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Yoga and Meditation
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Yoga is the way of life that integrates the body, mind and spirit. Yoga alleviates mental stress and encourages relaxation and inner peace. Furthermore, yoga can also be therapeutic – both as a remedy and as a prophylactic. In the Ayurvedic teachings, yoga and meditation are an essential part of any programme of treatment to establish a balance between the Doshas. In all but a few cases, yoga and meditation practice are integral parts of the daily schedule.
The four main paths of yoga are:
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Karma Yoga - the yoga of action, the path of selfless service.
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Bhakti Yoga -
the yoga of devotion
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Raja Yoga - the yoga of mind control, the systematic approach
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Jnana Yoga - the yoga of knowledge, the philosophical approach
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Astanga Yoga
Raja yoga is the path of systematic analysis and control of the mind. Compiled by Patanjali Maharshi, Raja yoga is also known as ‘Astanga yoga’, because its practices can be divided into eight limbs (astanga=eight limbs).
The eight limbs are:
| 1. |
Yama |
5. |
Prathyahara |
| 2. |
Niyama |
6. |
Dharana |
| 3. |
Yogasana |
7. |
Dhyana |
| 4. |
Pranayama |
8. |
Samadhi |
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Yama- Personal restraints
Niyama- Social restraints
Yogasanas-
are various body postures, which are practiced to calm the mind enabling a deep state of meditation to occur. It involves various poses such as standing poses, sitting poses and lying poses. During their performance we stretch and relax our structure fully. This frees nerves from stress and strain and improves their functioning.
Pranayama- Knowledge and control of prana (vital energy) is called pranayama. Controlling the mind is not possible without controlling the prana as the two are intimately connected. Through pranayama the body becomes strong and healthy, the mind becomes one – pointed. The mind is prepared for dharana (control of senses) and dhyana(meditation).
Dhyana (Meditation)-This is a state of higher consciousness achieved through a fully rested and relaxed body and a fully awake and relaxed mind. In meditation there is constant observation of mind. Meditation is an experience that cannot be described just as colors cannot be described to a blind person.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, our extensive experience in teaching will leave you very much relaxed and help you deepen your knowledge and skills.
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Yoga and Meditation Under the guidance and teachings of Dr.Steephan,
Yoga and meditation students embrace the spiritual practices of yoga
centersYoga and Meditation Under the guidance and teachings of
Dr.Steephan, Yoga and meditation students embrace the spiritual
practices of yoga centers Yoga and Meditation Under the guidance and
teachings of Dr.Steephan, Yoga and meditation students embrace the
spiritual practices of yoga centers |
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Ayurveda, Ayurveda Treatments, Ayurveda
Institute, Ayurveda school, Ayurveda schools, Ayurvedic school,
Ayurvedic schools, Ayur-veda, Ayurved, ayurvedic, Therapy,
Ayur-vedic Therapy, India, Indian Medicine, Indian Holistic
Treatements Treatments, Therapist Course, Kerala Ayurvedic Resort,
Rejuvenation Therapy, Rejuvenation Course, Rejuvenation Training,
Rejuvenation School Detoxification Therapy, Panchakarma Therapy,
Panchakarma Training, Astanga Yoga, Yoga Training, Yoga Courses,
Yoga Classes, Yoga and Meditation, Meditation Training, Meditation
Couses, Meditation Therapy, Meditation Kerala Stress and Depression,
Repetitive Strain Injuries, Strain, Injuries. Irritable Bowel,
Syndrome, Sciatica, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis Anryosing
Spondilis, Motor Neurone Diseases, Parkinsonism, Institute, Herbs,
medicine, herbology, nutrition, vasant lad, Panchakarma, Pancha
karma, Indian medicine, Yoga, Jyotish, astrology, vata, pitta,
kapha. Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a more than 6,000 year old
comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach rooted
in Vedic culture. Its conspicuous use of the word veda, or
knowledge, reveals its role in early Hinduism and describes its
hallowed place in India. Ayurveda also had a tradition of surgery.
Two early texts of Ayurveda are the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta
Samhita. Ayurveda This article is part of the branches of CAM
series. CAM Classifications NCCAM: Alternative Medical System
Modality: Professionalized Culture: Eastern Vedic Ayurveda used
inoculation for protection against smallpox. This was a consequence
of the principle that like cures like on a small level, whereas at a
grosser level opposites cure opposites. Ayurveda has employed
certain toxic substances in small dosages for powerful healing
effects, including its alchemical preparations. It also used various
herbal and animal toxins like snake venoms. It has a whole science
of toxicology called agada-tantra as one of the eight branches of
traditional Ayurveda. This branch not only treated poisons but used
them in certain conditions, generally in small dosages. The
Ayurvedic idea is that the organism adapts to the environment and
its food, climate etc. This principle of adaptation is called
satyma. Through introducing small amounts of a germ, the organism
can adapt to it and learn to resist it. Ayurveda became increasingly
symptom-based, treating the symptoms of a disease rather than the
root cause. However, it is important to note that Ayurveda was
originally a consciousness based system of health care. Its
philosophy, expressed in modern terms, is to strengthen the immune
system. Qualities It could be said that the simple essence of
ayurveda is knowledge and awareness of the qualities of nature
– called gurvadi gunah. By understanding the qualities
inherent in the environment, in foodstuffs, in activities, etc., one
gains an appreciation of their effects on the individual
constitution through the principle of similarities; i.e., that
similarities cause increase while dissimilarities cause decrease.
Thus hot qualities in the environment or diet will increase hot
qualities in the body. The gurvadi gunah are listed in Vagbhata's
Ashtanga Hrdayam as: Doshas The 3 main doshas (organizing qualities
of intelligence) are Vata (resembles the classical elements ether
and air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water and earth). All bodily
processes are believed to be governed by a balance of the 3 doshas.
Whichever dosha appears to dominate a person's behavior and physique
is called his constitution type. Each constitution type has
particular strengths and susceptibilities. Vata Vata, composed of
air and space, governs all movement in the mind and body and must be
kept in good balance. Too much vata leads to "worries, insomnia,
cramps and constipation.... Vata controls blood flow, elimination of
wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind."
Vata activates the nervous system, hearing and speech; and expresses
as enthusiasm and creativity. Vata also controls the other two
principles, Pitta and Kapha, and is usually the first cause of
disease. Pitta Pitta is said to be composed of fire and water; it
governs "all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and
body. It controls how we digest food, how we metabolize our sensory
perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and wrong." Pitta
must be kept in balance, too. "Too much [Pitta] can lead to anger,
criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair." Kapha Kapha consists
of earth and water. "Kapha cements the elements in the body,
providing the material for physical structure. This dosha maintains
body resistance....Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to
the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives
biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention;
gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains immunity...Kapha
is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and long-standing
envy; it is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness,
forgiveness and love." Too much Kapha leads to lethargy and weight
gain, as well as congestion and allergies. In sum, Ayurveda
represents a system that considers both the states of mind and body
in its diagnosis and treatment. Ayurveda took into consideration the
fact that many illnesses are caused by foreign agents and small
organisms that may require aggressive intervention. Today Having
lost state patronage during the British rule in India, Ayurveda is
making a slow comeback. In practice in India, there are Ayurvedic
doctors who are purists and others who choose to use it in
combination with Western medicine. Ayurveda is gaining lots of
interest in the Western countries. Ayurvedic treatments in the West
are primarily dietary and herbal due to lack of well educated
Ayurvedic practitioners. Patients are classified by body types, or
prakriti, which are determined by proportions of the three doshas.
Illness and disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in
the doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to
the mind-body system.Ayurvedic medicine is gaining in popularity
around the world. |
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