Yoga

Yoga is an ideology that lies in the deep sea of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an Indian medical science that encompasses all aspects of life. Ayurveda discusses the need for a balance of body, mind and soul for health and through health to achieve ultimate liberation or unity. Yoga is an integral part of Ayurveda which gives high importance in balancing the mind and body for the balance of an individual as a whole. The goal of Ayurveda is to “preserve the health of healthy people, as well as eliminate imbalances or treat diseases. Ayurveda uses Yuktivyapasraya, Satvapajaya, and Daivavyapasraya chikitsa, which are three lines of treatment, representing respectively herbal, mineral, and physical therapy, Ayurvedic psychiatry, and mantra-based Ayurvedic therapy. Yoga is a discipline that helps achieve a same goal of Ayurveda, called Moksha (Eternity), through the application of the basic principles of Ayurveda. Yoga is one among the practical application of all three of the above methods of treatment used in Ayurveda. The textbook of Ayurveda called Charaka Samhita gives one of the ancient references on Yoga, which shows the deep and mutual relationship between Yoga and Ayurveda.

8 stages of yoga

1. Yama (universal moral precepts)
2. Niyama (self-balancing through discipline)
3. Asana (Postures for balancing body and mind)
4. Pranayama (Rhythmic control of breathing)
5. Pratyahara (liberation of the mind from the domination of the senses and external objects)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (a state of higher consciousness through which Jivatma can connect with Paramatma (connection with the supreme soul)

Based on the possibility of practice, yoga is again classified as Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, etc. Karma Yoga is the method which believes virtuous actions must be practiced always for fulfilling the purposes of life. Raja Yoga recommends strict mental discipline, whereas Bhakti Yoga recommends the spiritual pathand Hatha Yoga focuses on physical discipline. Ayurveda says that all virtuous paths including the practice of Yoga helps in fulfilling the purposes of life including leading to the Moksha, or Union.

Yoga can be accepted as a way of life by practicing it with the help of a Teacher or a “Guru.” Yoga must be studied with an understanding of “why we do it” and “what is the purpose behind yoga.” Yoga is one of several methods that allow us to balance body and mind and direct our “Atma" to eternal unity.

I (Dr.Varun Ram Raj) practice “Classical Clinical Yoga” named “Samarthanam Yoga”, which is a yoga method created by following the principles of the great sage Patanjali. This method is highly similar to the one which is taught at our University of Ayurveda, which has practical applications in a wide range of clinical conditions. Ayurvedic clinical yoga helps in the relief of somatic as well as psychosomatic conditions. Structural deformations, diseases of the digestive system, mind related problems like stress and depression, illnesses related to the respiratory system, etc. are getting successful results using this yoga method.

Samarthana Yoga is a method which I have developed, which is based on the principles of Ayurveda, which gives equal importance to the body, mind and soul. In this method along with practises for mind and body, the individual diet and regimen is also given with high importance.

I have developed this method with the help of my great teachers, to bring Ayurveda and Yoga more closer. It is also an initiative to bring Yoga more close to people, especially in to the hearts of common people. In this method all the principles of Yoga will be explained in a short, precise and easy to understand format. All the practices including the postures required to be performed is designed in such a manner that can be practiced by everyone. The aim of this idea of creating “Samarthanam method” was to serve everyone to attain a balanced body and mind. The Samarthana method gives freedom for everyone to choose the path for guiding their souls. The word “Samarthana” itself means a self support, a proper physical and mental self support is the need of this hour for all individuals. This method is based dharma or virtuousness, which is the key to liberation. Samarthanam method of Yoga can be practiced without deviating from the principles of the respective religion, culture, or ideologies followed by an individual. The main aim of such a freedom in practice is to maintain individuality of each category of people. By maintaining the individuality the Samarthanam method helps to attain a balance within an individual mentally, physically and spiritually.

People are disturbed mentally, physically and spiritually, and the Samarthana method of Yoga aims to remove that disturbance in all aspects by adding a lightness in to them. Samarthana Yoga is a Universal idea and it do not generalise the concepts in to some particular religious ideologies. It is a concept which believes in the existence of individual soul and Universal soul. The aim of this method is the harmony between body, mind and soul as well the union between individual Soul and the Supreme soul.

According to me Yoga should be practised stably and continuously, as I have said earlier, Yoga is a discipline and it is an integral part of Ayurveda. Yoga helps to balance the mind and body through various mind balancing and body balancing techniques. Yoga recommendation is also one among the unique feature of my Ayurveda consultation. The consultation also includes recommendations on the type of Yoga which can be performed by a person based on their present dosha levels. There are also individual Yoga sessions also which can be practiced with either online or direct guidance from Dr.Varun Ram Raj.

If possible, add yoga to your life to balance body and mind and achieve the goal of “health forever”, which, in turn, is the supreme essence of Ayurveda.