Yoga is union of the two polarities
Yoga is union of the two polarities
Acharya Girish Jha
Polarity is the truth of Material Universe
Polarity is a fact and truth of the world. South and north poles, negative and positive energies, male and females are polar principles and fundamentals of universe. Modern science also claims that right hemisphere of brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa. What science has discovered at gross physical level, yoga had discovered at subtle energy level i.e. polarities at the level of energy?
Unit of energy that pervades the universe
“Prana” is a word used in Yoga for first unit of energy or basic energy principle that not only governs the body but also the universe. The Sanskrit word “Prana” means “first unit of energy”. According to Upanishad (authoritative texts on Yoga), Prana manifests in material universe as all forms of energy i.e. gravitational, electrical, sound, mechanical, physical, bio-chemical etc. this energy, Prana is different than any forms of energy that physics explains because basis of Prana is consciousness and not the matter. Prana when enters into mind becomes mental energy; enters into body manifests as physical energy and when enters deep within, manifests as pure consciousness, known as state of spiritual awakening. What Freud explains ‘libido” is gross manifestation of Prana in the body and mind together? “Bio Plasma”, “vital force”, “bio elasticity”, “chi” are different names given to same Prana. Prana pervades the entire universe and within every animate and inanimate beings. In the absence of life, the same Prana manifests in matter in many forms and actions i.e. movements of electrons in atoms, mechanical, potential, sound, gravitational energies etc.
Prana acts as a bridge between body and mind
During the last four decades, scientist and researchers claim that stress is the causative factor of more than 90% of diseases. A new term “psychosomatic” is being used meaning some thing travels from mind to body and again to mind resulting into stress. There is another term “somato psychic” is also used which explains the paths ways just opposite of “psychosomatic”. It is still a mystery, how mind travels into body resulting into stress induced disorders. Yoga gives answer in very simple way. According to Yoga, human being is made of five bodies i.e. Annamaya Kosha (Kosha or Sheath is roughly translated as covering or body); physical body which science has explored and understood in detail; Energy body or Pranayama Sheath Manomaya Kosha (sheath) and other two bodies. Pranayama body is located between the physical and mental body.
Yoga says that any disturbance in the mind first travels into Pranayama sheath before it passes onto body. Our daily experiences proves this concept of yoga i.e. when we are angry, our breath rate become short and fast before any change of experiences are felt into the body. An agitated mind manifests first in the breath (fast, short and irregular) then it brings changes in the body i.e. rapid heart rate.
Prana manifests as two poles in the Body, Breath and Brain
What science claims about two hemispheres of brain controlling opposite sides of body, according to Yoga, it is because of polarity in Energy body, manifests through flows of two nostrils. Have we ever thought of why we have two nostrils in the body when even one nostril can do the work? We require two ears to find the depth and distance of sound coming to our ears. We need two eyes to know the distance of any object we see. Nevertheless, why two nostrils. Because we have two different types of energies. One flows from right nostril and other flows from left nostril. We might have noticed that at particular time, only one nostril is active i.e. We breathe freely through only one nostril at one time. This is because of the effect of one type of energy at that time. We may notice even now while reading this article that only one nostril flows at a time.
Yoga is union of polarities
The right flow of nostril is hot, left flow is cold, and union of two is yoga. When the two nostrils start flowing equally at the same time this flow is known as Susumna flow
(Susumna flow or middle pathway of Prana in the body). When middle path way of Prana is active, mind is withdrawn within completely and starts communicating with inner and higher consciousness, generally understood by the term as spiritual awakening or deeper states of meditation. This state can be roughly understood by the term ”Homeostasis” at physiological level – a state of harmony and optimum level of functioning’s of the body. However, Yoga aims at bringing this homeostasis by bringing about the changes in the flows of energy through both nostrils by the practice of Asana (physical practices of Yoga), Pranayama (regulation of Prana), Meditation and many other practices explained in different schools of Yoga.
