YOGA

Introduction The world today is undergoing a colossal transformation in every sphere of life with the sole objective to make life better and simple. Ironically this attempt has made life more complex and complicated arousing anxiety and stress gifting it a claustrophobic smothering chamber. The human civilization which we proudly call as Our Civilization was born in the tender rocking cradle of Mother Nature. Probably it was the biggest boon on this Mother by God that She was blessed with the holy opportunity to bear our beloved civilization. That which was to be a glory for the human civilization is turning into a nightmare for us all. Nature in form of our surrounding, our environment which plays a pivotal role in shaping our physical and mental structure has been deliberately mutated to meet the diverse needs of us. This has to a great extent cased irreparable harm to the Nature. In the ancient period when such was not the scenario, when Nature was venerated from the heart, when Nature was understood as to be holiest, the purest and the personification of the benediction of God, Nature nourished our civilization with Her luxuriant bounty. Thus when life was simple triumph was an intricate part of it. The Vedic age reflects such an ambience where the magnanimity of life was reflected in all forms vigor, vitality, longevity, enthusiasm and stability. Ailments were also heard of in those days but there cure was also done through natural therapeutic applications. This strong bond of Man and Nature is what we call as Yoga (etymological meaning link). The sages and hermits who felt this ethereal energy of Nature in them were called the Yogis. They were just not devotees of God, they were seers. We all have a Yogi presiding in our soul who always strives for our upliftment and amelioration.

Yoga with and without Advancement in medical science has presented to us remarkable and astounding methodologies to lead an illness free life. Today the overall increase in global population shows that the mortality rate has dipped to considerable extent. Thanks to the power of medical science. But surprisingly the pace with which medicine and its implementations have successfully portrayed a victory over death and disease, newer, deadlier and more fatal biological afflictions are encircling us in a vicious ring of fire. Sickness both mental and physical is increasing in large number. Chemically produced antibiotics and drugs are proving effective with instant temporary relief. But their side effects triggering in ancillary problems imbalance the internal body mechanism ending in more complicated problems which require to be attended with another set of remedial pills. And the search for a perfect and absolute recovery continues. If we give a cursory glance at the way of living of our ancestors we would be amazed to find that with a limited or no artificial support how could they afford to spend healthy years of living harbingering joy and victory. The secret lies in Nature and to tune life with the discipline of Nature. Early, rising, abstemiousness,

exercising and workout infused in them regularity coupled with naturally derived antidotes and panacea that gave a complete and sound protection to the body and mind. That was what liveliness and upbeat of spirit was.

Yoga types Whenever a discourse on Yoga is initiated inevitably what covers and mind is a term called Meditation. Yes, meditation happens to be the soul of Yoga. Its motto is to make the body and mind consciously imbibe the fountain of unending sublime cosmic power of vitality. To achieve the optimum result one has to master certain poses and postures of Yoga which are also intertwined with a proper and systematic control over breathing circulation which would let the positive energy flow in and purge out the negativities from the body. These postures also known as Asanas and Pranayams are the ones designed and practiced by the sages and monks in the primitive ages. They were scripted in various religious books which were passed on to the subsequent generations, read, understood and now being accepted by all as to be the most effectual mode of remaining hale and hearty. Whereas there are various categories of Yoga Hatha Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga etc those which involve in meditation and exercising of internal and external organs are Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga.

What Yoga can do Without indulging in debates and arguments on the limitations of Yoga, it would be more fruitful a discussion on what Yoga is able to do. Scientific researches and studies have revealed that practicing Yoga daily is a divine blessing to the entire body mechanism that rejuvenates the soul and injects profuse tranquility and balance to the various internal organs. The outcome is a stress free mind, body and soul that stand upright to face any challenge put forth by this highly competitive world. Yogas ability to heal any bodily disorder has been clinically proven. The basic regulating factor that does the magic through Yoga is the maintenance of an apt equilibrium for the right functioning of the entire system. Thus as the physical order is stabilized the mind automatically works in unison. This joint effort produces will power, physical fitness, mental alertness and calmness the indispensable pillars behind the success of any person.

Inference In this milieu of constant pressure of an expectation to excel in respective fields of services human being is gradually turning very mechanical. And this is just unavoidable. The key to win todays rat race is upmanship. Illness, ailments and maladies are inevitable to come and man is to resort to conventional chemical treatments for speedy relief. Yoga might not be able to replace this entirely. But

with growing awareness amongst all about its all beneficial results it can always be concluded on a sanguine note that Yoga will come up as the most dependable and reliable mode to keep at bay all debilitations which hinder the forward march of a man towards reaching the acme of accomplishments.