YOGA FOR LIFE

Taught by  Brahmrishi Shri Vishvatma Bawra Ji Maharaj

Compiled and Translated by: Bramhvadini Krishna Kanta Ji (M.A.B.T. Gold Medalist)
Edited By: Swami Brahmrita Parivrajka

(Not Complete, this is a short intro)

OM

It is very interesting that many westerners think of Yoga as just part of a complex path to self-realization developed in India 5000 years ago and officially known as Hath yoga. The asnas ( yogic exercises ) is just a small part of practice of yoga. In its entirety the practice of yoga is taught by Acharya Brahmrishi Vishvatma Bawra ji in the book of "Yoga for Life". Bawra ji has explained the importace of learning Hath yoga, the proper breathing while doing the asanas and also the knowledge of getting in touch with realself (bodh) through meditation.

There are various ways that have been discovered and prescribed by the various experienced yogis of India to realise the stage

of serenity, calmness, peacefulness, and blissfulness in ownself. Acharya Patanjali - the main seer and proprietor of yoga has instructed Ashtanga yoga (eight limb yoga), which comprises- physical, mental, and vital exercises and practices related with personal and social life of the practitioner, e.g. yamas are connected with social contacts, niyamas with indvidual life. Asnas and pranayama are the exercises for the purification of the physique. Dharna and Dhyana are the exercises of the mind. Samadhi is the last objective of the practice. Having a firm, constant practice with complete faith, eagerness and deep devotion under the guidence of a capable yogi, the sadhak (practitioner) can achieve ultimate reality.

-Bhagavad Gita 9:13-14

But truly great souls seek my divine nature. They worship me with a one-pointed mind, having realized that I am the eternal source of all. Constantly striving, they make firm their resolve and worship me without wavering. Full of devotion, they sing my divine glory.

In the presnt volume "Yoga for Life" Acharya Shri has stated that yoga (unificatioin and communication with one's ownself) is utmost necessity of life. On the basis of his personal experience, he has given in a simple way of yoga practice, adopting which one can fulfill one's daily duties well and following the same, attain the perfection ( the Ultimate End ) of life. Knowledge and love are the base of the success of yoga, so the practitioner should practice yoga with love in the light (guidance) of knowledge.

There are many aspects of Hath yoga of which I will mention only (1)Pranayama (2)Yogic Asanas (3) Meditation(Dhyana).

PRANAYAMA:Please sit down calm, quite, and comfortably with back-bone straight in the lotus position,facing towards the east. Imagine sitting on a Globe surrounded by Divine energy. Inhale softly the air with the feeling that divine Supreme Energy is being filled inside. Keeping the lungs full, remain on "jalandhar bandh" ( a yogic method of blocking the force of breath by fixing/touching the chin on the collar bone). Retaining the same positioin, meditate upon tht Supreme self. After awhile, thinking that the bad and dirty impressions are washed away, exhale the breath, retain it outside for awhile, then come into balanced position. Repeat the whole process three to eight times, as convenient. The practitioner (sadhak) should never put unnecessary force in the practice of pranayama. This means the exercise of pranayam should be learnt and practised slowly, gradually and softly.

YOGIC ASANAS: Now after doing a few exercises of kunjal, neti, dhoti etc. helpful in the purification of the systems of stomach, nose throat and intestines etc. you should practise a few yogic asanas (physicaal postures) on a covered surface, in a clean and calm atmosphere. These physical postures give a wonderful balance to the physical structure. Here are a few asanas.

Vriksh-Asan:

Standing straight, balanced with joint heels and open toes, raise your hands up, joining the thumbs together, throw the breath out (exhale). Inhaling the breath, lifting both the heels up, stand on toes. Stretch the body up as high as possible. Feeling strained, the body should be relaxed. Exhaling the breath slowly, come to an easy, straight position. This exercise should be repeated three times.

SURYA NAMASKAR- ASANA: The posture in which the feelings are attached with the salutations to the God "Sun" (the riser, inspirer and nourisher of the universe).

Surya-Namaskaar:

The posture of suryanamaskar, is only one asan consisting of ten poses and actions that compensate many asanas.

A)In order to perform it, first of all stand straight, raise both hands upwards. Breath in, stretch the body up as high as possible.

B) After exhale, bending at the waist slowly, try to touch your feet with your hands. The knees should remain unbent. Inhaling slowly, come up again in the same straight standing position. This process should also be repeated three times.

1) Now with relaxed hands by your sides, stand at ease. Again inhaling, bring the folded hands in front near to heart. Bow the forehead in front and salute the Sun God.

2) Now lifting the forehead up, the breath should be inhaled into lungs and gradually raise the unfolded hands straight towards the sky.

3) Retaining the breath inside, bend forward at the waist, bring the palms towards the feet and place the open palms on the floor. Here in the bending position, while bringing the face near the knees, the retained breath should be exhaled out.

4)Now remaining in the same position, the right leg should be stretched backward. Standing on the right toe of the stretched leg, rest on the bent left foot very softly. Holding the breath in the salutation should be done to the Sun God.

5) Now in the same position, keep the palms on the floor,bend the head backwards looking upwards.Stretching the left foot also backwards, keep both the feet equally stretched backwards then bring the feet forward. Now while standing with palms on the floor along your toes straight and balanced, stretch the body free. Bring the knees smoothly on the floor, the belly should remain lifted upward, exhaling the breath out. The chest should be rested on the surface, the nose and forehead should touch the floor. This pose is called sashatang pranama i.e. (the posture of the salutation with all the organs of the body).

6) Now resting the belly on the floor, lift the chest and head upward. Inhaling the breath resting on knees and toes, then gradually lifting the front half of the body upward, bend backwards, stretching the front nerves so much as you can see the back space up.

7) After that bringing the face in front, lift middle part of the body upwards, stand like a bow on the palms and toes bringing the head between the arms, stretching the back nerves, so much and the lower backspace can be seen.

8) Now after that bringing the right foot between the palms, resting on that pose, lift the hands and salute to the God Sun. Keeping the palms again on the floor, bring the left foot also between the palms. Stand half bent on the balanced feet and palms. 9)Inhaling the breath smoothly in, come into the straight standing position. This is the posture of Surya namaskar.

The posture of Surya namaskar balances all the nerves, which rectify the respiratory system, activate and make the blood circulate smoothly. So it is very effective in making the physique healthy, handsome and stout. This asan should be practised three to five times daily