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"Shatkarma" - Six cleening yogic activities for body purification: "Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

The Shatkarmas are described in the second chapter of Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Describing the Shatkarmas, Swami Swatmaram ji says- Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Tratak, Nauli and Kapalbhanti are the six Karmas. Yogis have instructed to perform these six actions in the path of Yoga. According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the description of Shatkarma is as follows. 1. Dhauti Under Dhautikarma, only Vastra Dhauti has been described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Describing the Dhauti Kriya, Swami Swatmaram ji says- Taking fifteen hand long and four finger wide soft cloth and soaking it in hot water. Practice eating one hand cloth every day under the direction of the Guru. While eating this Vastra Dhauti, keep one hand dhauti outside the mouth at the end. Now do Nauli Karma by pressing the Dhauti in the teeth. After that take out the dhauti slowly. If you feel stuck while taking out the dhauti, then you should not panic. It should be take out   after drinking some warm water. The dhauti will come out ea

Bandhas and Mudras (YOGA)

 Bandhas and Mudras described in Hatha yoga pradipika Describing the Bandhas and Mudras in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, it is written- Mahamudra, Mahabandha, Mahavedha, Khechari, Uddiyanabandha, Mulabandha, Jalandharbandha, Viparitakarani, Vajroli and Shaktichalani are the ten mudras . The one who destroys Jara (old age) and death. Their description is as follows. 1. Mahamudra- Keeping the heel of the left foot firmly on the seam between the anus and the abdomen, keep the right leg stretched. Firmly hold the toes of the right foot with both hands. After that, after completing the purak, by applying Jalandhar Bandha properly, with the help of Mool Bandha, hold the air in the upward direction.  After Kumbhak, the air should be exhaled slowly, not with speed. This is called Mahamudra by the deities. Describing the sequence of Mahamudra, it has been said – after practicing it from the side of the moon i.e. the left side, it should also be practiced from the sun side i.e. the right side. Mahamudra

Hatha Yoga Pradipika: General Introduction

Swami Swatmaram ji is the author of Hatha yoga pradipika. He has mainly described the four parts of Hatha Yoga and these have been divided into four chapters. The four parts of yoga as told by Swami Swatmaram ji are as follows. Asana described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika "Hathastha Prathamngatvadasanam Purvamuchyate" "हठस्थ प्रथमङ्गत्वदासनं पूर्वमुच्यते" Saying that Yogi Swatmaram ji has described asana as the first limb. The purpose of these asanas has been described as stability, health and the lightness of limbs. "Kuryattadasanam Sthairyamarogyam Changlaghavam". (H.P. 1/17) "कू्र्यत्तदसानं स्थिर्यमारोग्यं चांगलघवम्।" (हि.प्र. 1/17) The practice of asanas brings stability in the body of the seeker. The fickleness ends. Flexibility comes, health comes, body becomes light. Fifteen asanas are described in the Hatha yoga pradipika. 1. Swastikasan, 2. Gomukhasan, 3. Virasan, 4. Kurmasan, 5. Kukkutasan. 6. Uttanakurmasana, 7. Dhanurasana, 8. Matsyendrasa

Meaning and Definitions of Pranayama | Classification of Pranayama

Meaning of Pranayama The word Pranayama is formed by combining two words Prana + Ayama. Prana is the life force and dimension is its stop. The involuntary act of our breathing is going on continuously. After controlling this involuntary action and making it voluntary, doing kumbhaka by supplementing the breath and then doing rechak according to the will is called Pranayama. Prana is the pure and sattvic part of air. If we interpret the word Prana, then the meaning of the word Prana (pra + an + ach) is taken as motion, vibration, movement etc. It is said in Atharvad- Salutations to that Prana, in whose control this whole world is. The one who is the God of all beings and in whom all are established, that is, from whose power everyone has power.' Chhandogyopanishad says- "Prana is that element only on whose existence is everyone's power"  The whole world is under the control of Prana. This Prana has originated from that Almighty God and God has created that Prana which

The principles of Yogasanas

 Asanas are an important part of yoga practice. That's why there are some special rules for doing them. The expected benefits are obtained from the asanas only if done according to the rules. Lord Krishna says in the Gita. Yuktaaharviharasya yukta chestasya karmasu. Yuktswapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati dukhaha. ( 6 /17) That is, this yoga that destroys sorrows is proved by him only. Whose diet, daily routine (vihaar) is balanced and his daily activities are tactful, and whose sleep and wakefulness are balanced. The meaning of saying is that yoga is proved only when it is done regularly. Similarly, it is also necessary to pay attention to some essential principles while doing asanas.  Whose brief description is as follows? Principles of Yoga Asanas 1. Yogasana should be done only at a pure and holy place. There should be no dust, smoke, foul smell etc. in the place where Yogasanas are performed. 2. Asanas should always be done on an empty stomach. If it is to be done after having food,

