YOGA Practice

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

YOGA Practice YOGA practice vayu (movement of breath) pranayama (breath practice) mudra bandha marma mantra vayu apana Apana is the prana vayu that involves the downward and outward flow of energy from the body. Apana vayu governs the outward flow of energy on the breath, with digestive elimination, and with menstruation. The seat of which is the Root Chakra (Muladhara), located at the perineum and pelvic floor. Not only does apana guide the elimination of physical waste, but also our mental and emotional waste - that which no longer serves us. The balanced function of apana plays an important part in our ability to release negative energy, destructive thoughts, and physical toxins. The work of apana lessened by improving the quality of prana, or the inward flow of energy. Prana and apana work together in a push-pull manner, each helping to balance the other. Minimising the input of negativity and maximising the input of positivity will help improve the balance of prana and apana. In the same way that we must carefully mind what we take into our bodies and mind, we must equally cultivate the proper release of energy from our being. Holding on to destructive thoughts, suppressing negative emotions, or even the act of holding our healthy digestive functions, all have a detrimental effect on us. Learning to release, in every sense of the word, can be a freeing process. Tap into the energy of apana to guide this process. To experience apana vayu: Close your eyes, sit or stand with a long spine and relaxed body, and as you exhale feel an energy flowing down the torso from the top of the head to the tailbone. We can use the breath to help facilitate the flow of apana. The next time you have a troubling thought, emotion, or sensation, use the breath to help you release it. Each exhalation is a release, and carries apana with it. This act of completely embodying release upon exhalation can help you tap into the outward flow necessary for the removal of negativity you may be holding on to. By using your exhalation to help you find release, you be able to improve your outward flow of apana. pranayama breathing practice Yogic breath control exercise is one of the most important parts of developing your yoga practice. Pranayama can help to bring balance and depth to your overall well-being. It is one of the classical Eight Limbs of Yoga, according to the ancient text of the Yoga Sutras, compiled by the sage Patanjali in 150 BCE. Doing these breathing exercises can help to cleanse, balance, and purify your essential life force (prana) so including pranayama to your yoga and meditation practice can help you stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit. bhastrika - bellows breath Helps to increase prana (life force energy) to energise the body and clarify the mind. Try it first thing in the morning for a wake-up call to get the blood pumping and set you up to start your day. Performing a few rounds through the day can help increase your digestive power and boost your metabolism. Perfect for a pick-me-up after lunch if you are feeling sluggish or as a warm up before a work-out to increase your focus and motivation. While it is fantastic for when you need an energy boost, it is best to avoid practice at bedtime as it can may stimulate the mind and you may find it hard to switch off to fall asleep. practice: Sit tall, with shoulders relaxed, take a few deep, breaths in and out from your nose. On each inhale, expand your belly fully with your breath. Begin with rapidly inhaling and exhaling small puffs of air. Breathe vigorously through your nose. Make sure the breath is coming from your diaphragm, keeping your head, neck, shoulders, and chest still but relaxed. Focus your attention on your belly. Notice, that with every inhalation your belly goes out and that it goes in with every exhalation. --- Beginners Tip: Try sitting in front of a mirror to help you to monitor your posture and observe the movement of your body --- Begin with 2 seconds inhalations and 2 seconds exhalations. Once you are comfortable with the breathing technique, increase the speed to 1 second inhalations and 1 second exhalations, giving a total sum of 30 breath cycles per minute. Then, you can increase the speed to one breath per second. Once you master that, you can continue working on the speed of your breath, gradually increasing it to 2 or even 3 breaths per minute. Make sure to listen to your body during the practice. Bellows breathing is a safe practice, but if you feel light-headed in any way, take a pause for a few minutes in natural breath. When you are ready you can then try another