Yes, we've all heard of yoga but perhaps haven't been explained what it is or why it's good for us....what it can help us achieve....
First let me begin by explaining that the word "yoga" comes from Sanscrit and means union or unity. Two important concepts within yoga- 1- it is the unity or union of the individual (who we believe we are) and our soul, "el Atman," or the true nature of ourselves (that is identical with the absolute). And 2- the practices that help us realize this fact.
It is said that to really know ourselves, to know our soul we must have a good vehicle (our body) and a stable chofer (our mind) to get us there. Additionally, a great yoga guru related the practice of yoga and getting to know your soul to a car. To run smoothly a car needs; good lubrication, a charged battery, a cooling system, gas, to be in good quality, and to have a good driver or chofer. This he said will give you the power to arrive where we want to be- connected with ourselves.
According to this guru, Swami Vishnu Devananda, the five basic and universal principles of yoga and connecting body and soul are:
1) Adequate exercise- lubrication for a smooth running machine
2) Correct breathing- to maintain a charged battery
3) Relaxation- the cooling system
4) A healthy diet- good gasoline
5) Positive thinking and meditation- for a good chofer
It is also said that there are "the four roads of yoga" that center around; the action, the devotion, the mental control, and the reflection and meditation. There are many different kinds of yoga that revolve around one or more of these paths and finding out which one is right for you is simply a matter of what you're comfortable with and what's available. If you don't have that luxury then become your own teacher and you will find exactly what you need.
Yoga and meditation will also help connect or reconnect our chakras. Each chakra influences different organs and glands in our physical body. We have 7 principal charka which make up a channel of energy that flows through each and every one of us. When these chakras are in balance the rest of the chakras in our bodies fall into balance giving us amazing health and balance in our lives.
Our chakras and the colors associated with them are as follows:
First chakra: the root chakra (red) found at the base of our vertebral column, where we ground ourselves and connect with the earth.
Second chakra: the sacral chakra (orange)- just above the root chakra where we find our reproductive organs; where our sexual energy is stored thus associating it with balances and imbalances in relationships.
Third chakra: the solar plexus (yellow)- found between our sacral chakra and our heart. It is our center and allows us to be conscious of our individual self.
Fourth chakra: the heart chakra (green)- found in line with the rest of our chakras and accordingly next to our heart. This chakra is where our spirit is said to have been born and where unconditional love and compassion comes from.
Fifth chakra: the throat chakra (blue)- needless to say it is found in the area of our throats, in line with the rest of our chakra. This is our channel of expression and communicaiton.
Sixth chakra: the third eye (purple)- it is said that when we open the third eye we can see our soul and thus have a harmonious connection with the universe.
Seventh chakra: the crown chakra (violet)- found at the top of our head; it is said that when we concentrate ourselves here we are able to understand or be conscious of our divine essence and the unity of the universe. When we become conscious at this level we then are able to become one with the light and continue (in our physical bodies) in the mission of helping humanity.
This is merely a fraction of what our chakras are, what they are associated with, etc., and I encourage you to look further into what our 7 chakras are and their importance in our lives.
Namaste
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