Yoga is a spiritual discipline based on a subtle science, which seeks to bring harmony between mind, body and soul. It’s the art and science of healthy living. Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to join, yoke or unite. There are eight types of yoga. Hatha yoga is a standard term that includes most yoga styles that combine breathwork with physical postures. Other types are Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Bikram, Jivamukti, Yin or Restorative.
Lord Shiva was the origin of yoga as he first taught his wife Parvati 84 asanas on the night of their marriage. Then, they combined together. Yoga originated from Shiva.
In yogic culture, Shiva is not known as a God but as the first Guru or the Adi Guru. He is the Adi yogi or the first yogi; when he attained realisation, he became ecstatic and danced all over the mountains or sat absolutely still.
Inner energy is the life force flowing through our body. Every thought, movement and emotion requires expenditure of inner energy. Inner energy is described as vibrations. There are 98 different names for inner energy in 98 different cultures. Inner energy is based on the notion of vitalism, the idea that living organisms possess a unique quality we call life.
Everyone has a phenomenal amount of energy within and one can draw upon this. When this energy flows strongly within you, you feel on top of the world and can take on anything. You can actually feel it coursing through your veins. It gushes up spontaneously from deep inside and restores, replenishes and recharges you.
The only reason we don’t feel this energy all the time is because we block it by closing our heart and mind and by pulling ourselves into a restrictive space inside.
We soon realise that it is the most important thing in life. If we are always tired and never enthusiastic, then life is no fun. But if we are always inspired and filled with energy, then every minute of every day is an exciting experience. Through yoga, we can learn to keep our centres and chakras open. We do this by just relaxing and releasing our breath.
To control our inner energy, it is good to spend time in silence. What works best is when we set a routine, and know that even an ounce of wasted energy drains us of our inner strength. So, work on creating the right circle, and gain control of your body. Connect with the source of your power.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, there are two energies ― material and spiritual or inner energy, but these can be used interchangeably. For example, Krishna’s energies can be used for different purposes according to the living entity’s desire. That doesn’t mean that the living entity can control Krishna’s energies, only that he can use them. The point between the eyebrows is the inner moon in man, the centre of his divine awareness or inner energy.
But many a practising yogi, although gazing long and earnestly at this point in the hope of centring awareness there, finds his efforts useless, and his consciousness remains anchored firmly to earth. He must make an effort to generate more upward thrust so that he can transcend the material consciousness.
All the techniques of yoga have this for their aim. The practice of pranayama also goes beyond the physical and benefits the psychic body, increasing inner energy stored at a subtle level. Every day, your state of mind causes certain movements of energy within your body and these movements in turn affect your bodily position, or body language.
Disappointment, lethargy and gloom cause energy to flow downward in the body, away from the brain. On the other hand, happiness, enthusiasm and inspiration cause energy to flow upward toward the brain.
Kundalini Yoga is based on the seven inner energy points or Chakras ― the arc line (the halo that stretches around your forehead, from earlobe to earlobe) and the aura emanating from your eight chakras which is a connection between body and mind. It works directly on the total energy of the body, which is also known as prana. According to yogic philosophy, kundalini is a spiritual or inner energy or life force. The right kind of pranayamas and kriyas activate kundalini energy.
Dr Sanjay Teotia is a senior consultant eye surgeon
नास्ति योगात् परं बलम् it has been rightly said. And in ourselves is inherent the depository of that awesome source of energy. Nice post Sir.