DOCSLIB.ORG

Effectiveness of Raja Yoga Meditation on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Females with Premenstrual Syndrome

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Effectiveness of Raja Yoga Meditation on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Females with Premenstrual Syndrome DOI Number: 10.5958/2320-608X.2019.00020.9 Effectiveness of Raja Yoga Meditation on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Females with Premenstrual Syndrome Eda Syamala1, Priya Roy,2 Kumar Sai Sailesh,3 Jabir P K4, Madhusudhan U5, Mukkadan JK5 1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Telangana, India, 2Associate Professor, KIMS, Karad, Maharashtra, India, 3Assistant Professor & HOD (I/C), Department of Physiology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh 4Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Vishnu Dental College, Vishnupur, Bhimavaram, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India, 5Research Director, Little Medical Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala, India ABSTRACT The current study was undertaken to observe the effectiveness of Raja Yoga Meditation on depression, anxiety and stress in females with premenstrual syndrome. In the present study, a total of 8 participants were recruited and the participants served as self-controls. After recording the baseline values in premenstrual period (7 days before menstruation) of menstrual cycle, participants were trained Raja yoga meditation for a week days and then they have practiced for once in a day for six days in a week for 8 weeks under the supervision of a trainer. Post-intervention values were recorded after 8 weeks during premenstrual period. The following criteria were used in the selection of the participants. Results were presented in table no 1 and 2. Table no 1 present’s demographic data of the participants and table no 2 present’s depression, anxiety and stress scores before and after the intervention. There was a significant decrease in the scores of depression, anxiety and stress followed by the meditation (P<0.05). The study provides further evidence for the beneficial effects of practicing Raja yoga meditation in the management of stress. We recommend detailed studies in this area with more parameters and also recommend practicing the meditation in the regular life style. Keywords: Raja yoga meditation, Depression, Anxiety, Stress. INTRODUCTION focus is more on isometric exercise and stretching than 3 Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ which on aerobic fitness. Raja Yoga meditation is a form of includes meanings of binding to and joining to.1 Yoga meditation that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. is a practical discipline incorporating a wide variety of It is a meditation without rituals or mantras and can be practices whose goal is the development of a state of practiced anywhere at any time. Raja Yoga meditation mental and physical health, well-being, inner harmony is practiced with ‘open eyes’, which makes this method and ultimately “ a union of the human individual with of meditation versatile, simple and easy to practice. the universal and transcendent existence”.2 . It includes Meditation is a state of being in that place just beyond the practice of meditation, regulation of respiration with every day consciousness, which is where spiritual a variety of breathing exercises, and the practice of a empowerment begins. Spiritual awareness gives the number of physical exercises and postures, in which the power to choose good and positive thoughts over those which are negative and wasteful.4 Studies show benefits of short-term and long-term brahmakumaris raja yoga Corresponding author: meditation on physiological variables including blood DR. G Sai Sailesh Kumar Ph.D (Medical)., MACS., pressure.5 Assistant Professor & Head of the Department ( I/C) Department of Physiology, Vishnu Dental College, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual Vishnupur, Bhimavaram, West Godavari District, dysphoric disorder are contributed by hormonal Andhrapradesh.534 202. Phone: 9061076459 fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.6 although email:[email protected] evidence for a hormonal abnormality has not been International Journal of Physiology, January-March 2019, Vol. 7, No. 1 91 established, the symptoms of the premenstrual under the supervision of a trainer. Post-intervention disorders are related to the production of progesterone. values were recorded after 8 weeks during premenstrual It was reported that the symptoms of PMS are due to period. The following criteria were used in the selection GABArgic and the serotonergic systems. Metabolites of of the participants. progesterone bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor of brain and decreases central GABA-mediated Inclusion criteria inhibition. The progestogens also thought to adversely Healthy females with PMS (PMS will be screened affect the GABAergic system. The lowering of serotonin by using PMS questionnaire)12 can give rise to PMS-like symptoms and serotonergic functioning seems to be deficient by some methods of Having regular menstrual cycles from 28 to 34 days estimating serotonergic activity in the brain; agents that Willing participants with in the age group of 18-24 augment serotonin are efficacious and are as effective even if administered only in the luteal phase. However, Exclusion criteria similar to the affective disorders, PMS is ultimately not likely to be related to the dysregulation of individual The participants with any physical problem neurotransmitters. Brain imaging studies have begun (musculoskeletal), psychiatric illness, or on medication to