner peace and joy.

eN-Fitness : http://www.nithyananda.org/program/en-fitness

What makes Nithya Yoga unique and different from other forms of yoga?

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Nithya Yoga is based on the direct experience of Paramahamsa Nithyananda, a living Enlightened Master and Avatar, who is established in the consciousness of Patanjali. The practice is for more than just acquiring physical and mental health. It is for bringing about the experience of the highest consciousness, the space of completion, the space of eternal bliss – nithyananda. Nithya Yoga brings to life the ancient authentic system of Yoga as Patanjali wanted, as expressed in his revelations to the world in the Yoga Sutras. Nithyananda, who is established in the consciousness of Patanjali, brings back the consciousness and the body language of Patanjali, using updated words for the modern age.

 

The practice of Nithya Yoga in its entirety includes not just the practice of asana and pranayama, but the continuous and conscious practice of the Science of Completion, the spiritual powers of integrity in words, authenticity in thinking, responsibility in feeling and enriching in life. One who practices authentic listening and lives these powers will be able to cause his reality, and be the cause of others to cause their reality.

 

Nithya Yoga teachers have been initiated by Paramahamsa Nithyananda to live in the space of completion. They will be able to express and radiate this state of higher consciousness, enriching people around them to live in the highest space of positivity and possibility..

 

Nithya Yoga has the ability to take you into the space of completion, liberated thinking, and jivanmukti. It is not just asana practice for health and peace of mind, but a profound transformation tool, showing you a new way of thinking and living life. Everyone can practice this yoga, regardless of the level of fitness or experience or age!

 

Paramahamsa Nithyananda brings back the 84 traditional asanas in Nithya Yoga. Many of these traditional asanas have been forgotten with the advent of new asanas in modern times. Through class asana practice, Nithya Yoga practice helps you to build a yogic body which is strong and flexible as well as a Vedic mind, a liberated mind, cognizing from the space of positivity and possibility with the clarity of knowing he can achieve whatever he strongly desires.

 

The role of the Guru

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Guru in Sanskrit means, remover of darkness and ignorance. Guru removes the mental blocks and obstacles that stand in the way of our awareness and realization of our true Self. The scriptures, the shastrapramana, again and again, mention the need for a guru.

Gurus use different ways to remove the mental blocks from disciples. It can be by personal guidance, scolding, instructions, teachings, action. Regardless of the method used, the goal is to raise the disciple to higher awareness. Because the guru resides in the highest state of awareness and consciousness, he is able to see where we are, and guide us.

It is essential that the guru is a true guru, one who is fully enlightened and with the highest vision. The guru appears in your life when the time is right.

 

Today, there is a great need for an authentic, living master who can impart and transmit the knowledge and experience of super-consciousness. The 10,000 year old Brahma Sutras and Shiva Sutras, the 5000 yrs old Bhagavad Gita, the 3000 year old Patanjali Yoga Sutras, the 1000 year old Hatha Yoga Pradipika, all the way to recent history with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his disciples, including Vivekananda, RamanaMaharshi, or ParamahansaYogananda, again and again, stress the importance of the guidance of the guru as a vital component of any spiritual path.

 

Like water is to the fish, and air to the animals, the guru is the pulse of the spiritual aspirant and yogi. With the help of modern-day technology, Paramahamsa Nithyananda has become the most accessible guru and profound source of knowledge and wisdom.

 

 

The five paths of Yoga

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There are many different paths or systems of yoga, for example, mantra yoga, kundalini yoga, swara yoga, bhakti yoga, japa yoga, hatha yoga, etc. Each one leads to the same source, the same experience, just like the different roads that lead into a city or the different rivers that flow into the sea. All the paths of yoga aim at the elimination of the ego and lead to meditation. They can be broadly classified into five fundamental groups:-

 

  1. Karma yoga – path of action or activity
  2. Bhakti yoga – path of devotion
  3. Jnana yoga – path of enquiry
  4. Raja yoga – path of introspection
  5. Hatha yoga – path of balancing the physical, mental and pranic layer in the body

 

It is good to practice a combination of all the five paths, with an emphasis and zeal on the path that best suits the personality type, the being. These paths are all intimately connected and not separated in a rigid manner.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, is the path or system of yoga for developing awareness through activity. It is the performance of actions done with intense awareness, non detachment from the action and non-attachment to the fruits of actions. It is not what you do, but the attitude and state of awareness in doing it. This intense, honesty based action leads to reduction of the power of the ego and to more effective and efficient action and performance. “Yoga is efficiency in action” – Bhagavad Gita. Every action should be lived and pursued with the greatest intensity.

