21st june is Celebrated as International Day of Yoga, last year it was celebrated all over the World in large number, so lets take an look on what actually Yoga gives and what Mantras Signifies
"YOGA- Derived from the Sanskrit word yuj , Yoga means union of the individual consciousness or soul with the Universal Consciousness or Spirit." Yoga is a 5000 year old Indian body of knowledge.
Though many think of yoga only as a physical exercise where people twist,
turn, stretch, and breathe in the most complex ways, these are actually only the most superficial aspect of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul.
The science of Yoga imbibe itself the complete essence of the Way of Life, including - Gyan Yoga or philosophy, Bhakti Yoga or path of devotional bliss, Karma Yoga or path of blissful action, and Raja Yoga or path of mind control. Raja Yoga is further divided into eight parts. At the heart of the Raja Yoga system, balancing and unifying these various approaches, is the practice of Yoga Asana.
One of the beauties of the physical practice of yoga is that the poses support and sustain you no matter how old or young, or fit or frail, you come to your mat. As you age, your understanding of asana becomes more sophisticated. You move from working on the external alignment and mechanics of the pose to refining the inner actions to finally just being in the asana.
Yoga has never been alien to us. We have been doing it since we were a baby! Whether it is the Cat Stretch that strengthens the spine or the Wind-Relieving pose that boosts digestion, you will always find infants doing some form of yoga throughout the day.
Yoga can be many things to many people. We are determined to help you discover your “Yoga Way of Life!”
Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) & Meditation (Dhyaan) Pranayama is the extension and control of one’s breath.
Practicing proper techniques of breathing can help bring more oxygen to the blood and brain, eventually helping control prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama also goes hand in hand with various yoga asanas.
The union of these two yogic principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Pranayama techniques also prepare us for a deeper
experience of meditation.
The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit, “mantrana”, meaning suggestion. Mantras are sacred, potent words, which yield tremendous results in the physical, mental and spiritual levels, when chanted with concentration and devotion. Mantra yoga is an exact science where the mantras are signposts to the wandering mind, steering it to an ambient
poise for meditation. Repetition of mantras completely engages the mind, offering a means of getting closer to the divinity within. Chanting of mantras produces positive vibrations, bringing benefits to the one who chants as well as the one who listens.
By constant repetition of the mantra, the aspirant absorbs the power of the presiding deity in the mantra. Chanting of mantras generate potent divine vibrations. They help fill the cells of the aspirant with the divine energy. They destroy the microbes and restore strength to the cells and tissues.
Tradition says that there are 70 million mantras. The ancient text, Yoga-Yajnavalkya says that a whispered mantra is a thousand times more beneficial than a spoken one, a mental mantra is a thousand times more beneficial than a whispered one and finally meditating on a mantra is a thousand times more beneficial than its silent recitation.
The aspect of ‘Japa’ in mantra yoga Repetition of mantras is called japa. Every mantra is a symbol of the supreme divinity and when chanted, helps to gain access to the transcendental realms of absolute reality.
A mantra has 6 parts:
1. Includes a religious teacher or rishi to whom the mantra is first disclosed. The teacher is instrumental in enabling the mantra to the world.
2. The mantra has a metre, which governs the voice, making it imperative to be recited the way it should be.
3. Each mantra has a presiding deity.
4. Each mantra has a bija or seed, which accords a special power to the mantra. Bija is the essence of the mantra.
5. Each Mantra is inherent with energy or sakthi. The vibrations carry the man to the deity that is invoked in the mantra.
6. Each Mantra has a kilaka or pillar, pin or plug. By constant repetition of the mantra, this pin or plug is removed and the devotee gets a glimpse of the presiding deity.
Chanting of mantras brings the aspirant into blissful union with the Lord. Mantra repetition evokes god-consciousness in the purified mind and becomes the direct cause for union with god.
"Adopt Yoga for a blissful Life"