shed light on the complex brain circuitry underlying including contraceptives will be excluded from the study affect and behavior and may help to explicate the intricate Unwilling participants. neurophysiological foundation of the syndrome.7 Rajayoga meditation Neuroimaging studies have shown that meditation results in an activation of the prefrontal cortex, activation Rajayoga meditation is a meditation course which is of the thalamus and the inhibitory thalamic reticular trained by Rajayoga Education and Research Foundation nucleus and a resultant functional differentiation of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University of the parietal lobe.8 The factors decreasing anxiety (BKWSU).13 The participants were trained the raja during meditation are increased parasympathetic yoga meditation by an expert for a week days and then activity, decreased locus ceruleus firing with decreased they started practicing the same for 8 weeks under the noradrenaline, increased GABAergic drive and supervision of the expert.13 increased serotonin and decreased levels of the stress Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress hormone cortisol.9 Studies have shown beneficial effects of rajyoga meditation on anxiety and depression.10,11 Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by Medications for premenstrual syndromes are not fully using DASS 42 questionnaire which consists of 42-items curative for many patients. Meditation like raja yoga to measure negative emotional states.14 meditation can be considered as an adjuvant therapy in patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome. The Data analysis current study was undertaken to observe the effectiveness Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics for of Raja Yoga Meditation on depression, anxiety and Windows, IBM Corp. Armonk, NY: Statistical tests used stress in females with premenstrual syndrome. are student t test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. MATERIALS AND METHOD The present experimental study was conducted at Ethical Consideration: The present study was Department of Research, Little Flower Medical Research approved by the institutional ethical committee of Little Centre, Angamaly. In the present study, a total of 8 Flower Medical Research Centre, Angamaly. participants were recruited and the participants served as self-controls. After recording the baseline values in RESULTS premenstrual period (7 days before menstruation) of Results were presented in table no 1 and 2. Table menstrual cycle, participants were trained Raja yoga no 1 present’s demographic data of the participants and meditation for a week days and then they have practiced table no 2 present’s depression, anxiety and stress scores for once in a day for six days in a week for 8 weeks before and after the intervention. There was a significant 92 International Journal of Physiology, January-March 2019, Vol. 7, No. 1 decrease in the scores of depression, anxiety and stress followed by the meditation (P<0.05). Table no 1: Demographic data of the participants S.No Parameter Mean ± SD 1 Age (years) 20±2 2 Height (cms) 164.71±3.77 3 Weight (kg) 46±8.41 Table no 2: Depression, anxiety, stress scores of the participants before and after the Raja yoga Meditation S.No Parameter Pre intervention score Post intervention score P value 1 Depression 18.26±6.66 12.72±2.8 0.0478* 2 Anxiety 20.62±4.11 16.48±1.24 0.0163* 3 Stress 26.71±5.82 20.17±3.62 0.0173* DISCUSSION of PMS, is a complex experience that affects mood and The main goal of the research was to establish behavior, and can modify thought patterns leading to whether Raja Yoga is effective in treating Depression activation of different brain regions during cognitive and anxiety among women with PMS. There was tasks. 20 substantial difference in the pre-study and the post – study of depression, anxiety and stress levels. The study One study demonstrated that women with PMS proved that Raja Yoga would be effective in treating participating in a short-term yoga exercise in the luteal Depression among women who have PMS. Researchers phase felt better and had improved attention.19 Another conducted a pilot study to investigate the effects of study demonstrated that the mean
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Impact of Pranayama, Hatha Yoga, and Raja Yoga Meditation on Executive Function and Metacognitive Regulation
    ISSN: 2455-2631 © November 2020 IJSDR | Volume 5 Issue 11 Impact of Pranayama, Hatha Yoga, and Raja Yoga Meditation on Executive Function and Metacognitive Regulation 1Susmita Patra, 2Dr. Ishita Chatterjee, 1Debolina Dasgupta 1Outgoing Post Graduate Student, 2Associate Professor Department of Applied Psychology, University Of Calcutta, Kolkata, India Abstract: The present investigation studies the effects of Pranayama, Hatha yoga and Raja yoga meditation on Executive Function and Metacognitive regulation. A sample of 60 students was selected for the study. They were randomly allotted to one of three yoga groups (pranayama, hatha yoga, raja yoga meditation) of 20 members. The working memory, inhibitory control and metacognitive regulation were measured by WAIS-IV working memory subtest, Stroop test and metacognitive awareness inventory (MAI) respectively. The pre-training test scores were collected following which they were provided yoga training for 30 days. Tests were again conducted at the 10-day point and at the end of training after 30 days. Findings revealed that all the three types of yogic patterns lead to an increase in Executive function and Metacognitive regulation. The length of training also affected the test scores. Longer the training, better were the scores on all three tests. The interaction effect of yoga type and length of training was only significant for metacognitive regulation. Index terms: Pranayama, hatha yoga, raja yoga meditation, executive function, metacognitive regulation. I. Introduction: ‘Yoga’, the connection of the Supreme Being with the living, is an orthodox school of Indian philosophy. In India, yoga is not only a form of physical exercise, but also a spiritual practice and a way of living.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Raja Yoga Meditation on the Distress and Anxiety Levels of Women with Breast Cancer