round, slower and with less intensity. Contraindications: Avoid if you are pregnant, have uncontrolled hypertension, epilepsy, seizures, or suffer with a panic disorder. Do not practice on a full stomach; wait at least two hours after eating. mudra abhaya – prithvi - apana mudra means gesture, mark or seal and is a symbolic, ritualised gesture of the hands often used in spiritual yoga practice. abhaya mudra used to demonstrate fearlessness, protection and good intentions of peace and friendship. This ancient gesture is said to be the first mudra the Buddha displayed after reaching enlightenment, and symbolises a hand empty of weapons, representing peace and safety. practice: the right hand is held open and faces out at shoulder height with a twisted elbow and can be used whist sitting in meditation. usually only the right hand is used to demonstrate the gesture, but some practice this mudra with both hands at shoulder height and the palms face out. prithvi mudra an ayurvedic gesture used to promote healing and spiritual balance within the body. Prithvi means ‘the vast one’, is also the name for Earth and is used when balancing the Muladhara (Root Chakra), which governs the sense of stability, of feeling grounded and secure. It is considered a very powerful mudra, capable of increasing the earth element within, strengthening and healing the body of illness such as chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, weight loss, convalescence or paralysis, burning sensations throughout the body, ulcers, and nail, hair or skin issues. practice: the tips of the ring fingers are pressed to the tips of the thumbs on each hand, while the other fingers are kept straight. practice in a quiet setting while meditating and focusing on the breath. If possible, this should be done for 30 to 45 minutes a day. apana mudra represents the breath that runs throughout your body. This particular Mudra channels the prana in order to energise the body and removing off various ailments. It also helps in improving the reproductive system. practice: bring the tip of the middle as well as the ring finger to that of the thumb. Join them firmly and leave the other two fingers straight and extended. The palm must be facing upwards. Do it with both hands together. bandha mula banda – root lock This bandha contracts the muscles in the pelvic floor and tones the organs in the abdominal area practice: Sit comfortably and focus on squeezing the entire pelvic floor area, and slowly begin to pull upwards. Hold for few breaths, and then release slowly from the top down. Repeat 10 times to start with. For men, focus on contracting the area between the anus and the genitals. For women, concentrate on the pelvic floor muscles, visualise that long queue to the bathroom. The pelvic floor or to be more precise, the central part of the pelvic floor, the perineum, is located at the base of the spine. The perineum is the muscular body between the anus and the genitals. By slightly contracting this muscle, which goes from the pubic bone to the tail bone (coccyx), we create an energetic seal that locks prana into the body and so prevents it from leaking out at the base of the spine. This can move prana into the central channel, called Sushumna, which is the subtle equivalent of the spine. This energy can then flow upwards, which will provide you with extra strength and stamina. benefits: An engaged mula bandha allows you to be lighter on your limbs, making you feel lighter on your mat. This lightness can prevent you from tiring easily and can help you hold postures for longer. Mula bandha stimulates the pelvic nerves, the genital system, the endocrine system, and the excretory system. It helps with concentration and focus and can relieve the symptoms of constipation and depression. contraindications: If you are pregnant or menstruating, it is best to avoid this practice. marma guda marma a Sanskrit word meaning hidden or secret. A marma point is a place on the body where two or more types of tissue connect, such as muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. They are known as points of the vital life force. This marma governs the earth chakra, the channels of excretion, urination, reproduction and menstruation as well as the testes and ovaries. to activate guda marma: Begin in Vajrasana, with your eyes closed along. Relax both your mind and body. Keep your back straight and then make a fist with your right hand and place it on the area below your navel with your other hand over your fist. Inhale and bend forward so that pressure is automatically applied over the fist as a result, the fist will press against the small intestine, which will activate guda marma.
