Yoga a life of untold bliss
by Afreeha Jawad
The Yogic influence on Indian culture cannot be denied. Yoga as a
life style originated from the many rishis who maintained overall
individual well-being as being essential for societal peace and
happiness. The chief among such rishis was Patanjali and is considered
the initiator of yoga.
All of these Yogis insisted on the importance not only of food but
the inclusion of exercise and the intake of herbal preparations as well
to maintain a disease-free existence.
Detailing yoga's basic components recently to the Sunday Observer was
Senior Medical Officer Borella Ayurveda Hospital Dr. Nandrani
Karunaratne.
Outlining the main philosophies comprising yoga she said all these
components are once again subdivided into individual disciplines. Yama,
aparigraha, aasana, praanayaama, prathyaahaara, dhaarana, dyana, she
said are the major components.
Yama is all about Ahimsa or not intending any harm, Astheya or
refraining from stealing and lying brahmacharya or celibacy, aprigraaha
or non-greed, parama sathya or conformity to absolute truth.
Aasana are the different postures both mental and physical that will
help flexibility and prevent tiresomeness.Praanayaama or breath control,
Prathya aachara or discipline of the senses, Dharana the concentration
that helps explore the inner self, dyana or meditation in which state
any task could be completed.
According to Dr. Nandrani a deviation from any one of the above is
the cause of all illnesses. Genetic factors do count but she assured
that all such could be overcome by following the yogic philosophy.
Ninety per cent of sicknesses she believed was due to digressing from
such philosophy.
Dr. Nandani's expression need no justification when viewed against
the backdrop of an intensified market system with its stiff competition
and acquisitive tendencies that invariably lead to a deviation from
yoga's intended objectives.
Little wonder then how these present lifestyles have a bearing on
one's internal organs. In the course of day to day existence people are
more prone to taxing themselves leaving no room for a stress-free
lifestyle - the positive effects of which is all that matters for a
successful life.
Certainly it is ironic how with all one's economic achievements which
one lives a life time, he or she is conditioned into avoiding even the
food he or she would very much like to eat. Not all the world's monies
would enable one to enjoy an ice cream if he or she is a diabetic.
This applies to those suffering from highblood pressure and
cholesterol as well. Many among the affluent are compelled into
refraining from fatty food and even salt due to high blood pressure.
However, what is most beneficial in Yoga is the ability to circumvent
such diseases which invariably would lead us to a life of untold bliss.
Certainly, one may ask, "Of what use are the monies and position one
years for having forfeited life's most treasured ingredient - Good
Health.
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