    religions Article Effect of Raja Yoga Meditation on the Distress and Anxiety Levels of Women with Breast Cancer Raquel Vilanova Araújo 1,*, Ana Fátima Carvalho Fernandes 2, Regina Célia Vilanova Campelo 3, Renan Alves Silva 4 and Inez Sampaio Nery 1 1 Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil; [email protected] 2 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, CE, Brazil; [email protected] 3 Department of Health Science, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São João dos Patos 65665-959, MA, Brazil; [email protected] 4 Department of Health Science, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, São Mateus 29075-910, ES, Brazil; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of Raja yoga meditation on the level of distress and anxiety in women with breast cancer. Method: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was carried out in a specialized center between February and December 2019. The patients in the intervention group (n = 25) participated in four group meditation sessions for one month, and the participants in the control group (n = 25) were exposed to an educational activity for the same period and frequency. Cohen’s d was used to evaluate the effect size. Results: A significant reduction in the level of distress and anxiety was found in the intervention group (p < 0.001). The effect of meditation was average Citation: Araújo, Raquel Vilanova, Ana Fátima Carvalho Fernandes, in reducing distress, anxiety, depression, and vital signs. There was also an average effect on the Regina Célia Vilanova Campelo, increase in saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO2).
    [Show full text]
  • Chakras 5 Classes
    Chakras 5 Classes Swami Kriyananda gave a talk series called “Yoga as a Way of Life” at the Spiritual Renewal Week Retreat in 1983. This collection of talks is a comprehensive study of the chakras with guided visualizations in several classes. He explained at the beginning of the week that he intended to address Yoga as a Way of Life in relation to the chakras. Crystal Clarity Audio Books by Kriyananda and Other Authors Contains all the books read by Swami from Crystal Clarity Publishers A Place Called Ananda Affirmations for Self-Healing – Swami Kriyananda Ananda Yoga - Swami Kriyananda Autobiography of a Yogi - Swami Kriyananda Chakras For Starters – Nayaswami Savitri Faith is My Armor – Nayaswami Devi Good Morning! – Swami Kriyananda How to Meditate – Nayaswami Jyotish Meditation for Starters - Swami Kriyananda Meditations to Awaken Superconsciousness - Swami Kriyananda Metaphysical Meditations – Swami Kriyananda Money Magnetism - Swami Kriyananda Revelations of Christ - Swami Kriyananda The Art of Supportive Leadership - Swami Kriyananda The Bird of Time - Swami Kriyananda The Essence of Self-Realization - Swami Kriyananda The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita - Swami Kriyananda The Path - Swami Kriyananda The Rubiayat of Omar Khayyam Explained Thou Art With Me – Mary Kretzmann Whispers from Eternity – Swami Kriyananda Crystal Clarity Publishers Music The professionally mastered and most recent albums by Kriyananda offered by Crystal Clarity Publishers. All the World is My Friend – Music by Swami Kriyananda with Ananda Musicians An Evening
    [Show full text]
  • Bihar School of Yoga
    Year 7 Issue 3 March 2018 YOGA Membership postage: Rs. 100 Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, India Hari Om YOGA is compiled, composed and pub lished by the sannyasin disciples of Swami Satyananda Saraswati for the benefit of all people who seek health, happiness and enlightenment. It contains in- formation about the activities of Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar Yoga Bharati, Yoga Publications Trust and Yoga Research Fellowship. Editor: Swami Shaktimitrananda GUIDELINES FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE Saraswati Assistant Editor: Swami Yogatirth- ananda Saraswati Spiritual practice is not possible without good health. The practice of YOGA is a monthly magazine. Late subscriptions include issues from yogic exercises is conducive to health January to December. and longevity. The pains that afflict the Published by Bihar School of Yoga, physical body are secondary diseases, Ganga Darshan, Fort, Munger, Bihar while the vasanas and desires that – 811201. affect the mind are termed mental or Printed at Thomson Press India primary diseases. If bad thoughts are Ltd., Haryana – 121007 destroyed, bodily diseases vanish. © Bihar School of Yoga 2018 Purity of mind means a healthy body. Membership is held on a yearly Health is one’s birthright, not disease; basis. Please send your requests strength is one’s heritage, not for application and all correspond- ence to: weakness; efficiency, not inefficiency, Bihar School of Yoga courage, not fear; bliss, not sorrow; Ganga Darshan peace, not restlessness; knowledge, Fort, Munger, 811201 not ignorance; immortality, not Bihar, India mortality. - A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be sent along with enquiries to en- —Swami Sivananda Saraswati sure a response to your request Total no.
