What is Yoga for the body is Meditation for soul!

GUEST COLUMN: Dr. N Prabhudev

Bengaluru, June 24: Yoga is the art of living. Yoga is not a religion. All can practice yoga. It’s a way of life- living towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. Yoga aims at perfect coordination of body, mind and soul. The practice of Yoga prevents psychosomatic disorders and improves an individual‘s resistance and ability to endure stressful situations.

In America 37 million people practice yoga and generate $16 billion in revenue. Adult population in India is 35%. Only 7% practice yoga daily, 6% weekly! 62% – 6 in 10, don’t practice yoga!

Commercialization has made the yoga industry lose its soul! Maybe it is simply evolving to meet the needs of a changing world! The physical fitness role of yoga has overshadowed the spiritual roots of yoga! As long as today’s yoga meets the core values of the alignment of mind, body, and spirit and soul, yoga will continue to be a powerful tool for health and wellness. 

Yoga has moved from spiritual settings in the forests and has moved into air-conditioned studios and now to The United Nations! Clothing companies, retreat centers, Yoga apps and online platforms have all emerged.

Can you do Yoga without Meditation? The answer is yes, you can, but ideally, No!

Today many people practice Yoga without meditation.

Millions of people around the world are celebrating a tradition that was once the preserve of Hindu holy men but is now a worldwide phenomenon. Asana-focused yoga classes have taken the world by storm. Seated, silent meditation is, well, a slightly harder sell. A lot of people who have made yoga a huge part of their lives don’t practice meditation.

Yoga is a physically active practice! Meditation is a calm tranquil process!

Yoga does not train the mind. Meditation does not train the body! Yoga tames the body and Meditation the Mind! Yoga is universal and Meditation is religious.

Yoga can be strenuous and physically demanding as the poses get more intricate. Meditation is relaxing and focuses on mindfulness and enable us to achieve stable states and a sense of calm both mentally and physically.

You can practice yoga without meditation and you can still experience its incredible benefits. The purpose meditation is to prepare you for alignment with the God. Many do yoga as a physical exercise! Meditation has taken a back seat! Asanas release tension and pain in the body, increase flexibility in the hips, and strengthen the muscles in the back, body feels supple and flexible!

Controlled breath is a fundamental part of yoga. It has rhythm, cadence, and depth. We breathe quietly- 8 to 12 breaths per minute- without being aware.  The “4-7-8” Breathing Technique- Breathe in slowly but deeply. Take 4 seconds to breathe in, Hold your breath for 7 seconds. Breathe out for 8 seconds. Repeat as many times as you need! The 4-4-4 breathing – Exhale to a count of four. Hold your lungs empty for a count of four. Inhale to a count of four. Hold the air in your lungs for a count of four. Repeat the process!

Non – communicable diseases cause 41 million deaths each year globally. Yoga increases longevity, activates the heart, lungs and strengthens the various organs of the human body by regulating the blood circulation and keeps one active and young.

Although physical illnesses, harmful circumstances may not entirely disappear from the body as a result of yoga, it does give a comprehensive approach to recovery. Yoga provides to its practitioners a timeless and all-encompassing concept of health and healing. Yoga has evolved into a vibrant field of integrative medicine. Yoga is meant to bring about inner peace and well-being.

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