Recommended publications
  • TY-Brochure-WEB 20JUN20.Pdf
    TriYoga Practices … TriYoga Centers Accelerate the transformation of body, mind The original TriYoga Center was established in Santa Cruz, California in April 1986. TriYoga Centers provide classes, as well as workshops and spirit and teacher trainings. Yogini Kaliji and certified teachers offer programs at the centers nationally and internationally. Increase flexibility, strength and endurance There are 65+ TriYoga Centers and Communities in Australia, for healthy muscles, tendons and ligaments Austria, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, India, the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United Develop a supple spine and a dynamic States. Also, more than 2,350 certified teachers share TriYoga in nervous system 40+ countries. Welcome to Maximize the power of digestion, assimilation and elimination Invigorate the immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems Purify and strengthen the vital organs and glandular system Awaken positive qualities such as emotional balance, mental clarity and self-confidence Tr iYoga ® Illuminate the intellect to higher understanding and the realization of intuitive knowledge Expand awareness and allow the energy to flow Realize sat cit ananda Kali Ray International Yoga Association (KRIYA) KRIYA offers ways to stay connected with Kaliji and the TriYoga community worldwide. It gives access to live online programs, as well as the KRIYA website (kriya.triyoga.com). The site includes TriYoga videos, interviews and Q&As. Members also receive discounts on various TriYoga programs. TriYoga International 501(c)(3) non-profit organization PO Box 4799, Mission Viejo, CA 92690 Ph 310-589-0600 [email protected] | triyoga.com facebook.com/triyoga | instagram.com/triyoga Yogini Kaliji TriYoga Founder of TriYoga A revolutionary body of knowledge, TriYoga is a purna or complete Prana Vidya yoga founded by Yogini Kaliji.
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga Makaranda Yoga Saram Sri T. Krishnamacharya
    Yoga Makaranda or Yoga Saram (The Essence of Yoga) First Part Sri T. Krishnamacharya Mysore Samasthan Acharya (Written in Kannada) Tamil Translation by Sri C.M.V. Krishnamacharya (with the assistance of Sri S. Ranganathadesikacharya) Kannada Edition 1934 Madurai C.M.V. Press Tamil Edition 1938 Translators’ Note This is a translation of the Tamil Edition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya’s Yoga Makaranda. Every attempt has been made to correctly render the content and style of the original. Any errors detected should be attributed to the translators. A few formatting changes have been made in order to facilitate the ease of reading. A list of asanas and a partial glossary of terms left untranslated has been included at the end. We would like to thank our teacher Sri T. K. V. Desikachar who has had an inestimable influence upon our study of yoga. We are especially grateful to Roopa Hari and T.M. Mukundan for their assistance in the translation, their careful editing, and valuable suggestions. We would like to thank Saravanakumar (of ECOTONE) for his work reproducing and restoring the original pictures. Several other people contributed to this project and we are grateful for their efforts. There are no words sufficient to describe the greatness of Sri T. Krishna- macharya. We began this endeavour in order to better understand his teachings and feel blessed to have had this opportunity to study his words. We hope that whoever happens upon this book can find the same inspiration that we have drawn from it. Lakshmi Ranganathan Nandini Ranganathan October 15, 2006 iii Contents Preface and Bibliography vii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Why should Yogabhyasa be done .
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga and the Five Prana Vayus CONTENTS
    Breath of Life Yoga and the Five Prana Vayus CONTENTS Prana Vayu: 4 The Breath of Vitality Apana Vayu: 9 The Anchoring Breath Samana Vayu: 14 The Breath of Balance Udana Vayu: 19 The Breath of Ascent Vyana Vayu: 24 The Breath of Integration By Sandra Anderson Yoga International senior editor Sandra Anderson is co-author of Yoga: Mastering the Basics and has taught yoga and meditation for over 25 years. Photography: Kathryn LeSoine, Model: Sandra Anderson; Wardrobe: Top by Zobha; Pant by Prana © 2011 Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner without written permission is prohibited. Introduction t its heart, hatha yoga is more than just flexibility or strength in postures; it is the management of prana, the vital life force that animates all levels of being. Prana enables the body to move and the mind to think. It is the intelligence that coordinates our senses, and the perceptible manifestation of our higher selves. By becoming more attentive to prana—and enhancing and directing its flow through the Apractices of hatha yoga—we can invigorate the body and mind, develop an expanded inner awareness, and open the door to higher states of consciousness. The yoga tradition describes five movements or functions of prana known as the vayus (literally “winds”)—prana vayu (not to be confused with the undivided master prana), apana vayu, samana vayu, udana vayu, and vyana vayu. These five vayus govern different areas of the body and different physical and subtle activities.