    [Show full text]
  • Raja Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms Swami Vivekananda
    Raja Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms by Swami Vivekananda Raja Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms Swami Vivekananda Publisher: Swami Vivekananda Quotes Easy navigation Title page, Contents, Book details, Background Book 1 (Preface, Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) Book 2 (Introduction, Chapters I, II, III, IV, Appendix) Easy navigation Title page, Contents, Book details, Background Book 1 (Preface, Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) Book 2 (Introduction, Chapters I, II, III, IV, Appendix) Table of Contents 1. Book details 2. Background Book 1 Raja Yoga 1. Preface 2. Introductory 3. The First Steps 4. Prana 5. The Psychic Prana 6. The Control Of The Psychic Prana 7. Pratyahara And Dharana 8. Dhyana And Samadhi 9. Raja-Yoga In Brief Book 2 Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms 1. Introduction 2. Concentration: Its Spiritual Uses 3. Concentration: Its Practice 4. Powers 5. Independence 6. Appendix - References To Yoga Easy navigation Title page, Contents, Book details, Background Book 1 (Preface, Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) Book 2 (Introduction, Chapters I, II, III, IV, Appendix) Book details Publisher: Swami Vivekananda Quotes Date: 28 February 2014 Source: Wikisource License: Raja Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms written by Swami Vivekananda and published by Swami Vivekananda Quotes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Price: Free Easy navigation Title page, Contents, Book details, Background Book 1 (Preface, Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) Book 2 (Introduction, Chapters I, II, III, IV, Appendix) Background Swami Vivekananda represented India at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 and there his historic lectures received overwhelming success and he himself found a lot of attention from the people of United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Raja Yoga and Its Role in Spirituality
    International Journal of Yoga and Allied Sciences (ISSN: 2278 – 5159) Volume: 4, Issue: 2; July- Dec 2015 Raja Yoga and Its Role in Spirituality Dr. Pratibha Bharti* *Department of Biotechnology, Shaheed Udham Singh Group of Institutes, Mohali, Punjab, India E Mail: [email protected] Abstract Raja Yoga is sometimes referred to as "royal Yoga", "classical Yoga" and "aṣṭānga Yoga". Raja Yoga is also referred to as Mental Yoga, or the Yoga of the Mind, because of its emphasis on awareness of one's state of mind. It is through this practice of concentration that one learns to calm the mind and bring it to one point of focus so that we direct our attention inwardly, towards our true nature, which is Divine. Aim: Raja Yoga thus aims at attaining higher levels of spiritual awakening. Spirituality brings lasting and meaningful change to our lives through inner transformation. As we change, the universe changes around us. With this change, there is nurturing of the inner qualities. All aspects of our life must be spiritualized so that they can be directed towards attaining the goal of God-realization. This is the highest path, to God-union. Conclusion: In raja Yoga meditation we use our mental powers to realize the ‗Atman‘ through the process of psychological control. According to Bhagavad Gita: ―When, through the practice of Yoga, the mind ceases its restless movement and becomes still, the aspirant realizes the Atman‖. The mind is cleansed and made tranquil through the repeated practice of ―meditation and moral virtues‖, both of which are crucial in spiritual path.
