An introduction to the practice of Ashtangayoga, with some prerequisites and attitudinal changes, concluding with some valid health tips and lifestyle changes.

1. KNOW MORE ABOUTKNOW MORE ABOUT
YOGAYOGA
By Aravinda K.,
B.E., M.S., M.Tech,
Samskrtha Kovida,
Geetha Kovida

2. IF YOU KEEP DOING WHATEVERIF YOU KEEP DOING WHATEVER
YOU HAVE BEEN DOING, YOU WILLYOU HAVE BEEN DOING, YOU WILL
KEEP GETTING WHATEVER YOUKEEP GETTING WHATEVER YOU
HAVE BEEN GETTING.HAVE BEEN GETTING.
IF YOU KEEP DOING WHATEVER
OTHERS ARE DOING, YOU WILL
KEEP GETTING WHATEVER
OTHERS ARE GETTING.

4. Meaning of the term “yoga”Meaning of the term “yoga”
The term yoga means union. The purpose of yoga is
to join ourselves with the divine energy, which means
to join jeevathma with the paramathma.
Jeevathma is the individual conscious energy and
paramathma is the total unconscious presence, which
in general terms is called as God.
Hence, the practice of YOGA leads to find out Your
Origination in God’s Action.

5. DescriptionsDescriptions
Manthra-yoga is the process of chanting manthras, either
orally or mentally, by means of which the resonant energy is
produced within the body, and mind is brought under control.
Laya-yoga is the process of spiritual exercises by means of
which the thoughts in the mind are dissolved.
Hata-yoga is the process of purifying body, mind and soul by
means of applying the force.
Raja-yoga is the process of deep observation and correction, to
gain complete control over all the physical and psychological
activities, and to attain perfection.

6. Pathanjali’s systemPathanjali’s system
Maharshi Pathanjali’s system of Ashtanga-
yoga is designed as a combination of all of
the above yogic methods.
This is performed to achieve the complete
health, which includes the physical, the
psychological and the spiritual health.
The Ashtangayoga consists of eight limbs,
as indicated below -

7. Limb Process Effect
Yama Social discipline Better character & conduct
Niyama Individual discipline Better hygiene & dedication
Asana Physical control Better health & strength
Pranayama Energetic control Experiencing the life-force
Prathyahara Sensory control Focusing the conscious mind
Dharana Internal concentration Control of memory recall
Dhyana Total contemplation Stoppage of the thoughts
Samadhi Dissolution of the ego Realization of the self

8. Yama & NiyamaYama & Niyama
• Yama – Ahimsa, Sathya, Astheya, Brahmacharya,
Aparigraha
• Niyama – Shaucha, Santhosha, Thapas, Swaadhyaaya,
Eeshwarapranidhaana
• The person who is aspiring to learn yoga should follow
Yama and Niyama as far as possible. Without following
these, if he/she tries to practice the other six disciplines,
he/she will not be successful in achieving the ultimate
goal, as the energy that is going to be utilized will not be
in the pure form.

9. YOGASANAS versus OTHER EXERCISESYOGASANAS versus OTHER EXERCISES
1 Blood circulation improves fully It improves only to some extent
2 Stress that is stored in the muscles It is released partially, sometimes
is released fully adversely
3 Wide variety of exercises are Repetitive actions, without much
present variety
4 Sitting, lying and standing postures Standing type exercises are present
are present in plenty mainly
5 Body becomes flexible & adaptable, Body becomes tough & rugged,
because of stretching because of strengthening
6 Exercises are present for the sense Nothing as such
organs and the internal organs
7 Breathing becomes slow and deep Breathing becomes rapid and
shallow

10. Comparison continued…Comparison continued…
8 No age restrictions as such, There are age restrictions,
because of slow movements because of rapid movements
9 No need of external objects They are used sometimes
10 There are rules to be followed No such rules
about food and its consumption
11 Discipline of time is followed Nothing as such
12 Concentration, awareness and Only concentration may increase,
peace of mind increase gradually and not the other two
13 Mainly for the internal beauty Mostly for the external beauty
(strengthening of nerves) (building of muscles)
14 Initiation of spirituality happens No such initiation

12. SOME USEFUL TIPSSOME USEFUL TIPS
• Stop drinking bed coffee, bed tea etc. Instead practice
Ushahpana (gargle and spit initially, and then drink).
• While taking bath, take hot-water bath from bottom to top and
cold-water bath from top to bottom.
• Use wholesome, traditional and alkaline food. Also, expose
yourself to sunlight regularly.
• Consume food as 50% solid, 25% liquid and leave 25% space
in the stomach.
• Drink water half an hour before or after meal, not during meal
(quantity based on the needs).