    [Show full text]
  • DHYANA VAHINI Stream of Meditation
    DHYANA VAHINI Stream of Meditation SATHYA SAI BABA Contents Dhyana Vahini 5 Publisher’s Note 6 PREFACE 7 Chapter I. The Power of Meditation 10 Binding actions and liberating actions 10 Taming the mind and the intelligence 11 One-pointedness and concentration 11 The value of chanting the divine name and meditation 12 The method of meditation 12 Chapter II. Chanting God’s Name and Meditation 14 Gauge meditation by its inner impact 14 The three paths of meditation 15 The need for bodily and mental training 15 Everyone has the right to spiritual success 16 Chapter III. The Goal of Meditation 18 Control the temper of the mind 18 Concentration and one-pointedness are the keys 18 Yearn for the right thing! 18 Reaching the goal through meditation 19 Gain inward vision 20 Chapter IV. Promote the Welfare of All Beings 21 Eschew the tenfold “sins” 21 Be unaffected by illusion 21 First, good qualities; later, the absence of qualities 21 The placid, calm, unruffled character wins out 22 Meditation is the basis of spiritual experience 23 Chapter V. Cultivate the Blissful Atmic Experience 24 The primary qualifications 24 Lead a dharmic life 24 The eight gates 25 Wish versus will 25 Take it step by step 25 No past or future 26 Clean and feed the mind 26 Chapter VI. Meditation Reveals the Eternal and the Non-Eternal 27 The Lord’s grace is needed to cross the sea 27 Why worry over short-lived attachments? 27 We are actors in the Lord’s play 29 Chapter VII.
    [Show full text]
  • Tantra and Hatha Yoga
    1 Tantra and Hatha Yoga. A little history and some introductory thoughts: These areas of practice in yoga are really all part of the same, with Tantra being the historical development in practice that later spawned hatha yoga. Practices originating in these traditions form much of what we practice in the modern day yoga. Many terms, ideas and theories that we use come from this body of knowledge though we may not always fully realise it or understand or appreciate their original context and intent. There are a huge number of practices described that may or may not seem relevant to our current practice and interests. These practices are ultimately designed for complete transformation and liberation, but along the way there are many practices designed to be of therapeutic value to humans on many levels and without which the potential for transformation cannot happen. Historically, Tantra started to emerge around the 6th to 8th Centuries A.D. partly as a response to unrealistic austerities in yoga practice that some practitioners were espousing in relation to lifestyle, food, sex and normal householder life in general. Tantra is essentially a re-embracing of all aspects of life as being part of a yogic path; the argument being that if indeed all of life manifests from an underlying source and is therefore all interconnected then all of life is inherently spiritual or worthy of our attention. And indeed, if we do not attend to all aspects of life in our practice this can lead to problems and imbalances. This embracing of all of life includes looking at our shadows and dark sides and integrating or transforming them, ideas which also seem to be embraced in modern psychology.
