Yoga Asanas (Yoga Poses)

Yoga means the union of mind and body. Asanas means postures. So the word yogasanas means postures for the union of mind and body.

Four Asanas are prescribed for the purpose of Japa and meditation. They are Padmasana, Siddhasana, Svastikasana and Sukhasana. You must be able to sit in any one of these four Asanas at a stretch for full three hours without shaking the body. “Then only you will get Asana-Jaya, mastery over the Asana”, says Swami Sivananda… Asana system is the 3rd in ashtanga Yoga. Yogasanas help achieve physical health, control over mind and power of concentration. Patanjali has described Yogasana as “Sthir Sukham Asanam”, which means a yoga pose that is stable and pleasant. A more broad definition of Yogasana according to Patanjali is “Tatodwanabhighatah” which means practice of Yogasana leads to disappearance of duality of cold-hot, sadness-joy, happiness-sorrow and so on.

Yoga is different from exercise as it doesn’t involve speedy movements, but very slow and steady movements. Yoga helps achieve relaxation which reduces stress & strain. Very few calories are consumed during Yogasana practice and metabolism rate of the body also drops which means reduced Aging Process. Less food is required as digestive power is increased. Yoga must be co-ordinated with the breath. We breathe in when our hands or legs move against gravity and we breathe out when our hands or legs move towards the earth. Yogasanas are practiced to remain in good health. However, if combined with pranayama, they are the perfect antidote to illness. Continued practice of yogasanas and pranayama leads to not only good health, but to stillness of the mind, which is a pre-requisite for meditation. It is said that if one can sit in the same yoga pose without moving for more than two hours, one is a yogi.

Hindus believe that spirituality must encompass a sound mind and a sound body. Yogasanas are therefore designed not just for physical fitness but also mental strength. Simple yogasanas should be practiced everyday.

Surya Namaskar is one of the important group of asanas. Hindus acknowledge the importance of Sun and sunlight in their daily lives and begin their day by paying tribute to the Sun God (Surya Devata). The Suryanamaskar is a prayer to the Sun God. In fact, it is a perfect combination of exercise and prayers. These exercises activate the endocrine glands and the chakras, energizing the entire body in a balanced way. Surya Namaskar accords overall strength and flexibility to the body, which is why it is generally performed before other asanas. It is a sequence of 12 asanas. These simple exercises fight aging and rejuvenate the entire body.

First of all, we need to sit errect whether we are going to practice asanas, do pranayama or meditation. When we sit cross-legged on the floor with our spine erect, we feel comfortable. So this is known as Sukhasana. Padamasana or the lotus pose is when we fold one leg first, then entwine the other in it. It is more difficult to sit in padmasana than in sukhasana.

Siddhasana seals the lower apertures. Siddh means to having come through a process or to complete a process. It is an important asana. It is a meditative seating yoga pose in which the left heel presses the perineum. The perineum is one of the outlets of our body, i.e. anus, vagina or testes. So when the left heel presses this region, the outlet is closed. This stimulates the mooladhar chakra. It is also called the pose of perfection. This helps us go within. The chin must be pressed to the chest. Our gaze should be in-between the eyebrows. So this is a form of meditation.

In the Swastikasan, both the hands are kept below the thighs and with the body straight, when one sits calmly in this posture, it is called Swastika. One seems to be sitting in the shape of the swastika. Shavasan is an important asana which is done for complete relaxation. The body lies still like a corpse, with the spine erect and the hands and legs straight but slightly apart from each other. In the advanced stage of shavasan, the yogi mentally feels each part of the body relaxing. Yog Nidra, a meditation and relaxation technique, requires the practitioner to be in shavasan. Other important asanas are pawanmukt asana for the stomach, trikon asan and ushtra asana for the spine, sarvangasana, halasana and chakrasana for the whole body, bhujangasana for the neck and upper back and shalabhasana for the legs. The advantages of practicing yogasanas are manifold.

