Swami Vishnudevananda distilled the teachings of India’s ancient yogis and philosophy in 5 easy to understand principles which guide our spiritual development. It is believed that spiritual development requires keen intellect and strong will which are products of a healthy body and mind. Following the five principles will help develop and maintain those.
1. Asana–Proper Exercise
Yoga considers the body the vehicle of the soul. Asana is one of the eight limbs of yoga practice. It is the physical practice of yoga that involves exercise and is what most yoga classes offer. Asana means steady comfortable pose. Asanas are therefore meant to be held. However the initial goal is to increase the flexibility of the body. The body is considered as young as it is flexible. Performed slowly and consciously the asanas go beyond the mere physical benefits, they become mental exercises in concentration and meditation. Hatha yoga, of which asanas are part, is the practical approach to Raja yoga.
2. Pranayama–Proper Breathing
Although breathing is an involuntary action, we have the option to control it. Pranayama allows us to control our breathing patterns to improve the circulation of oxygen to the brain and promote relaxation of the mind and the body. Most people use only a fraction of their lung capacity. That leads to tiredness. Full yogic breathing counters that as it combines all three types of breathing. Yogic breathing exercises are called pranayama, which means to control the prana. The most visible manifestation of prana in the body is the movement of the lungs. The breathing exercises control the breathing which in turn affect the prana. Yogis believe that all diseases can be alleviated by controlling the prana – the secret knowledge of healing. Through our daily shallow breathing we only manage to extract very little prana, but when we consciously regulate the breathing we are able to accumulate greater amounts. That leads to radiating vitality and strength.
3. Savasana–Relaxation
Savasana is the final relaxation pose that is taken during the end of the Sivananda yoga session. The final relaxation includes physical, mental and spiritual relaxation. In physical relaxation we use the mind to send messages to different parts of the body to relax. It begins with the toes and moves up. Mental relaxation is achieved through breathing slowly and rhythmically. During the final stage of the relaxation, the spiritual relaxation, all tensions and worries disappear. At this stage one stops identifying with body and mind as well as with the worries, anxieties or sorrow. They all fade away. The yogi identifies with his/her true nature, re-connects to the true self which is peaceful, joyful and pure.
4. Bhojan–Yogic/Vegetarian Diet
Diet (Bhojan) is an essential component of the yoga practice. Maintaining a yogic diet consists of vegetarian meals; simple, natural foods, and avoidance of processed foods, promoting healing of the body from the inside out.
5. Vedanta and Dhyana–Positive Thinking and Meditation
Vedanta refers to the optimistic approach you take towards your daily activities and Dhyana is associated with finding a deeper awareness of yourself. The first step to control the busy, agitated mind is by concentration. When we use practices of concentration all worries and problems of the world disappear. Meditation is not something that someone can teach you, you already have that ability to stop thoughts from bothering your mind. We use different external points of concentration as a stepping stone to meditation – that state in which the focus is internal. In the meditative state one transcends time-space limitations. The closest state to meditation is deep sleep. Meditation brings a positive state of mind which rejuvenates body cells and slows down aging processes. It enhances the anabolic processes in the body, those of growth and repair and it slows down the catabolic processes of aging and decay. Meditation can eliminate negative thought patterns and help us experience deep inner peace.