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga Terms Decisions; Sometimes Translated As "Intellect." Another Translation Is the Higher Mind, Or Wisdom
    buddhi: The determinative faculty of the mind that makes Yoga Terms decisions; sometimes translated as "intellect." Another translation is the higher mind, or wisdom. Source: Omega Institute, http://eomega.com/omega/knowledge/yogaterms/ chakras: nerve centers, or "wheels" of energy, located along the Following are common terms use in the yogic tradition. If a word or spine and considered a part of the subtle body. phrase in a description appears in bold, it can be found under its own heading. cit or chit: lit. "consciousness" or "awareness." Philosophically, pure awareness; transcendent consciousness, as in Sat-chit- abhaya or abhayam: lit. "fearlessness." ananda. In mundane usage, chit means perception; consciousness. agni: lit. "fire." Also the internal fires of the body, often referred to as tapas, meaning sacred heat. When capitalized, the god of fire. darshana: lit. "vision" or sight." Insight or visionary states regarded as a result of meditation. ahamkaara or ahamkara: ego, self-love; selfish individuality. The mental faculty of individuation; sense of duality and separateness daya: compassion to all beings. from others. Ahamkara is characterized by the sense of I-ness (abhimana), sense of mine-ness, identifying with the body dharma: right action, truth in action, righteousness, morality, (madiyam), planning for one's own happiness (mamasukha), virtue, duty, the dictates of God, code of conduct. The inner brooding over sorrow (mamaduhkha), and possessiveness (mama constitution of a thing that governs its growth. idam). drishti: lit. "pure seeing." ahimsa: lit. "noninjury." Nonviolence or nonhurtfulness. Refraining from causing harm to others, physically, mentally or emotionally. eight limbs of yoga or the eightfold path: in Sanskrit, this is Ahimsa is the first and most important of the yamas (restraints).
    [Show full text]
  • Living Tantra (Pdf)
    Living Tantra 1 Sex, drugs, and black magic? Tantra is infinitely more powerful than that. A modern master reveals the truth about this complex and controversial path. By Pandit Rajmani Tigunait I was born and raised in the part of North India that has long been a stronghold of tantric practices. My birthplace, Amargarh, lies in a triangle formed by three of India’s holiest cities: Varanasi, Allahabad, and Ayodhya. Varanasi, the city of light, embodies the spiritual traditions of ancient India, including all forms of tantra: Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain tantras; left-hand tantra; right-hand tantra; forbidden tantra; and tantric practices of a purely yogic nature. Allahabad, the city of gods, experiences a big congregation of saints, yogis, and tantrics from every tradition every January and February, and an even larger congregation every 12 years during the Kumbha Mela. Ayodhya, the invincible city of Lord Rama, is the most mysterious of all, for thousands of saints and yogis, mostly practicing right-hand tantra, are hidden behind the walls of hundreds of monasteries and ashrams. There was a monastery a little more than a mile from my childhood home that was a magnet for wandering sadhus, novice seekers, and adepts. The nearby palace had its own circle of tantrics, pandits, and astrologers. My father was one of them. Growing up in this land I saw pandits debating their views, astrologers making their predictions, and tantrics performing their magical rituals. I saw my father spend hours every day reciting scriptures, meditating on mantra, and worshipping the Divine Mother through rituals and fire offerings.