13. TIPS CONTINUEDTIPS CONTINUED
• Avoid pungent foods. Reduce salt, onion and garlic. Use milk,
butter and ghee sufficiently.
• While consuming any food article, wash your face before and
mouth afterwards, compulsorily.
• Cleanse your eyes regularly; blink your eyes in a cup of water
mixed with 15 drops of lemon juice.
• Listen to devotional and relaxing music; it works by the principle
of resonance of vibrations.
• Study the spiritual books, comprehend the nature of the self,
and be aware of your higher spirits.

14. THREE STAGESTHREE STAGES
OF SUCCESSOF SUCCESS
Stage Phase Effort Process
Initial Exciting Daring Learning
Middle Testing Desperate Practicing
Final Perfecting Determined Training

15. PURPOSEPURPOSE
• GOAL stands for Gaining Overall Achievement in Life.
The areas: Personal, Relational, Professional,
Social, Intellectual, Spiritual.
• LIFE stands for Living In Further Evolution.
• FATE stands for Faith, Actions, Thoughts, Environment.
• TIME stands for The Infinite Movement of Energy.

16. DON’T YOU HAVE TIME?DON’T YOU HAVE TIME?
• Assuming 100 years of age, leave out the first 25 years
for childhood & adolescence, and the last 5 years for old
age. You are left with 70 years; i.e., 6,13,200 hours.
• Leave out 20 hours every day (sleep + daily chore +
profession + petty work + travel); you are left with 4
spare hours per day; i.e., 1,02,200 hours. This means that
you have about 17% of spare time, in 70 years.
• For junior class: 2 hrs X 52 weeks X 1 yr = 104 hours.
For senior class: 3 hrs X 52 weeks X 5 yrs = 780 hours.
Hence, out of your spare time, you are sparing only 0.1%
for attending junior class, and 0.76% for senior class.

17. DON’T YOU PRACTISE?DON’T YOU PRACTISE?
• Practising yogasana for 30 minutes everyday, and
for 6 days in a week, utilizes 10,920 hours; i.e.,
10% of your spare time.
• In addition, practising pranayama & prathyahara
together, for 45 minutes everyday, utilizes 27,300
hours; i.e., 27% of your spare time.
• Can’t you spare a small amount of spare time
for health, happiness and fulfillment? If you
can’t, then you better get wasted by the time.

20. SAYINGS OF YOGAMAHARSHISAYINGS OF YOGAMAHARSHI
DR. SWAMI GEETHANANDA GIRIDR. SWAMI GEETHANANDA GIRI
• Yoga is a scientific system of conscious evolution.
• Yoga is the mother of all sciences. Yoga is the
mother of all religions.
• Do not depend on anything outside of your own
self. Yoga is the original science of self help.
• Health and happiness are your birthright; claim
them. Spiritual realization is your goal; pursue it.
• Watch the breath, until you become the breath.
• There is only one secret in this Universe, and that
is … there is no secret!

21. SAYINGS CONTINUED…SAYINGS CONTINUED…
• A Gurukula is a place where learning is by absorption,
rather than by superimposition of mundane knowledge.
• It is the not the chosen few; it is the few who have chosen.
• Dharma is the highest expression of cosmic truth; it is to
know the reason for personal existence and to unfold
consciously through experience back to the cosmic state.
• That which cannot be followed in day to day living should
not rightly be called religion. Life is to be practical, simple,
uncluttered, efficient, rewarding and enlightening.
Anything in one’s life that tends to confuse, distort or
derange, should be shunned as one’s mental and mortal
enemy. These are the real teachings of the Geetha.

22. The Bigger pictureThe Bigger picture
YOGA
Hata Laya Manthra Raja Thanthra
yoga yoga yoga yoga yoga
Hamsa Nada Japa Jnana Bhakthi Karma
yoga yoga yoga yoga yoga yoga