Yoga

Yoga is one of the jewels of Bharatadesha along with the other jewels such as Ayurveda, Natya, Samskita and others as envisioned in our Vedic shastras. The word Yoga has many meanings and the most commonly referred to is the “joining together” or “coming together”. In the discussions of the various philosophies of human existence, “getting rid of sorrows” is the common thread across all these philosophies. Our ancient rishis observed that whenever one goes away from his true inner self, the sorrow and suffering increases. In that sense Yoga can also come to mean the journey of the Self to the Self by the Self.

This Yogavidya is as old as human existence itself and has been handed over from one generation to another in the form of a living tradition. The systematic knowledge was compiled by the great Maharshi Patanjali in the form the “Yoga Darshana” also called the Yoga Sutras, Yoga Shastras or Ashtanga Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga comprises eight anga’s (limbs), the practice of which leads to the goal of Chittah-Vritti. Ashtanga Yoga helps in the self-transformation of the individual from animal behaviour to a divine human.

Yamas (relationship with the society) and Niyamas (relationship and control of the self)lay the foundation of morality and ethics for this journey, Asana is that physical state, where the person continues to remain in a state of comfort and infinite bliss. Using the techniques of Pranayama, Maharshi Patanajali has provided the techniques to quieten the activities of the chitta. Pratyaahaara is the next limb, wherein the senses which are generally extroverted are slowly turned inwards. With these the external distractions stop having effects on the chitta. Harnessing the power of Dharana, one develops the ability to cultivate and culture the power of the mind from a scattered view to a concentrated and focussed power through wilful constant practice.When the unbroken concentration process is continued ,then the concentration culminates into Dhyana (yogic meditation). Dhyana is an uninterrupted flow of consciousness towards a chosen object. Finally a stage of amalgamation or fusion with chosen object leading to the Samadhi and thereby completing the process of Yoga.

A person who has achieved the stage of Samadhi lives life as a spontaneous expression of unhindered flow of supreme consciousness and transcends all divisions. When one becomes aware of the infinite consciousness then there is total self transformation.

About the Teachers

R Narayanan

A former senior management professional who left his professional career to pursue his interests in the study of yoga and shastram.He has a degree in Engineering and Post graduate degrees in Management and Yoga Therapy. A long term practitioner of yoga, he is currently working on his PhD in Yoga. His organisation runs Yoga programs in schools and colleges as part of the curriculum. A student of Vedanta and Samskritam with Arsha Seva Kendram and is also studying Veda.

Meera Narayanan

She is passionate about Yoga and has been practicing yoga for the last 25 years. She has a MSc in yoga therapy from SVyasa University, with a gold medal in BSc (Yoga). She runs regular therapy sessions to help people with lifestyle related issues. She is also working with pregnant ladies on prenatal yoga therapy to help achieve healthy and normal childbirth.

Her interests include studying the Shastram. She is a student of Vedanta and Samskritam with Arsha Seva Kendram.