• Yogasanas and pranayama increase the capacity of expansion and contraction of the lung, which results in purification of the lungs.
• They help in keeping the body flexible.
• They help the body to relax.
• Glands in the body secrete horomones, which get stimulated through yogasanas and keep the hormones balanced..
• Diseases like constipation, gas-trouble, diabetes, blood-pressure, hernia, headache, etc. can be cured by practicing Yogasanas and Pranayama.
• Yogasanas make possible not only physical and mental development but also intellectual and spiritual development.
• There is no restriction of age and sex for Yogasana aspirants. Our ancient sages had adopted this system for thousands of years with the result that they enjoyed sound health for a long time.

Seema

The Philosophy of Love

The thoughts and words of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi are creating a stir in the world even after 700 years of his passing away. One way in which he described himself is, “My Mother is Love, My Father is Love, My Prophet is Love, My God is Love, I am a child of Love and I have come only to speak of Love.”

A steady husband and father, Mevlana taught in the medrese (a center of learning similar to a university of the time), gave judgements on religious matters, and had many followers. But when he met the dervish of Tebriz, Shamsuddin Shams, Mevlana’s whole life of book learning, canonical views, and conservative behavior changed radically as the burning of Divine Love swept through him. He was completely absorbed with Shams, stayed in seclusion with him for months, and humbled himself in his attempt to meet his every wish. The moment of their meeting is referred to as “the meeting of two seas”. Each of them had attained an in-depth spiritual awareness, which distinguished them from others . Now these two would complete each other in the boundless Sea of Unity.

The spark of passion for the Divine in Rumi was kindled by Shams.All Rumi’s works are based on love. He says that love is the basis and essence of life. God created the Universe out of love. The origin of creation is love. His thoughts on love have been classified under four headings: comparison between intellect and love/ ascendancy and value of love which is for mortal beings; and lastly, the pitiable situation of those who have not a share in love. As per the Sufi philosophy, metaphysical realities cannot be fully understood by science and intellect. However, one with wings of love can soar to great heights.He considered the distance between man and god as an ocean, with intellect being the swimmer and love the ship to take us across the ocean. Only those who can taste this love can appreciate its worth. According to Rumi,”Love for all living beings is every moment fresher than a bud in the spirit and in the wine that increases life. Choose the love of Him from whose love all the prophets gained power and glory.” Someone asked,”What is love”?, the answer was,”you will know when you become me”. ”Whilst the pen was making haste in writing , it split upon itself as soon as it came to Love”, says Rumi.

Mevlana, who found out that the essence of creation and man’s exaltation of his worldly body was in love alone, never considered a loveless life as a real life. When years of fasting and abstinence took their toll on Rumi’s body, he fell seriously ill and on his deathbed comforted his family by saying, ” Don’t grieve that I am leaving this world . Whatever may happen to you , I am with you . As our Prophet said , ‘ Both my life and my death are auspicious for you .’ The purpose of my life was to show the true path and my death is to aid you along the way . ”

Husemuddin Chelebi, who regularly attended the sema and music assemblies as well as discourses of Rumi, documented the Mevlana’s words into the six volume poem known as The Mesnavi.

It is left to the followers of Rumi and those who believe in his philosophy to awaken in themselves an awareness of the need for the gentle and tolerant views, thoughts, and way of a Lover of the Divine.

Seema

Meditation for the Corporate World

Meditation is one of the greatest stress busters. Corporate employees all over the world are suffering from extreme stress today due to the constantly changing nature of their jobs and tight deadlines. People are losing control over their lives due to the craze for money and power. In these turbulent times,meditation is the only activity that can give us peace and take us to that inner centre from where we emerge refreshed and energetic to face the travails of life.

Meditation is a must for the Corporate World and we are fortunate in having realized Gurus in India like our revered Anandmurti Gurumaa who has made it her life’s aim to teach meditation to the troubled souls and bring them on the right path towards God-realisation. Along with a few subtle yoga exercises and pranayams, Gurumaa’s unique methods of guided meditation have been successfully adopted by individuals as well as employees of Corporates to lead a more fulfilling life.

