GGMYK - Yoga Simplified - 8 Aspects of Yoga

3. Asanas (Postures):

Asan means a posture

There are many asanas. These are popular with the term of Yogasanas. Asanas are an important component of Yoga science. Asanas are the means to clean the body, to develop the limbs and organs and to increase the life span. We get the strength and power to fight the disease-causing elements by practicing asanas.

“Sthiram Sukham Asanam”, commented Patanjali. It means to be in a state of a posture with ease and without any movement for a while. Generally one cannot be in a state of a posture without any movement for a long time. We all have the experience in a photo studio, where the photographer many times requests us not to move and to be in his prescribed pose. How difficult it is to be in a single pose even for some time? To develop this skill, certain dynamic asanas have been developed to keep the limbs and other parts of the body in different positions, to move and bend them easily and conveniently. The main aim of these asanas is to develop the efficiency of the functioning of different parts and organs of the body and to energise them. According to one’s own capacity one has to practice asanas with concentration without any haste or hurry and prepare himself to enter the higher stages of Yoga.

4. Pranayaam (Control or extension of Pran–vital energy)

Pranayaam is the process of controlling the breath with a rhythm. Pranayaam is a compound word with Pran and Ayam. Pran means the power to life that is breathing. Ayam means to develop or increase. Thus Pranayaam may be defined as an exercise to increase or control the power of life. There are many methods of Pranayaam.

If we practice Pranayaam correctly and properly, our health and mind are always in our control. Pranayaam is also known as gateway to meditation.

5. Pratyahar (Withdrawal of senses):
Pratyahar is the state of mind, free from the influence of sense organs.

Pratyahar means pacifying the mind or thoughts, heart or feelings for keeping the mind in a subtle state without any thoughts. If our mind reaches such a state, our organs are under our control. Mind acquires the efficiency of concentration and thereby one easily can proceed towards higher levels.

6. Dharana (Concentration):

Dharana is concentration of mind.

Dharana means concentrating the mind on a single aspect or an object or a subject, like one’s favourite deity or a symbol or a mantra or the minute aspects or spots such as center of the eye brows, tip of the nose, heart, navel etc. Practitioners can increase their power of concentration or Dharana by modifying their daily routines, behavior, food, relaxation etc.

7. Dhyan (Meditation):

Dhyan is state of meditation.

Dhyan means to deeply concentrate the mind and heart on a single point. It has vital importance. Different methods of Dhyan are in practice in different parts of the world.

8.     Samadhi (Super-consciousness):

Samadhi is a state of super consciousness and self realisation.

Overcoming the hurdles and interruptions and concentrating the mind and heart and immersing the Self in that tranquility is called Samadhi. The peak of the Dhyan is Samadhi. In Dhyan state:

a) Dhyan

b) The practitioner of Dhyan and

c) The aspect of Dhyan. These three are different. But in Samadhi these three are united
    together. Realizing the Atma and the union of Atma with Paramatma is the main aim
    of Samadhi. It is the supreme Yoga.

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The above eight aspects of Yoga are boons blessed to the world by
the ancient Indian culture. Everyone has to know and practice them.
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