 

It is important to develop the ability to do the work, and at the same time be a witness to the actions. When one is no longer the doer, but merely the instrument, then every action becomes spiritual and the work becomes super efficient. Work becomes meditation as the doer, the actions, the object become one – this is the real karma yoga.

 

Bhakti Yoga

This yoga path of devotion appeals to those have some form of belief or devotion. The bhakta channels his emotions towards devotion of the deity, guru, or other object. He is motivated by the power of love. Through prayer, ritual of worship, mantra chant, songs of devotion, thebhakta loses his ego as he becomes totally absorbed with the object. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says – “a bhakta can worship me in any form; whatever form he chooses, i will justify and accept his devotion”.

 

Bhakti can be cultivated and there are many practices that will help one develop bhakti. But if you are not emotionally inclined, do not force yourself to follow this path.

 

When there is devotion towards an object, all the energy flows towards it, leading to one-pointedness of mind which comes from intense love and devotion. Intense bhakti will induce the joy of meditation.

Jnana Yoga

This is the path of enquiry, where one enquires into the absolute truth of who we are, and what we are experiencing. It focusses understanding the laws of existence. The jnani uses the powers of the mind to discriminate between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the transitory. One has to transcend logic and rational thinking to receive the answers in the form of revelations. The full realization of this truth brings enlightenment.

 

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga, also known as the royal road. Patanjali’sashtangar yoga is also known as raja yoga. He divided the system of raja yoga into the eight limbs of yoga or ashtanga yoga. Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyhara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. It is the system where the physical and mental energies are turned into spiritual energies. It is the path of introspection where one becomes aware of and delves deep into the different realms of the mind – the conscious, subconscious, unconscious and superconscious with the purpose of becoming aware of the different aspects of the being. The chief practice is meditation.

 

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is also known as the science of purification of body and mind. Swatmarama in his book Hatha Yoga Pradipika begins by saying, you should first purify the body. Then comes asana, pranayama and the practice of mudra and bandha. Self control and discipline starts with the body. Start with the body first instead of fighting with the mind first. In this way, it will be possible to develop deep meditation leading to samadhi.

 

Hatha yoga balances body secretions, hormones, breath, brain waves, prana so that the mind becomes automatically harmonious and ready for meditation. When the body and mind are cleared of impurities, the energy blocks in the nadis will be released, allowing pranic energy to flow to the brain. When kundalini energy ascends and reaches the sahasrara chakra or crown center, it is no more hatha yoga but yoga, which is the union of consciousness (shiva), with energy (shakti). Hatha yoga prepares one for the highest experience of raja yoga (samadhi). The ultimate goal of Hatha yoga is to bring about yoga.

 

In fact, hatha yoga is regarded as the first part of Raja Yoga. Intellect stands in the way of spiritual awakening; the practice of hatha yoga is most effective way of transcending the intellect because it works on prana and bypasses the mind in this way. Dormant areas of the brain are activated and one’s physical and mental potential begins to increase and manifest.

Though the ultimate goal of hatha yoga practice is preparation of the body and mind for the higher conscious states, it also plays a very important role promoting mental and physical health, and has been used succesfully by yogis and rishis for eliminating diseases. Illness in the body and mind is a state of disharmony in the energy systems. Hatha yoga has proved to be successful as a therapy in reversing cases of chronic ailments like high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, rheumatism, hysteria, back pain. The practices in Hatha Yoga which consist of theshatkarmas (cleansing), asanas,   pranayama, mudras and bandhas balance the energies in the body, healing the body and mind.

 

Several reliable yogic literature texts provide us the foundation for the practice and philospophy of hatha yoga. The well known texts are Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmarama, GorakshaSamhita by Yogi Gorakhnath, GherandSamhita by Gherand and Hatharatnavali by SrinivasabhattaMahayogindra. All these texts are said to have been written between the 6th and 15th century AD. There are also some references to hatha yoga in the Upanishads and the Puranas as well as the SrimadBhagavatam.

 

Swatmarama is remembered for his treatise Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a direct, practical and technical handbook of hatha yoga. In this book he reminds all that all hatha yoga practices serve only for the attainment of raja yoga. The great sage Gorakhnath told his disciples that hatha yoga is the science of the subtle body, the means through which the body’s energy can be balanced; it is also the way the dual nature of the mind can be balanced.

 

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