Yoga is an optimal art and science of living that leads to the real knowledge of self and mitigates all the miseries of human existence as defined in the most noted yogic scripture Srimadbhagvad Gita (6:17). This concept of yoga implies the contemporary significance of mind-body- spirit interventions (MBSIs) to prevent and moderate worldwide spread psycho-somatic illnesses that causes most of deaths, disharmony, poor work performance and economic decline. Yoga has been accepted as one of the most prominent and popular dimension of CAM and found inexpensive, generalized and global approach for health promotion, disease prevention, rejuvenation, healing, age reversal(Ornish et al., 2008)and ascetic elevation (Acharya, 2007).The yogic efficacy to lead the journey from illness to wellness, zero to absolute, miseries to ecstasy, diversity to unity and pluralism to holism is experientially and experimentally validated.Samkhya philosophy as the theoretical foundation of Patanjali Yoga Sutras defines yoga as the process for the separation of Purusha and Prakirti, i.e. isolation of Purusha from Prakirti to be established in its real form (Kaivalya). Where Purusha is pure consciousness, immortal, omniscience, omnipresent, omnipotent, blissful, eternal and unchangeable but Prakirti is a balanced state of three strands- sat, raj and tam with features of inertia, eternality and changeability. The changeability is the function of three strands and the root for all miseries. Ceasing changeability or detachment from Prakiriti by yogic/spiritual ways culminates in eternal bliss and peace what everyone is seeking for. Importantly, the union of Purusha and Prakiriti leads to evolution with subsequent downfalls of ultimate consciousness accompanied with products namely cosmic intelligence (mahat), ego (feeling of self-existence) with three levels- sat, raj, and tam that eventually resulting in one mind, five each sensory organs and motor organs (from satwik ahamkar) and five subtle elements followed by five elements- cosmos, air, fire, water and earth (from tamsik ahamkar). The journey of Purusha and Prakiriti from their primordial states to five tangible elements is evoluti on. Conversely, yoga is a journey of involution from five tangible elements to primordial states of P urusha and Prakiriti till their complete isolation accompanied with subsequent elevations of the lowest consciousness to ultimate consciousness. The subsequent goals of yoga practices are somatic fitness, expanded vital force, stillness of conscious mind and entry into sub-conscious and then unconscious mind eventually to go beyond all these minds by the long-term detachment practice supported by the real knowledge realized after entering into unconscious mind. As the entry into the unconscious mind is the enlightenment and meeting with the foundation of tip of mental ice berg to realize the truths of past, present, future, Prusha and Prakirti. From psychological perspective, yoga is an art and science of understanding self-personality at entirety, awakening paranormal powers, mobilizing the awakened powers for collective welfare and being free from all miseries (Saraswati, 2002), i.e., absolute isolation from the domain of three strands (gunas- sat, raj and tam). In yogic sense, self-personality is the aggregation of physique, mind, emotion and spirit driven by prana- vital force. This implies that study of self-personality begins from the understanding of anatomy, physiology, morbidities and the diagnosis, prevention and management of morbidities (diseases, dullness, scepticism, procrastination, laziness, over-indulgence, delusion, inability and instability) related to physique, prana, mind, emotion and spirit. Obviously, the understanding of self-personality begins from the study of anatomy, physiology, morbidities and their preventive & curative/healing practices in connection to physique (aggregation of five elements), prana, mind, emotion and spirit. This concept is beautifully argued and quoted in noted classical yogic text Guru Gita as “yoga is the highest medicine for all pros and cons of
human life”.
Optimal yoga teaching is to be undertaken by considering physique, power, mind, diet, lifestyle and environment based on work nature, age, sex, health condition, region, ideology, body constitution, disposition, personality, passion, interest and capability of the aspirant. The systematic yoga teaching accorded with these points maximizes expected benefits by minimizing possible contraindications. The yogic teaching and training targets therapeutic yoga prescription and special classes to empower wellness and work performance at individual and organizational level. Diverse modules can be designed and administered for general health and well-being on the need based request. Yogic modules to be designed administered and assessed for children, teens, corporate workforce, security staff, sportsman, women, artists, administrators, stress management, depression, insomnia, musculoskeletal problems, cardio-pulmonary problems, genito-urinary problems, autoimmune diseases, neurological problems, relationship betterment, optimal dietary habits, and lifestyle modification base on emotive, rational, dynamic and volitional aspects of yoga, lifestyle and environment. The bio- psycho-socio- spiritual efficacies of these specific yogic modules may be scientifically validated and published in scholarly journals.
Article
Dr Rudra Bhandari (Yoga Consultant)
Phd, Yogic Science
Pashupati Wellness
About Dr Rudra Bhandari
