YOGA AND MEDITATION
The ASANAS (body positions), the ethical and moral code of YOGA, the relaxation and meditation methods, the concentration techniques on YANTRAS (certain symbolic geometrical diagrams), the breathing control techniques, all under the careful surveillance of a competent master can help us find and eliminate the anxiety, to enhance our power of concentration, to amplify our intelligence, to evolve spiritually, to really know ourselves and to open up our beings to new existence dimensions.
Everybody can choose a meditation or a concentration technique that suits him with the help of his spiritual guide. He can turn into better, to really find himself. By practicing YOGA techniques anyone can see amazing benefic transformations. Here and now you can touch perfection.
The message of a master to his disciples:
"Let's tear down the
wall that separates us from the Light, let aside our prejudices,
rigidity, selfishness and ignorance...Let's try to learn to really live,
to love and to be happy...Let's regain the candor and purity of our
childhood, to be better, more altruist and wiser... Let us be on the
same side of the Microcosmic Harmony, to resonate with the energies of
good, beauty and truth. Let's try to find the Ultimate Truth, to
complete ourselves, to be springs of divine energy."
Panchakosha Meditation
According to ancient Indian scriptures, we consist of five sheaths or koshas – body, breath, mind, intellect and finally bliss. In this meditation we are guided from the gross to the subtler aspects of our being, finally experiencing the joy and peace that's inherent in everyone.
Yoga
Meditation
Yoga Meditation is the art and science of systematically observing, accepting, understanding, and training each of the levels of our being, such that we may coordinate and integrate those aspects of ourselves, and dwell in the direct experience of the center of consciousness. The links above are to a 16-page description of Yoga Meditation, which explains the process in practical terms, and simple language.
Yoga Meditation is not actually a separate aspect of Yoga, due to the fact that Yoga is meditation. However, the phrase Yoga Meditation is being used here to discriminate between Yoga Meditation and the now popular belief that Yoga is about physical postures. Yoga or Yoga Meditation is a complete process unto itself, only a small, though useful part of which relates to the physical body.
The Health Benefits of Yoga & Meditation
Stress Management
Regular
yoga practice helps to reduce stress responses in your body, according
to a study in the 2010 issue of “Psychosomatic Medicine.” Reducing the
inflammatory response to stressors on your body will help reduce your
chance of stress-related conditions such as high blood pressure and
cardiovascular disease. Meditation is also an effective stress reducer
that is used to help reduce anxiety, panic disorders and agoraphobia, an
anxiety disorder.
Increased Flexibility
Western
society is plagued by sedentary jobs where workers sit most of the day.
This leads to reduced muscle mass, fitness and flexibility. In
addition, office work increases neck and shoulder strain from hunching
over in front of a computer all day. Yoga poses focus on stretching and
lengthening the muscles. Increased flexibility will help you with daily
movements such lifting and bending, while improving sports performance.
Many athletes incorporate yoga into their workout schedules to improve
or maintain flexibility.
