Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and Meditation are an integral part of Swasthya Ayurveda.
Yoga is an ancient Indian body of knowledge that dates back more than 5000 years ago. The word "Yoga" came from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "to unite." Yoga is about the union of a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness.

Ancient Seers had a belief that in order for man to be in harmony with himself and his environment, he has to integrate the body, the mind, and the spirit. It is done through exercise, breathing, and Meditation.

In Yoga, the body is treated with care and respect for it is the primary instrument in man's work and growth. Breathing techniques were developed based on the concept that breath is the source of life. By focusing on their breathing, they prepare their minds for the next step - Meditation.

Six Branches of Yoga

• Hatha Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Karma Yoga
• Tantra Yoga

There are still a lot of misconceptions about Yoga, for instance, Yoga being a religion. Yoga is not a religion. It is more of a set of techniques for us to find spirituality. In fact, Yoga is being practiced by a lot of people from different religions like Christians, Jewish, Buddhists, and Muslims.

Another misconception is that Yoga is an exercise, a way for us to keep fit. It is partly true, but if you think that Yoga is just that then you are greatly mistaken. Yoga develops the body since a weak one is a hindrance to spiritual growth. It does not simply focus on the physical but on the mental and spiritual aspects as well.
Yoga is for anyone who is willing to learn its ways and ideas. What it requires is your will to have a healthier, stress-free self. With a healthy body and mind, you're on your way to a more fulfilling life.

Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga

• Physical Benefits
Flexibility
• Strength
• Muscle tone
• Pain Prevention
• Better Breathing
• Mental Benefits
• Mental Calmness
• Stress Reduction
• Meditation-

Meditation is the art of focusing your mind, restraining your thoughts and looking deep into yourself. Practicing it can give you a better understanding of your purpose in life and of the divine, as well as provide you with certain physical and mental health benefits.

First of all, you need to know that focusing your mind is a lot easier said than done. It may be simple enough to empty your mind of thoughts but to prevent them from coming in is a lot harder than you’d expect. Here are a few tips that might help you get started:
Once your mind is finally clear of thought, you will feel calm yet aware; a feeling that most experts say cannot be described by words. Only experiencing it will give you a clear idea of how it feels.

As you go along with your Meditation, you will eventually experience a development in your physical and mental health. During Meditation, one goes through a state of deep relaxation, while his mind’s awareness level is increased. This results in faster reactions, greater creativity, and improved comprehension.

Benefits:

• increased lung capacity
• improved immune system
• recharged nervous system
• reduced stress
• improved memory
• aids in the treatment of some diseases like asthma
• open-mindedness
• amplified moral virtues such as patience and compassion
• awareness towards sin, temptation and guilt

Omkara meditation technique:

This is a technique of meditation developed by Shivpuri Ashram. It is a very intense meditation process. Everyone feels a deep sense of relaxation following the meditation.