Yogasanas- India's Legacy for World Well-Being

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Yoga has been gaining immense popularity due to the short-term as well as the long-term benefits that it provides. The aims of the Yoga enthusiasts are extremely varied. Some are particularly inspired by the Spiritual Element that Yoga provides; others by the increased Fitness and Flexibility that it results in. Some people find solutions to varied Health Disorders and others achieve an All-Round Development of a calm, stress-free mind and a fit body.

We have been conducting Yoga classes in the Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence at Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad for the past 15 years which benefits lakhs of people. Swami Vivekananda prescribed four Yogas to realise the self, viz Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Swami Vivekananda has written works on all four Yogas. Some details about Yogasanas and Pranayama etc., can be found in the book on Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Yoga unites Jeevatma with Paramatma, and keeps the body strong.

We sincerely acknowledge the efforts of Smt. N.V. Anupama, Yoga Therapist (S-VYASA), Specialist in Cancer and Sri P. Santosh Kumar, Yoga Therapist (P.G. Diploma in Yoga Therapy (S-VYASA) and M.Sc. in Yoga (Annamalai University).

We wish to express our gratitude to Visual Artist Mr. A. Arun Vikas for his efforts in designing this book with a beautiful layout. We thank all others who have contributed to this project. We thank Dr. K. Subrahmanyam, Pro-Chancellor, S-VYASA University for contributing the foreword.

The fact that the United Nations has unanimously adopted 21st June as International Yoga Day, shows the importance of Yoga for the well-being of mankind. This also emphasizes India's contribution to the entire world. In this context we are happy to bring out this book on Yoga. If this book helps the Yoga enthusiasts in its true spirit, we shall feel that our efforts are successful.

Health is essential to every human being. Health is absolutely necessary to lead a healthy and cheerful life. Health is very much needed to reach the heights of intellectual happiness. Health is a must to be peaceful always. Health at every level is necessary to be peacefully useful and to be usefully peaceful at all times. And the overall health is sure to take us to the heights of spiritual bliss. Health at physical level, psychic level, intellectual level and spiritual level can be gained, retained, and enjoyed through the practice of Yogasanas. Suryanamaskars and breathing exercises along with Yogasanas are sure to make us strong, healthy and intelligent.

Each of the Yogasana postures has been scientifically evolved by the Rishis of yore, Rishi Patanjali had mastered the art and science of Yogasanas. He was not only a researcher, but also an exponent and practitioner of Yogasanas. All his research findings are very well presented with illustrations in this book YOGASANAS for the positive health, well-being, and welfare of mankind.

Persons who practice these Yogasanas are sure to be healthy, peaceful, and blissful always.

Let us be peacefully useful and usefully peaceful. Let us be healthy always.

ॐ योगन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचा मल शरीरस्य च वेद्यकेन । योऽपाकरीत प्रवर मुनीना पतंजलि प्राजनिगनतोऽस्मि ।। With utmost respect I bow my head to the sage Patanjali, who is renowned amongst the sages, who has gifted to mankind Yoga for making the mind quiet, Grammar for effective speech and Medical Sciences for curing ailments of the body. The word "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit language, meaning union or merger the goal of this discipline is to strike a balance between body, mind and breath, with the ultimate aim of attaining self-enlightenment. It has been estimated by some scholars that Yoga is about 5000 years old. Several scientists also claim that it is a highly developed and scientific discipline for healthy living that has been perfected through millenniums.

Types and styles of Yoga

Since Yoga first came into existence, different types or forms of Yoga have evolved over the centuries and were practiced around the globe. These include Astanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jñāna Yoga, Tantra Yoga and Mantra Yoga. Each of these forms have a specific purpose.

Man is the maker of his own destiny. Modern society is full of Rajasika nature (speed). When the mind is not steady and calm, there is an outburst of energy. The body is all the time racing for action with speed and rush, full of anxiety and stress. The mind, one needs to control the Rajas and channelize the energies for higher purposes.