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Ancient Concepts, Sciences & Systems
Eternal India
encyclopedia
them twelve are the most important ones :
1
.
-Maha Mudra
6.
Vijroli
(Royal gesture)
7.
Sakticalani
2.
Maha Bandha
8.
Khecari Mudra
3.
Maha Vedha
9.
Yoni Mudra
4.
Yoga Mudra
10.
Uddiyana Bandha
(Yoga gesture)
11.
Jalandhara Bandha
5.
Viparitakarani
12.
Mula Bandha
RULES AND ADVICE
Yoga can be beneficial if performed in the proper manner.
Certain precautions must be taken :-
1.
Emptying the bowels before starting any asana.
2.
Empty stomach-Asanas must be performed without filling
one's stomach.
3.
Sun bathing.
4.
Breathing is very useful.
5.
Use of blanket for your practices.
6.
Place of practice well ventilated room, calm and quiet or
outdoors in a garden.
7.
Strain-never exert undue strain or force while doing asanas.
8. There is no age limitation.
9. Restrictions - One should consult a yoga teacher for learning.
People with fractured bones or chronic diseases and also preg-
nant ladies should seek expert advice.
10.
Time of practice — Asanas can be practised any time of the
day, except after meals. Best time to practise is between 4.00
am and 6.00 am.
11.
Sequence - Asanas should be done first, followed by
pranayama and finally meditation.
12.
Awareness of the body.
13.
Clothes must be loose, light and comfortable.
14.
Bathing - cold shower before starting improves effect of the
asanas.
15.
Relaxation - Do savasana before, during and after asana ses-
sions.
16.
Diet - No special dietary rules though better to eat natural food
in reasonable moderation. A yoga practitioner is advised to fill
half his stomach with food, one quarter with water and to leave
the remaining quarter empty.
17.
If one experiences excessive pains, asanas must be termi-
nated.
YOGA AND MEDICINE
Yogasanas can relieve people from ailments such as constipa-
tion, rheumatism, stiffness, frustration and tension.
It is essential that before undertaking yoga therapy a full medi-
cal examination should be performed by a qualified practitioner.
Anyone who has experience in yoga therapy will concur on the
necessity of a guru or qualified guide. For example, it is often
necessary to continue medical treatment for some time before the
yogic practices are started. Though yoga and medicine work hand in
hand to safely re-establish health, yoga can truly maintain health
for yoga views life and death in a totally new and revolutionary
light. Yoga teaches that we must learn to use and value our spiri-
tual evolution.
Formal training in asanas, pranayama, cleansing techniques,
meditation and
yoganidra
forms the basic therapeutic program :
Equally benefical is the informal exposure to the practices of stas-
ang, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga. The natural, relaxed atmosphere of
ashram life provides an ideal setting for emotional and physical
renewal.
(Y.R.S.)
NATURE CURE
Human life is dependent on nature. A human being is an
intrinsic part of nature. Nature is like the Trinity in Hindu mythol-
ogy. It creates, preserves and destroys. The human body, like
nature, cannot tolerate undue external interference. In fact, the
primary cause of all diseases is “the violation of nature’s laws, “
that is violation of rules of diet, exercises, food habits, sleep etc.
Naturopathy is a method by which this imbalance in a human
body can be corrected. It attempts to bring the human body close to
nature and yoga tries to maintain it. Disease as such is the self
purifying effort of nature, according to Naturopathy.
All diseases, from a simple cold to skin eruptions etc; represent
nature’s effort to cleanse the human system. Drugging is like
whipping an already exhausted horse. This is the basic premise of
Naturopathy.
In fact the primary cause of all diseases is “the violation of
nature’s laws,” that is, violation of rules of diet, exercises, food
habits, sleep etc.
According to the basic concept of Naturopathy, there are self-
curative forces which are inherent in the human body working
towards health and healing. Naturopathy simply piovides guid-
ance, diet control, exercises and self-control to be adopted by the
patient, play major roles in the healing process. Naturopathy is a
wonderful drugless process of healing, which works wonders on
many, but not on all the acute and chronic diseases. It cures many
diseases and provides control of incurable ones and aiso helps one
lead a healthy and disease-free life even during old age.
Yoga when combined with Naturopathy gives wonderful re-
sults. Yoga is a complete science of life and although an ancient
one, it is a scientific method for exercises and relaxing to ease the
stress of modern day living.
Thus Naturopathy heals the body while yoga maintains it
thereafter.
Naturopathy- starts at the root of the disease and treats the
disease with cold water treatments like hip bath, mud pack, stom-
ach pack, enema and gastro-hepatic pack. With the help of the
above treatments, the parasite growth is stopped. Thereafter, the
patient is gradually brought to normal diet.
Certain people adopt an intermediate route — taking mild herbs
and at the same time practising Nature Cure and yoga. This is a
wise way of keeping oneself free of diseases. Nature Cure is a
sure cure for a majority of the diseases and though inexpensive, it
is very effective. Nature Cure is curative, preventive and also
educative. It is also very soothing and harmless, although it
demands a little sacrifice and patience.