Yoga is not Hatha (forced practice) but union between polarities
Hatha –Yoga is very famous in America. Many people take Hatha Yoga as practice of physical postures (Asana) and Pranayama (control of breath). The modified practices of Asana and Pranayama have been reduced to physical other forms of vigorous exercises exercise systems. Hatha is a Sanskrit word , made of two syllables ,”Ha” means “Sun or Hot Flow” of energy and “Tha” means “Moon or Cold Flow” of energy through nostrils into the whole body. When “Ha” and “Tha” unites together, Hatha or Hatha Yoga practices reaches to summit or perfection.
Hatha Yoga is psyho neuro physiological systems of awakening to higher consciousness within. Hatha Yoga aims at bringing about desired changes in the body, brain, breath, nervous systems so that practitioner can experienced heightened states of consciousness that transcends the body and mind. Any state that transcends the body, mind and material world outside is roughly known as spiritual consciousness. Yoga claims that this heightened state of consciousness, not only capable of dissolving all impurities, conflicts and disequilibrium within body, life and mind but also capable of manifesting the highest values and traits in human life i.e. kindness, peace, harmony, unity, freedom, bliss etc.
Yoga is more than just stretching the body
Yoga, especially, Hatha Yoga is much more than just stretching the body as is done most of the physical exercise systems as it consciously explores the Prana and Pranayama Body that dwells within the physical body; regulates the workings of body and mind; enters deep within into higher states of consciousness; allows the higher consciousness to manifests into body, life and mind; transforms all conflicts and sufferings and paves the way to new paradigm of life.
Breath awareness – regulates the Prana
Prana manifests through breathing but is different than breath and respiration as they both are related to physical body. Breath is the carrier of Prana. We are either conscious or unconscious or subconscious about our breathing. To become aware of breath is the beginning of Yoga. It is easy to become aware of breath than other subtle and higher practices. When we become aware of breath, we notice irregular, short breaths in between. Any short, irregular breath can not be normal breathing pattern. This is habitual breathing. Habitual breathing is acquired by habits of body, mind and emotions. When we remain in agitated states of mind for few days, breath becomes irregular and short. This short and irregular breath agitates the body. It is our normal experience that angry mind manifests in fast and irregular breathing pattern. This irregular breathing pattern excites the autonomic nervous system i.e. sympathetic predominant. This dominance keeps our heart rate, respiration rate, basic metabolic rate high, increases fatigue, lowers the immunity, and manifests irritability, anger and stress in many forms.
We can change this habitual breathing by understanding Yogic breathing. Yogic breathing brings harmony of body, breath and mind. Breathing consciously is the first step. Breathing deep, silent and slow is the second step. Acquiring the habit of deep, silent and slow breathing at all time during the day is the third step. Experiencing the changes within at physical, mental and emotional level is the fourth step. Pranayama (important practice of Hatha Yoga that regulates breath for awakening to higher consciousness), begins only when we become fully aware of breath, its rate and rhythm. Many persons start practicing Pranayama, by reading a book that does not bring any result. Other start practice considering, Hatha Yoga is practice to be done forcibly, results into many harmful effects.
Yoga – a New Paradigm of Living
There are two facts of realities in Yoga – Outer Practices and Inner Discovery. Any Outer Practice must be done with reference to Inner Discovery as change of consciousness within begins Yoga. Any perfection at physical level e.g. like gymnast who can perform all physical practices (Asana) easily and much better than Yoga practitioner, can never be termed as Yoga practice. Gymnast manipulates his body for the sole aim to perfect physical body. But yoga practitioner aims at bringing about the changes in body, mind, emotions, attitude and ultimately the consciousness. Therefore, Outer practices are done consciously with one aim to gather one’s mind within and direct it for self discovery. This self discovery awakens a new consciousness. A new consciousness is devoid of all conflicts and pressures of the world, manifests new way of living. The new paradigm of Living is the need of the hour in the world as people are suffering from stress and stress induced disorders.