Gurumaa has devised a special workshop for businessmen, industrialists and bureaucrats hard pressed for time and living a stressful life. This two day workshop aims for change in lifestyle, making it stress-free, happy and comfortable. It also helps in physical ailments and introduces the aspirant to the spiritual path, which fulfils a void in his or her life. The purpose of the workshop is to bring awareness about the correct methods and use of meditation to make the benefits and the change in behaviour of the aspirants long-term or permanent.

The aspirants are taught how to know their minds, clean their minds and declutter their minds of the non-stop chatter. The mind is emptied of all thoughts for a while, which ultimately leads to purging of negative thoughts and establishing of positive thoughts.

Gurumaa’s Pranav Meditation which blends Bhramari Pranayam and the chanting of ‘Om’ against the backdrop of soothing music, brings deep relaxation and a feeling of lightness in the mind. This rejuvenates the participants both physically and mentally and restores equilibrium in their lives. They are able to do more quality work within the schedules given to them and achieve the desired results.

Nishkriya Meditation and Yog Nidra allow the participants to experience conscious and aware sleep, at the same time being aware of various parts of their body. This ultimately leads to thoughtlessness and deep relaxation. It enables the mind to get connected with the subconscious. These are very relaxing meditation techniques.

Gurumaa’s Sakriya meditation enables the meditator to get rid of all frustrations, pent-up anger, aggression and conflict related problems. It uses a unique blend of pranayams to bring thoughtlessness and empty the mind of its incessant chatter and thoughts very quickly. The meditator feels very light and invigorated after doing this activity. He may slip into meditation or just rest in this new-found joy of cleansing of the senses.

All the above guided meditation methods have proved very beneficial, both mentally and physically, by aspirants who have been practising regularly, individually as well as in groups and have been declared by them as the ultimate panacea for their ills.

Seema

First Visit to Gurumaa Ashram

In November of the year 2003, I left my job at the Unit Trust of India after working there for 12 years. I had had two operations, one major and the other minor in the past 1 ½ years. My vitality was at a low ebb. At that point of time, there was only one thought in my mind, I must start meditation. I fervently prayed to God to send a Guru, who would guide me in my spiritual life, which I was yearning to start.

I was aware of Gurumaa’s talks on the TV and sometimes listened to these. It was also my practice to attend the programmes of saints visiting the city of Kolkata where I live, if possible, for atleast a day. In February of 2004, my future Guru, Anandmurti Gurumaa arrived in Kolkata to give her discourse for the first time. I attended her discourse for two days out of the 5 days she was there. My first live interaction with her was transforming. As Gurumaa said, those who were able to imbibe what she said would feel a tremble in their bodies, a softness in their hearts and tears in their eyes. Friends, this is what happened to me when I first saw and heard her live! When she got up to leave with her characteristic namaskar, I surged forward with thousands of others to catch a closer glimpse of her and also offer my pranams to this noble soul who had made a dent somewhere in my mind.

Unfortunately, I could not get deeksha during this visit of hers. However, I pledged that I would start doing seva for my Guru immediately. I requested the organizers to give me some work. I was given the task of making a list of the participants of the ‘Amrit Varsha’ satsang which had just concluded. I was offered money to do this ‘seva’, but politely declined, offering this seva at the feet of my Guru. I joined the group which started regular weekly meditation in Kolkata. To my surprise, I found myself going into deep meditation right from day one. Such was the grace of my Guru. Throughout the year, I continued meditation at home as well as at the Centre. During this time, I started working again as I got an assignment as an HR Consultant with an NGO, which had been my inner wish after leaving my full-time job.

As winter approached, we got the news that Gurumaa was gracing us with her presence yet again this year! With hearts full of happiness, we started preparations for our Guru’s coming. We visited and called up people, inviting them to the programme and accepting their contributions. I also gave my name for seva during the satsang. When the auspicious day arrived, I was given seva in the VIP Book Store. I cannot tell what joy and enthusiasm I experienced during this seva, along with my other co-devotees, even though our darshan and listening to her discourses was almost impossible since our stall was outside the pandal and we had to really concentrate to even listen to her voice!On the last day, deeksha was announced and I was among the privileged ones to be accorded initiation.