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga in Mental Health
    Volume 1- Issue 4: 2017 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000323 Susheel Kumar V Ronad. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res ISSN: 2574-1241 Short Communication Open Access Yoga in Mental Health Susheel kumar V Ronad1*, Kirankumar TC2, Pankaja TC3, Santosh S Ugargol4 and Chetan M Matade5 1Department of psychiatric nursing, Dimhans dharwad, India 2Department of management studies, Karnataka Arts College, India 3Rl law college, India 4Msc first year student, Dimhans dharwad, India 5Assistant librarian, Dimhans dharwad, India Received: August 29, 2017; Published: September 01, 2017 *Corresponding author : Susheel Kumar V Ronad, Assistant Professor, Department of psychiatric nursing, dimhans dharwad, India, Email: Introduction brain hear without ears and feel without any sensorial medium- Yogic techniques, such as asana and pranayama of Hatha ship. This is possible when through yogic practices one succeeds Yoga, and various meditations, have been trailed through clinical in breaking the barriers between different levels of consciousness. The small area of the conscious mind based on sensory experience preventative and therapeutic applications of the yogic practices. and other scientific procedures. The results have established the is expanded, and the whole mind merges into what is called the The explanation of the underlying physiological and chemical basis super-conscious mind. This state of mind is also known as cosmic of these practices has given them wide appeal and acceptability consciousness or transcendental awareness. The ultimate aim of throughout the world. We have witnessed their success in curing Yoga is expansion of this consciousness. some supposedly incurable common diseases like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, etc., without causing adverse side-effects.
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga in Daily Life by Swami Sivananda
    YOGA IN DAILY LIFE By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE Sri Swami Sivananda So Says Founder of Sri Swami Sivananda The Divine Life Society A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION Eighth Edition: 1999 (2,000 Copies) World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000 WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/ This WWW reprint is for free distribution © The Divine Life Trust Society ISBN 81-7052-055-X Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192 Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, India. PUBLISHERS’ NOTE That this book has already run into eight editions is in itself the best tribute that can be paid to this, one of the first books written by Sri Swamiji Maharaj. About the book and its author, we cannot do better than to quote from the Publisher’s Note to the first edition of this book, in which Sri Em. Airi writes: “His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati needs scarcely any introduction to the vast multitudes of reading public that pants for spiritual unfoldment and Self-Realisation. The revered Yogi belongs to the ages and ranks amongst the blessed souls who have had the good fortune to taste the Nectar of Cosmic Consciousness. In clear, simple and impressive style the Swami addresses the young and yet inexperienced spiritual aspirants and lays down before them the fundamentals of spirituality and the various means essentially requisite for Divine Wisdom.” “This book is a message from the great Yogi of the Himalayas to the helpless and bewildered seekers of Truth. This inspiring and soul-stirring little volume will, we venture to say, undoubtedly contribute its mite to the moral and spiritual perfection of the human race in general and the aspirants in particular.
    [Show full text]
  • The 8 Rungs of Raja Yoga (The Royal Path)
    HYT-TTP Level One and 200-Hour Program Retreat Handouts THE 8 RUNGS OF RAJA YOGA (THE ROYAL PATH) By Sonia van Nispen Raja yoga or the “Royal Path” is also known as Ashtanga yoga, which means “the yoga of eight limbs or rungs”. Another name by which it is known is ‘Integral yoga’. It is the vastest, most complete, and most comprehensive of all the yogas (such as Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, Kundalini yoga, Mantra yoga, Laya yoga, Nada yoga, etc.). The eight rungs or ‘limbs’ of yoga as defined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are as follows: • Yama : the yamas constitute the ethical foundation in our lives. They regulate our relations with others. There are five of them: o Ahimsa : non violence, in action, speech and thought. Non violence with regard to others, but also regarding ourselves. o Satya : truthfulness, again in action, speech and thought. o Asteya : non-theft, which includes ‘subtle’ appropriation (like accepting credit for something you have not done). o Aparigraha : ‘non grabbingness’. It is a matter of not being possessed by your possessions, of reducing your attachment to the material world. o Brahmacharya : celibacy or moderation. When speaking of sexuality, the translation would be celibacy, but we want to moderate the outward movement of all the senses (so for instance also conquer gluttony), in order to always have our senses attuned to the presence of God. In fact, the literal meaning of the word is ‘walking with God’. Sexuality is the strongest of our urges and the most difficult to conquer, hence the interpretation as celibacy.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to Self-Realization Fellowship
