Yoga as a philosophy for life

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 Sadhak is one who embraces the philosophy of Yoga and starts in the journey. A student/traveller.

There are two aspects of Yoga. As a discipline and as a goal i.e to be a way of life.

Asana are the physical preparatory steps to help prepare the body for the demands that Yoga asks of a Sadhak. The beauty of yoga for me is that is is holistic. Apart from the body it also focuses on the mind and hence emotional well being. There are various mental techniques to be followed that help in establishing an emotional fitness.

This needs physical mental well being needs to be maintained through following asana, pranayama, yama niyama , kriyas etc . In other words, incorporating Yoga into daily life , and not limiting it to physical exercises. Food and diet is an essential component, and as important as what to eat and what not to eat, are when to eat and how to eat. 

Two books which are particularly recommended by the yoga institite are

  1. Hata Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmaram
  2. Gheranda Samitha by Rishi Gheranda : Type of yoga called Ghatasya Yoga or Saptaanga Yoga

Another book mentioned is Hatha Ratnavali by Srinivasa Bhatta Mahayogendra

Sattvik Diet : Food is of three types Rajasic, Sattvik and Tamasic. Try and eat freshly prepared food and try to avoid reheated, stale, dry, salty, acidic food or mix vegetables. 

Eat upto half full. keep one fourth space for water/liquid and the rest empty to give spaces for gases created during digestion.

The causes of failure ( Baadhak Tattva) and success ( Sadhak Tattva) as per Hatha Yoga Pradipika are

Badhak Tattva

  1. Overeating (Atyaahara)
  2. Too much exercise ( Prayaas) or travel ( Pravaas)- some say pravas as a factor
  3. Gossiping or talking too much ( Prajalpa)
  4. Rigidity in  routine /fanaticism  ( Niyamagraha)
  5. Company of wrong people (Janasangha)
  6. Fickleness of mind ( Laulyam)
Sadhak Tattva
  1. Enthusiasm ( Uttsaha)
  2. Courage ( Saahas)
  3. Perseverance ( Dhairya)
  4. Determination ( NIschaya)
  5. Knowledge of philosophy behind the practice ( Tattvajnana)
  6. Avoiding the company of wrong people (Janasangha Parityaga)


Lesson

There is a lot of learn. Diet and exercise ( physical and mental) is the stepping stone, However to truly integrate it to life, more knowledge of the schools /types of yoga will help in organically integrating them into daily practices.

e.g i just realised that I am confused as to where Ashtang ( eight limbs ie Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana, Samadhi) fits into the framework and while flipping through the book realised that I have just started reading on Hatha Yoga . Having a clarity on the overall framework and philosophy will help a mind like mine. 

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