Yoga: More Than Just Exercise
In Sanskrit, “Yoga” comes from the word “yuj,” meaning “to join.” While many people associate “Yoga” with “Hatha Yoga” (physical postures and breath control), that’s just one aspect.
Tantric Yoga: Focusing on Energy
Tantric Yoga emphasizes sitting postures and breath regulation, but its main focus is on regulating “energies” within the body. This is known as “Kriya Yoga.”
Kriya Yoga: This involves specific techniques to manipulate internal energies. A well-known example is “Maha Kriya,” popularized by Yogananda Paramahansa.
Sandhyavandana: Pranayama (breath control) is a crucial part of Sandhyavandana. “Dasha-pranayama” (ten cycles of breath regulation) is necessary before chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
Srividya Upasana: In this tradition, cleansing the “sushumna nadi” (the central energy channel) through breath regulation is essential for worship.
Buddhism: Sitting postures and breath regulation are also core elements of Buddhist meditation.
To do:
Energizing Body and Mind: Yoga, in its holistic approach, acts as a powerful catalyst for revitalizing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of an individual.
– Through physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama), it enhances flexibility, strength, and overall physical health, while simultaneously calming the nervous system and promoting mental clarity.
– Beyond the physical, yoga’s meditative aspects and focus on inner awareness cultivate a deeper connection to one’s spiritual self, fostering a sense of inner peace, emotional balance, and heightened consciousness.
– This integrated practice harmonizes the body and mind, leading to a profound sense of well-being that extends beyond mere physical fitness, encompassing a renewed sense of purpose, inner tranquility, and spiritual connection.
Learning Kriya: Beginning with accessible Kriya techniques like Shambhavi Mahamudra or Sudarshan Kriya provides a tangible entry point into the realm of energy management.
– These practices, through specific breathing patterns, mudras, and focused attention, offer practical tools to directly influence and regulate the flow of prana, or life force, within the body.
– Shambhavi Mahamudra, for instance, focuses on directing awareness to the “third eye” to stabilize the mind and enhance inner perception, while Sudarshan Kriya utilizes rhythmic breathing to harmonize the body’s systems and release accumulated stress.
– By engaging in these techniques, beginners can gain a direct experience of how to consciously manipulate their internal energies, fostering a greater sense of control over their physical and mental states, and laying a foundation for deeper exploration of yogic practices.
In Simple Terms:
Yoga is about more than just physical exercise. It’s about connecting with your inner energies and achieving a state of balance. Different traditions use Yoga in different ways, but the core idea is to join your mind, body, and spirit. It is a way to manipulate internal energies for spiritual and physical benifits.
Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you this introductory series on the said ten tantric practices which are part of vedic spirituality.
Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you so that you study the Vedic spirituality and adopt them in your day to day life
All the best
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