    Self-Realization Fellowship 3880 San Rafael Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90065-3219 www.yogananda-srf.org Printed in the U.S.A. An introduction to Self-Realization Fellowship The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda Copyright © 1982, 1997 Self- Realization Fellowship All rights reserved S ELF-REALIZATION F ELLOWS HIP Paramahansa Yogananda (January 5, 1893–March 7, 1952) U NDREAMED– OF P OSSIBILITIES hat human being has not longed to under- stand the meaning of existence, to fathom W the ultimate purpose of creation? And who among us does not desire a sense of security and well- being, the self- confidence and strength to cope with life’s problems? Who has never yearned for perfect love, a love that does not fade with time, old age, or death? We all want to experience lasting satisfaction and perfection, but is it really possible? Or are such desires and longings merely an escapist’s approach to the hard realities of human existence? Through the example of his life and teaching, Paramahansa Yogananda shows that the inner fulfill- ment we seek does exist and can be attained. In truth, all the knowledge, creativity, love, joy, and peace we are looking for are right within us, the very essence of our beings. To fully realize this— not just as an intellec- tual philosophy but as an actual experience that brings strength and un derstanding into every area of our daily lives — is what Self-realization is all about. 3 …You realize that all along there was something tremendous within you, and you did not know it.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter-5 Yoga
    CHAPTER-5 YOGA 5.1 Meaning and Importance of Yoga Meaning of yoga: The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, Yoga means union of the individual consciousness or soul with the Universal Consciousness or Spirit. Yoga means "to join" or "to integrate the spirit and physical body ".Yoga is a 5000 year old Indian body of knowledge. It refers to physical, spiritual, mental practices or disciplines that aim to transform body and mind. Therefore, we can say that Yoga means ‘union’ or ‘connection’. In Sanskrit, the word ‘yoga’ is used to signify any form of connection. Yoga is both a state of connection and a body of techniques that allow us to connect to anything. Definition of Yoga The great sage Patanjali, in the system of Raja Yoga, gave one of the best definitions of yoga. Patanjali said, ‘Yoga is the blocking (nirodha) of mental modifications (chitta vritti) so that the seer (drashta) re-identifies with the (higher) Self’. “Checking the impulses of mind is Yoga”. By Patanjli According to the definition of yoga in the Hatha Yoga, ‘Yoga texts is the union of the upward force (prana) and the downward force (apana) at the navel center (manipura chakra). Hatha yoga teaches us to master the totality of our life force, which is also called prana. By learning how to feel and manipulate the life force, we access the source of our being’. According to the definition of yoga in Kundalini yoga, ‘Yoga is the union of the mental current (ida) and the pranic current (pingala) in the third eye (ajna chakra) or at the base chakra (muladhara chakra).
    [Show full text]
  • Swami Vivekananda's Contributions to the Discourse of Yoga
    Many Paths to One Goal: Swami Vivekananda’s Contributions to the Discourse of Yoga Jeffery D Long Indeed, precisely because his approach has been so influential, many of Swamiji’s ideas on yoga are now widely shared around the world. This Swamiji’s Distinctive Perspective on Yoga can lead to a situation, though, in which cer- mong Swamiji’s many contributions to tain ideas come to be taken for granted, as if that Aglobal spirituality, some of the most im- is simply the way everyone has always thought. portant, and also the least understood, Credit needs to be given to Swamiji both for are his contributions to the discourse of yoga: introducing yoga to the wider world beyond that is, to the understanding of what, precisely, India in the modern period and for presenting yoga is, its aim and purpose, and the methods the particular synthesis of practices now com- that it involves. monly known as ‘the four yogas’ in the particular There are, of course, many interpretations of way that he did. yoga, as well as many types of yoga. Indeed, the It is also, true, though, that certain important same thing can be said of yoga that Mohandas ideas introduced by Swamiji to the West have Karamchand Gandhi once said of religion: ‘In been largely forgotten. There is thus a need to reality, there are as many religions as there are remind people that yoga is not only what most individuals.’1 Similarly, there are as many yogas now see it to be. In the minds of most Western- as there are individuals.
    [Show full text]