Our Review
A yoga aspirant, when performing the practice of asana, whether they do it by themselves or teach it to a mass number of people, there might be several aspects to consider when doing their own or teaching asanas, through which the teacher can guide their students. Let’s see what those aspects are in terms of yoga asana practices.
We should distinguish the yoga aspirant psychology for research purposes and well-being. Thus, we can be capable and observe the aspects of doing Asana styles in modern days, along with its consequences on the human body and mind. Many of us might come with the expectation to study the yoga asanas with individual needs, but then how will we know what is the right way, for instance, physically, therapeutically, technically, spiritually, professionally, and so on?
The Spiritual Characteristics of Practising Yoga Asanas
I must say that it is a holistic and genuine approach to practising and teaching yoga asanas. Therefore, it requires modern and yogic science, both with its anatomical, physiological, psychological, and pranological (yogic science) and mechanical understanding along with the human body and mind. Thus, the teacher and student both can have a foundational and mechanical understanding of yoga asanas with the human body and mind; it doesn’t matter whether they are teaching people or doing it on their own.
Though it is not so easy to have a spiritual understanding for the neophyte, because they have been practising flow asanas, topsy-turvy jumping, and wishing to do some difficult postures, which is only one of the beginning stages in asanas. Though it is not the fault of students because they are blank paper, it all begins with the teacher, whom we all choose, and if the teacher is ignored, then what can they say?
Therefore, I think the beginning stage is the right time, where people can learn the holistic approach of yoga asanas and avoid yoga injuries and physical sufferings in the future. Thus, learn from the competent teachers, as these days, large numbers of newcomers (yoga teachers) and yoga styles are trending and branding; therefore, the result is making fun to entertain people in the name of yoga and spirituality.
So using a spiritual methodology with asanas, there might not be so many asanas or vice versa; it can include some joint movement exercises, classical Surya Namaskars, mantra chanting, and settling into the asanas while withholding, without causing muscle and joint soreness, and therefore it can lead you to feel the spiritual sense with its calming, relaxing and soothing effects both physically and mentally.
Applying such an approach to yoga asanas might not have so much focus on alignment for beginners and not create unnecessary pressure on somebody’s body during the asana practice, even though it does not mean that asanas will be simple or motionless and non-movement able, but it demands your attention, calmness, encouragement, and instruction from the competent teacher to have that spiritual essence within throughout the practice. The sequencing of asanas can be fast, slow, or in a holding manner, depending on the class, purpose, and age group.
The moment we have used the term spiritual aspect in Yoga Asanas, it also leads to the daily self-practice of Asanas for physiological and spiritual growth, and thus we are known as Adhyatma Sadhana. Therefore, aspirants must have patience and faith in the teacher’s instructions, which are given to an aspirant to follow at home or anywhere else.
The Dynamism of Curative Characteristics of Yoga Asanas
That’s true. Yoga has given life to so many people in the world by its curative, therapeutic approach and positive effects on disease in the human body and mind. The first time in the modern era, our spiritual masters came out with this thought: how to deal with the inorganic living style in society? Therefore, they combined the ancient yogic science with modern scientific studies on the human body and mind so that we could understand the root cause of disease and cure it through yoga asanas, pranayama, yoga nidra, meditation, and lifestyle.
So far, our yoga masters have been proving that yoga can be used as an alternative therapy and gradually can decrease modern medicine and avoid physical surgery for the patient. The remedial approach of yoga is the amalgamation of creating methods along with an understanding of the root cause of disease and the mechanism of asana, pranayama, relaxation, and lifestyle,e so that it can find the place and attack the disease from the root, gradually.
The research studies on yoga have shown us that yoga can improve health; give symptomatic relief and, with regular practice, can eradicate the disease and bring balance and harmony between body, senses, mind, and soul.
The disease is known and can be treated through yogic science: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, corrected body alignment, irregular menses, endometriosis, Parkinson’s, constipation, gastritis, migraine, insomnia, and so on. Therefore, the research studies have also proved the improvement of health and given life for the malignant diseases, patient known as HIV and cancer. Yoga therapy these days is based on ancient methods and lifestyles, with modern science and yogic tools.
The Physical Aspects of Yoga Asanas: Over Flexibility, Strength, and Beauty
We have no doubt that yoga asanas have been playing a tremendous role in gaining elasticity, strength, and looks, physically younger, and leading to longevity. But then the thing is, what? When does an aspirant gain enough flexibility and strength? The answer will be given that the regular practice of yoga asanas is required to sustain physical and mental health in harmony.
Therefore, practising asanas is amazing, but I would like to emphasise some points for physical lovers. Yoga is also known as Santulan (balance), the balance between strength and flexibility, body and mind, intelligence and ego, and nature and self. If the balance is not maintained, knowingly or unknowingly, and one is more than the other, then it can also lead to imbalance and disorder. Thus, we have been seeing these days a lot of people in yoga having degenerative joints and asymmetrical muscular issues, for Instance, wrist pain, back pain, knee pain, neck pain, and so on.
Why don’t we want to understand that the physical body also has its limits, as per the individual? When we use body parts over and over without an understanding of science and physical mechanisms, then it has to be weakened, torn, and worn, and therefore disharmony between the systems has to take place.
Conclusion
I think this is what our Yoga Masters have been emphasising to their aspirants and giving us the whole ocean in the pot, in terms of dos and don’ts. But in this modern era, the new generations have been growing up with a rootless culture and non-observance of the law of nature. Therefore, now it’s the responsibility of the yoga teachers of this generation to share the organic living styles and individual limits physically and mentally, teaching asanas based on scientific instructions to their people.
We wish this article would be the eye-opener for all kinds of yoga asana students and teachers throughout the yoga world. Bipin Baloni has written and published this article based on his personal Asana practice, studied guidelines from the ancient yoga texts, received instruction from teachers, and followed sincerely with satisfaction. After meeting with thousands of yoga practitioners nationally and internationally, I have been doing workshops on asanas and conducting hundreds of teacher training programmes in Rishikesh, Kerala, Nepal, and overseas.
For those interested in deepening their yoga journey, consider enrolling in a yoga teacher training programme. Rishikul Yogshala, a leading Yoga school in Rishikesh, offers comprehensive courses like the 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh, 200 Hrs Yoga TTC In Rishikesh, 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh, and 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Rishikesh. These programmes are designed to help you master your practice and share the transformative power of yoga with others.
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