Principle behind Yoga Asana-s
Question
Respected Dhananjay ji,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I am very grateful to you for putting in so much effort in showing us the right path of Yoga.
A question arises in my mind as to how can twisting the body into various poses lead to good health.
Kindly throw some light on the fundamental principle behind Yoga asans. What is the relation between tensing muscles, nerves, prana, breathing, kumbhak etc.?
Thank you very much,
Swapnil
Answer
1. The physical body by itself has no life of its own, merely being a lump of flesh, bones and nerves. It receives life energy from the 'Linga Sharira' (astral body), and is thus sustained.
2. These Asana-s (bodily postures) have been formulated to stimulate and harmonize the energy centers (Chakra-s) in the 'Linga Sharira' (astral body, which surrounds the physical vehicle). The Linga Sharira receives energy from the Atman (via the Karana Sharira, the causal medium), .
2. When a particular posture is attained and maintained for the required duration, conditions favorable to receiving adequate Prana (harmonized from the corresponding chakra) are set in motion. The receipt of free flowing Prana in the required magnitude inundates the physical vehicle with harmonized and balanced life energy. Then, that physical medium shines with health, vigor and vitality.
Both the physical and astral mediums in the normal man are toxic due to past actions. They require purification to achieve the above state. Asana, Bandha, Nadi Shodhana and Pranayama, when practiced in the proper manner, for many years, gradually dissolve karma in the 'Karana Sharira' (causal body), detoxify both the physical and astral mediums, thereby enabling Prana (which has the Atman as it source) to flow as required into all these mediums.
In the Yogi who has attained the 'Divya Sharira' (body purified by the fire of Yoga) which comes prior to entrance into Nirvikalpam , the body is completely purified and free of bodily toxins. Prana flows free, unrestricted and unhindered in such a body, resulting in health and well being of a high degree.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)