Yoga is a set of techniques and a lifestyle as well
It is important to distinguish two terms about yoga: first yoga – a comprehensive system of self-improvement and second, yoga as a technique. Yoga is a lifestyle that stems from yoga as a philosophy of life. And yoga techniques are an effective tool for maintaining physical and mental health (Nikić 2010).
Most people are more interested in yoga techniques – primarily yoga postures. If you want to learn all the steps of yoga, the so-called Ashtangas (eight stairs – 8 Ashtangas), you are in the right place. If you have an interest in yoga as a lifestyle, you are again in the right place. And if you have an interested in yoga positions (asanas), then you are in the right place.
Basic principles of yoga:
1. MY THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND DEEDS ARE DIRECTED TO MY IMPROVEMENT AND THE WELL-BEING OF OTHER PEOPLE
2. GIVE YOUR DAILY MAXIMUM AND BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED
3. THERE IS ONLY NOW
What does yoga teach us?
Yoga as a discipline and as a set of techniques teaches us how to maintain the vitality of the body, overcome stress and tension, improve concentration and memory, remove the causes of internal tensions, how to discover what makes us special, how to develop what makes us special, how to increase creativity, how to realize your authentic self…
There are many possibilities and techniques for overcoming obstacles on the path of life. Before you began the path of Yoga, read this text. You can find here a part of the guidelines that are emphasized by the traditional philosophy of yoga, but also by the European Yoga Federation, the International Yoga Academy, and the Yoga Association of Serbia. We selected some of the guidelines that we thought are sufficient for today’s lesson.
Ideas to think about – practical tips:
1. Moderation
The guiding principle is certainly MODERATION in all life activities. But those activities one must do with maximum attention. The path to self-realization is a continuous and gradual process. There is no magic wand, but persistence and action. All that yoga offers us are opportunities. It’s up to us to take advantage of those opportunities.
Yoga as a philosophical system and as a technique helps us in all areas of life. As Raghuvanshi says “Yoga is saying one big YES to life”
2. Commitment and perseverance
It is necessary to practice on a daily basis only the techniques that please us the most. A daily program of self-development (sadana) can include many techniques. It can also include only one or none. We will choose for ourselves what pleases us the most. It can be a simple observation technique, to begin with.
What we emphasize at Yoga Vama is that nothing happens by chance. We notice our body sensations, emotions, moods, thoughts, situations, behaviors of other people… Also, we are aware that everything happens in the function of our development. Unpleasant events or unpleasant emotions do not mean that they are bad.
3. Undistracted attention
ATTENTION is our most important resource. We attend to always be aware of where our attention is. Whatever we do, our attention is on what we are doing at that moment. Attention can be focused, scattered, and trapped. Whatever we do, we should do it with 100% full attention. When we are doing one thing and thinking about something bad that happened, or what bad might happen, then we attach our attention to useless feelings and thoughts. Then our attention drops to 50%. When we capture our attention with pleasant memories, we scatter it again and work with 75% attention.
Also, it is necessary to pay attention to the eating process, not to swallow food quickly but to feel every bite and experience with full awareness.
A yoga practitioner is looking for substance, not form.
4. How to receive a compliment?
Whenever we receive a compliment, even when it comes from someone with dubious intentions, we respond to the compliment: Thank you, that’s right. This confirms that you are aware of your qualities. Let’s not underestimate ourselves with sentences like: it’s my old dress, or I bought it cheap…
5. Gossip – YES or NO?
Yoga practitioners know that gossip is the greatest interpersonal poison. Don’t let yourself be drawn into it. Everything we talk about says the most about us. Yoga practitioners have established a consensus over the years to support each other in never speaking badly of themselves or other people.
6. Expectations – YES or NO?
We do our best at all times without expecting a concrete result. The result will happen depending on how carefully we move along the way. The results are a consequence of the actions we are taking now, at this moment. Our actions NOW are more important than thinking about a concrete result. The expectation is always accompanied by disappointment. That is because life always brings out a different solution, which is very often much better than expected.
7. Our talents and potentials
We have inexhaustible potentials, as well as the ability to recognize them. We look for support in ourselves. Also, we are our biggest investment. We are all different. Each of us has something that we enjoy, that we like to do, but for some reason, we don’t do it. In yoga, we use techniques to discover our potential and develop our potential. We are searching for our zone of genius. That way we will be useful to ourselves and everyone around us.
8. Now and here
It only exists NOW. Yesterday does not exist, and tomorrow does not exist either. Yesterday was today, and tomorrow will be today. Only now exists, and we choose what is in favor of our development every moment.
Give your daily maximum and be satisfied with what you have achieved.
9. For a yoga practitioner, problems are gifts meant for growth.
10. Ability to admire
The ability to admire is a rare ability. It is easier for a modern man to criticize and judge than to notice the beautiful and wonderful things all around. Also, the modern man lives very fast and does not stop for a moment to notice the sunset, the chirping of birds, the laughter of children… In other words, we reward ourselves with admiration. Through admiration, we learn to see the beauty in everything. The old Rishis used to say that the one who knows how to admire possesses, symbolically speaking, “Fairy wings“.
11. When to give advice to others?
You should share knowledge and skills, but not give unsolicited advice because it will be perceived as criticism.
12. Quality over quantity
“However, be careful not to overstretch yourself. Don’t do too many things at once; it’s best to do one thing at a time; don’t go too deep or too fast; don’t work too intensely, or you’ll backfire.” (Devananda 2005)
13. Read between the lines
“Warning: NEVER take anything in yoga literally. For example, the symbol of God Shiva is the dancing Natarag, which represents creation and destruction, the dance of matter. Matter changes every moment: when one particle of matter dies, it becomes a new matter for something else. (Devananda 2005)
14. Acceptance
Develop awareness that everything is as it should be, be satisfied with yourself, and accept yourself and others as they are.
15. Yoga and science
“The presented review of scientific research from 1924 to the present day indicates that the principles of yoga have received a scientific basis and that research tends to establish a correlation between science and traditional texts of yoga. This means that the practice of yoga is moving from an experiential aspect to a solid scientific basis with the goal of restoring mental and physical health.” (26. Tiwari S & Kulkarni 2012)
Read more about Scientific research in the field of yoga in the International Professional Journal SENSE
Let’s broadcast LOVE because Love is a reward for those who love!
To be continued….
