A Reference book for educators and yoga practitioners Nirmaljit Kaur Rathee Sud esh Bhardwaj Nirmaljit K. Rathee Sudesh Bhardwaj CONTEMPORARY YOGA EDUCATION: TRANSFORMING THE BODY, MIND & SOUL Nirmaljit K. Rathee Sudesh Bhardwaj CONTEMPORARY YOGA EDUCATION: TRANSFORMING THE BODY, MIND & SOUL European Scientific Institute, ESI www.euinstitute.net publishing Impressum Bibliographic information published by the National and University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski" in Skopje; detailed bibliographic data are available in the internet at http://www.nubsk.edu.mk/; CIP - 233-852.5(035) COBISS.MK-ID 103977226 Any brand names and product names mentioned in this book are subject to trademark, brand or patent protection and trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. The use of brand names, product names, common names, trade names, product descriptions etc. even without a particular marking in this works is in no way to be construed to mean that such names may be regarded as unrestricted in respect of trademark and brand protection legislation and could thus be used by anyone. Publisher: EUROPEAN SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE (ESI) Offices: Portugal, Macedonia and Argentina Address: Street: "203", number "1", 2300 Kocani, Republic of Macedonia Email: [email protected] ISBN: 978-608-4642-60-2 Copyright © 2017 by the author, EUROPEAN SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE (ESI) and licensors All rights reserved. 2017 Contemporary Yoga Education: Transforming the Body, Mind & Soul A Reference book for Educators and Yoga Practitioners Nirmaljit K. Rathee, Ph.D. Sudesh Bhardwaj, Ph.D. Director, Education Graduate Program Assistant Professor, Physical Education Associate Professor Department of Physical Education Education Department D. A. V. College, Sector – 10 Delaware State University Chandigarh, India. Dover, Delaware, USA. CONTENTS PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CHAPTERS PAGES I. Tracing the Origin of Yoga..................................................................................................1 II. Mechanics of Yoga..............................................................................................................7 III. Yoga: A Gateway to Healthy Living.................................................................................34 IV. Yoga: Arthritis and Flexibility...........................................................................................49 V. Yoga Practices: Shatkarmas...............................................................................................61 VI. International day of Yoga..................................................................................................72 VII. Yoga vs. Modern Exercise.................................................................................................75 VIII. Research Practices in Yoga................................................................................................87 BIBLIOGRAPHY..........................................................................................................................93 PREFACE With the blessing of almighty God, we are beginning this noble work of scripting the book “Contemporary Yoga Education: Transforming the Body, Mind & Soul” to make our readers realize that we human beings, the most powerful and beautiful creatures of God, have an ultimate desire to lead a life full of harmony, liberation and self-actualization. If we start viewing ourselves as a part of the divine self, our entire perspective of looking at life will change. Amongst all the creations of the universal spirit, it is man alone who has been blessed with the magnificent known and unknown profundity of hidden artistry and innovative strengths to discover the unknown realities of life. Since evolution, human beings have continually realized their competencies, which in turn have globalized the whole of mankind. Now they have extended their powers so much so that they are at the verge of dwelling on other planets. Yes, we can undoubtedly say that this results from the contribution of science. Nevertheless, it is the man who explored science itself that is ultimately responsible for its advances. It is an undeniable fact that man with his indefinable spiritual entity can obtain the revelation of the universal spirit as well. In today’s globalized era, advanced scientific technologies have almost touched every aspect of human life and the corporate world. Scientific research has spread its web in all directions and caught human life at every end. These inventions have enticed mankind at each step with an abundance of electronic gadgets, appliances, automated machineries and unbelievable bio-technologies that claim to be able to clone human life. As a result of these scientific innovations, people are undoubtedly enjoying their comfort and performing multiple tasks in less time with little or no physical and mental effort. But at the same time, due to this fast paced life, man has overloaded his mind, body and soul beyond his psychosomatic efficiency. We are stepping forward here by accepting the fact that with proper use and care, life grows. However, lack of use and negligence leads it to lose its valuable grace and becomes rustic. Unfortunately, this is what plagues human beings today. Man is living a life according to a predetermined, programmed pattern, like a robot, without any personal space for self- realization and consciousness. His life has become so hypersensitive that it is like a water bubble which seems colorful and very beautiful superficially but which with a little prick bursts in no time and becomes inexistent. Such delicate personality of a man is the most dangerous state of his being, and it constantly affects his health in the form of hypertension, hypoxia, anxiety, fear, depression and other critical ailments. Man has been using his own power to such an extent that his personal, family and social life is degrading. All such problems can be avoided by fostering the awareness and by diving deep into the infinite depth of the mind through meditation and by regulating the psychosomatic processes of the body and mind through the yogic practices, which will restore the holistic health for a harmonious and quality existence. Yoga is an art and science that heals each loophole, internally and externally, and refines the human soul comprehensively by working on the human body and mind. It is the natural medicine that forms a protective aura around man. Yoga can be effectively utilized to unite man’s scattered life and bring it in harmony with the self, the society, nature and the universe. The word ‘yoga’ literally means to join broken man individually at first, and universally in the end to seek an eternal bliss. The prime purpose of this book is to provide a source of information to help man to groom and achieve the integration of his personality, and ultimately to form a healthy, ethical and coherent society. This book also aims to enlighten the students of yoga engaged in various courses as a source of literature and help them with the knowledge they seek for their academic success. Though each chapter of this book has its own objectives, they are all complimentary to one another. Dr. Nirmaljit K Rathee Dr. Sudesh Bhardwaj ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Scripting a book is a task that involves assimilating academic knowledge, capturing the ideas gathered over the years and assimilating the suggestions and developments from experts and personal experiences which are still not in the light. Finally, carving the entire accumulated material in an ever living shape of words for spreading knowledge and transforming the minds in the field of knowledge was indeed a daunting task. There are many who deserve appreciation for their motivations and support from the beginning of this project to the end. These beloved have earned a right to be here as a part of the acknowledgements in this book and to have respected frames in this book and in our hearts. First and foremost, the almighty GOD has always touched us with the blessings of wisdom and innumerable versatility for writing this book. Therefore, we surrender ourselves in almighty’s praise for nurturing us to write this book. We would like to thank the community of teachers who are in our direct or indirect contact for their suggestions and updating us for covering the areas written in this book and to be written in the next edition. We owe our hearty and sincere gratitude to respected Ms. Safi and Ms. Seema for their love and care and for prompting our minds towards the completion of this book. We express our indebted thanks to Ms. Anema Amar Soren, Principal, St. Paul’s School, Hazaribaag, Jharkhand, India for providing guidelines in writing, keeping in view the level and diversity of the student’s mind. A special thanks is also due to our loving and caring family members. This book may not have been completed without their encouragement and support. Without the selfless involvement of Mr. Varinder, this book would not have been completed. He always gave his cooperation in all required ways despite his busy schedule. We heartily thank him for his generosity to be as a part of our team. Dr. Nirmaljit K. Rathee Dr. Sudesh Bhardwaj CHAPTER-I TRACING THE ORIGIN OF YOGA Now, an exposition of Y oga is to be made. - Patanjali Gist of the Chapter This chapter tells the origin of yoga and chronologi cally describes its historical development up until this day. The inception of yoga is documented from different primary and secondary sources, which trace the authentic foundations of yoga