    [Show full text]
  • Dhyana in Hinduism
    Dhyana in Hinduism Dhyana (IAST: Dhyāna) in Hinduism means contemplation and meditation.[1] Dhyana is taken up in Yoga exercises, and is a means to samadhi and self- knowledge.[2] The various concepts of dhyana and its practice originated in the Vedic era of Hinduism, and the practice has been influential within the diverse traditions of Hinduism.[3][4] It is, in Hinduism, a part of a self-directed awareness and unifying Yoga process by which the yogi realizes Self (Atman, soul), one's relationship with other living beings, and Ultimate Reality.[3][5][6] Dhyana is also found in other Indian religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. These developed along with dhyana in Hinduism, partly independently, partly influencing each other.[1] The term Dhyana appears in Aranyaka and Brahmana layers of the Vedas but with unclear meaning, while in the early Upanishads it appears in the sense of "contemplation, meditation" and an important part of self-knowledge process.[3][7] It is described in numerous Upanishads of Hinduism,[8] and in Patanjali's Yogasutras - a key text of the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy.[9][10] A statue of a meditating man (Jammu and Kashmir, India). Contents Etymology and meaning Origins Discussion in Hindu texts Vedas and Upanishads Brahma Sutras Dharma Sutras Bhagavad Gita The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Dharana Dhyana Samadhi Samyama Samapattih Comparison of Dhyana in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism Related concept: Upasana See also Notes References Sources Published sources Web-sources Further reading External links Etymology
    [Show full text]
  • Pranayama Redefined/ Breathing Less to Live More
    Pranayama Redefined: Breathing Less to Live More by Robin Rothenberg, C-IAYT Illustrations by Roy DeLeon ©Essential Yoga Therapy - 2017 ©Essential Yoga Therapy - 2017 REMEMBERING OUR ROOTS “When Prana moves, chitta moves. When prana is without movement, chitta is without movement. By this steadiness of prana, the yogi attains steadiness and should thus restrain the vayu (air).” Hatha Yoga Pradipika Swami Muktabodhananda Chapter 2, Verse 2, pg. 150 “As long as the vayu (air and prana) remains in the body, that is called life. Death is when it leaves the body. Therefore, retain vayu.” Hatha Yoga Pradipika Swami Muktabodhananda Chapter 2, Verse 3, pg. 153 ©Essential Yoga Therapy - 2017 “Pranayama is usually considered to be the practice of controlled inhalation and exhalation combined with retention. However, technically speaking, it is only retention. Inhalation/exhalation are methods of inducing retention. Retention is most important because is allows a longer period for assimilation of prana, just as it allows more time for the exchange of gases in the cells, i.e. oxygen and carbon dioxide.” Hatha Yoga Pradipika Swami Muktabodhananda Chapter 2, Verse 2, pg. 151 ©Essential Yoga Therapy - 2017 Yoga Breathing in the Modern Era • Focus tends to be on lengthening the inhale/exhale • Exhale to induce relaxation (PSNS activation) • Inhale to increase energy (SNS) • Big ujjayi - audible • Nose breathing is emphasized at least with inhale. Some traditions teach mouth breathing on exhale. • Focus on muscular action of chest, ribs, diaphragm, intercostals and abdominal muscles all used actively on inhale and exhale to create the ‘yoga breath.’ • Retention after inhale and exhale used cautiously and to amplify the effect of inhale and exhale • Emphasis with pranayama is on slowing the rate however no discussion on lowering volume.
    [Show full text]
  • Prana Pranava Pranayama and Pranavidya As the Core Yogic
    BULLETIN MONUMENTAL - ISSN / e-ISSN 0007 -473X http://bulletinmonumental.com/ Prana Pranava Pranayama and Pranavidya as the Core Yogic Methods for Evolution of Human Consciousness LaxmikantaRana* *Research Scholar, Centre for Yoga Studies, Annamalai University, Chidambaram Dr. V. Gopinath** **Research Guide, Professor and Registrar, Tamilnadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai Abstract - Human beings compose ‘2’ forces: Prana (cosmic energy), as well as consciousness (developing energy). Energy is dynamic; however, it doesn’t comprise cognition and also consciousness. Consciousness notices everything however it is not capable of moving with no aid of energy. These ‘2’ forces administer the human body, mind, emotions and also feelings. If the individual is detected with consciousness, he/she will face every person as their own self. This is what yoga signifies. The consciousness’s function is to create awareness in an individual. Only via the Prana’s help, the awareness about human consciousness is induced. This work proffers the