Hatha Yoga: Meaning and Definition

 Meaning of Hatha Yoga Yoga has been an important means of attaining salvation in Indian thought. The ultimate goal of various traditions of yoga (Jnanayoga, Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Hathayoga) etc. is also the attainment of salvation (samadhi). At present, through the means of Hatha Yoga, a person not only gets health benefits, but the person definitely gets its spiritual benefits as well.  HathaYoga- From the name it appears that this action is going to be done stubbornly. But it is not, if the action of hatha yoga is done under a proper guidance, then the seeker can easily do it. On the contrary, if a person does it without guidance, then opposite results of this sadhna are also visible. In fact, it is true that the activities of hatha yoga can be called difficult. Continuity and firmness are essential for performing the activities of hatha yoga. In the beginning, the seeker is not ready after seeing the practice of Hatha Yoga, so only a tolerant, hardworking and ascetic person can do

Yogasana: Meaning | Definition | Objective

 Meaning of Yogasana The word asana has many meanings such as the way of sitting, a special position of the body parts and the one on which it is seated is also called asana. According to Sanskrit grammar, the word Asana is made of "As" ("अस") dhaatu (धातु) which has two meanings. 1. Place to sit: Like- carpet, antelope bark, bed sheet etc. 2. Body position: Like- position of body parts Definition of Yogasana The shape in which we make the position of our body is known by the same name. Like Kukkutasana for the position of the cocks, Mayurasana for the position of the peacock etc.. Asanas have been defined differently in different texts. Definition of asana according to Yoga Sutra Maharishi Patanjali, while defining asana in the Sadhana Pada of Yogasutra, has said that- 'Sthirsukhmasanam'. (Yogasutra- 2/46) स्थिरसुखमासानम्'। (योगसूत्र- 2/46) That is, being stable, in which there is a feeling of happiness, that is Asana. If we analyze the above definition

Definition of Yoga:

The place of Yoga Vidya in Indian thought system and philosophy has been paramount, very important and special. In indian texts are full of knowledge related to Yoga Vidya at many places. The word Yoga is described in ancient and authentic texts like Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Shrimad Bhagvat Geeta etc. Various definitions of yoga are as follows. Definition of Yoga according to Yoga Sutra- Yogasutra is an authentic book of yoga composed by Maharishi Patanjali, it has four pad (Chapter) and total 195 sutras.  1. Samadhipad-51 Sutras 2. Sadhanapad-55 Sutras  3. Vibhutipad-55 Sutras  4. Kaivalyapad-34 Sutras In the second sutra of the first chapter of Yoga Sutra, Maharishi Patanjali has said- 'Yogaschittavritinirodhah' (Yogasutra-1/2) ['योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः' (योगसूत्र-1/2)] That is, stopping the (chitta's) instincts of the mind is yoga. The meaning of chitta is from the Antahkarana (conscience). Externalization when the sense organs receive the objects, the mind (ch

Yoga MCQ Quiz for all yoga exam

Yoga MCQ Quiz- In this set, 20 yoga multiple choice objective type questions with answers have been given. All these questions have been asked in the previous years in the UGC NET JRF Yoga exam. So this question is very important for practice for UGC NET Yoga exam. 1. Propounder of Samkhya Darshan is : (A) Gautam (B) Kapila (C) Kanada (D) Jaimini 2. According to Patanjali the Karma of a yogi is of which type ? (A) Shukla (B) Krishna (C) Ashuklakrishna (D) Shuklakrishna 3. How many principal Nadis are mentioned in "Kathopanishad" ? (A) 100 (B) 101 (C) 110 (D) 111 4. Which one of the following Assans not mentioned in Shiva Samhita ? (A) Padmasana (B) Ugrasana (C) Swastikasana (D) Bhadrasana 5. According to Hatha Ratnavali, the Chittavrittinirodha is called as : (A) Yoga (B) Raja Yoga (C) Hatha Yoga (D) Maha Yoga 6. The recommended daily dose of protein, for an adult is : (A) 2 gm / kg body weight (B) 1 gm / kg body weight (C) 0.5 gm / kg body w

Yoga MCQ Series with Answers

Yoga MCQ Series - In this set, 20 multiple choice objective type questions with answers have been given. All these questions have been asked in the previous years in the UGC NET JRF Yoga exam. So this question is very important for practice for UGC NET Yoga exam. Q.-1. Yogic practices : (a) involve slow and steady exercises (b) lead to fatigue (c) lead to peace of mind (d) involve vigorous exercise Find the correct combination according to the code : (A) (a) and (c) are correct (B) (b) and (d) are correct (C) (c) and (d) are correct (D) (a) and (d) are correct Q.-2. Arrange the following in sequential order, according to their origin, as described in taittiriyopanished : (a) Purusha (b) Anna (c) Prithvi (d) Aushadhi Use the code given below for correct answer : (A) (a), (b), (d), (c) (B) (c), (d), (b), (a) (C) (c), (a), (b), (d) (D) (b), (a), (c), (d) Q.-3. According to yogavashistha, arrange the following stage of Gyana in sequential order : (a) Sattvapatti (b