Yoga and Meditation

By:Prof.Dr.Subhash Ranade

Yoga and Medtation  Continue>>>>

Our sense organs are constantly focused on the outside world. To focus them inwards is the best method of controlling them. Ayurveda and Yoga (Pratyahara) have stressed the importance of this to avoid the diseases.
Definition of Yoga is controlling unstable mind. -Chitta vritti nirodha.
Pranayama or breathing exercises are helpful for this.

Basic principles of Yoga:

In human body there are innumerable channels called as Nadi and centers called as Chakra. If these channels and centers are tapped, energy hidden in the body can be released. This energy is called as Kundalini. Pranayama is the best breathing exercise to connect to this energy.

Pranayama -'Prana' means breath and 'Ayama' means pause or retention. Hence, Pranayama literally means retention of breath. Regular practice of Pranayama, increases life span as it helps to preserve the life force. This is good exercise for controlling mind and Vata dosha. Pranayama consists of four phases- i) Inspiration– Puraka, ii) Inner retention – Abhyantara Kumbhaka, iii) Expiration –Rechaka and iv) Outer retention –Bahya Kumbhaka.

The ideal proportion is inhalation one, internal retention four, exhalation two, and external retention four.

Practice of Anuloma and Viloma Pranayama (Alternate nostril breathing ) is extremely useful.

Meditation and Pranayama -

As discussed earlier there are some meditation practices which are based on Pranayama. These practices gives good results and through these Mind can become calm and quiet. Also Pranayma is useful in increasing the concentration of the mind.

Research on Meditation -

Studies show that after meditation, reactions are faster, creativity greater and broader comprehension. In addition, by silencing the mind, meditation can also put one in touch with Self, allowing the body's own inner wisdom to be heard. Transcendental Meditation -Research shows that it creates alpha amplitudes in the EEG and helps to calm the mind. It is useful to lower the blood pressure, increases the coronary blood circulation. reduces stress and helps in de-addiction of the drugs. Helpful in increasing the concentration of the mind and improving the intelligence also,

Meditation in Health and Diseases -
Health benefits- Meditation helps to keep the body also in balance, improve concentration, increase memory and achieve better performance in day to day work.More and more doctors are prescribing meditation as a way for following diseases -

  • 1. Hypertension
  • 2. Heart problems
  • 3. Asthma
  • 4. Insomnia
  • 5. For reducing stress
  • 6. For relieving pain
  • 7. For treating depression.

Spiritual purposes of Meditation

Meditation is extremely useful for self realization and hence many religious practices make meditation as the mandatory practice for life style. Meditation is safe and simple way to balance person's physical, emotional and mental states.

  <<< Previous - Medtation and Mind