human consciousness’s explanatory research via prana,pranava, pranayama, and also pranavidya. It is designed to promote understanding on the core yogic methods of yoga for the holistic health , at the same time it can motivate a person to practice yoga for the betterment of self and society. Key words:Yoga, Awareness,Consciousness, Health, Prana, Pranava, Pranayama, Pranavidya 1. INTRODUCTION The life stress of humans is strongly connected to strains that they experience in their living conditions [1]. Relaxation methods are needed for reducing stress along with increased self-esteem. Yoga-centered practices have been continuously increasing attention in the scientific sector recently, with quickly augmenting studies examining their consequences on physiological, neural, and together with behavioural measures [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Insights from the Theory of Pancha Kosha (Five Sheaths of Consciousness)
    THE LEVELS OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS AND CREATIVE FUNCTIONING: INSIGHTS FROM THE THEORY OF PANCHA KOSHA (FIVE SHEATHS OF CONSCIOUSNESS) Maharaj K. Raina, Ph.D. Woodland, CA ABSTRACT: Various cosmological positions have shaped beliefs about the character of creativity. From the Indian tradition, have emerged multi-level cosmological models that provide structural frameworks to understand the relationship between consciousness and creativity. Among them is pancha kosha (from Sanskrit –pancha means five, kosha sheath) encompassing five bodies (koshas) of consciousness: Annamaya (food body/physical body), Pranamaya (vital sheath/prana/ life force), Manomaya (the emotional body/mind), Vijnanamaya (cognition/ intellect/wisdom), and Anandamaya (bliss), considered the ‘‘most useful springboard for a modern scientific understanding of cosmology and evolution’’ (Goswami, 2000, p. 114). This article explains the theory and the attributes of various sheaths; draws implications related to human creativity’s nature and emergence; examines the role of ‘‘phenomenal awareness’’ (Rao & Paranjpe, 2016, p. 113), blissfulness (ananda), ‘‘extension of borders’’ and the ‘‘extension of persona’’ (Mahapatra, 2009, p. 72) in the manifestation of creativity; documents the role of such a state of consciousness in some exceptionally creative individuals’ lives, and discusses implications for broader understanding of experiential sources of creativity and consciousness. KEYWORDS: Cosmology, pancha kosha theory, levels of consciousness, transpersonal creativity, bliss (ananda), illumined perception, transcendence, concentration and commitment Every traditional human society known to anthropology has a cosmology (Abrams & Primack, 2001), and some cosmologies conceived the human being as a part of a ‘‘great chain’’ or a ‘‘great nest of being’’ of interpenetrating layers—material, mental and spiritual in nature, and as the nexus or crossing point between the world of matter and the world of Spirit, being comprised of both (Smith, 1958, 1992).
    [Show full text]
  • Yoga Physiology and Anatomy According to Classical Yoga And
    International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences 2017; 2(2): 365-368 ISSN: 2456-4419 Impact Factor: (RJIF): 5.18 Yoga 2017; 2(2): 365-368 Yoga physiology and anatomy according to classical © 2017 Yoga www.theyogicjournal.com yoga and tantra texts Received: 10-05-2017 Accepted: 11-06-2017 Dr. Srikrishna Chandaka Dr. Srikrishna Chandaka and Dr. Suneetha Kandi Department of Yoga & Consciousness, Andhra Abstract University, Visakhapatnam, Yoga has grown to be a very popular science. It has become one of the most favored alternative therapy Andhra Pradesh, India and fitness programs. A huge amount of scientific investigations are being carried out throughout the world using state-of-the-art technology in order to identify, measure and verify the almost miraculous Dr. Suneetha Kandi Department of Science & results of yoga on the human body and mind. It is necessary to understand the science of yoga in a Humanities, MVGR College of holistic sense which necessities the understanding of terms and concepts as mentioned in the classical Engineering (A), Vizianagaram, texts of yoga. These concepts of yoga physiology and anatomy which are presented here, might be easily Andhra Pradesh, India brushed away as ‘unscientific’ since these concepts have yet to be verified by ‘machines’. Nevertheless, in order to understand and explain the miraculous benefits, the modern medicine needs to look at them to find answers – if not now; at least in the near future. Keywords: Yoga, yoga physiology, yoga anatomy, yoga texts, tantra texts 1. Introduction Yoga realizes that the spark of Divinity is present in every human being.
    [Show full text]