my knowledge of ayurvedam yoga

Asana means holding the body and poise to the mind. The practice of asana brings stability to the body and poise to the mind. The practice of asana brings purity in srotasas, firmness to the body and the mind. Pranayama (Breath Control): The literal meaning of Pranayama is Breath Control. The aim of practicing Pranayama is to stimulate, regulate and harmonize vital energy of the body. Just as a bath is required for purifying the body, so also Pranayama is required for purifying the mind. Pratyahara (Discipline of the senses): The extroversion of the sense organs due to their hankering after worldly objects has to be restrained and directed inwards towards the source of all existence. This process of drawing the sense inwards is Pratyahara or putting the sense under restraint. Dharana (Concentration): Dharana (concentration) means focusing the pure mind on some object. The practice of Dharana helps the mind to concentrate on a particular object. Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana means meditation i.e. continuation of one-pointedness of the mind on the object. When one sustains and maintains the focus of attention through Dharana unbound by time and space, it becomes Dhyana (Medication). Deep concentration destroys the Rajas and Tamas Gunas of mind and develops the Satvika Guna (qualities). Samadhi (Self-realization): The eighth and final stage of Yoga is Samadhi. It means self-realization or complete absorption. This is the ultimate aim of yoga in which the mind reaches the highest bliss. The last three stages Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi constitute Antaranga or internal yoga while the first five stages are called Bahiranga or external yoga. If all these five stages are followed in life, virtues like morality, good character are developed in man. As mentioned the main aim is to attain salvation and the means through which it has to be attained is our body and soul. To prepare the body and mind, the above eight stages have been mentioned. Out of the eight limbs of Hatha yoga, the first four viz. Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama are practiced for promoting the health of body and mind. How are yoga and ayurved interconnected? Earlier we have seen the definition of a healthy person as described in ayurved It has lead stress on a healthy body and a sound mind. It believes that physiological disturbance can cause psychological imbalance and vice versa. Yoga also says that to reach the final stage i.e. Samadhi one has to train the body and mind. The concepts of Dosha-Dhatu-Mala have been mentioned in yogic texts. For example Shat-karmas or the six cleansing processes are to be performed before Pranayama, which reduce kapha dosha, obesity, purify the body of impurities.In Charak Samhita an ancient ayurvedic text, Yoga has been mentioned as "Moksha pravartaka". It has said that pain is caused to body and mind creating disease. Yoga and moksha leads to relief from all sorts of pain.Reading this one may be confused as to how can it be beneficial in our day to day life? Since attaining moksha seems to be a far off goal. We are simply looking for a means to keep our body fit and our mind active. For this asana have a special significance. They can be defined as steady postures affording pleasure both physical as well as mental. According to yogic science, equilibrium of opposite forces in the body is achieved by practicing asana. It is claimed that owing to the practice of Asanas one gets stability, health and flexibility.

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