Inner World of Yoga – Day 5
The historical richness of Yogic methodology that includes universal truths, teachings, and practices that provide for understanding and knowledge for every human condition and issue, and every stage of human life from conception to physical death, is as applicable and relevant to life today as it was 5000 years ago.
Yoga Asana, Yoga Pranayama, Yoga Therapy for physical issues, Yoga Psycho/Social Therapy based in the Universal Truths of Yama, and Personal Disciplines of Niyama, provide a plan or road map for living life by higher universal principles — a state of knowing and being that is way beyond concepts and rooted in spirituality for our personal spiritual development.
Whether we know it or not we all strive for this wholeness, completeness, purpose, and fulfillment in life, although we may recognize it only as a desire for happiness, security, success or love.
Pranayama, like Asana, is a fundamental tool for generating positive change in our life. Whatever we desire in life can be ours, although those desires may be redefined as we achieve more balance and growth. This is where “right action” and “karma” come into play, and that discussion will be addressed in weeks 3 and 4 of this challenge.
While Pranayama is a powerful agent of positive change, please pay attention to the cues given regarding “ease” and “no forcing of breath” in any and all pranayama practices. Like basically everything in life, there is duality or an upside and downside.
A downside of Asana practice is that it can reinforce poor posture or poor movement habits, irritate unhealed or unresolved injuries, or even result in injury, instead of bringing more balance, steadiness, ease, strength and flexibility if we aren’t practicing with focus on experiencing the body and developing awareness of our internal alignment.