In June, our party proceeded to Gurumaa Ashram for the Eastern Region Dhyan Shivir. Each moment of ours passed with remembrance of our Guru and the wait seemed interminable till we reached the Ashram.

My first sight of the Ashram filled me with awe that such a vast and beautiful structure could have been built in the wilderness. I along with our group of devotees who had come to the Ashram for the first time, visited each part of the Ashram and interacted with the sevadaars with utmost humility and devotion. We could not wait for the Gurumandir to open so that we could have darshan there and kept standing there and offering our obeisance till we were asked to go to our rooms, take lunch and rest in the afternoon.

I loved the metal bed allotted to me along with the built-in cupboard under it to keep my belongings. I went around to all the buildings – Gyaaneshwar Aavas was where I was put up, Nanak Dhaam and all the buildings named after rivers and found the atmosphere serene and full of energy.

I appreciated the hard work done by Gurumaa and her devotees in building up the Ashram from scratch. As I entered the Sambuddh Sabhagar for the first time to attend the shivir, I felt detached from those who vied to get a seat closer to the platform. I just sat in a corner and gazed at my Guru and imbibed the knowledge that poured from her lips. After meditation, I felt myself not wanting to leave the hall. However, when she gave darshan at the Madhushala, I vied for her attention by raising my hand, moving forward just to have a word with her and was like ‘ tan man hoye nihaala’ when she smiled and reciprocated(merey sadguru deendayala). I also felt her affection through the friendliness and closeness of other devotees.

The morning and evening aartis were magical moments which left us entranced and we never felt like leaving the spot.

On the last day of the program, our group sang a Rabindra Sangeet for Gurumaa and we could feel her blessings in the way she looked at each one of us with her inward gaze and divine smile. I loved the way devotees put up their palms to receive the roti offered as Prasad in the Annapurna community kitchen.

Ofcourse, needless to say, this visit made a tremendous impact on my spiritual development and for days afterwards I felt like remaining in meditation day and night, feeling the presence of my Guru. We left the Ashram, vowing to come back soon and reveling in the grace and serenity flowing from this messenger from God – our Guru, and wondered how much more full of beauty and grace God would be. We felt as if we had got a glimpse of God himself!

Jai Gurudev!

Seema

Gurumaa gave me the reason to Love and Celebrate

Guru literally means the complete & the one who spreads the sea of knowledge and love to shishyas (the disciples). And a true shishya is one who grasps and withstand to gospel of his guru. Nobody is inborn shishya and the same is the case with me. i.e. I came to know about the reality of life in this unreal world only when I encounterted the Great Master ‘Anandmurti Gurumaaji’.

girl-meditator.jpgGurumaa gave me the reason to love and celebrate my life and feel the essence of love. The annual meditation retreat is the one & foremost way where I comfort her & recharge myself by her heart warming, mind-boggling and inspring words. Yoga Retreat enhances our lifestyle by making it disciplined but only if one follows the rules and regulations led by the Master.

The theme of this year’s winter meditation retreat was ‘Shreemad Bhagavad Gita‘. It created such a feeling that Gurumaa seemed like ‘Krishna’ & I, ‘the Parth’. Another thing was the Yoga Nidra which is very important to lead our life free of any fear or stress.

There were many steps taken up by Gurumaa out of which one was to improve our selflessness for what we perfomed many duties out there, which at the end of the day gave the inner satisfaction of being in the ashram.

Last but not the least we were made to know about various aspects of yoga & its importance in our life. Yoga not only helps us to develop ourselves physically but also mentally & spiritually. Atlast I would like to say that the rays of Gurumaa had such wavelength that penetrated into my inner soul and purified it, for which I would like to thank Her from the bottom of my heart.

–Monika Khaneja, Delhi.