Yoga is a way of life. Yoga is a science, not a religion, of uniting the mind, body and soul. It is also an art of living the right way. The techniques of Yoga are very practical, so they can always be applied. This is the reason why Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and is still valid today. This practical science can be broken down into five major principles.
1 Proper Exercise (Asanas)
Proper exercise is necessary to keep the body healthy, strong and flexible. The physical exercises or postures in Yoga are called asanas. Asanas are gentle stretches that help in lubricating the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other parts of the body. They also help to improve circulation, release tension in the body, increase flexibility and tone the nervous system. Asanas are meant to be performed in a slow, relaxed and methodical manner. In addition to developing the physical body, the mind is also impacted in a positive way. Most people find it difficult to calm the mind. We start with asanas to help start the process of calming the mind and to create a good foundation for the next steps.
2 Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Due to our modern lifestyles most of us forget how to breathe. At best, our breathing becomes very shallow. All the cells and tissues in our bodies thrive on oxygen. Without an adequate supply of oxygen, our cells and tissues become weak, leading to diseases. Deep breathing provides an abundance of oxygen, which keeps the cells and tissues healthy. Upon exhalation, we expell impurities from our bodies. Lack of exhaling deeply does not remove enough impurities from our bodies. Shallow breathing then does not supply enough oxygen and does not expell enough impurities. The result is a toxic system, which is a perfect environment for diseases to form. With proper breathing techniques (pranayama) we can teach the body to breathe again. Pranayama not only purifies the system, but it also helps to connect the body to the solar plexus area where a tremendous potential energy is stored. This vital energy or prana is then released, rejuvenating the body and mind. The benefits of pranayama greatly outweigh those of asanas, so it is important to incorporate pranayama in one's regular practice.
3 Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
In these times we are measured by how much we can achieve and in the least amount of time. This causes us to be in constant motion. This constant motion then causes our bodies and minds to be overworked and stressed. Proper relaxation is yet another important factor we must incorporate into our regular practice in order to allow the body and mind to recharge and rejuvenate. Rest and relaxation helps to calm the whole system. When we are in this state it is sometimes difficult to calm the system and even sleeping becomes difficult and doesn't help. Yogic relaxation techniques or savasana helps to calm the system by retraining the mind and body to relax.
4 Proper Diet and Nutrition
What we eat has a subtle impact on our health and wellbeing. For a number of reasons, a plant-based diet is optimal for good health. It enables the body to maximize the benefit from food, air, water as well as sunlight. It is also easy to digest and promotes good health. A Yogic diet is simple, natural and wholesome. Since the food we eat has a subtle impact, a Yogic diet helps to achieve better health as well as a sharp, yet calm mind.
5 Positive Thinking and Meditation
Our mind is what drives our body. A calm and steady mind is required to keep our bodies in optimal condition. Positive thinking helps to purify the mind and experience inner peace. When we shift our focus from negative thoughts to positive thoughts, it changes our perception of the world around us. We start to see things in a more positive light and negative situations stop affecting us in a strong way. Along with positive thinking, incorporating a regular meditation practice helps to keep the mind clear and focused.
All of the above is what Yoga is all about. It is not just about some poses. The idea is to have optimal physical and mental health, which then helps us to navigate life in a more graceful manner.
FAQs
Proper Exercise, Proper Breathing, Proper Relaxation, Proper Diet, Positive Thinking & Meditation. Swami Vishnudevananda was known for his contemporary style of teaching the philosophy and practice of yoga.
What are the five major principles of yoga? ›
Along with being a way of life, it is also considered a practical science with five principles forming its core:
- Proper Exercises (Asanas)
- Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
- Proper Relaxation.
- Proper Diet and Nutrition.
- Meditation and Positive thinking.
Proper Exercise, Proper Breathing, Proper Relaxation, Proper Diet, Positive Thinking & Meditation. Swami Vishnudevananda was known for his contemporary style of teaching the philosophy and practice of yoga.
What are the main principles of form of yoga therapy explain it? ›
Yoga therapy is a form of treatment that uses yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to promote overall health and well-being. Because it treats the full person, yoga therapy encourages the integration of the spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of one's being.
What are the 4 principles that limit or free our yoga practice? ›
The 4 Basic Principles of Asana
But how do you attain steadiness and ease in your daily asana practice? You can do that by focusing on the basic four principles of yoga poses: stability, strength, space, and mobility. Applying these principles to your yoga sessions will change the way your practice and teach yoga.
What are the 5 major types of yoga? ›
Types of yoga include hatha, Iyengar, vinyasa, hot yoga, and ashtanga. For an aerobic workout, a vinyasa class might be the best to boost your heart rate. If you're looking for a more meditative class, ashtanga focuses on mindful movement.
What are 5 elements in yoga? ›
In Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga and one of the oldest medical systems still practiced today, those five elements are prithvi (earth), jal (water), agni (fire), vayu (air), and akasha (ether or space).
What are the five elements of yoga explain? ›
The five elements of life are earth, water, fire, air, and space. They are the basic building blocks of the universe and everything in it, including us.
What are the 5 sequences of a yoga class? ›
An Introduction to Yoga Sequences
- Opening.
- Warm up.
- Standing poses.
- Peak pose(s)
- Floor poses.
- Cool down.
- Final relaxation, or Savasana.
The number five represents the Pancha Mahabhutas, the five fundamental elements that form the building blocks of the universe: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. It also symbolizes the Pancha Jnana Indriyas, the five senses that connect us to the external world: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.
Yogic practices shall be performed slowly, in a relaxed manner, with awareness of the body and breath. A Warm up or loosening exercise and stretches before asanas is mandatory to avoid injuries. Asanas should be done slowly and one should move to advanced postures with practice.
Which of the following is one of the five principles of yoga by? ›
These are Proper Exercise (āsana), Proper Breathing (prāṇāyāma), Proper Relaxation (śavāsana), Proper Diet and Positive Thinking (vedānta) and Meditation (dhyāna).
What are the fundamentals of yoga? ›
The Fundamentals of Yoga
Yoga works on the level of one's body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga where we utilise the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we utilise the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy.
What is the golden rule in yoga? ›
It depends on the idea of ahimsa, and that implies peacefulness or non-hurting in Sanskrit. The brilliant rule in yoga is to cause no damage to yourself or others, truly, intellectually, or sincerely . The brilliant rule in yoga can be applied to various parts of yoga, for example, The actual postures or asanas.
What is the hardest type of yoga? ›
What is the hardest yoga style?
- Ashtanga yoga has a fast-paced series of postures and requires strong endurance and flexibility.
- Bikram yoga can require stamina and strong willpower because it's practiced in intense heat and humidity.
The principle which doesn't teach in yoga is strength.
What are the 5 states of mind in yoga? ›
States of Mind
- Kshipta, completely distracted.
- Mudha, dull, lethargic.
- Vikshipta, not fully concentrated, distracted.
- Ekagra, concentrated, one-pointed.
- Nirodha, the state in which the mind is mastered and agitation completely ceases.
The moral rules or yamas and niyamas. The brilliant rule in yoga guides you to carry on with a moral and amicable life. You shouldn't hurt yourself or others by lying, taking, cheating, or being brutal.
